Mini Update and Sept. Food Pen Pal

Happy Monday! Today is the reveal of my Food Pen Pal package and also I'd like to update everyone on what's going on in my life. As you can tell, I haven't been posting as much lately. Part of it is because I am so busy with my baby boy, but also a few other things. I thought I was going to be moving to another state, so I spent a whole week researching the area, movers, etc. It was going to be an immediate move - meaning I had 3 weeks to get everything together, so I was trying to crunch everything as quickly as I could. Well, it turns out it isn't happening, so that weight is lifted off of me. Also I started working last week and I'm still trying to get used to my new schedule. Finding a routine with breastfeeding/pumping, working, spending time with my family, keeping house and cooking is pretty overwhelming. I'm starting to get into the swing of things, but I think in another 2 weeks, I should have it down. I'm hoping that by the beginning of November that I'll be back and posting regularly on the blog (2-3 times a week). I want to thank all of you for your support and understanding. 

My son is going to be 12 weeks tomorrow and I can't believe how quickly time has flown by! It's been an amazing time so far and I couldn't imagine not being a mother at this point. I don't know how I got by! Jared is already holding up his head, cooing and reaching for mommy when he needs love. He's over 13lbs and over 2ft tall already, he's such a big boy. I'm so lucky to have such an awesome son.  

Sept. Food Pen Pal! 

I received the most amazing package this month from Valerie of That's What We Did! She sent me a lovely variety of spicy and sweet items. She also sent me an awesome recipe to make Spicy Chocolate Clusters using the granola and spicy peanut butter that she sent. They sound like they'd be great to make and take to work. I'll post pictures and the recipe once I get a chance to make them (or you can check out her post here).

Here's a breakdown of what was in the box:

• Vanilla Almond Granola
• Hot & Spicy Peanut Butter
• Peach Salsa
• Cherry Almond Fruit & Nut Bar
• Chipotle Chili Powder
• Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar
• Sea Salt Dark Chocoalte
• Chipotle Chili Dark Chocolate

As most of you know, I love spicy foods and I love peanut butter. Well I got both in one jar! Spicy Peanut Butter!!!!! It's so awesome, especially with jalapeno pepper jelly. It the new Laurie's PB & J. It's made locally to where Valerie is from (Ohio), which makes me so happy. I love trying local foods from different areas. Following the spicy theme - I also received a delicious piece of chipotle chocolate, which was enjoyed with a nice cup of coffee. Absolutely heavenly :) 

I actually served some of the peach salsa yesterday during the football game with some blue corn chips. It's really balanced and tasty. I reserved some to serve over some broiled fish later in the week. It will make it easy to put together a quick week night meal. 

Hope everyone has an awesome week and I'll beginning posting regularly soon!

Foodie Pen Pal!

This was my 1st month participating in the Foodie Pen Pal Program and it was an absolute delight. What is a Foodie Pen Pal you ask? It's a pen pal program in which you send a package of foodie goodies out to your pen pal and receive one from another pen pal. It's an awesome way to meet other bloggers/readers and try different product you may have not tried or are local to their area. I love the idea of sharing my favorite products with others! My pen pal was Nina, a reader. I sent her some awesome snacks, granola, and aloe juice.


This month I got an awesome package from Sharlene from Main Stream Solar Cooking! Thanks so much for the great basket!! Here's a picture of some of the goodies I received...

• 2 Oven Mitts
• A Pot Holder
• Dried Beef (and some recipes on how to use it from Sharlene)
• Sesame Oil
• French Dip Au Jus
• Anna's Almond Thins
• Got Milk Cookies n' Cream Straws
• A Straw Basket

I'm so happy with my basket of goodies! It was packaged nicely in a straw basket with a few recipes on how to use some of the ingredients. I'm glad I got some sesame oil, as I was running pretty low on mine. My husband already called dibs on the Cookies n' Cream Straws - which he has really enjoyed. I'm really looking forward to using the dried beef and Au Jus. I've never cooked with either. Also I've been in need of some more oven mitts but always put off buying some - well ta-da! I've got new oven mitts!! Excellent package - can't wait to use everything. I'm going to go snack on those almond thins...