Foodie Pen Pals #2 January 2012

It seems like just yesterday I was talking about my first Foodie Pen Pal experience! I signed up to do it again and I'm so glad I did! I'm the kind of person that checks my mail everyday and it's even better when there is package with my name on it waiting for me in the mailbox. My mom used to send me wonderful care packages in college and I was thinking the other day that this foodie pen pal concept is like a food version of care packages for adults!! LOVE IT! Man, I'm using a lot of exclamation points.

For the second month in a row, the Foodie Pen Pal that sent me my goodies was from Texas and the person I sent to was in New Jersey (Danielle at Foodosaurus Rex). Funny! The lovely Erin Garcia sent me this wonderful package from the Lone Star state.

I knew right away when I saw the box she re-used that she has good taste! Penzeys Spices is a wonderful store that unfortunately doesn't have a location in Utah (yet...) but I visited one in Portland this summer. 

This picture isn't great but this is a reusable shopping bag "Pack some Texas Heat" with all the spicy chili peppers. 

Erin sent a sweet note explaining the contents of the box as well as homemade muddy buddies, which were delicious and I haven't had in FOREVER!

These are specialties of the deep south of Texas! First I tried Maria's cookies which are a sweet biscuit that I want to try dipped in my coffee or with some Mexican hot chocolate. The Mazapan is a peanut candy that is like Marzipan (candy made with almonds...which you saw in the last post I am a big fan) but is just a triple layer of peanuts and of course, sugar. I think it's so fun learning/tasting regional treats. Just wait until I come back from France.....I do most of my souvenir shopping at the grocery store!

Okay, I think Erin read my mind because these three things are all some of my favorites. Snickers Peanut Butter bars are about the only candy bars I eat (and not that often, so this thing was devoured in minutes of opening my package). Ritter chocolates are a favorite too but this one was Dark Chocolate with chocolate mousse which I haven't had. I love Odwalla juices but haven't ever tried their bars, so I'm saving that for a snack in between shows this week. 

A box of Abundance Apples & Cinnamon instant Oatmeal. I usually buy this brand to bring when we go on tour! These Pumpkin Seed Cheese Flatbreads are going to be part of my lunch this week too with some Laughing Cow cheese wedges. 

I grew up drinking Celestial Seasonings herbal teas and this one combines the perfect flavors for a relaxing after dinner unwinding drink. 

I love the brand name of this product: Funky Monkey! These are freeze-dried fruit bites, the perfect on the go snack and It's so nice that the ingredient list reads: freeze-dried pineapple & lime juice. Real Fruit for funky monkeys like me :)

Finally, something from Penzeys Spices! A jar of their most popular all-purpose seasoning called Forward! It's a salt free seasoning and you can add it to almost anything: vegetables, soups, breaded meats & fish. I can't wait to give it a try in my own kitchen.

Thank you so much Erin, I feel like you totally spoiled me! It's so fun to exchange with people who love food and foodie products as much as I do. I can't wait until next month. I wonder if I'll receive from someone in Texas again.....it is a big state. 

If you would like to receive a foodie pen pal package you can participate by following the details from Lindsay below! You don't have to be a blogger either, if you are a blog reader that loves food that works too.

-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. 


*Breaking news! This month we're going to do a trial run for our Canadian friends. I'm still not exactly sure how it will work with shipping costs and stuff for you guys up North, but if you're willing to give it a try for a month and provide me with some feedback, that would be awesome! 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 February, please send  an email to Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-WHETHER YOU ARE A US RESIDENT OR CANADIAN RESIDENT. - this is SUPER important so I can get you on the right list!
I will need to hear from you by February 4th as pairings will be emailed on February 5th!
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