"LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death"
attributed to Mame Dennis

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Foodie Pen Pal Program



My first Foodie Pen Pal box was about discovering treasures that were right under my nose. The priority mail box arrived full of things I can get quite easily, but that aren’t currently on my usual shopping list. What a great reminder—and a wonderful assortment of treats that I will now seek out. I was matched with Val from South Carolina. From her blog, I could tell that she lives a very active and healthy lifestyle. I was excited to learn from that, since I tend to take my enjoyment of food and wine a little to far. (Shocking to read, I know.) 

In my introductory email, I told Val that I was interested in local food culture. She sent me a Grawnola Bar, made in South Carolina, which I enjoyed for breakfast only a couple days after it arrived. It was made up of sprouted seeds, nuts and dried fruits (very tasty!) and kept me satisfied until lunch. I am tempted to order a box online.

I also told her of my love of soup, especially this time of year, so in my box there were two organic boxes of soup which are now stashed in my desk drawer at work. It’s nice to know that they’re there for a day when I need a quick, warming meal.

I also added a stash of treats that got me through many an afternoon this month: fruit leather (which I haven’t had since I was a kid, and this kind was much better than what I remember) and dark chocolate squares. That stash is now depleted, but I assure you they were thoroughly enjoyed!

Val sent me a recipe for her favorite morning smoothie, which I haven’t had a chance to try yet. I am saving the natural peanut butter she sent in the box, which is one of the ingredients. The recipe will be a nice change from the usual smoothie I’ve been making with kale or chard from my CSA blended with mango, ginger and chia seeds.

She also sent me a tub of delicious blueberry almond granola from Whole Foods that she said she stirs into her yogurt in the morning. This is what I’ve been having for breakfast this week, and I’m hooked. Sitting here, looking at the last portion that I’ll probably have as a snack today with plain Greek yogurt, I know that I’ll have to go in search of granola soon. There are no Whole Foods near me (so this was a special treat!) but plenty of stores where I’m confident I can find a good variety.

This box of treats got me to change up my breakfast routine, which seemed appropriate because I sent a box to Sheila, who has a blog devoted to that most important of meals. 

I'm so happy to have found this program, and look forward to this month's exchange (and being better about the timing of it.) You can find out more about how you can participate too here.