Remember having pen pals in elementary school?
They were the best! I looked forward to getting a handwritten (*gasp*) note in the mail from my penal in Oklahoma. The adult version of the tradition dreamed up by Lindsay is even better – it involves food!
My Foodie PenPal this month, Jennifer @ Peanut Butter & Peppers, sent me a big box of awesome:
From my pal Jennifer:
- TJs Seaweed Snacks
- Lucy’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (so flippin’ good)
- SDT & Basil Quinoa
- Sesame Wasa Crackers (my new fav work snack)
- Roasted Almonds
- Lara Bars
- A cute mat to take pics on (such a cool blogger-gift idea!)
- A hand-written note
To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in April, send an email to the brilliant Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com with the following info:
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
Join in by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!
I’m at a work retreat for the latter part of this week, so I’m a bit light on the post today. Translation: perfect time for a survey post!
You may have seen this “ABCs” survey circling the blog world… I’m about 2+ weeks behind the times, but thought I’d finally be a joiner. 🙂
A is for age: 28. When did I get so close to 30?!
B is for breakfast today: Nothing yet, but it will be conference food (which is 100x better than average, I must say).
C is for currently craving: Kombucha! Since I’ve been travelling, it’s been 3 days without!!!
D is for dinner tonight: I’m going to a mother-daughter dinner with my mom, my BFF, and her mom. Atlanta, beware!
E is for favorite type of exercise: Weight lifting! Although not being able to run has really made me appreciate/crave running.
F is for an irrational fear: Roaches. I can’t handle them.
G is for gross food: I know this is weird, but I cannot STAND white potatoes.
H is for hometown: Atlanta. Where that playas play.
I is for something important: Being the best you possible. Why bother doing anything half way?
J is for current favorite jam: Tough choice!!! Anything by Mumford & Sons.
K is for kids: I know what causes that… nothankyou.
L is for current location: In my cute cottage at my work retreat.
M is for the most recent way you spent money: I bit the bullet and bought the VitaMix. Best purchasing decision EVER.
N is for something you need: A good sweat. If I don’t get moving for at least for 15 mins every day, I start pacing like a caged animal.
O is for occupation: Consulting in the area of Sales Effectiveness.
P is for pet peeve: When servers start clearing plates before everyone is done. In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “How rude!”
Q is for a quote: “You can do anything you want to if you want to badly enough.” – My Dad
R is for random fact about you: I would love to do a tri, but I can’t swim. Actually, I downright hate swimming.
S is for favorite healthy snack: I legit LOVE healthy snacks – protein shakes or chia pudding are my go-tos. Loved this Roasted Beet and Orange. 
Unhealthy Snack: Hmmm… my snacks really aren’t bad. Desserts are my weakness. Warm chocolate chip cookies, anyone?
T is for favorite treat: Really, really good wine (Amarone, anyone?) and chocolate cake. Preferably together.
U is for something that makes you unique: I’m special just like everyone else! Maybe having played roller derby? That’s a pretty cool adventure.
This is me breaking my jaw.
V is for favorite vegetable: Spinach! Every smoothie I make is a peculiar shade of green. 🙂
W is for today’s workout: A quick HIIT thing in my room this morning.
X is for X-rays you’ve had: Jaw (see letter U), teeth, knee (fractured)… I think that’s it (surprisingly).
Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Meeting my new colleagues AND doing a “Cooking Experience” activity with the founder of Serenbe.
Z is for your time zone: East Coast, represent!
***
I always say this… but I really mean it this week… TGIF!!!
What are you up to this weekend? Any races?
Time for your quiz! Pick a few letters and tell me a little more about YOU. Please. 🙂
The basil quinoa sounds great! Love those seaweed snacks! Really enjoyed learning more about you, Laura! We share pet peeves- it drives me bonkers! Even worse is when they bring the bill while you’re having dessert/drinking coffee! Current location is my desk at work- which means I probably shouldn’t be reading blogs…ah screw it, it’s past 5pm on a Friday afternoon :)! Hope your retreat is going well!
I agree on the bill! Why do they insist on rushing! Many times I would have ORDERED coffee or dessert but they drop that check in a hurry.
What’s the cooking experience at Serenbe? My team is looking for a team building idea. That could be a good one.
It was just an hour session in the founder’s home where she demo’d cooking seasonal greens. Not a true “team building” activity… but the wine was. 😉
I love WASA crackers! I alternate between those and rice cakes, though no matter which I choose, I still manage to get crumbs everywhere.
F- My fear is also roaches. They suck.
S- My healthy snack is an apple. I could eat an apple every day and not get sick of it. It’s one of my top 5 fav foods – not just healthy foods – all foods!
Apples are a good one! I have one just about every day too. With PB. 🙂
Man, your foodie pen pal did GOOD! I don’t mean to sound like a big jerk, but I’m afraid to do it, because I’ve seen some pretty bad boxes arrive on blogger’s doors.
M- I bought a mega millions lotto ticket! (Actually, my husband bought it- but I was with him.)
G- similar to yours- Orange clam. I had it a sushi restaurant about 10 years ago and can still remember how awful it was
U- pretty similar to you- unless you consider dipping my spoon into the peanut butter jar 10x in a row unhealthy (seriously, I can’t stop!)
No races for me this weekend (or any weekend). I am heading to Boston! Not really to the city though, we’ll be driving to the Cape.
Noooo… I’m sure your box would be awesome. Tell Lindsay I requested you. 😉
I don’t know what orange clam is… and I don’t want to know. Speaking of… I saw vegan shrimp in WF tonight. I almost bought it ad then remembered I don’t like shrimp.
Installing kitchen cabinets in our new house – and I’m freakishly excited! 🙂
That is exciting! I can’t wait to see pics!
i gotta try those wasa crackers. i look at them whenever i’m at the store but always wimp out
You have to do it! They are awesome with hummus and veggies for an afternoon snack!
Yay for penpals! That looks like so much fun! I just saw that on a couple other blogs as well. Too much fun
Love the ABC rundown–it’s fun to learn more about fellow bloggers. I really need to get on the foodie penpal bandwagon.
Thanks! You should join in! It’s a great way to meet new bloggers and discover new products. 🙂
Looks like you got an excellent box of goodies! 🙂 Wasa is a childhood favorite of mine.
And my weekend should consist of the Westside Market, cooking a Hunger Games inspired meal for the wife and taking the kitty to the vet.
OK…. admittedly I didn’t read the book or see the movie, but I’m curious. What does a Hunger Games meal entail?
There are a lot of dishes described in the book (from lamb stew with plums to a purple melons), and I chose two from the arena – roasted rabbit and a goat cheese pear tart.
Ohhhh… that tart sounds fabulous!
What an awesome box. I love the crunch of Lucy’s cookies. You scored some good stuff.
As for the alphabet holy smokes I don’t think I would have something for all of the letters but I’ll go with a few:
A: 34 (time sure does fly)
K: Had 3 absolutely knew what caused it and stopped immediately 🙂
Hope you have a good weekend and that you enjoy the conference food!
Lucy’s are awesome! Have the tried the cinnamon? They are my favorite so far.
“I bit the bullet and bought a Vitamix” – I love that your magic bullet is sitting in the background of the picture 🙂 It made me laugh!
I was wondering if anyone would notice. 🙂
This is such an awesome post – funny, amusing and entertaining 😀
Foodie penpals is also a fbaulous concept though I checked it is for America-Canada only 🙁
One day maybe there will be an international one!
But for now, this is so cool!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you SO much! What a sweet comment from the sweetest blogger-baker I know. 🙂
Foodie Penpals may be expanding one day! I’ll let you know when I hear more!
Love the sound of the basil quinoa!
That box looks delicious – and love the ABC’s post! I think we’ve had similarly crazy weeks! Enjoy the weekend!
What a fun pen pal idea! Liked learning more about you. You have a handful of awards waiting on my bloggy… I finally gave in and spread the love 🙂 Have a great weekend! I’m celebrating my birthday with a little hiking in Virginia and gambling.
Ohhhh… I’m hoping to catch up on my blog reading tomorrow. Thank you in advance for the awards!!!
Did you win any money? 😉
I’m planning on becoming a joiner THREE weeks late. 🙂
Is it weird that as soon as you said you had played Roller Derby I was like “well, YEAH she has.” You are such a badass that it totally fits.
You’re so good with the planning! 🙂
Derby should also go on our list of things to do if/when you come to ATL.
Ooh I love little surveys like that! Cringed a little on U… did you really break your jaw?!? Ackkk! That must’ve hurt like a motherfu****! :/ But it’s also kinda badass! Especially how you did it!! 😉
I did and it did. Excellent weight loss program and exercise in shake-making creativity. Oy.
Oooh that food swap looks so fun. I don’t think it would work too well with us Aussies though, being as our customs pretty much restricts everything good… and the shipping would be ridiculous… d’oh!!
Oh and hey, I would love to do a tri too, but I can’t cycle… haha.
I’ve heard that about Australia. Maybe you guys could do one within the country?
Your ABC’s are brilliant! I can’t stand it when servers clear my stuff before I’m ready. Who knows! I may want to lick that last bit of sauce off my plate…
…and now I want a vitamix.
Gurrrl…. that VitaMix will change your life.
Hey, Jennifer was my foodie pen pal not long ago, too! Score!
K… I like to practice making them. 😉
Bwhahahaha – I love your “K.” Good point. 😉
I’m going to an 80s Day event at the ski resort I work at this afternoon, complete with leggings, an off the shoulder top and a side pony.
That is such a great idea. I would love a foodie pen pal! Signing up!
Yay! You’re going to love it!