This past month, I participated in the Foodie Penpal program hosted and organized by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean.  Foodie Penpals matches people (both bloggers and readers) up to send fun, new, and interesting products to someone that you have never met.  Lindsay does all of the matching and tells you who will be sending to you, as well as who you will be sending to.

During the first week of March, I received an e-mail from Lindsay saying that Stacey over at Wanderlust Hearts would be sending me a package!  Stacey contacted me and I told her that I don’t really have any preferences and I just wanted to be surprised.  Two weeks later, a big box was dropped at my door and I was beyond excited to open it.  I was on my way out when I saw it, so I took it with me in the car just so I wouldn’t have to wait.  It was pouring rain and the box got soaked, but I didn’t want to wait!

I ripped open the box and saw a that Stacey included a card.  It took a lot of willpower to read that first without seeing what was in the box, but I did!  Stacey included a note explaining where the different items were from, etc.  The card itself is from one of her many travels!

Justin’s Almond Butter

I have wanted to try Justin’s Almond Butter ever since I read about the company’s story in a magazine a few months ago, so I was really happy to see that Stacey included a sample of the Honey Almond Butter!  I haven’t opened it yet because the little package is perfect to take on-the-go, so I’m saving it 🙂

Woodstock Orchards Apple Butter

I forgot how much I LOVE apple butter until I started digging into this.  Stacey says that this apple butter is locally made in her hometown, which is awesome.  I have been eating it on crackers, on top of oatmeal…and by the spoonful!  It’s not too sweet, which I really like.

Koplai Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Banana

If you were to ask me my favorite food combination, it would definitely be banana and chocolate and/or peanut butter, so this snack is right up my alley!  The little bits of banana and chocolate are addicting and surprisingly, the banana tastes fresh!  There isn’t that overly-strong banana flavor that banana products sometimes have.  I have been enjoying these for dessert, and on oatmeal.  Why not have a little chocolate to sweeten-up my morning?

Peeled Snacks Paradise Found

I discovered Peeled Snacks last year when browsing through the school store in search of a snack.  The first time I tried it, I bought the mango variety and loved everything about it (besides the hefty price tag).  Before Stacey sent me my package, I had never had the Paradise Found variety, so I was excited to try it.  I brought the pack back to to school with me with the intentions of taking it as a snack to eat between classes.  That plan didn’t work out as I opened it before break even ended.  The first thing I noticed was the less-than-pleasant smell that the fruit gives off.  I was taken aback by how potent the smell was, but ignored it and gave the fruit a go!  I like the mango (of course) and the pineapple, but I found that the bananas taste off and they’re definitely what is giving everything such a strong odor.  The weird taste hasn’t stopped me from eating all of the fruit and the bananas have definitely grown on me.  I don’t think I would buy the Paradise Found again, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to try it!

Biena Cinnamon Maple Chick Peas

Last and definitely not least is this chickpea snack.  This item is definitely my favorite item that was sent!  It’s such an interesting concept and isn’t like anything that I would ever think to make.  The chickpeas are sweet, but not too sweet and really crunchy.  I want to try making these at home with different flavors.  Peanut butter?  Mmm…

I really loved having the opportunity to try all of these new foods.  I want to send a huge thank you to Stacey for putting the box together and finding new things for me.  Also, thank you to Lindsay for organizing the Foodie Penpals.

If you would like to participate, you can head over to The Lean Green Bean and sign-up for next month’s Foodie Penpals!