November Foodie Penpals!

This month I received a box of goodies from Kate in Texas. I love that I was matched with someone from Texas and she sent some local goodies. Brought back great memories of visiting my grandparents in San Antonio and going to college in East Texas. Thanks Kate!!

The goodies:
- Moonshine Sweet Tea
- Brisket rub - Love brisket!!
- Trail Mix - Yum
- Coconut Patties - slightly devilish. Extremely sweet and seriously coconutty!

Yes, that does say Moonshine! It's concentrated sweet tea. Taste's just like a Southern Grandma made it!


If you want to join in the fun of Foodie Pen Pals here's the info:

Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:

-On the 5th of the 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 can choose 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.

- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK 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. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada! 

***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

September Foodie Pen Pals!

This month I was matched up to receive a box from Jenny in California. She said when she saw I was from Alaska she immediately thought "oh that's sad, they don't have Trader Joe's in Alaska." That's right, we don't have TJ's here and I really wish we did! I love that place and try to stock up on my faves (non-perishables) when I go out of state. Jenny was nice enough to send me a Taste of Trader Joe's. Some of her favorite things for me to taste.

Jenny wrote me a very nice note (on adorable Girl Scout cookie stationary!) detailing what every item was and how best to enjoy it. Unfortunately two of the items didn't arrive in one piece. I was sad to see a cracked chocolate coffee grinder thing and shattered jar of cookie butter. I've heard such good things about this stuff I'm going to have to get my hands on some somehow...

The goods:
-Vegetable Pasta
-Edemame Crackers
-Black Bean Dip
-Eggplant Garlic Spread
-Snap pea Crisps
-Sugar, chocolate, coffee grinder
-Chocolate Covered Mint Espresso Beans
-Cookie Butter

So far, everything I've tried has been super yummy. I still need to break open the eggplant garlic stuff, and cook up the veggie pasta, but that will be SOON! I really love the edemame crackers. Theya re so light and crispy. And yes, those snap pea crisps (somehow not in the photo) are like crack. I've gotten them a time or 2 before and always eat more than I mean to.

If you're interested in joining up for Foodie Penpals head over to the Lean Green Bean. Lindsay hosts a great party. Here's more information.

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Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:

-On the 5th of the 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 can choose 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.

- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK 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. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada! 

***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

August Foodie Penpal Goodies!

This month I was matched up with Carol from Fruitland, ID! My hubby was chuckling when he brought home the mail and said "you have a package from Fruitland." We have a chain of smoothie shops here called Fruitland so I guess he thought that was funny.

Carol put together a great box for me this month!

-Pistachios & pepitas - I LOVE both of these!
-hot cocoa - fall is seriously on it's way here in Southcentral AK. Hot cocoa season is just around the corner...
-cinnamon sticks
-packets of Peanut Butter & Co PB - never tried this before, looking forward to it!
-pocky - yum!
-tea
-rice candy
-nougat
-marshmallows, cupcake shapes & strawberry swirls! (I just got my box today and I've already eaten a "few" of these...)
-a quilted coaster
-wooden bird
-notepad
-and a recipe for Idaho baked potato soup. Sounds delish!

Thank you Carol!


I sent a package off to Anamarie who lives in D.C. close to the capitol building. I put Alaskan goodies in her box and didn't have to worry about dietary restrictions or anything. She said she will eat pretty much anything, except American cheese. Can't say I disagree.


As always, Foodie Penpals is a blast! If you want to join in the fun next month head on over to Lindsay's blog and sign up! Here are some of the details:

Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:
-On the 5th of the 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 can choose 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.
- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK 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. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!
***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

Foodie Pen Pal - Month 2

It is month two of participating in the Foodie Pen Pals program and this month comes with exotic fruit! This month I was matched with Melissa in Florida who is a yoga instructor and Holistic Health Coach. She doesn't have a blog - YET! She seems to have a lot of good info to share that I think the blog world would really enjoy...come on Melissa! We've already had a few emails about how I can get back into a regular yoga routine which I hope to do very soon. I'm always surprised at how much better I feel once I'm back at it. Anyway, back to the FOOD!

Here are the goodies:
Fresh lychees! I've never had these before. They look a little odd, but that is something I love - odd looking fruits, veggies, and flowers!
Mango - fresh from the tree. So much better than the half ripe ones we get in the grocery stores in Alaska.
TJ's Balsamic Glaze
TJ's Harvest Grains Blend
Sorghum Syrup
Homemade superfoods mix

They don't have Trader Joe's where Melissa lives in FL and I don't have them here, but I love, love, love TJ's and always try to stop at one when I travel. Melissa took time out while she was traveling to New York to stop and TJ's and pick me up some goodies. How sweet! She noted from looking at my blog that I love balsamic and picked me up a balsamic glaze, and a grain mix. Both are on my must-try very soon list.

The lychees were very good. Surprisingly refreshing and tropical. And you just can't go wrong with fresh mango. I love them so much!

The Harvest Grains Blend has Israeli couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa! Sounds like a great combo! I can't wait to try it.

The superfoods mix is delicious. I broke into that before I even had the box unloaded.

Looking forward to trying the sorghum syrup. I've never tried it before. Melissa says it is and old fashioned sweetener that is high in antioxidants. Would I use it in place of sugar or more like molasses?

Without going into graphic details I will say I've been sick since just after the box came and I have not yet been able to try the grains mix, glaze, or syrup. They have just been sitting on the counter mocking me day after day. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll break into them.

Thank you Melissa for a wonderful box of goodies and several good email chats.

If you'd like to see what I sent to Ryan at Spicy Richmond you can head over to her blog.

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If you want to join the fun of Foodie Pen Pals hosted by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean here is the info:

Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:

-On the 5th of the 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 can choose 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.

- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK 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. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada! 

***If you’re in the UK, please contact Carol Anne from This Is Rock Salt at rocksalt@thisisrocksalt.com to get involved!

My first Foodie Pen Pal!

I haven't had a pen pal for ages. When I was 6 I met a fellow camper at a campground in Chicken, Alaska. Isn't that a great name for a town? She was from Michigan and I lived in Alaska and we wrote letters back and forth for at least 10 years. We kind of lost touch after high school. This year I just started "pen-pal-ing" with my 9 and 10 yr old nieces that live in West Virginia. I must say kids write the best letters! That reminds me, I think it's my turn...

Anyway, this is a different kid of pen pal. One that involves food. What could be better?! Basically you sign up to be a Foodie Pen Pal, and then Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean matches you with someone to send a package of food goodies to, and then you receive a package from someone else. I sent my package of specially selected goodies off to Teresa at A Game of Balance and received a package from Eila at the Full Plate Blog! What fun!

If you're interested in learning more about the Foodie Pen Pal Program or if you'd like to participate next month I'll include info and a link to Lindsay's FPP sign-up page at the bottom of this post.

I don't know how it happened, but Eila managed to fill my box with things I LOVE! She lives in Connecticut and sent me a box of goodies all from CT!

The Goods:

- Lower left, Chocolate Chip Cookies! These were delish! Tasted just like homemade.
- Nothin' But Snack Bar. PB, Choc, Banana flavor. This was similar to a regular crunchy granola bar, but so much more depth of flavor. Hubby had a small bite and wasn't thrilled - perfect! More for me!
- Balsamic Four Onion Spread. I don't know how she knew I was obsessed with balsamic. Not sure yet what all I will do with this one, but so far I made a quick veggie pizza the other night and used this as the base under zucchini & mushrooms.
- Ruby Slipper tea. Kind of floral, lightly sweet on it's own. I felt very lady like drinking this tea. :-)
- Biscotti Bites. Another obsession of mine, biscotti. These are lemon flavored and so light and airy. Also only 13 calories each!
- Lower right, Cranberry Pecan granola. Been lovin' me some granola lately. This is delicious mixed into Greek yogurt.
- Center bottom, Curry spiced pumpkin seeds! Great crunch, subtle curry flavor which is how I like my curry. These are good. I put them in the snack bag I keep in the car so I can munch on them while I'm out running around.

Thank you Eila! Fantastic collection of goodies!

Here's a close-up (sorry a little out of focus) of the balsamic four-onion spread.

And a shot of my pizza. Looks a little messy. The night I made this I was in a rush, didn't have pizza dough but my mom had given me a package of refrigerated crescent dough (something I rarely have). I tried to arrange the triangles on my baking stone into a circle but that didn't work very well. I also only had mushrooms and zucchini on hand but I love them both on pizza so this worked out well. I added some rosemary spice blend to the dough before I put down the onion spread and then again in between light layers of cheese. I used colby jack shredded cheese, a little mozzarella, and some shredded parm. Mmmmm-mmmm!

Don't forget you have until June 4th if you want to sign up for next month's Foodie Pen Pals. Here is the information from Lindsay.
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And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of 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 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. 
-Foodie Penplas 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!