This is NOT a PAID Advertisement: I am receiving nothing for writing this post.
A day or two after returning from our European Tour, I received an e-mail from Andrea Scott who is working for Pom Wonderful. She said all of the right things, including “I’m a big admirer of your blog, especially your slow food movement and Blogger Aid support.” She had read my blog! This was not a pitch for something that was automated! Then she went on to say: “We would like to extend a special invitation to you. We are inviting a small number of VIP bloggers to receive an inside look of the POM Wonderful Fresh Pomegranate World during the pomegranate season & harvest. You will have the opportunity to receive hands on experience as we explore our pomegranate orchards (located in Central California), open the fruit to see the arils inside, and taste just how Wonderful (yes, that is the name of the variety) the pomegranate is.” I was sitting up a bit straighter after reading this. A little later I read: “The Harvest Tour takes place Oct. 14 – Oct. 16 with all expenses paid: roundtrip airfare, hotel, transportation, and food. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate guests. There are no strings attached, we’re simply excited to share how easy and healthy it is to enjoy this Wonderful fruit, which is only available for a limited time each year.” Had I just won the lottery? I felt like it. I was so excited! This is something I would love to visit and see if I was travelling in the area!
I drink their juice. I love their product. It is a wholesome, healthy, good, clean and fair product. It is not local. But, neither are oranges. There are somethings I cannot buy locally that I choose to buy. Andrea went on: “We will take you inside our processing plant to learn how the fruit is processed, packaged, and shipped. Finally, you will have the chance to tour our juicing plant where POM Wonderful Juice is created in the iconic double-bubble bottles.” I was crazy to go and fly into the fields in their small plane (holding about 7 people) to visit with the farmers and work in the fields picking the pomegranates. I have loved them since my mom bought me my very first one in the fall one year when I was very young.
I sat at the table for over an hour mesmerized by the jewels inside the woody skin and sucked and slurped them and made designs with them and picked through the membranes of them. Every year I cannot resist this treasure. And to see the Wonderful variety would be a thrill. To go into the field and see how they grow. To know that this company is so completely transparent with all they do that they invite people like myself to see the work they are so proud of – and pay for it! I was tickled pink! No, I was tickled pomegranate!
On Monday, I received a Master Card from Pom Wonderful with 100 American Dollars on it to pay for incidentals while there: the trip from the airport, etc. I was about to go and buy a tiara! I had my Canadiana all in little bags ready for gifting: maple syrup (even though it is from the East), wild rice, Saskatoon jam (homemade with my own Saskatoons), high bush cranberry jelly (homemade), and a few jars of homemade ajvar. Yes, it is legal to take all of these items over the border. I checked.
I have been home from school for a few weeks and had made arrangements to go. However, I have been going through a phase of allergy and illness this fall. I was prescribed a new medication on Monday, got it Tuesday and started it before bed. I was so ill. Vanja rushed me to the hospital and I was apparently having an allergic reaction to the medication. I won’t go into further details, but I will say that I should have started that medication next week! I cannot go anywhere right now. I am devastated. Making that phone call to Andrea yesterday was a very difficult thing to do. I was imagining myself going, anyway, in housecoat and all!
Please join me in following this wonderful tour (no pun intended) on Twitter at #pomharvest.
Will be returned, with love, today!
Also, the following bloggers are attending and will be writing about it. Please enjoy their posts, as I intend to:
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Gina Homolka -
Olga Berman
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Liren Baker
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Julie Bream
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Mary Foreman
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Nicole Hamaker
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Rachael Hutchings
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Paula Jones
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Rosa Kim
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Yujin Sanders
Tags: pomegranate
I would have been devastated too Valerie. I remember a group of bloggers who went last year and they had such a fantastic time!!
I too love POM juice (in all its different flavors.) In Morocco pomegranates are very affordable; I grew up eating so many of them. Your excitment in this post is making me excited. I’m glad you were picked for that.
Btw, I’ve never had saskatoons
Nisrine
I guess you didn’t read that I can’t go, Nisrine… or maybe you did. Saskatoons are really incredibly delicious.
valerie
Oh no! I really hope you get better soon, Valerie. I’m so sorry to hear about your missed opportunity. Maybe you can arrange something with them so that you can go on their next tour. I’m sure they will understand. In the meantime, please take care.
How disappointing. Really. I hope you’ll soon be better and that other opportunities will come your way.
So sorry you are not well enough to meet with us all and tour the POM plant and orchards. Hopefully they’ll invite you next year. Feel better!
Hope you’re feeling better. That really sucks.
oh, i would’ve been devastated as well
sad for you. what an honor to have been chosen!
Valerie, know that you are truly missed and still included in conversation! Rachael (LaFujiMama)is leading the charge to keep you involved as much as possible.
O nooo!! I was getting all excited about the event for your sake only to read that you can’t go. What a disappointment Valerie! Still; the fact that they picked you must be a wonderful thing.. Hope you feel better soon!!
Aw, Valerie – I was really excited to hear about your trip, so when I read the title, I just can’t believe you aren’t going
. I hope you feel better soon, and that another opportunity like this comes up again!
Oh gosh, here I was feeling all jealous until I got to the end of this post
I am so sorry, that is a total downer that you will not be going. Please dont be too upset. You are an awesome blogger, and i know you will have many fabulous opportunities in the future. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
*kisses* HH
Velerie, I am sooo sorry to hear about this. Hope you feel better soon! But you know, hey…you might be blessed with something extra fabulous! Enjoy your Friday, Valerie!
So sorry Canadian Foodie, your report back would have been so enjoyable to read indeed judging from the pictures and your disappointing account noted in this post. There will be other invitations, do not worry! Hope you will recover soon, just drink lots of Pom Wonderful!
Please excuse my absence, a little munchkin was my preoccupation!
Oh Valerie I am so sorry you are feeling ill, I am sure you will there in spirit, take care
sweetlife
I’m so sorry you can’t go, Valerie
From one of the comments above, it sounds like they have this even every year? Maybe you can go next year? You are such a great blogger than I know other opportunities will pop up before you know it! I hope you feel 100% soon – sounds like you had a really rough time.
Take care and speedy recovery,
Jessie
Sorry to hear that you haven’t felt well…:-(
I like POM juice too.
Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Carrot and Lentil Soup
mother dear, i am also so sorry that you were unable to go, i know how much this meant to you. pomWonderful will miss your presence. i hope you are feeling much better. please rest and take care of yourself!! i am planning to make that yummy pomegranate salad you taught me to make to a dinner this weekend. yummy!! miss you, Lauren
I just received a case of Pom juice a few days ago and love the flavor. I’m mulling over possible recipe ideas for it now. I was just on the verge of beginning to feel feel jealous of your planned pom Harvest Tour while reading the above, only to get to the part where you had to cancel the trip. So sorry, and what a bummer for you! I hope all’s well now !??
Valerie…after getting through the first part…I was feeling the excitement in your voice even though your post’s title was indicating otherwise. You generously went on about how great they the company was…to then follow you to your incredibly unfortunate finale.
I’ve always wondered why such poor timing happens to the most deserving people.
I’m sure there must be something much better in the horizon for you ;o)
Cheer up and get better real soon.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
I’m so sorry to hear that you got sick. Those allergic reactions are the worst. Glad you caught it and got to the hospital early. I’m sorry you couldn’t attend the event. It does sound exciting. Perhaps they’ll send you a case to help you recover? Feel better soon.
Hope you feel better soon!
Why why why we were not inform before the fact???? I would have gone on your behalf pretending to be Valerie!!!!
Hope you are feeling better!
Anita
HAHAHAHA Anita! You are right. How would anyone know the difference!
XO
Oh no! I am so sorry you couldn’t make the trip! Hope you’re feeling better, Valerie, and you’re tolerating your medication better. Bummer!
Valerie we’re so sorry that you couldn’t make it! We all missed meeting you but loved tweeting with YOU during it. Hope you’re feeling much better! xoxo
So sorry to read that you had been ill – I hope you are all better now, sounds like you are. I too was invited to this event but could not attend. Perhaps next year we can go together! Do you have a “fan” page for your blog on Facebook or just a “personal” page. I just “friended” you on FB
Hi, Marla – they don’t do “fan pages” anymore, but on my home page, in the right column, you can add your name to my “A Canadian Foodie” facebook site. I appreciate it – thank you!!!
And – that would be a blast. I am sure you were so sad you couldn’t go!
Valerie
i’m playing catch up with blogs so i am only reading this for the first time now… but thats such a cool opportunity. really sorry about how it ended up for you. really hope you are feeling better.
hopefully they do this again year after year and you get another invite! so cool!
Leslie @ Chomp! recently posted..Oh my gosh! How time flies!