Food Penpal - Month 3

This was my 3rd month participating in the Foodie Pen Pals program from The Lean Green Bean Blog. I was excited to find out my Pen Pal was from New York. That city is at the top of my US city list. I had two friends go last year right before Christmas and I was sooooo jealous that they got to see the city in all its holiday glory. 

I sent my package to Amanda in New Jersey. She asked that I try to keep the box organic and healthy as she is really trying to eat healthy and workout. Here is her blog for more information about Amanda. I sent her Strawberry Rhubarb jam, dill dip mix, blueberry cobbler bites.....and my mind escapes me. See her blog for the rest of the details.

SIDE NOTE: I'm hoping both of my foodie pen pals faired well through #Frankenstorm Sandy just fine. And sending thoughts too all my other east coast friends and hoping you are all ok.The pictures are just incredible!

 I love that my foodie penpals have sent me a cute little cheery card along with the goodies!

I opened the plantain chips right away and literally fell in love. These are crunchy and lightly sweet and fulfill my sweet, savory, crunchy addiction. There are very few left :)

I just opened these last night and although the texture is squishy, these are delicious and taste exactly like apple slices.

I had the Macadamia White Chocolate bar for a midday work pick-me-up and when I was at Target last week, I picked myself up another one to get me through another long day. It is really tasty - another sweet, savory, crunchy fix.The s'mores had chocolate on the bottom, making it more of a dessert bar.

These are a great little treat that my dad loved because of the dark chocolate coating. I have to hide them from him!

 My mom and I are very excited for this as we LOVE sweet potatoes. We are waiting for a weekend morning in November to make it.

And I don't even think that she knows that I collect shot glasses, but she sent me an awesome one for my collection.

This is the perfect size bottle of balsamic vinegar and I'm going to use it to marinate some meat in the coming week. Just a sample size and not a ton that if you don't like it, you are stuck with it. But in my mind, all balsamic vinegars are delicious!

Another great month of Foodie Pen Pal goodies. I already signed up for next month! And I have signed up for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012 that will take place next month. And after that, I have the Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale with the #MKEfoodies group in early December. Time to get my baking shoes and apron on!

I love the holidays!

Prescription Drug Collection Event Recap

Last Saturday, I volunteered at the annual Waukesha County Prescription Drug Collection with the Young Professionals of Waukesha County. If you recall, the weather wasn’t exactly sunny and in the 70s but people still came out by the hundreds to drop of their prescription drugs and dispose of them properly.

 

In talking with Carolyn Hahn of the Waukesha County BusinessAlliance prior to the event over breakfast at Sprizzo’s, I discovered that this was the 4^th year that the Young Professionals have been a part of this collection. And even with less than stellar weather, people still come to use this drive-thru drop-off service.

As you can see I'm a little chilly in the tent!

After starting the morning with a nice Sprizzo’s Breakfast Strata and Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, I felt that I was prepared for the day. I dressed in layers and wore waterproof shoes, raincoat, and gloves.  I even packed my Hot Hands and most importantly, my positive attitude. One long tent to sort the drugs was set up in the Waukesha State Bank parking lot closest to the river off of St. Paul. Three quick, popup tents were set up about 20 feet apart in the middle of the other lot. We’d be ready for cars to pull up on either side of the tent. I was a survey taker in the first tent where we handed out information and got demographics. The next tent took the drugs from the cars and the final tent gave out reusable tote bags and asked for donations to the Waukesha County Drug Collection.

Working hard in the sorting tent

YPs asking for donations

For the first hour, we were solid with vehicles and I didn’t have much time to notice how much was being collected or how cold I was getting. Breaks began happening after the first hour, and Waukesha State Bank had set up its Community Room with water, cookies, donuts, coffee and most importantly warmth! A big thank you to the bank for letting us use that room.  

Traffic came pretty steady for the first three hours of the collection. For the last hour, we were down to one dry(er) tally sheet, as it was misting almost all day, and traffic was slow enough that we went down to one collection line. I had by then opened up some of the Hot Hands and had them in my shoes and pockets. A little damp and cold air wasn’t going to keep me from finishing my job. Poor Andy said that he never needed a break from directing traffic and stood in the misty, damp rain the whole event.

Some of the empty packaging heading to the incinerator.

The seven Waukesha County prescription drug collection locations collected over 6 tons of prescription medicine and the location that I worked at collected about 700 pounds alone.  I plan to volunteer at this event next year and recommend others to join us at this event and other events throughout the year. Getting thanked by so many people in line for the good that we are doing in the community by keeping these drugs off the streets, out of the hands of children and out of the water supply was thanks enough for me. Also, I enjoy getting me meet new people and network with them at these events. To find out about other Business Alliance events and volunteer opportunities, visit Waukesha.org.