September- how on earth did we get here already? I’m really not ready to give up on Summer just yet, but automatically as soon as I hear the name of this month I think darker evenings and chillier days. I’ve got my fingers crossed for another heatwave before the month is out, and in the mean time I have a review of August’s
Degustabox* with it’s Back to School theme (another sign Summer is surely over).
First out of the box this month was LioBites Smoothie Bites (£1.99/each). These are new, and healthy fruit crisps made from fresh fruit which provide one of your five a day and are ideal for lunch boxes. These have quite a strange texture and are incredibly sweet, but once you get past that they are oddly enjoyable, and I probably would buy them again if it weren’t for the crazy high price for a single serving.
I discovered Boka Bars a few months ago when I was on a mission for healthier snacks and have since placed regular orders via their website. All four flavours of these bars are delicious (especially the chocolate marshmallow one) and they all sport four green traffic lights when it comes to nutrition, making them perfect for lunch box snacks for children and adults alike. You can find these in Sainsburys for £0.75 each or in multipacks, and as I mentioned, I regularly buy mixed cases direct from the brand’s website.
Maggi products make a fairly regular appearance in Degustabox and for good reason. The fusian sticky hoisin duck noodles are the perfect base for a quick and easy dinner, and the classic three minute noodles are ideal for a substantial pre-dinner snack (my brother basically lived off these after school when he was a growing lad!)
The reduced sugar Rowntree’s products are also a regular in the boxes and I’m always happy to see them. These randoms have 30% less sugar but don’t compromise on taste or texture. These are always a hit with anyone I decide to share them with (if I decide to share) and I’m pleased to see them widely available in shops (priced around £1.29)
One of my staple dinners when I have had a long way is tuna with a jacket potato and salad. Especially now you can get the frozen jackets which take just five minutes in the microwave. The John West infusions salad fillets are perfect for jazzing up and otherwise plain meal- I received the chilli and garlic flavour in my box which I was a big fan of, but for those preferring something a bit more subtle they also come in basil or lemon and thyme varieties.
I’m a bit of a coffee brand snob so tend to stick to what I know, but in the spirit of adventure got stuck straight in to the illy Instant Smooth Taste. It may not be freshly ground and brewed coffee but it’s really very good, and if I saw this on offer above my usual brand I wouldn’t hesitate in picking it up.
Drinks wise this month we had the product of the month- Crooked Beverage Co alcoholic soda (£2.00) in midnight stage flavour. I haven’t tried this yet, as is often the way but it sounds like a healthier, more grown up version of the alcoho-pops that 18 year old me loved, with less than 5g of sugar and 46kcal per 100ml. I must remember to give this a whirl sooner rather than later- the perfect late summer drink, I hope!
Also in the box this month was some new soft drinks from Gunna. Cited to be craft soft drinks with a ginger base they certainly look more grown up than a can of diet coke. Again I haven’t tried these as I just can’t stomach ginger in drinks but once I’ve found someone willing to give them a go I’ll report back- and for anyone who does love ginger based beverages these have less sugar and no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, compared to other, more main stream beverages.
I love Dorset Cereals products in general (especially their gingerbread porridge) so it’s always a pleasure to try one of their new releases. Spectacular Grains (£3.99) is made with toasted spelt flakes and popped grains for a super crispy crunch and is blended with, in this case, raspberry and apple. It’s another great product from Dorset Cereals and oddly I’ve taken to sprinkling some on my porridge in the morning.
Finally we have
Good Hemp‘s unsweetened dairy free drink, and I’m sorry but I just can’t! Ideal for vegans and 100% natural I’m sure this is good for some people, but my tastebuds just can’t handle hemp milk (or rice milk, or soya, or many other dairy alternatives) so I don’t have a glowing review here. All I can say is I’m sure if you like that kind of thing, it’s brilliant.
For those who don’t yet know, Degustabox* is a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £5.00 off of your first box (making it just £7.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought of them.
