I love Foodie Penpals because once a month I get the opportunity to try out many new products I would not ordinarily buy!!! Here is what I received this month:
- Reginald’s Cinnamon Cashew Molasses Cashew Butter: This smelled absolutely delicious!!!
- Sea Sprinkles: I haven’t tried these yet but I will this week!
- Red Mill Steel Cut Oats: I love steel cut oats and Maddie suggested crumbling a Lara bar over the top which actually turned out to be delicious!!!
- Danielle’s Pumkin Chips: These were awesome and were gone with in 2 days of me receiving the box!
- Lara Bars: All gone!! Love these!
- Justin’s Hazlenut Butter: I added this to my lunchbox because it makes a great on the go snack!
Maddie is 16 year old vegan/health freak/ runner ( her words, not mine) and she was also my Foodie PenPal this month and as you can see she sent me some awesome products to try!!!! She does not have her own blog so I asked is she would like to guest on mine and she said yes!!!
Here is Maddie’s post:
Around and around and around. 1 lap, another, has it been 4 yet? 8th grade, the dreaded timed mile around the track. One whole mile. Timed. Ran. Or…for some of us, “run-walked.” Guilty. Well, Hi readers, I’m Maddy. I’m sure you’re dying to get to know me after that lovely introduction, but I’ll proceed after a quick little info on who I am. I’m simply another blog reader, another vegan foodie, another health nut, another runner, another aspiring chef…oh and I just happen to be 16. I’ve been vegan for about 2 and a half years now. I knew then that it would be my new way of living forever, however…Never would I have thought that 2 years from then, I would also be a runner. I had gotten used to introducing myself as a vegan at social events, but now I could introduce myself as a runner. I know I have a long way to go, I really am just a beginner. But the fact that I can now run 5 miles without stopping is huge for me, and an important lesson running as taught me is that sometimes “for me” is just enough.
Another lesson running has taught me is how important fueling yourself is. I’ve learned to really listen to my body and supply it with proper nutrition to sustain me. I know I need to treat my body with just as much respect and love before and after a run, as I do during a run. Running has taught me to fuel my body with healthy food, but also that I deserve treats as well. Running is about balance. The sprints, the hills, the long distances. You must do them all. The kale, the quinoa, the chocolate, the ice cream…you must eat them all 
There are times when I’m running where I want to quit. For minutes, I figure out reasons why I could deem giving up the best option…I can never find a good enough reason I guess because I always finish that run. Not because I feel I have to, but because I truly want to. I want that feeling of satisfaction, of pride, of strength. I want to know that I pushed my body to its’ limits and succeeded. Getting better and better each time is a wonderful treat, but feeling better and better after is even better. I love myself for running, for working, for living, for giving all of myself to every run. No regrets, no post-run self loathing, only loving…and maybe loving this guy as well…
I’m running my first 5K July 14 in San Francisco with my dad and I know it will be great. I mean it’s the Color Run!! What could be a better first race? So, now I feel it’s appropriate to formally introduce myself to you all…Hi, I’m Maddy, I am a runner.
Thanks Maddie for sharing your story with us!!!
And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals which was created by Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean!
-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 residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. 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 interested in participating for July, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.
You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!
This is a great program if you look to try new things every month!!! Do you participate in Foodie Penpals?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh, you got some goodies! That cinnamon cashew butter sounds amazing, as do the pumpkin chips. Yum! And good luck to Maddie on her 5k- those color runs sound like so much fun!
Laura recently posted..Foodie Penpal Reveal
Wow! Pumpkin chips….have never heard of them, but they sound so good!
Shelby @ Everyday Vegan Girl recently posted..Foodie Pen Pals and Vegan Food Swap
They were delish!!!
Aww Maddy’s story is cute! I love foodie pen-pals.. I haven’t participated (yet) but I still love reading about everyone’s foodie gifts to each other!
Sarah recently posted..June Yoga Challenge {Week 4}
It is an awesome program, I love trying new things this month!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked the larabar trick
And the pumpkin chips are addicting! Thank You so much for giving me this opportunity to post. I’m very happy I was your foodie pen pal this month!
Thanks Maddy for your post and for an awesome box!!!
I have been seeing this reginalds all over the blog world…and it looks sooo good!
Nikki recently posted..Jam on Walnut
oh my gosh, i MUST try that cashew butter!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Fitness Friday: Hawaii Edition