You guys, I’m so excited. So excited. I really should have thought of this since supporting the Postal Service is a big deal to me, but I’m glad that someone else is on the ball. Lindsay of The Lean Green Bean started something called Foodie Penpals where participants are matched up to another participant each month (bloggers and non-bloggers alike are all welcome), and you mail out a box of goodies ($15 spending limit) to your match and receive one in return. BRILLIANT! This is like two of my greatest loves combined. Food + Mail = Veronica-gasm.
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!
So this month I received my package from Sarah of And So I Give Thanks… (thought it was pretty cool that two thankful blogs were connected through Foodie Penpals!). Is there anything more exciting than getting a package in the mail? Especially when there’s a surprise inside? Especially when it’s a tasty edible surprise?!
Sarah sent me a box full of yummy snacks and a couple of products from her home-state of Minnesota.
Inside was Minnesota honey, & wild rice, Cinnamon Crunch Somersaults, Black & White Trail Mix, and Cheddar Cheese Nut Thins.
Dennis eats honey on bread every single day, so he was really excited to see the honey. It’s one of his favorite treats!
I feel like I found a pot of gold in my box! Wild rice is so expensive that it’s usually cut with other types of rice to make a blend that is less pricey. And I have a pound of pure wild rice! Sarah says this makes an excellent wild rice soup, and I intend to try it that way soon.
I’d never heard of these before. Have you?
Sounds good to me!
Ever since I watched this video on the effects genetically modified foods have had on us, I have been more aware of the food I eat and buy, and make more of an effort to make sure they are not GMO. So I was happy to see this label.
These Cinnamon Crunch Somersaults grew on me and I ended up eating the bag within a few days. At first I didn’t think I liked them, but the roasted sunflower seeds and the crispy, slightly sweet-cinnamon taste & texture became addictive. I particularly liked when I bit into one with an extra-roasted seed–so good!
This Black and White Trail Mix is a combination of peanuts and raisins, both with and without chocolate and yogurt coatings.
The chocolate slightly melted in the heat during shipping, but I was impressed the whole thing wasn’t stuck together in a big mass with the temps we were having during the time I received this. I take this to work with me in case of low blood sugar because it has both carbohydrates and protein.
I saved the best for last! These Cheddar Cheese Nut Thins are crackers made with almonds and rice. I’ve seen them in the gluten-free sections at supermarkets but never thought to try them since I don’t have a gluten allergy.
These were so crispy and delicious! We both loved them and gobbled them up so quickly I’m embarrassed to admit how long they didn’t last. One day. I would definitely not buy these, they are way too addictive! lol Thanks, Sarah, for all the goodies!
I really enjoyed participating in Foodie Penpals this month and am excited for next month! As much fun as it is to receive something in the mail, the best part is actually putting together your own box and feeling all warm and excited for the person about to receive all your tasty thought and effort. If you’d like to learn more, you can do so here. The more the merrier! And thank you for supporting the postal service!
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Glad you enjoyed the contents! I hope you enjoy the wild rice soup. Wild rice is super cheap where I live because they harvest it from our lakes. It was great fun to read your commentary on everything. I have that same problem with the nut thins but they are oh soooo good! Have a marvelous Friday!
LikeLike
Cheap wild rice?! Miracles do happen! Again thank you so much-we enjoyed/are enjoying everything!
LikeLike
Definitely a treasure trove Veronica, I can just imagine your delight when you opened this box.
LikeLike
I love all the goodies you got. I enjoy giving/receiving packages too, so fun! Though I would love to join this, with all I send out to the military I really can’t afford to do much more right now. And with grandbaby on the way, this Grandmama is soon to be broke…ha ha ha! ;) Awesome idea though and I love that is supports our postal service.
LikeLike
Girl, I totally understand that! I know from experience how much you invest in your packages, and I know you send a lot of them. Bless you! This is just for fun, your packages are more important. And thank you for supporting both the troops and our postal service! :)
LikeLike
How fun! What a great program. Let’s see if I can squeeze this into my schedule. I don’t why mailing something is so difficult for me.
LikeLike
Those nut thins are amazing, I get them whenever they go on sale. This penpal box is a great idea. Speaking of supporting the postal service, have you heard of http://www.postcrossing.com/ or http://www.chemoangels.net/ ? I participate in both and they both rely on the good old USPS :)
LikeLike
No, neither of them look familiar. Will go check it out and add them to my Postcard Project page!
LikeLike
What a super fun idea!
LikeLike
oh my goodness I love this! can people oversea participate too? guess it may be a problem with expedition fees… anyway, I am so happy for you that you had some veronica-rsm :)
these are the little things that make our life, well, happy (and sometimes more bearable).
have a nice week-end!
LikeLike
Yes, they are matched with people in their countries. Go check it out!
LikeLike
PS I’m still waiting for your address. :)
LikeLike
Wow what a fantastic box you got sent my friend :D
So many awesome foodie items!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
LikeLike
How fun!! I’m off to check it out!
LikeLike
cool! i so want to join foodie penpals… but am waiting til i’m done w/ grad school cause i just can’t add one more thing now. :)
LikeLike
Gosh, you received some great loot! I’m loving that trial mix and those cheddar cheese nut thins! YUM.
LikeLike
I’m coveting those nut thins. I am always impressed with what everyone gets. It is like Xmas every month as I wait for the goodie box!
LikeLike
Love all the loot! Especially those chips at the end – I love savory chips like that – enjoy the rest of your Saturday!
LikeLike
I’ve just been reading a few posts on the penpal event… what fun! My family is originally from Minnesota and you received some wonderful treats!
LikeLike
I’ll definitely have to give those nut things a try…looks fabulously cheesy and crunchy!!
LikeLike
I got Nut Thins in my package once and it’s probably the one thing I buy every month since!
LikeLike
Awesome package! I am a huge supporter of the USPS :)
LikeLike
That is one rockstar pen pal box you received! I love all the fun snack food!
LikeLike
What a cool idea, I might just join this one, have some great specialties here in New England in the fall!
LikeLike