Degustabox October 2023 review : Movie Night

 

When this month's Degustabox arrived, I glanced at the theme of the box and it seemed like a perfect match for the weather to me. With temperatures dropping and drizzly rain and wind replacing the seemingly never-ending summer sun of the past few months, Movie Night seemed like the perfect way of spending an evening or a Sunday afternoon, snuggled under a blanket on the settee. Bring on the snacks ! We have the choice of sweet or savoury in the box.

 

My top pick for movie snacks is this bag of Aero Caramel Melts (RRP £1.75). I love the smooth, bubbly texture of Aero bars and these buttons have a caramel flavour that makes them seem extra delicate and luxurious. They come in a "love to share" bag but I'm happy to hide these away and scoff them all by myself ! Available at major supermarket chains.

If you fancy a savoury snack, you might prefer Chipoys Fire Red Hot (RRP £1.99). This is a popular brand of American snacks made in Mexico with rolled tortilla chips. As the flavour name suggests, these are totally hot, spicy and intense. The kids liked them but I thought they were just too fiery ! Available across independent and convenience stores as well as on Amazon.

Love Raw Peanut Butter Cups (RRP £1.89) are a vegan version of the popular snack made of peanut butter wrapped in milk-free chocolate. As with all products from the brand, they are free from palm oil and artificial ingredients. They are also gluten-free. Juliette gobbled them up and declared them delicious. Available at Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon, Loveraw.com and selected independents.

 

Caleño Tropical Non-alcoholic Pre-mixed Cocktails (RRP 2 x £2.50) are the perfect drink for a glitzy night out minus the hangover or a more special option for the non-drinking driver of the group. We got the sharp and fruity Passion Fruit Martini and the sweet and tropical Pineapple Pina Colada, both of which were deemed delicious. Available on calenodrinks.com and Amazon.

Kellogg's cereals (RRP 4 x 70p) in individual packs always seem extra special to me, probably because they remind me of the variety packs that I used to love when I was a kid. In the Degustabox, we got four different varieties, Special K, Rice Krispies, Coco Pops and Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, which are my favourites. Other size packs are available at all major supermarkets.

Knorr Quick Soups (RRP 2 x 75p) are ready in minutes and are perfect as a quick lunch or snack. The kids like them as an after-school snack to tide them over until dinner. They're also great for warming you up on a cold day. We got Tomato and Cream of Vegetable with Croutons, while other subscribers got Chicken or Chicken Noodle. Available at ASDA.

Frutrip Fruit Purée Squeeze (RRP £7.50) is a product from Jeju Island, South Korea. It provides two flavours : hallabong ginger (hallabong is a citrus fruit native to Jeju Island) and green tangerine lemon. This nifty product can be consumed in a variety of ways, as a dessert, a dressing, an ice sorbet, a cocktail base or a topping. It is a pure product with no added water or artificial flavours. Available on UK Amazon.

Knorr Hairy Bikers' Spicy Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are a quick and convenient way of adding a deep, rich flavour to chillis and casseroles. Perfect for adding a kick of heat to beat the chilli over autumn and winter. Available at Ocado, Waitrose and Tesco.

 

Peppadew Sweet Piquanté Peppers (RRP £3.25) combine a sweet and tangy crunch with a mild heat. Each pepper is de-cored by hand and can be munched straight from the jar or chopped and added to salads, pasta or pizzas. They're great for adding a bit of zing to plain meals. Available in major supermarket chains.

Simply Cook Jerk Chicken (RRP £2.50) is from a range of products designed as a great way of getting out of a cooking rut and injecting some excitement into mealtimes. 140+ chef created recipes in the range only need half an hour or less to provide dinner on the table. You'll need to add 4-6 fresh ingredients but all the magic comes in the little pack. Other subscribers received Nasi Goreng or Cajun Jambalaya kits. I love this way of adding some excitement to dinner without extra hassle or inconvenience.

 

Tilda Sticky Rice (RRP £1.54) is this month's Product of the Month and it's ideal for use in sushi or poke bowls. With its subtle flavour and sticky texture, it's ready for use in just 90 seconds in the microwave. It is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The girls will love this for using with their sushi kit. Available in major supermarket chains.

Very Lazy Teriyaki Paste (RRP £2) is part of the range of cooking pastes designed to give you "Maximum Flavour, Minimum Fuss" in the kitchen. The sweet and savoury paste is perfect added to chicken, beef or pork to create a richly flavoured dish in minutes. It's not a product that I would have bought but having tried it, it's great to keep in the fridge for when you need a meal after a long day at work. Available in Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrisons.

According to the leaflet in the box, I should have had a gift pack of Love Corn Sea Salt Flavour but it wasn't in the box. I actually thought the kids had gobbled it up without telling me, but they've promised me that they didn't ! We've had this product range before though and love the taste and texture of the crunchy corn kernels.

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 :

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

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.

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 41

Into the final week of school before the holidays. This week is busy on the after-school appointments - we have a trip to the dentist for Pierre tomorrow to discuss his getting braces, then the day after is his parent-teacher evening. I have two hours in a meeting instead of class tomorrow morning to discuss how to talk to the kids about the killing of a teacher on Friday by extremists. On Friday I have a day of sophrology (relaxation exercises) instead of lessons too so it's a fairly quiet final week before the holidays. 

Monday

lunch- I'm eating at the school canteen, Pierre can pick through the fridge

dinner - pork in tomato sauce with pasta

Tuesday

lunch- beefburgers, rice and ratatouille

dinner- baked potatoes with bacon, cheese, onions, mushrooms and beans

Wednesday

lunch-  battered fish and hash browns

dinner- Chinese chicken with rice and veg

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers 

dinner- spaghetti bolognese

Friday

lunch- baked ham, mash and green beans

dinner - pizza

Saturday

lunch- maybe kebabs, if the kids want fast food

dinner- leftovers

Sunday

lunch-  steak, mash and grilled tomatoes

dinner- pasta carbonara

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 40

This first term at school is zipping by. I can't believe we're looking forward to the holidays in a couple of weeks. This week, I finally went to watch Pierre playing football and I was impressed - he's pretty good ! He's got a bit of a girlie fan club following him around at the stadium too, which was quite funny to watch. Into another week of work. Here's what's on the menu plan for this week (although I haven't been shopping yet so there might be some substitutions).

Monday

lunch- I'm eating at the school canteen, Pierre can pick through the fridge

dinner - bolognese stuffed chicken breasts with rice

Tuesday

lunch- beefburgers, mash and beans

dinner- baked potatoes with bacon, cheese, onions, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes

Wednesday

lunch- smoked sausages with lentils 

dinner- pasta bolognese

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers 

dinner- chicken chow mein with noodles

Friday

lunch- spicy chicken, rice and salad in wraps

dinner - late night at work so probably Deliveroo

Saturday

lunch- steak & onion pie, mash and veg

dinner- pizza

Sunday

lunch-  pork filet mignon with roast potatoes, peas and carrots

dinner- pasta carbonara

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 39

The new recipes from Taste of Home were a big hit and also quick and simple to prepare, which made me happy ! The pepperoni baguette pizzas were the best thing I've ever cooked apparently, and the beef and bacon gnocchi and nachos pie were happily gobbled up too. Not really a big surprise there ! I'm going back to look for more recipes to try this week. I'm also going to work through some of the seasoning sachets in my kitchen cupboard. Juliette has been home for another long weekend, so some things didn't get made as she didn't fancy them. This week is a calm week, with just a late night at work on Friday for the ceremony to give out the exam certificates. Here's what is on the menu this week.

Monday

lunch- I'm eating with friends, Pierre can pick through the fridge

dinner - sausage pasta

Tuesday

lunch- Italian chicken risotto

dinner-  pork casserole, boiled potatoes and veg

Wednesday

lunch- chicken cordon bleu with rice and green beans

dinner- beef & pepper skillet

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers 

dinner-  butter chicken (with added potatoes) and rice

Friday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner - Kokkinisto warming beef and tomato stew with mash

Saturday

lunch- smokehouse bbq chicken wraps

dinner- Caribbean chicken and rice

Sunday

lunch- chicken, roast potatoes, carrots & gravy

dinner- pepperoni baguette pizzas

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Degustabox September 2023 review

 

This month saw us heading back to school after the long summer break, and, despite the manically intense heatwave lasting way longer than was pleasant, it seems as though the weather has finally turned decidedly autumnal over the last week or so. I even walked past a load of conkers on the ground on my way to work yesterday. That convinced me. Even Mother Nature seems to think that the summer is over now ! When the postman dropped off the latest Degustabox, I was keen to see if it would reflect the changing seasons. Would it be full of ingredients for casseroles, curries and other winter warmers ? Let's take a look at what was in the box.

 

First of all, I plucked out this can of 6 o' Clock London Dry Gin & Tonic (RRP £3). I'd never thought of having a ready-made gin and tonic out of a can, but why not? It's practical, saves time and avoids forking out on a big bottle of gin, so it's ideal for those who don't drink regularly. It is made using London Dry Gin and natural premium tonic water. Taste-wise, it is spot on. Available at Co-op stores and on Ocado.

Chipoys Chilli & Lime (RRP £1.99) are a popular American snack, made from rolled Mexican-produced tortilla chips with intense, authentic flavour and real crunch. I'd never seen these before but they remind me very much of the crisps and snacks that you can buy from American exporters in discovery packs. The kids loved the strong flavour and gobbled them up in minutes. Available on Amazon and in independent stores.

Mission XL Wraps (RRP £2) are big 30cm wraps that are perfect for those with a big appetite. We love eating fajitas and chicken and salad wraps here at the Madhouse, but sometimes, by the time you've added everything you want in them (meat, guacamole, tomatoes, sweetcorn, cucumber, sour cream, salsa, cheese, ...), it can be hard to roll them up and eat them without half of the filling falling out all over you. These bigger sized wraps avoid the mess and they taste lovely too, with a nice soft texture and pleasant taste. They can be enjoyed hot or cold. The kids love them when they want a snack for creating an instant "pizza" by spreading them with tomato puree and sprinkling them with cheese and ham before sticking them under the grill or in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Available in ASDA.

 

Fruit-tella Out In Space (RRP £1.50) are a new (to me, at least) fruity jelly sweet that offers moon, planet and rocket shapes in pineapple, strawberry and peach flavours. They are made with more fruit juice than other jelly sweets and also contain natural colouring and flavours. They taste very nice and we loved the soft, chewy texture. Available at Co-op.

Garofalo Rigatoni Pasta (RRP £2.50) is a large tubular pasta shape, with ridges that make it perfect for chunky sauces and baked pasta dishes. After being boiled for 13 minutes in salty water, it has the perfect al dente consistency. We loved this served with bolognese sauce and the slightly firm, rough texture works perfectly as a sauce magnet. Delizioso ! Available on Ocado, Amazon, Booths and local stockists.

Green Cola and Green Lemonade (RRP £1.19 each) are from a brand that I had never heard of before but they are very tasty. They are low or no sugar without aspartame, low calorie and offer a healthier take on fizzy drinks. They use natural, plant-based Stevia for sweetness and real fruit juice for a punchy, refreshing taste. Perfect straight from the fridge or served over ice. Available at Sainsbury's, Holland & Barrett, Ocado and Amazon. 

 

Jordans No Added Sugar Granola (RRP £3.60) is a tasty breakfast option. The crunchy clusters are made with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, relying on lashings of fruit, including dates, apple, blueberries and cranberries for sweetness, flavour and zinginess. The Triple Nut option adds some great crunch and the delicious result is a bowl full of great, natural flavours and textures. Available at Waitrose.

Ryvita Crackerbread (RRP £1.59) are a light, crispy bread-alternative that can be spread with sweet or savoury toppings as a snack, breakfast or lunch option. I like them spread with cream cheese and cherry tomatoes or banana and peanut butter. I haven't eaten Ryvita crispbread for years but these crackerbread don't seem hugely different to the originals, as far as I can remember. Available in major supermarkets.

  

Simply Cook Goan Curry Recipe Kit (RRP £2.50) is a quick and simple product designed to help you get an interesting and flavour-packed meal on the table in twenty minutes. Inside the pack are three pods : masala paste (for the curry base), coconut paste (to add topnotes of garlic and coconut) and a spice blend (with mustard seeds and star anise to add depth of flavour). This kit works perfectly with prawns, cod, salmon or even chicken for a rich, exotic meal that tastes as if it should have been a lot more complicated to produce than it was using the kit. 

Wagamama House Dressing (RRP £2.50) gives you the chance to enjoy the signature house dressing of the iconic restaurant chain in your own home. Since first opening in 1992, Wagamama has delivered the flavours of Asia through simple, balanced food. The dressing, inspired by their katsu curry side salad, contains shallots, soy and garlic. It's guaranteed to bring some serious oomph to your salads. Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA and Waitrose.

Mutti Tuscany Passata (RRP £2.70) is this month's Product of the Month. It is made using the highest quality Rossoro tomatoes from the Tuscany region, harvested at their peak ripeness and processed within 24 hours. The tomatoes bring a distinct fruity flavour to the passata and its smooth richness is ideal for incorporating into pasta sauces, pizza toppings, soups and casseroles. Its adds a lovely flavour but also a smooth consistency to whatever you are cooking. Available at Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

 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 :

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

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.

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 38

Juliette came home for a long weekend from Thursday to Sunday so our food plans changed slightly, to cater to her tastes. This week is, in theory, a quiet week. Pierre has football training on Wednesday and probably a match on Saturday, which throws out food planning slightly but I'll have to think up lots of quick fixes (although he's usually starving when he gets home so I'll have to think of filling dishes too). Friday is our school open day which means I'll be home late too. Maybe it's not such a quiet week after all ! Here's what I plan to be cooking this week. I've been looking through the Taste of Home website which is full of American recipes that look exactly the kind of thing Pierre would love.

Monday

lunch- Arizona chicken with rice (this is preseasoned meat from Lidl but I'd never heard of it so I looked up the recipe, if you want to give it a try)

dinner - BBQ pork and pasta skillet

Tuesday

lunch- fishfingers, mash and beans

dinner-  creamy filet mignon with baked potatoes

Wednesday

lunch- I'm thinking there will be leftovers from last night

dinner- Bacon cheeseburger pasta

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers 

dinner-   saucy pork chop skillet with rice

Friday

lunch- beef & bacon gnocchi

dinner - baguette pepperoni pizzas 

Saturday

lunch- pork & mango stir fry

dinner- shortcut sausage jambalaya

Sunday

lunch- Lemon chicken and rice

dinner- Nacho pie

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 37

Juliette went back to Lille midweek then the girls invited us to Lille for the day on Saturday. Pierre decided to stay at home so I headed off on the train for a lovely day chilling out, sampling the girls' homemade cakes and hitting the shops. Pierre has settled in well at school and this year is looking good so far in terms of marks. Hopefully that will continue ! This week, we'll be getting a new hot water tank fitted. The old one sprung a leak and the plumber did a temporary fix but warned me that it is full of limescale and won't last long. We've lived here for over twenty years and it's never been changed in all that time so it's not bad going. Apart from that, we have a quiet week this week, pootling along in our work/school routines. Here's what is on the cards foodwise for this week.

Monday

lunch- sausage pasta (with tomatoes, onions, herbs)

dinner - chicken curry with rice

Tuesday

lunch- chicken burgers with mash & beans

dinner-  chilli con carne with rice

Wednesday

lunch- leftover chicken burgers (and maybe chilli), in wraps with guacamole, tomatoes and rice

dinner- smoky bbq pork (using a Flava It seasoning sachet from a Degustabox) with pasta

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers 

dinner-  chicken Milanese with couscous and ratatouille

Friday

lunch- breaded chicken chunks in wraps with rice and sweetcorn

dinner - pasta carbonara

Saturday

lunch- fishfingers, chips and peas

dinner- East meets ... South ! chicken empanadas and pork spring rolls (from the freezer)

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, veg and gravy

dinner- leftovers or toast

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 36

The first week with just me and Pierre worked out well foodwise. I still have to convince Pierre to use up the leftovers when he's home alone, but apart from that, it all worked perfectly, apart from the nights he has football training and gets in quite late but I'll work out a solution for that in the next few weeks. Juliette signed up at uni but then had a week to settle in before starting lessons so she ended up coming home on Friday and will go back to Lille on Tuesday. It's been lovely to see her again and I managed to buy new laptops for her and Sophie for this new year at uni which worked out well as they were half price in the sale. I'm back into routine at school which is good. Here's what's on the menu plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- lunch in town with Juliette and maybe Pierre

dinner - meatballs and pasta

Tuesday

lunch- sausages, eggs and hash browns

dinner-  Spanish chicken & rice (which was on the menu plan last week but didn't get made)

Wednesday

lunch- corned beef hash with potatoes and baked beans

dinner-  spicy meatball tagine with couscous & chickpeas

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers or cook

dinner-  steak (in the freezer) with baked potatoes and peas

Friday

lunch- smokehouse bbq chicken wraps

dinner - chicken supreme with rice

Saturday

lunch- spiced tomato chicken skewers (in the freezer) with rice

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner- leftovers, toast or soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 35

The new school year has kicked off so we're getting back into our usual routine but everything will be different this year as it's just me and Pierre at home now with the girls off at uni. They'll be back for lots of visits but in the meantime, I'll be focusing on Pierre's favourite meals. He's not big on vegetables so this could be interesting ! My timetable this year means that I will probably be cooking lunch at home on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, so I'll only be at the school canteen one day a week. Pierre is therefore almost completely off cooking duty which I'm sure he'll be happy about ! I still have to fit in a weekly meal with my friends though so we'll see how it all works out.

Monday

lunch- spicy lentils with sausages

dinner - chilli con carne with rice

Tuesday

lunch- leftover chilli, with baked potatoes if there is no rice left

dinner- creamy pork filet mignon with pasta and carrots

Wednesday

lunch- leftover creamy filet mignon with pasta if there is any left, otherwise mash

dinner- beefburgers (or leftover sausages if there are any) with oven chips and baked beans 

Thursday

lunch- school canteen for me, Pierre can use up leftovers or cook

dinner- pork in sweet & sour sauce with noodles & veg (mange tout, carrots and baby sweetcorn)

Friday

lunch- chicken cordon bleu (in breadcrumbs, stuffed with cheese and ham) with mash & carrots

dinner - Provençal chicken with rice & veg

Saturday

lunch-  Spanish chicken & rice

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- chicken thighs, roast potatoes, veg & gravy

dinner- leftovers or toast

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Degustabox August 2023 review

The Madhouse kids (except Sophie, who was travelling in Amsterdam and Rome with a friend) were off visiting the grandparents in Brittany for two weeks, leaving me home alone. That meant that I got the first pick of things from the latest Degustabox ! I did save some things for them when they got home though. Here's what was in the August box, which didn't have a specific theme this time.

Bear Little Paws (RRP 2 x 60p) were available in the box in two flavours : strawberry and apple and raspberry and blueberry. These gently baked, chewy shapes are made from 100% fruit with no added sugar and never from concentrates. They are described as the perfect toddler snack for cubs aged 2+ years but the Madhouse kids are much older than that and they still love them. They have a lovely smooth texture and taste really sweet and fruity despite the lack of artificial additives and sugar. Totally delicious. These are also available as a multipack of 5 x 20g packs at all major supermarkets.

 

Carlsberg 0.0 Pilsner (RRP 2 x 85p) is an alcohol-free option that tastes identical to the original version, in my opinion. It has a crisp hoppy bite and only contains 63 calories per bottle. It's ideal for sticking alongside the wine, cocktails and soft drinks at summertime barbecues for anyone who doesn't want to drink alcohol.

Fruit-tella Strawberry Flavour (RRP £1.30) is this month's Product of the Month and it was a big hit with the whole family. Crafted with natural flavours, you just squeeze a small amount into water for a refreshing drink. This is also available in a Blackcurrant flavour, exclusively at B&M for summer 2023. The flavour is great and the smaller bottle makes it easier to carry home from the shop, as well as being better for the environment. Each bottle provides enough for 20 drinks.

 

Another drinks option is J20 Spritz (RRP £3.55 for 4 cans). We got Apple & Elderflower flavour, while other Degustaboxers got to try Pear & Raspberry. The fruity flavour and lightly sparkling quality combine to create a very refreshing drink that I like to sip on in the afternoon or evening, but the info in the Degustabox says it can also be paired with creamy and rich dishes. Available in all major supermarkets.

Knorr Pastaria Pasta Bolognese (RRP £1.40) is a dish that I usually throw together from scratch, using mince, tomatoes, onions, garlic and a sprinkle of herbs to create a rich sauce to serve with pasta. I wasn't sure what I would think of a packet version, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although it doesn't look that appetising while it's cooking, it does actually have a lovely taste and texture once it's all cooked and the fact that, as it contains pasta, it creates a whole meal in ten minutes makes it perfect for Pierre when he needs a simple lunch to cook on his own. You literally just have to add water so it couldn't be easier to make. Other varieties in the range are Pasta Parmesana and Pasta Carbonara, which I'll definitely look out for for the kids. Available at Asda.

Le Petit Ganache (RRP £1.70) is the first filled biscuit in the popular Lu range and it was a big hit with the entire family. The buttery biscuit is filled with a silky chocolate-hazelnut filling which is incredibly moreish and with four of us nibbling on them, the whole packet disappeared in one sitting ! Available in major supermarkets.

Nature's Heart Sour Cream & Chive Flavour Crunch (RRP £2.25) is a tasty mixture of crunchy edamame, peas, broad beans and seeds, along with flavouring. We got cream and chive which we loved but other Degustaboxers got Sweet Chilli Crunch. They are high in protein and high in fibre and half of a 100g bag provides one of your five a day portions. I happily munched on a handful while Sophie absolutely loved it and swiftly devoured the bag. Available at Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, WH Smith, Ocado and Amazon.

 

Pitch Strawberry (RRP £1.75) are a new addition to the Pitch range in the UK, bringing a strawberry filled brioche that is perfect for breakfast or snacktime. They are a new product on this side of the Channel but the Madhouse kids have been eating them for years in France and love them to bits. The individually wrapped buns are great as snacks on the go and perfect for stuffing into pockets or handbags. Available at Aldi from 27th August to 3rd September and at Tesco from 4th September.

Rubies in the Rubble Squirty Tomato Ketchup (RRP £3.50) is a great product on a number of levels. It is made using surplus and wonky pears that would otherwise go to waste which is great for the environment, as well as creating a product with double the fruit and half the refined sugar content of leading brands. Tastewise, it gets a unanimous thumbs up from the Madhouse testers too. Available at Tesco, Waitrose, The Co-operative and on Ocado.

 

Whitworths Shots Fruity Biscuit Flavour (RRP £2) are a popular snack option at the Madhouse, loved by the kids and promoted by me as a healthier alternative to many sugar-packed or chocolatey treats. The Fruity Biscuit variety is a mixture of sultanas, cranberries and white chocolate coated shortcake biscuits which are very tasty. Each pack comes in at under 100 calories and is easy to stash in a pocket or handbag. 

Tropicana Smooth Orange With No Bits (RRP £3) is a great tasting drink, made from 100% perfectly pressed fruit juice, not from concentrate. Juliette loves the perfectly smooth texture and everyone loves the taste. Made from hand-picked oranges, squeezed within 24 hours for freshness, plus no added sugar. Lovely at breakfast time to start the day in style ! It can be stored in the cupboard but is best served chilled.

 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 :

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

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.