The 2012 International Sweetie Exchange

[Leia Tortoise]

But that's something we drink, right? Cardboard is not really liquid... ok, that's like smoothie?

[Tonyblack]

Ok folks, today is the cut-off day, so if you want to join in, you need to let me know TODAY.

Here is the list of those who want to take part, complete with dietary restrictions.

Tonyblack, Wales - vegetarian
Bouncy Castle, London - sugar free
Dotsie, England
michelanCello, Hungary
raisindot, Boston, MA
Jaznbonnie in Napa, California - Vegetarian so no eggs, gelatin or animal rennet
jtrhoades, Cleveland, Ohio
Selkie - Shetland
Leia Tortoise - Limoges, France
Sjoerd3000, The Netherlands
Toothy, England
janet, North East England - vegetarian too so animal rennet or gelatin would be taboo
Mycroft Vimes, The Netherlands
Sister Jennifer, Australia
MerlinPowered, Australia
AuntyVague, Australia
cheery_j, Germany


IMPORTANT: If I have missed adding your name, please let me know. If I have missed you, it wasn't intentional.

What you need to do is:
1. Decide who you'd like to exchange with.
2. Click on the link to that person and send them a PM.
3. Exchange addresses.
4. Send off your goodies to that person.
5. Wait.
6. Consume.

[michelanCello]

Oooh, I like point 6. This'll be fun!

[jtrhoades]

So, I was thinking a bit, and am wondering if any of you Brits(or Welsh) are close enough to Cheddar to stop by the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company and pick my up a wedge of their cheddar?

I hear it's excellent, and is bound to be better than most of what we get here in the states since our dairies have to use pasturized milk for cheeses.

[Tonyblack]

So, I was thinking a bit, and am wondering if any of you Brits(or Welsh) are close enough to Cheddar to stop by the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company and pick my up a wedge of their cheddar?

I hear it's excellent, and is bound to be better than most of what we get here in the states since our dairies have to use pasturized milk for cheeses.

I always smuggle cheese over to Tucson with me when I'm over there. Really strong cheddars are very common in the UK. There's a Welsh cheddar made in Snowdonia that would blow your socks off.

[jtrhoades]

To be fair, we do make some wonderful cheddars, particularly in upstate New York, and Vermont, but having some from cheddar would be really neat, in addition to being quite tasty.

[janet]

Long way from Cheddar but Wensleydale is not too far from here. Not sure about sending cheese in the mail though........wanders away to look up Defra regulations

[jtrhoades]

According to the US customs website, as long as it's a gift from an individual, to an individual they either allow it, or if it's not allowed don't bother to enforce the rules against it(says that right on their web page ).
If it was for commercial use, i.e. resale, then it would have to follow any FDA regulations that any US product does, so no live cheeses, just the pasteurized sort.

[Leia Tortoise]

Just thinking: is there marmite lovers here?
I've brought 2 samples from an hotel for my parents but they squarely refuse to taste it (cheaters, *I* tasted it and though it turned that I don't like it, at least I'd tried) so now I don't know what to do with it, so if you're interested just ask me.

[janet]

Marmite in adequate supply here thanks! It boosts the B vitamin intake for us vegetarians along with mushrooms.

[The Mad Collector]

Why do mushrooms need to boost their vitamin B intake?

[jtrhoades]

Vegetarians need to since B12 is mostly found in animal products.
Dairy is sufficient if you aren't vegan, particularly yogurt.
But, if you're a vegan, Marmite and Mushrooms are your best bet.
They don't have a ton though, Marmite you'd have to eat at least once a week, mushrooms every 2-5 days depending on which study you look at.

If you're a piscatarian(vegetarian except fish) you're fine because fish has tons of the stuff.

Personally, I'd say if you're vegetarian for health reasons, you should just eat some fish once a month or so and it'll be enough.
If it's for moral reasons, I hope you like mushrooms

[Tonyblack]

I love mushrooms (and Marmite).

[Leia Tortoise]

Perfect First exchange under way with janet, and I think I'll contact some others too, a bit later ^^

[MerlinPowered]

So we just pick people at random? I guess SisJen and Aunty are out, unless either of you want to swap some Australia Post delivered Redskins, Caramello Koalas or Freddo Frogs?