Belated British Booty + Coconut Peanut Butter Winner

It’s not really a secret that I am a bit obsessed with blogger exchanges. Who doesn’t love getting packages in the mail? It’s like returning to your childhood summers at camp, when you waited with baited breathe for your name to be called with a care package from home, only THIS time, instead of just a forgotten blanket or extra batteries for your flashlight, you get unique (and sometimes homemade) food treats from various locations around the country.

Or this time…around the world.

When Jemma contacted me about participating in her UK/US Blogger Exchange, I immediately jumped at the chance to send some food finds ‘across the pond.’ Despite my awkward exchange with the postal worker who tried to assist me in filling out a customs form–Do we really need to itemize every snack bar? Can I just write ‘cereal’, or do I need to name the brand?–my box made it safely, and Jemma was obviously able to send hers successfully to Virginia. I met this little puddle-jumping package with so much eager anticipation that I essentially threw ripped things apart and threw them on the table in a rather haphazard fit of glee.We nearly lost some cherry-flavored raisins in the crossing…but they swore they’d never let go, Jack.

What a bountiful bevy of British booty!*

*The pirate kind. Not Beyonce’s ‘liciousness.Over the past two months or so–because yes, I am THAT BEHIND on blogging about things I’ve received in the mail, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jemma has given up on ever being my blog friend again–I’ve been able to sample quite a lot of the foreign goodies.These Chilli Bites Munchy Seeds are a sweet heat blend of roasted apricot kernels, sunflower and pumpkin seeds that are highly addictive. I have grand visions of one day sprinkling them on a peanut butter sandwich or on top of a salad for fun crunch….but my fingers just immediately pop them into my mouth upon contact.I’ve already blogged about the Metcalfe’s Topcorn, and I have been told via twitter that the salt I desired would possibly be added in future incarnations of the still-craveable dark-chocolate drizzled kernels of corn. [Megan Fox likes it, too. Or so she told me in the car over Easter weekend.]Aside from those fun treats, I’ve really just been having a lot of Nak’d time.The cherry and orange flavors still remain…but a raisin takes on a whole new level of enjoyability when infused with a slight tropical twist. (Oatmeal Pineapple Cookies, anyone?)As for the bars, I was definitely excited to partake. I don’t think I’ve ever met a bar I didn’t want to immediately double or triple in size like the Grinch’s heart at the END of the movie.Jemma told me her favorite was the Cocoa Orange, but I had to be contrary and start with the Pecan Pie. Essentially, they are Lara’s foreign, nudist-colonizing cousin…and yet, somehow I felt more energized following consumption than I do with that American substitute.Spending some quality Nak’d time in my car post-school and pre-workout somehow fueled me through actually wanting to RUN and not laze away the stress of the day on the elliptical. [A miracle, for sure.]  Perhaps it is because they are made with glee?*

*Don’t stop, believin’…

As for the Cocoa Orange… “Hello, sir, are you actually a Tootsie Roll?”

I can’t thank you enough, Jemma…especailly since it took me so darn long to post about it. Forgive me, please?

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Of course, if she doesn’t forgive me, perhaps I can bribe her with my newest nut butter creation. As seen at the Virginia is for Bloggers kick-off brunch last week, this new Coconut Honey Roasted Peanut Butter was inspired by the fact that my roommate offered me a taste of the new Earth Balance Coconut + Peanut Spread……and not only did I find it WAY too disproportionately coconutty (steer VERY clear, Lindsay!), I also couldn’t help but think I could do better. [I mean, I already made mouthwatering Maple Coconut Peanut Butter...what was a slightly LESS flavor-packed version?]Because I was feeling so much love for blog and country state last week, I decided to go ahead and sponsor a Peanut Butter + (Virginia) LOVE giveaway. And, a week later–the theme of today’s post seems to be ‘belated’–I am proud to announce the winner!

Lucky, Laura…some special Smart Kitchen peanut butter–and Love Grown Granola + Chobani coupons–might not be jumping the broom pond, but it WILL be crossing state lines soon.