Saturday, 19 September 2026

Degustabox September 2026 review : Family Sharing & Cooking

 

It only seems two minutes ago that we were sweating our way through a heatwave but now, we're two weeks into the new school year and autumn definitely seems to have begun. I heard talk of an upcoming heatwave on social media last week but so far, I've been dragging out the warmer coats and jumpers to beat the chill and drizzle. Soon enough, we'll be putting the clocks back and evenings will start to draw in. I've even seen a few mad people starting to mention Christmas online. So what would be the theme for the latest Degustabox ? Hmm, family sharing and cooking. Not what I was expecting but it sounds sure to be a hit. Here's what was hiding away in this month's box.

 

First out of the box was Rubicon Sparkling Cherry Blast (RRP £1.29), which offers the taste of summer in a bottle. Made with real fruit, you get the perfect sweet hit of ripe cherry and juicy peach. It's very refreshing and utterly delicious, especially served straight from the fridge or over ice. Available in Sainsbury's, ASDA, Morrisons, WHSmith and Coop.

Another drinks option was Voss Lime and Mint Sparkling (RRP 2 x £1.59), which is another summery flavour, guaranteed to quench your thirst. Zesty lime and refreshing mint really jazz up the sparkling water, offering a flavour hit as rich and refreshing as fizzy drinks but without the artificial sweeteners and unhealthy additives that they often contain. Available in Holland and Barrett, Ocado and Amazon.


Fruit Bowl Peelers (RRP £2.95) are a healthy snack option, made with real fruit so they count towards your five-a-day portions. They are high in fibre, plant based and gluten-free but best of all, they have a lovely, sweet strawberry flavour. They are perfect for stashing in your handbag, coat pocket or in the glovebox of the car for outdoor adventures. They are also ideal for putting in the kids' lunchboxes. They come in at under 100 calories each so you can snack with a smile on your face and a clear conscience. Available in all major supermarkets.

This month's Product of the Month, Paxo Golden Breadcrumbs (RRP £1.70) is a handy, versatile ingredient that can be used to add texture and crunch to meat, fish or veggies. Just dip them in flour, then a beaten egg and finally the Golden Breadcrumbs before baking, grilling or frying. We have been trying them with chicken fillets, fish nuggets and mashed potatoes mixed with minced beef, but they can also be used to thicken soups and add extra texture and flavour to burger patties. Available in Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Ocado.


Maggi Global Kitchen Mushroom Risotto with  Chicken (RRP £3 - other subscribers got Teriyaki Noodles with Chicken) is perfect for a quick and simple lunch when one of the Madhouse kids needs to eat alone because I'm stuck at work. Brown rice in a creamy mushroom sauce, seasoned with herbs, accompanied with chunks of chicken makes a satisfying meal, maybe with some carrots or broccoli on the side. Ready in just 2 minutes and achievable by even the most useless of trainee chefs, these meals are a source of protein, as well as being low in saturated fat. There are six different dishes available in the range so that will keep you going all week long ! Available at Tesco and Morrisons.

Ko-Lee Thai Sensation Instant Noodles (RRP 70p each) come in three flavours, fragrant Thai Green Curry, rich Red Curry and warming Massaman. Just add hot water for a tasty meal in minutes. The bold, aromatic flavours offer a real taste of Thailand with very little effort. The noodles are made in Thailand, are palm oil free and crafted with rice bran oil for a noodle with real credentials. Pierre loved these and is happy to gobble a pack (or two if he's really hungry) for lunch on his own. Available on Amazon and in major supermarket chains.

 

Homepride Marry Me Chicken Pasta Bake Sauce (RRP £2.65) is a new offering from the brand, perfect for rustling up a guaranteed family favourite with very little effort. Just pour into a dish with dry pasta and water, stir and pop in the oven - that's it ! The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs is very tasty served with chicken or an alternative protein source if you want a vegetarian option. Available in Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Iceland and B&M.

Jacob's Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar Flavour Bites (RRP £2) are generously seasoned and deliciously crunchy crackers. They have a light and crispy texture and offer a great alternative to crisps. They're very satisfying and moreish. Utterly delicious. Available in all major supermarkets.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 

 for more information : 


 Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Saturday, 12 September 2026

Children's book review : Small Monster Big Monster - Allan Sanders


 Phaidon recently sent us through a review copy of their new board book, Small Monster Big Monster, A Seriously Silly Book of Opposites, by Brighton-based illustrator Allan Sanders. Even before I'd got beyond the front cover, I was captivated by the exciting, detailed drawings and the bright, flashy, almost fluorescent colours. There may only be a few words to read on each page but storytime will take a while as kids will be pointing out all sorts of things that they've spotted in the pictures. 


On this page for example, the monster-version of the Statue of Liberty and the New York style ferry and skyscrapers could open up a discussion on American landscapes and things to visit and explore on holidays around the world, just to start you off. Giggling young readers may also wonder why the monster, presumably fresh out of the shower with a clean towel around his waist and a hairdryer shaping his funky hairstyle, still has flippers on from swimming in the Hudson River !


The book introduces a series of opposite words, such as loud-quiet, on-off, wet-dry, inside-outside and many more. The twenty chunky pages will withstand a lot of rough-and-tumble as little hands try to turn the pages and could even cope with being chewed on, as it is targetted at readers aged 0-3 years old !


It's an enjoyable, entertaining and educational book that will appeal to children and their parents, offering multiple opportunities to share stories and describe pictures. It's exactly the kind of book that I remember reading with the Madhouse kids when they were little and bouncing up and down in their cots while we were supposed to be getting ready to sleep with a supposedly calming but generally raucous read !

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 13 Aug. 2026
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 20 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1837292116
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1837292110
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 363 g
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ Baby - 3 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.91 x 2.22 x 17.78 cm

Disclosure : We received a copy of the book in order to share our honest opinion.
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