Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day: August and September

Guess what today is!?

Foodie Penpal reveal day of course!

Don't know what that is?

Well.  It's a wonderful little program started by Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean.  If you like getting mail, if you like getting mail with food inside, if you like meeting other foodies from around the country, and if you like sharing your favorite foods with other foodies then this program is for you!  Here's a quick rundown:

• On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact each other and get mailing addresses and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
• You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
• The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
• You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
• Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. *US Residents only please at this time- hopefully we can expand soon!*

This month I'm including my August and September packages since I was in Missouri in August and didn't quite get it in time for reveal day!

Last month I was paired with Montel.  Unfortunately, I didn't learn too much about her but I do know that she puts together a fabulous package!

1. Lemon Black Pepper Crackers: These things were destroyed within 24 hours of receiving them.  I made an artichoke jalapeno veggie dip and these provided the perfect vehicle for that dip!
2. Guacamole Dip Mix: Typically I make homemade guacamole and steer clear of mixes but I now have two guacamole mixes and I'm thinking I might have to do a "Guacamole Mix Off" to determine a winner.
3. Soft Dried Plums: Whoever named these "dried" plums was so mistaken.  These are the most delicious, juicy, soft "dried" fruit I've ever had.  I need to know if they make anything other than plums?  Surely they do.
4. Harvest Grains Blend: I loooove this stuff.  It's from Trader Joes but somehow I've never seen it.  So thanks Montel for opening my eyes!  I used it in this {Stuffed Butternut Squash} and it was to die for! A must purchase next time you make your way to Trader Joes!

5. Roasted Seasoned Seaweed: I hate to admit it, but I'm just not a fan of seaweed.  I'm typically not picky and will munch on the weirdest of things but...I just can't do this one.  I passed it off to a seaweed lover and made him a very happy one!
6. Tomato Paste: This is my go to tomato paste so it's great to have another one!  Trader Joes is genius for making a tube of tomato paste with a cap instead of those pesky cans!
7. GreenSuperFood and Wheat Grass Drink Powder: I've yet to try this stuff but it looks interesting!  Does anyone have suggestions what to mix it into?  It looks uber healthy!
8. Flower Pepper: Last but not least.  I love Trader Joes grinders.  And this one is no exception.  I've been using it on everything!

This month I was paired with another fellow Massachusetts resident!  This is my third foodie penpal from the area!  A great indication that New England looooves food.  No wonder I love this place.  April has two blogs (so ambitious!), the first one is Beyond the Small Gate where you can check out what's going on in her life as well as her many adventures.  The second is April's Mooseathon where you can read about her training escapades and vegan food swaps!  Go check it out!

1. Bonnievilles Cinnamon Ginger Power Cookie: So delicious!  My taste buds don't have a ton of experience with gluten free and dairy free cookies but this one was so tasty.  I love the combination of cinnamon and ginger especially at the beginning of fall.
2. Kit's Organic Fruit and Nut Bars: I haven't tried these yet but I'm definitely looking forward to it!  I love trying new fruit and nut bars.  Deciding which to try first is going to be quite the decision.  Berry Almond or Chocolate Almond Coconut?  Both sound scrumptious.

3. Poblano Pepper and Corn Chowder: I haven't had the chance to try this yet either but it sounds so good!  If all of this rainy/cold weather in Boston continues I'll be busting this out in no time.
4. Sing Buri Cashews: 1) I love cashews 2) I love asian flavors 3) I love cashews with asian flavors  4) Therefore, I LOVE these!  Seriously.  The tiny chunks of pineapple.  The yummy spices.  A little sweet, a little spicy.  Such a yummy snack!

A big thank you to Montel and April for sending such delicious goodies and of course to Lindsay for creating this fun program!