Foodie Penpals: Keep Moving Forward With Me

This is my fourth month in a row participating in the foodie pen pal program that was created by the wonderful Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean. I’m pretty sure I’m addicted at this point. Sorry, I’m not sorry.

I sent a package to newbie, Gina Hartley, who is just a reader for now. She informed me that she loved chocolate/peanut butter anything so I went with chocolate/peanut butter themed box for her. Hopefully she enjoyed everything I put together for her.

Taralyn Parker @ Keep Moving Forward With Me sent me my package from Utah!
She emailed me a well-thought out questionnaire, and here is what she sent me!



Lightly Roasted Almonds, Pomegranate flavored Oatmeal, Perfectly Simple* Peanut Crunch Bar, Lindt* Smooth Dark Chocolate Bar, Caramel Apple Delight Granola and a recipe for Baked Apple Oatmeal.

In her questionnaire, Taralyn asked me what I enjoy snacking on. I got exactly what I told her. Nuts, oatmeal, and nutrition bars! I love combining an apple and a handful of almonds together as a snack. It just.. feels right. The pomegranate oatmeal intrigued me. I usually add peanut butter, nuts or some fruit to plain oatmeal to give it that “unf” if you know what I mean. But I wanted to experience what this tasted like on its own, so for lunch one day I tried it and..was pleasantly surprised. The pomegranate flavor was very nice and I didn’t feel that I had to add anything to it. I’ve never tried a perfectly simple bar before but I have heard a lot of raves about them. So I was excited I got one in my package. All I can say is.. perfectly simple bars are now on my grocery list. The bar was delicious and with 10g of protein.. it satisfied my hunger for hours.



As for the dark chocolate and local granola.. I haven’t gotten around to try them. I already have a dark chocolate bar in the fridge that I want to finish off before opening up a new one. According to my grandmother though, Lindt chocolate is really good. Her first words when I showed her my package.. “Ooooooo, Linnnnndt.” So I know I’m in for a real treat when I get around to eating it. For now.. it’s at home in my dark chocolate stash. (Yes, I have a dark chocolate stash.) Well, it’s not necessarily just a “dark chocolate” stash. It’s really just a box were I hoard all my treats so no one else will bother them in my room. Trust me, if I were to leave such treats out in the open.. my family would attack them and I would never see them again. The reason I haven’t dug into the granola is because, well, I just can’t. As much as it pains me to say.. heavy cream was used in the making of the granola. Foodies, I know it can be a pain.. but if your shopping for a vegan, or anyone who has a diet restriction. Make sure you double check all the ingredients on the items your sending just so your sure the person your sending them to can actually enjoy them. It’s a downer when we can’t. Obviously I know Taralyn didn’t mean to send me something that has dairy in it. I’m just giving you all a friendly reminder.

Nevertheless, this was another successful month. Thank you so much Taralyn! I look forward to making that recipe soon. I love me some baked oatmeal.

Next month is a little different. Instead of sending packages to other fellow foodies.. you have the opportunity to donate the money you would have spent on your foodie to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Click here to read more about it/sign up to donate to someone who truly needs it in this difficult time.

Sign ups for January start back up on Dec. 18th, so go on over to The Lean Green Bean then if you’d like to participate in Foodie Pen pals in January.