Foodie Penpal (March)

Foodie Penpal (March)

From Samalee of Life from the Centers of the Pie

Samalee sent an amazing foodie package!! I not only received yummy Easter candy that I munched on as I looked through the box, but something I love. I love Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract of which she sent the vanilla bean paste.  I highly recommend these vanillas!!!!  I also received a "friendship bread" starter. I was leaving to go out of town, so I passed it on to my mom to use and she was thrilled. I plan to start the starter and when time is right bake loaves and share the starter with friends and family. 
Thank you again for the yummiest package yet!


If you would like to participate in Foodie Penpals click here for more information.

Cara Box March

"Awesome things in the mail 
+ 
Meeting new women
 + 
Encouragement 
= 
Cara Box"

Cara Box (March)

from Katie at A Heart Consumed

She had traveled to a Trader Joe's for the first and thought of me. I love trying new things and she definitely found a few new things for me to try :)  I plan to use the coconut cookies in a dessert for my wedding shower. I am tempted to process the plantain chips and use them as  breading on chicken for a  Jamaican dinner.  Thank you again Katie!

If you would like to see what I sent check out Katherine at Laughing All the Way


If you would like to participate in Cara Box click here for more information :)

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Recipe adapted from Mrs. Fields Secrets

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter at room temperature or melted
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons milk (cream or half-and-half works, too)
2 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups oats
1  1/3 cup diced dried apple slices (not crunchy apple chips)
1 1/3 cup Kraft caramel bits

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Stand mixer: mix sugar and brown sugar together
3. add melted butter, milk, and vanilla to sugar mixture. cream until smooth.
4. add to the sugar butter mixture: flour, salt, and baking soda. mix until combined.
5. add the oats. mix until combined.
6. add the apples and caramel bits. mix until combined.
7. using a ice cream scooper, scoop dough onto sheet with space in between to allow for cookies spreading. I slightly pressed mine done. Bake until edges are golden brown. The centers may appear not done.  small cookies bake about 5 minutes, large cookies about 11 minutes

GARNIER FRUCTIS HYDRA RECHARGE

GARNIER FRUCTIS HYDRA RECHARGE

BZZ Agent Product Review:
(if you would like to also be a product reviewer, please check out BzzAgent)

I am in love with this product!!! It has changed my thick, curly and unmanageable hair into gorgeous curls! the hair products have allowed me to gain control of my curly hair leaving it with nice soft, hold all day curls. the products have left my hair shiny and soft and full of curls. I will continue to use this product even when I run out. I have used all three but truly can't tell a difference when I use the one minute treatment and when I don't. I think the shampoo and conditioner make the most impact on my hair. There have been times I have gone 2 days before washing my hair and this product I swear keeps it from feeling oily and greasy! I was amazed at how well they worked on my thick curly hair. I am permanently changing to this shampoo, conditioner and deep conditioner.

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil

BZZ Agent Product Review:
(if you would like to also be a product reviewer, please check out BzzAgent)

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil

(multiuse formula that delivers rapid-action nourishment to treat your

 hair, body and even dry areas on your face with no oily residue.)

 My fiance noticed how soft my skin felt and loved the subtle scent of the dry oil.  I was very hesitant about this product at first but have completely fallen in love with it! I spray it on in the morning and am amazed how soft and non-greasy it feels at the end of the day. I have used it on my face and was pleasantly surprised that even at end of the day it does not feel oily.  I will buy this product again when I run out!

February Foodie Penpal

February Foodie Penpals

Aimee from The Girl with the Wooden Spoon,  sent me a very chocolaty foodie package.   I had 2 recipes that I have wanted to try this month but didn't have chocolate on hand. So when I received this box, I decided that I needed to make them. 

Bananas Foster Bread with Chocolate Swirl from Hugs & Cookies XOXO

Fudge Topped Brownies from That Skinny Chick can Bake

Foodie Penpal is a wonderful monthly program. If you would like to learn more about it or/and join click on the Foodie Penpal Stamp

And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-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. 
-Foodie Penplas is open to US, Canadian & European residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. Same with Europeans. 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 from the US or Canada and are in participating for November, please CLICK HERE (www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/) to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

You must submit your information by February 4th as pairings will be emailed on February 5th!

*If you're from Europe, please CLICK HERE (www.thisisrocksalt.com/foodie-penpals/) to signup.

Crave Box: Cooking Light

CRAVEBOX

What is Cravebox?  Cravebox is a fun discovery service that delivers themed boxes to your door. Members are notified when each new box is available, and have several days to enter a drawing for a slot. If your entry  is selected, you'll be notified immediately, charged and will receive it in about 2 weeks. Each Cravebox costs just $10-$15 per box including shipping.

This month I entered the Cooking Light Box raffle and WON!!! Take a peek at my Cooking Light box.

Bestowed Box: Febraury

Have you ever heard of Fab.com? Well some how started receiving emails from them in January  As you can tell, I am a little addicted to monthly subscriptions to healthy snack boxes/ try & review food boxes. One day in January, fab.com had a special price for yet another healthy monthly food box called Bestowed. For $19.00 a month, you will receive a really pretty orange box filled with 5+ healthy, nutritious products to try. Each box also comes with a list about each product, suggestions of how to eat it, and where to buy the product. I  promise to update as I try the new products. As for now take a peek at my first box:

Sahale Snacks: Cranberries, sesame seeds + honey

22 Days Nutrition Bar

Simply Snackin Jerky

NuttZo nut butter made up of 7 nuts and seeds

Green and Black's Dark Chocolate (70%)

Nektar Honey Crystals

Yumvelope: Febraury

I am trying my hardest to eat healthier this year. My goal is lose weight and change my eating habits. Yumvelope seemed like a good fit for healthy snacks and it keeps me out of the snack aisles in the grocery stores. Eventually I should probably narrow down my monthly snack boxes but for now I am going to keep checking the mailbox each month :)

Quote from Yumvelope's Website"

"Yumvelope sends out some of the best-tasting artisanal food products to our customers monthly. $21 gets you a large USPS padded envelope sent to you filled with a minimum of six full-size natural, products, including snacks, drinks, desserts, and chocolates." For every 1 subscriber to Yumvelope, 1 meal is donated. Check out Yumvelope here

Check out my first box:

NUNU Chocolates

Barre Bar

Morning Sunshine Cookie

Stash Tea

Kika's Treats Caramels

Garuka Bars

Graze Boxes during February

Who knew that a weekly healthy snack box can arrive in your mailbox for $5.00 a week.  Apparently I am addicted to healthy, nutritious and new food product box subscriptions. I am really excited to try Graze snacks because not only do they package them in single serving size but also include nutritional information. When you sign up, you will select the foods you will eat, want to try and no way do not send that.
If you would like to try Graze snacks, you will need the invitation code: 3C6QDJ2D in order to sign up.

Check out the 3 boxes I have received so far :)

Yin & Yang

Herby Bread Basket

Summer Berry Flapjacks

Mississippi BBQ Pistachios

Toffee Apple

Bonnie Wee Oatcakes

Rock the Casbah

Jaffa Cake

El Picante

My Thai

Summer Pudding

Honeycomb Crunch

Celebrate Crate: February

I am proud of myself for signing up for a nonfood monthly subscription box this time :)

If you are looking for a monthly kick in the pants to make something crafty and party planning ideas, then Celebrate Crate is perfect for you

Celebrate Crate is a monthly subscription box that incorporates crafts, party ideas and decorative edible things for that unique dessert. The box is only $20.00 including shipping per month. Click here to sign up

Now lets take a peek into my very first Celebrate Crate box I received this February.

"Fall in Love with Glitter"

1. 8 pack of WOW! Glitter by American Crafts
2. Mod Podge & Sponge by Plaid
3. Cupcake Flags by Penelope & La La
4. Star Shaped Edible Glitter by King Arthur Flour

Goodies Company Box: January & February

Image from goodies website

The Goodies Company is operated by Walmart. The monthly subscription is $7 including taxes and shipping.  The Goodies box will feature 5-8 new foods picked/ tasted by Walmart employees, and is delivered to your doorstep. As a taster, you are responsible for rating each item you receive in the package on their website. To subscribe click here.

The January box included:

• Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar (Blueberry)-- was so excited to try this and loved it!
• Stretch Island Fruit Chews
• Go Nola (Maple Pecan)--great in greek yogurt
• Skeeter Snacks Cookie (Snickerdoodle)
• Wild Garden Traditional Hummus and Pita Chips-- finally tried  hummus for the first time and kindof liked it
• Cascal (Citrus)--- not a big fan of the fermented fruit flavor
• Flamous Brands Falafel Chips (Original)--- my favorite this month

The February  box included:

• Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams and Smooth Operator--- Yummy on banna bread bagels
• Nutty Bean ChickPz
• Nabisco Chips Ahoy Chewy Chocolate Chip with Reese's-- what's not to like about Reese's especially in chocolate chip cookie
• Enjoy Life Plentils Crunchy Lentil Chips
• Snack Wells Yogurt Pretzels
• J & D's Bacon Popcorn--- smelled like bacon when popping; was quite salty but still liked it even 2 days later

Love With Food: January & February

LOVE WITH FOOD

Discover Great Food for a Great Cause

Get 8+ NEW gourmet foods delivered to your door for $10/month 

and Love with Food will donate a meal to a hungry child.

Click here to sign up

Take a look at the January & Febraury boxes

NatureBox: January & February

Organic snack box from NatureBox

I am in love with this monthly snack because I am trying new items that I normally would never by at a store. This company has taught me that healthy snacks can be taste amazing. NatureBox is a monthly subscription for $19.95 and in return you receive a box of 4-6 full size packages of healthy all natural snacks. If you would like to subscribe to NatureBox to click here.


January:
Wild Berry  Bunch chewy dried berries
Cranberry Almond Bites-- these are one of my favorite treats from Naturebox
Lone Star Snack Mix
Orange Crush Granola--- was very yummy in my Greek yogurt
Chocolate Ginger Bliss








February
Nature's Bounty--nuts and dried friut
 Vanilla Macaroon Granola-- love adding the monthly granola to Greek Yogurt
Dark Cocoa Almonds--- I think I have officially fallen in love with almonds!!
Honeycomb Sunflower Kernels-- plan to use them in homemade granola bars
Blueberry Nom Noms-- mini like blueberry muffins yumyumyum

Cara Box Exchange

I am super excited to hopefully join another monthly package exchange exchange!!!! Each month there is a different theme for the box. When you are paired with your Cara Box Pal, you get to know them by email and reading their blog. You have a $15 limit and need to include 5+ items.  Stay tuned.............

Rolo Chex Munch

Rolo Chex Munch

Ingredients:

Bag of Rolos unwrapped 

(I used a bag left over from the holidays)

3 Tablespoons of butter

4 cups of Rice Chex cereal

at least 2 cups of Powder Sugar

Directions:

1. pour Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside
2. pour the powder sugar in large ziploc bag and set aside
3. melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat
4. add the unwrapped Rolo candies to the sauce pan
5. continuously stir the mixture until the Rolos have melted and reach pourable consistency
6. pour the Rolo mixture over the Chex cereal and stir until all cereal is coated
7. pour the coated cereal into the bag containing powder sugar, seal, and shake
8. spread out the cereal on a cookie sheet so the Rolo Chex Munch can cool
9. Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag

Bzzz Agent: Glade Expressions

Thank you Bzz Agent for choosing me to try out both of these amazing Glade air freshener products. I chose the pineapple scented diffuser to brighten my spirits during the winter months. The diffuser definitely made the  foul odor filled room smell amazing :) The Glade Expressions Mist smells amazing. I normally do not like air freshener sprays for use in the bathroom, but I love this one :)   If you would like to try the product, I would love to share some coupons with you :)

Cherry Chocolate Cake-mix Truffles

BEHIND THE CURTAIN DESSERT CHALLENGE

Each month you will select a dessert recipe that incorporates the assigned 2 ingredients. This recipe can include ANY ingredients as long as the 2 assigned ingredients for the month are included. Everyone participating will post on the 2nd Thursday of the month. If you would like to see the upcoming schedule  click here. If you are interested in participating in Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge, click here.

The challenge ingredients this month

 were chocolate and cherries.

Cherry Chocolate Cake-mix Truffles

adapted from Confessions of  a Cookbook Queen

PLEASE CHECK OUT HER BLOG!!!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of red velvet dry cake mix from box

1 cup of chocolate dry cake mix from box

1 cup of cherry chip dry cake mix from box

1/4 cup of cherry filling without the cherries

1 1/2 bags of melting chocolate

sprinkles to decorate

Bowl #1-- mix 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk , 1 cup of red velvet cake mix, and 1/4 cup of cherry filling. If it's to sticky, add a little more cake mix.

Bowl #2-- mix 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk  and 1 cup of cherry chip cake mix.  If it's to sticky, add a little bit more cake mix.

Bowl #2-- mix 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk  and 1 cup of chocolate cake mix.  If it's to sticky, add a little bit more cake mix.

2. press a little bit of each truffle mix  into silicone mold 

3. freeze for about an hour or until hard

4. melt the chocolate

5. remove truffles from freezer and dip in chocolate. I prefer to dip once, let it harden and dip a second time. If you are placing sprinkles on your truffles you need to do so right after dipping. If you are planning on keeping them for awhile, store them in fridge or freezer. 

Sweetest Swap 2013

I participated in the Postcard Project's Christmas cookie exchange that was hosted by Veronica who writes an amazing blog Veronica's Cornucopia. We all had such a great time making, sending and receiving homemade cookies that she created the Sweetest Swap for February.

I signed up, received three matches, mail each match 12 pieces of your best homemade candy, and receive a dozen pieces of delicious homemade candy from your matches in return. Super sweet, right?

I sent homemade lollipops and cake mix truffles.

Homemade Lollipops

recipe from Pint Sized Baker

PLEASE CHECK OUT HER BLOG!!!

Have a microwave? Then you can make these homemade lollipops!

Ingredients:

1 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of corn syrup

1/2 dram of LorAnn Flavoring (find it in the hard candy making aisle.)

Supplies:

4 cup glass bowl

2 pieces of saran wrap

metal spoon

silt pad

12 lollipop sticks

sprinkles

*****Do not make while little ones are running around you!!! The mixture is extremely hot!!********

1. Lay out silt pad on the counter top

2. Place lollipop sticks on the silt pad with space in between

3. Shake a few sprinkles over each stick to decorate the lollipop

4. Mix sugar and corn syrup in glass bowl

5. Cover the bowl with saran wrap

6. Microwave  for 3 minutes

7. Remove with oven mitt and stir the mixture

8. Cover with saran wrap and microwave for 3 more minutes

9. Remove with oven mitt and saran wrap

10. Pour in flavoring and stir.

11. Using a spoon, drop small amounts on the stick.

12. Let cool before handling.

Cake-mix Truffles

adapted from Confessions of  a Cookbook Queen

PLEASE CHECK OUT HER BLOG!!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of dry cake mix from box

bag of melting chocolate

sprinkles to decorate

1. Mix sweetened condensed milk and cake mix. If it is too sticky add a little more dry cake mix.

2. Form into desired shape or press into silicone mold

3. freeze for about 15 minutes or until hard

4. melt the chocolate

5. remove truffles from freezer and dip in chocolate. I prefer to dip once, let it harden and dip a second time. If you are placing sprinkles on your truffles you need to do so right after dipping. If you are planning on keeping them for awhile, store them in fridge or freezer. If you are shipping them use 2 day priority.



Take a look at what I received :

1.  Heather sent homemade chocolate chews that were better than tootsie rolls!
2.  Carolyn sent orange candies and my favorite candy, raspberry creams. Here is the recipe for the creams  here
3. April at Angels Homestead sent strawberry  & chocolate fudge and chocolate pretzels. Here is the recipe for the two ingredient fudge here and the pretzels here

January Foodie Penpal

I always look forward to receiving my foodie penpal package each month. It is almost as fun sending one out too.  This month Elizabeth at Food Ramblings sent an amazing box, so much I had to grab my camera and snap a few photos before I ate it all. I ate the Hershey's chocolate right away and stuck a few of the nutty granola bars in my lunch. I plan to use the onion dip mix to make Italian beefs on the crock-pot and the honey is going in one of my many baked oatmeal recipes I have bookmarked. I surprised a co-worker with the coffee chocolate bar and coffee at work. She was very appreciative!

I was super excited to receive a bottle of Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing sauce. Quite a few years ago, I went on a trip to the Niagara falls. We stopped off at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York and had THE BEST wings!!! If you have not been there I highly recommend going and ordering a gigantic platter of their famous chicken wings.

Check out Leslie at My Kitchen is open,  to see her wonderful blog and the package I sent her.

Foodie Penpal is a wonderful monthly program. If you would like to learn more about it or/and join click on the Foodie Penpal Stamp

And now it's time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-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. 
-Foodie Penplas is open to US, Canadian & European residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. Same with Europeans. 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 from the US or Canada and are in participating for November, please CLICK HERE (www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/) to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. 

You must submit your information by February 4th as pairings will be emailed on February 5th!

*If you're from Europe, please CLICK HERE (www.thisisrocksalt.com/foodie-penpals/) to signup.
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