Thursday, December 22, 2011

Great Gift Ideas– Gourmet Food Mixes and Handmade Jewelry by The Women’s Bean Project (Review)

 

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Since 1989, the Women’s Bean Project has been helping women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. They are a nonprofit organization that teaches job readiness and life skills for entry-level jobs through employment in their gourmet food production and handmade jewelry manufacturing businesses. Women come with the goal of transforming their lives and moving toward self sufficiency.

 

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At the end of November, I was sent the 2 Chili & Cornbread Gourmet Food Bundle from the Women’s Bean Project, to sample and include in my holiday gift giving guide.  But, as many of you know, my daughter, Arabella, who was born on 11/10, took ill shortly after birth and needed to have surgery for pyloric stenosis last week. So, since her arrival, it has been crazy around her, as well as after her surgery and hospital stay.  Slowly, we are getting back to some normalcy (as much as you can with 2 children under the age of 2 in the home).  So, I found this gift set to be a lifesaver the week before my daughter’s unexpected surgery.  This gift pack contained two different chili's –one mild and one hot.  My husband and I are fans of spicy foods, so I first made the Firehouse #10 chili, along with the Golden Cornbread Mix that was included.  The chili directions were easy to follow, and the finished product was so tasty.  Usually, when I make chili, we have leftovers for my husband to take to work and for my lunch the next day.  But, not with this chili.  We kept going back for seconds, it was so good.  The beans cooked up great, so there were no hard beans, like some other chili's I have made or bought in restaurants.  My husband was so disappointed when he got up the next day for work and realized there were no leftovers.  So, that weekend, I made the milder chili, which was just as good as the Firehouse #10 chili.  Because we like spicy chili, we added some hot sauce to add some heat.

Overall, I was impressed with packaging of the gourmet bundle,as well as with the story behind this company.

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Firehouse #10 Chili, Old Fashioned Chili and Golden Cornbread Mix all lovingly handmade and packaged in a Kraft paper box, shrink wrapped and tied with a signature Bean Project ribbon.

These gift bundles make for great gifts for any occasion – housewarming, hostess gifts, for teachers, expectant moms, and year-round holiday gifts (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.). All Women’s Bean Project products come beautifully packaged, so they are ready to give as a gift upon arrival.  No need to fumble for wrapping paper – just give as is, or put in a gift bag.  I guarantee the recipient of these fine products will not only love the food once they cook it up, but they will also feel good, knowing that their gift was handmade by women looking to turn their lives around for the better.

I can’t wait to order some more chili was here, as well as order as gifts for upcoming birthdays in 2012.

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The Women's Bean Project also offers handmade jewelry, bean soup mixes, Organic fair trade coffees, cookie and brownie mixes, instant teas, salsa mixes, fajita marinades, spice rubs, dip mixes and sweets.  They can be ordered separate or as part of a gift basket or bundle.

 

Want to help this great non-profit organization?  Help out by donating or volunteering your time.

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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