Sweet Andy's Cookies Review & Giveaway

 

I think the hardest part of being on a diet is having to pass up sweets when I would normally devour them. However, just because I am on a diet doesn't mean I can splurge once in a while. I am a firm believer that you don't need to totally eliminate foods in order to lose weight, you just have to limit some foods or just enjoy them occasionally. I have tried elimination diets before and they just don't work for me simply because I want to enjoy a dish of ice cream or a steak once in awhile. Since I have been on my diet I have still been able to enjoy cookies, pie, cake and donuts...just not on a daily basis and I LOVE the freedom I have to do that.

Today, I am going to introduce you to a lovely company that is located near Long Island, New York and this company specializes in making some tasty TASTY cookies! Sweet Andy's Cookies is a family owned and operated bakery that was started three years ago by a man named...well...Andrew! Here is his story...

In 2009, Andrew (Sweet Andy) found himself in a position like so many others at that time in our past; the economy was quickly spiraling downward and he had left his job in the financial services industry. Although Andy had an MBA in Banking and Finance and had even written a book entitled, “A Guide to Taking Control of Your Investments”, he found himself to be disenchanted with the financial industry and left to pursue “other work.”  The “other work” that Andrew pursued was with the Church and did not provide financial support for the family.  During this time Andy and his wife, Lissa, struggled to find other forms of income. They did what they could for themselves and their five children but often it was not enough. But there were many family and church friends who did help in many ways. Andrew and Lissa’s Church Friends and Family helped them by fixing things around the house that needed repair (such as a faulty furnace); some people kept getting the family car running when it seemed to have already run its course and others even filled their cupboards with food.

It was a very difficult time for Andrew and Lissa but yet they felt blessed to have such wonderful friends. In Andy’s words, “ I wanted desperately to give back to everyone for all that they were doing for me and my family, but I didn’t really know how to do it seeing that we didn’t have much money. Andrew was a bit of a cookie monster himself and began making cookies for the kids. One day he felt as though he should start baking cookies as “Thank You’s” for all of those people who had helped them during this time.

Andy worked for many weeks trying to create a unique and perfect chocolate chip cookie that he could be proud of; proud enough of them that he could give back to those who were helping him and his family in so many ways. It was his way of saying, “thank you.”  He and Lissa started handing out platters of cookies to those friends and family who had helped them. Everyone had the same shocked reaction; first, that Andy had actually baked the cookies himself, and second, that they were so delicious and different than any other cookie they had tasted. Andrew’s friend Brian Kraus owned the Sunset Deli in Westhampton Beach.  Brian and Andrew sat down and Brian offered suggestions and advice on how to begin selling these cookies to stores. After Brian’s advice, Sweet Andy’s Cookies were placed in his store for sale.  He quickly sold out, asked for more and the start of a new business, Sweet Andy’s Cookies, was born.

I put the entire history in this post so you could see exactly where Sweet Andy's has come from...a desire for extra income to a popular cookie company that is now a picture of success. I love how their story can apply to anyone...have a vision to make some extra money on the side and go for it!

So, for this review I was graciously sent a WONDERFUL box of assorted Sweet Andy's Cookies and I have to tell you, these cookies are being devoured. :) I received six bags containing 5 cookies each and the flavors I received were: Triple Chip, Sugar, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate and Peanut-Butter Chip. Wow...I knew which bag I was digging into first - Triple Chip!!!

First and foremost, these cookies are huge. I chose to taste the Triple Chip cookies first. I am a huge fan of white chocolate and of peanut butter.

These particular cookies contain chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...what a combination!! I could not believe how delicious they were...soft, chewy and oh so sweet, I had a hard time eating just one!

Of course, I could not eat all of these cookies myself or I would be big as a house. Soo, I decided to share. :) After dinner that evening, I gave each of my children a cookie and you should have seen their eyes! They just lit up and were so thankful for the chance to try a cookie. As you can see, my two boys LOVED the cookies. Because they are large cookies, I split them in half and mixed and matched them for the kids. I love the Oatmeal Raisin too...raisins are a huge favorite and all of my children love them so this was a great tasting cookie, especially for my littlest son!

I was also really impressed by the price of these cookies....SO reasonable! You can order either a 4-pack box (5 cookies in each bag) or a 6-pack box (5 cookies in each pack). Get this...the price for 6 bags of cookies is only $35.95 with FREE shipping! Woo hoo! Just think of who you could send these cookies to! Sweet Andy's Cookies would make a fantastic gift to send if you want to say "Thank You", "Congratulations" or "I Miss You". You could also send some of these cookies to just say hi to someone you haven't seen in awhile.

Not only can you get the six flavors I was sent, but you can also get cookies in these flavors: Lemon, Pumpkin, Mint Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate with Peanut Butter (OH YEAH!!!!) and White Chocolate w/ Macadamia Nuts! You can also mix and match when choosing your cookies, which is a nice option as well. If you would like to keep up with Sweet Andy's Cookies on their social media sites, be sure to check them out on Facebook and also on Twitter.

So, in my opinion...It is no wonder I gained a pound last week. :) Sweet Andy's Cookies are some of the best cookies I have eaten in a long time. Chock full of chips, soft and chewy, these cookies are amazing. Simply decadent! I would DEFINITELY recommend this company to anyone. Buy some cookies to share or eat them all yourself. :)

Sweet Andy's has offered to giveaway a box identical to the one I received to one of you! That's 6 bags of cookies! :) Here are your entry options...(YUM)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Sweet Andy's Cookies for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Sweet Andy's website and email. Prize is being provided by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.