A Foodie Pen Pal Experience



The Lean Green Bean


Foodie Pen Pals is a program that was started by Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean. Every month she has people sign up from all over the United States and Canada to join the Foodie Pen Pal program. At first I wasn't sure about it, but then after reading posts from participants I decided to sign up for June... and I'm so glad that I did. When this program was started there were about 30 participants, and it has now grown to over 1000. If you are interested in learning more about the Foodie Pen Pal program, please click the link above.

So, the thing about Foodie Pen Pals is that you send to someone completely different than who you receive your package from, and that changes every month. On the 5th of each month you are given your pen pal's name and have 72 hours to contact them for a mailing address, any food allergies and to ask them if there is anything they do not like. Then, you have to go out and shop for them. The items can be store bought or homemade but your bill must stay around the $15 limit. You must mail your package no later than the 15th of the month and it must include something hand written in it. It was a really fun experience and I am looking forward to July. Now on to the package I received...

I can't believe how anxious I was for my package to arrive; I get excited to when receiving any mail but packages are especially wonderful. My package came from Moses Lake Washington and was filled with yummy goodies.
My wonderful little model showing off the Sunbutter. It is made of sunflower seeds and is super tasty.

 The first treat out of my box that we tried were these chips. They were probably the best potato chips I have ever had; a little sweet and a little salty. I wonder if I can find these around here.

 Mark and I have been loving this dressing. I've had several Annie's dressings but this is one I had not yet tried. 

 Who doesn't like cherries, almonds and chocolate??? 

This brownie was pretty good but I only had one bite since my mouth breaks out from walnuts. Amelia enjoyed some of it though.

Many many thanks to my pen pal Natassia for sending over some pretty tasty treats! She picked out some wonderful things for me and I was given such a variety. I am now addicted to sunbutter and those delicious chips. I definitely loved this pen pal experience and will be participating again in July!

So part of participating as a Foodie Pen Pal is that you need to post what you receive if you have a blog. Since the person I sent a package to, who is also named Ashley, does not have a blog I have given her the opportunity send over a guest post about the goodies I sent her. Below is Ashley's post from Wisconsin.

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My first Foodie Pen Pal experience has been fantastic with the help of my pen pal, Ashley, from over at http://ashley-to-awesome.blogspot.com/.  Ashley did a great job picking out different goodies and treats that actually fit my tastes perfectly.  Only two of the items she sent me were foods I have had before.  I’ve had Cliff Bars and tried one of the Complete Cookies at work in the past.  So far I haven’t gotten into my Cliff Bars, but I have tried a few of the other goodies.  

My boyfriend, Nick, who is rather fond of cookies, polished off the Complete Cookie for me.  Together, Nick and I, had the Quinoa pasta for dinner the other night though, and it was pretty good.  We didn’t do anything fancy, and just ate it with olive oil basil tomato sauce.  It tasted just like regular pasta, but had a better texture, which was more firm.

For lunch at work the other day, I had the soy ginger ramen.  I’m a huge fan of the general ramen, but I try to stay away from it since it isn’t the healthiest.  This ramen, though not that healthy, is a healthier alternative with an amazing flavor.  It was nice and easy to make too since the noodles are actually soft, not a harden cake.  I think you could get away with just soaking it in hot water for a bit, if that gets it to the eater’s desired temperature.  I did actually microwave mine for the 1:30 directed time.

Soy Crisps are much like Quaker Rice Cakes, but they have a less crunchy texture.  They are much less messier than Quakers which is nice.  The Soy Crisps have a higher caloric value, but since they’re made of soy they have a higher protein count.  Lightly salted, they have a great flavor.

The Feng Shui Nori Seaweed crackers are amazing!!....if you like the taste of fish, which thankfully, I do.  They do not exactly taste like fish, they just have a hint of fishiness to them.  It makes me think of the taste I sometimes get in my mouth after taking my fish oil vitamin.  I think they are delicious, but my co-worker, that does not like fish, was not a fan.

So far, these are the only items I have tried, and I have enjoyed them immensely.  I’m sure everything else will be just as great and I cannot wait to bust into them.  It was really exciting for the package to come, it felt a bit like Christmas morning! I want to say another huge THANK YOU to Ashley for being my first Foodie Pen Pal, and doing a phenomenal job! I can’t wait to see what next month brings.
Ashley Elizabeth
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