foodie pen pals!

reveal day!
 i am so excited to share with you an amazing program put together by Lindsay at the Lean Green Bean - she is an absolute genius and this event just goes to show you how brilliant she is.

Here’s what the program is all about:
-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address 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 pen pal 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.
-Foodie Penpals is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We've determined things might get too slow and backed up if we're trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.
If you’re interested in participating for June, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.
You must submit your information by June 4th as pairings will be emailed on June 5th!

*If you're from somewhere besides the US, Canada or Europe and want to participate, send me an email and I'll see if we get enough interest this month!

my foodie pen pal was Gloria from Boston - it was neat to have someone just in the next state over as my pen pal, her parents own a Asian European fusion bakery in Boston's China Town. I was so excited to receive my package, i couldn't wait to open up to see what goodies were waiting for me - I was even more excited to see a couple of items from trader Joe's!

truthfully i was a little bummed, even though i was very specific about being a vegan and what a vegan does and does not consume, about 40% of my goods were not vegan friendly. The gummy tummies contained animal gelatin which was the first ingredient on the list, the cocoa almond spread and granola bar both contained dairy.

the snicker doodles are gluten free and vegan - they were amazing! the Chile spiced mango's were so unique i had never had anything like them before & the Luna bar will be the perfect hiking snack. missing from the picture is a fruit and nut chocolate bar, Justin ate that before i could even get a picture :)

I had SO much fin shopping and getting to know my foodie pen pal Kyleigh from Washington State. She is also a vegan and loves to support local and fair trade brands and businesses when possible - she was my perfect match! Since Kyleigh doesn't have a blog I am sharing her recap here :)

I was lucky enough to have Heather as my first ever Foodie Pal, for the month of May. She and I had many food similarities and she couldn’t have sent me better goodies! I had told Heather that I love chocolate and coconut together. I also said that snack foods are best because I am always on the go. She spoiled me with amazing snacks and sweets!  When I got the package, she had wrapped everything in such a cute box and had written on it with “Enjoy!” It was such a cute little touch to a great gift. When I opened it, there was so much to look at! So these are the items…

1)    Artisana 100% Organic Cacao Bliss Raw Chocolate Coconut Butter – I have yet to use this only because I am worried I will fall in love with it and won’t be able to find it again! I am planning to add it to some toast.
2)    Emmy’s Coconut Vanilla Macaroons – All I can say is “WOW”!! So yummy. It came with 3 and they are all gone. Probably my favorite thing in the box Heather sent.
3)    Justin’s Organic 2 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups – These are one of my favorite desserts. I love them.

4)    For the Love of Hot Chocolate – A single packet of sugar free hot chocolate. I haven’t tried it yet because I’m contemplating how I am exactly going to eat it. She added a little pamphlet on information about it and ways to use it. I’m thinking of adding it to make a chocolate smoothie.
5)    Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Blend Packet – I buy these ALL the time and add them to bagels and toast. Perfect size to put into my purse for on the go.
6)    North Family Farm Maple Syrup – It came in a little bottle that is so cute and perfect size! It is made in Heather’s state, New Hampshire. I love that it is from her area and that it is not made from a huge company. I have already used some for my morning vegan chocolate chip pancakes!

Miss Sadee Rose wanted in on the goodies too!

7)    Annie’s Vegan Oatbars – I have never seen these, but am now on the hunt! It was so filling and the perfect snack size that I love having in my purse. So yummy!
8)    Oskri Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate – This petite bar was heavenly. I gobbled this up the day I received the foodie box! (You will notice in the picture that it is just the wrapper- It was so good.
9)    Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bar Chocolate & Coconut – I squealed when I saw this in my box! I tried this a couple of months ago at the Seattle VegFest and have been craving it ever since! I am so excited to have another one and will be buying them in the very near future!
10) Fair Trade Wood Carvings – I love this little carving. I’m not exactly sure what animal it is, but I like that I don’t. It gives it a personal touch and a one of a kind story. She included a little card with information about how and why they are made in Kenya. It is sitting on my desk right now!

Heather also included a nice card with great information about the foods she included. She also gave me some ideas of her favorite cleaning products because I am going to be moving out on my own very soon and was wanting her opinion. Heather, thank you so very much for going out and buying such amazing items for me to eat! You did a fantastic job! It was all so so yummy! 

Your very happy May Foodie Pal,
Kyleigh Boyd

I found out about foodie pen pals through my friend gabby over at the veggie nook and i am so glad i did. i encourage you to give it a try!