I like pen pals and I LOVE trying new foods, so I was all over it when I saw Lindsay’s post on signing up to be/get a foodie pen pal. What is a foodie pen pal? Basically, it is a person who also loves food and to try new things. Lindsay pairs people up, then you have a week or so to put together a care package of goodies ($15 limit – can be bought or homemade based on agreement with pen pal via email on preferences, allergies, etc.) Then, you send your box and wait for your goodies to arrive. This is open to bloggers and readers (read: everyone!) All you need to do is sign up. This was my first month. I sent a ton of gluten free goodies to Vickie in New York and got mine from Stacie in Maryland.
So what did I get?
I got a bunch of new things (or new twists on things I like) and a few goodies that I have tried.
New to me:
- Blue Diamond Toasted Coconut Almonds – a seasonal special! I have not tried these yet, but I know I will like them.
- Nonni’s Biscotti – chocolate covered biscotti – that can only be good!
- Acai Berry Health Warrior Chia Bar – I tried a tiny piece of this at the NY Marathon expo but I was a bit distracted! Looking forward to trying it again!
- Mrs Bridges Lemon Curd and Strawberry Preserves with Champagne – I can’t wait to try these – they look so good!
- Sutter Buttes Habanero Olive Oil – it says that it is perfect for finishing and chicken and meats. I am tempted to add to a chili or frittata to spice things up. (Also says not for the faint of heart!)
- Full Circle Organic Fruit Strips in Wild Berry – generally I try to stick to real fruit but these are good in a pinch for travel and hiking. I like that they are organic and have no sugar added (and 100% of daily Vitamin C!)
- A delicious recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup – thanks, Stacie!
Oldies but goodies to me: Funky Monkey Dried Fruit, Luna Bars and Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut butter (YUM! Love Justin’s!)
I can’t wait to try these new treats. I loved participating in my first foodie pen pal exchange. I’ve already signed up for the June exchange! Lindsay is hosting a link up so you can read a bunch of reviews and see what you think. Interested? All of the info to sign up is HERE. Remember, you do not have to be a blogger or a good cook to participate. 
My friends at EnergyBits are sponsoring an awesome event called One Run for Boston. Runners from all across the USA are uniting to support those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. This is an emotional and positive way for the running and EnergyBits communities to unite and show solidarity and support for fellow runners. The event is a non stop relay race, 3000 miles, 300 stations, 3 weeks, ONE CAUSE! The race goes from Los Angeles to Boston. HERE is the exact route through fourteen states.
The race starts on Friday, June 7 in Los Angeles and the finish is in Boston on Sunday June 30th. Runners sign up for one segment or “stage” – most of which are 10 miles but some are as long as 26 miles. You can sign up for one segment individually or sign up as a group to run it.
Sign up to run, learn more or donate HERE . Runners are still being encouraged to join and sign up. Entry fees is $25-$50 and goes toward the One Fund. All runners receive a One Run For Boston T shirt and ENERGYbits samples. (If you want to get some EnergyBits – use code EricaFinds for 25% off of your order, too!)
And now for the first of a string of relentless Father’s Day deals… don’t worry I will have deals for you, too!:
> Are you creative and a runner? Win a free session (online or in NYC) for you or dad for helping Jae at the Balanced Runner come up with a new email signature. See the details HERE.
> Get a free personalized mug from York Photo with the code MYMUG. Shipping is $5.99 but still a great deal for a fun Father’s Day gift from the kids! (or get 10 free graduation announcements and 40 free prints with the code MYGRADUATION.)
> Have you checked out Amazon local deals? (Click the link and enter your zip to see what is available in your area.) Here are some sample national and Chicago deals:
– Get $90 worth of Photo-to-Canvas Prints with Free Shipping for $35 from Canvas Lifestyle
– Get $200 of Lobster Dinner for $100 from Get Maine Lobster
– Get a Custom Hardcover Leather Photo Book with Free Shipping from Printerpix from $12 – 72% off and more!
– In Chicago, get 50% off on flying lessons from Chicagoland Aviation
> FabKids is like Cakestyle or Ellie for girls sizes 2-12 (boys coming in August, too)! FabKids is offering new members BUY-ONE-GET-ONE FREE (discount will be applied automatically at checkout). Each month FabKids suggests an outfit. These fun, styled outfits are only $39.95. You can accept the recommended outfit with a single click either via e-mail or on the site, shop the collection to choose your own outfit or skip the month. There is never an obligation to buy – you may “skip” as often as you’d like. There is no obligation and you may cancel your membership at any time.
> Fit Frosting is having a grab bag sale – spend $25 and get $50 of fitness apparel goodies in your size or spend $50 and get $100 of women’s fitness apparel/accessories. Ends June 3rd. Click link above to get extra 10% off with code REFER10AB today only.
> If you have not signed up for Gilt City, what are you waiting for?
- Save 50% on wedding invitations and supplies from Minted.com – up to $600!
- In Chicago, NYC or LA get 50% off at Vosges chocolates!
- In NYC, check out jewelry making classes for 50% off at Lost Wax City in Nolita
- In Chicago, get 35% off at the Terrace Rooftop at the Conrad on Michigan Ave
- In LA, save on tasting menus for 2 at Gorge in West Hollywood
- And much more!
> From Shop Style at PopSugar: $5 off the MLB Collection at Alex and Ani; enter SPRING13 | 30% off sale items atJ.Crew ; enter HELLOSTYLE | 40% off sitewide plus free shipping at Nautica through May 31; enter SUNNY40 | $25 towards your Stuart Weitzman order through June 1 with code ONCS25CRED0513.
> 50% off on cool glass cutting boards and shipment by Father’s Day from RuMe with code GLASS
> In NYC, check out Well + Good NYC’s free summer workout guide HERE.
> Active Junky has 10% cash back at Moosejaw and an extra 15% on sale items with the code CONEY and 10% cash back at Underarmour and free shipping with code UAGEAR. You have to sign up for Active Junky but it’s free!
> It’s not too late to check out great prizes and a support a great cause in the Run for Boston 5K virtual race (spots still open for Libertyville, IL race on June 15, too!)
That’s about all I have for now! Find anything good lately? Let me know. Have a great weekend!
