August Degustabox

Fancy treating yourself or someone else to a Degustabox this Month? With my discount code BLDEG15 you will get £7 off your next order. Lets take a peak inside the August box shall we...

Treats
Treats in this Months box included something I have never seen before; Willy Chase's Fit Popcorn in Apple Cider Vinegar flavour. These taste really good - just like crisps, but popcorn! The Snackers Flame Baked Mini Crackers were another great savoury treat that are perfect for a mid-afternoon snack.

Useful Cupboard Items
I am a huge cereal fan (particulary like muesli and granola) so the Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix really didn't last long! I enjoyed this mix but haven't yet tracked it down in my local supermarket, but it is my new fave so I am sure I will find it somewhere. The Oloves were something I was not keen on in the box as I am not an olive fan, but I am sure someone else in the house will enjoy them. We received lots of treats from Geetas, including curry pastes and mango chutney. I only discovered Geetas through Degusta and its a brand we always buy now. Clippers Green Tea is an item we always have at home so it was a nice surprise to receive a different flavour in Lime and Ginger. The Nutripots are very satisfying and filling which I was surprised about, I will have to look into what other pots they sell. The Capsicana Mexican Cook Sauce is possibly my favourite item of all time that I have discovered from Degusta - I adore mexican food and this is an amazing item I will definitely be scouting out when I am in the supermarket. I also used the Tabasco Sweet and Sticky BBQ Marinade and Sauce in a chicken recipe recently as a marinade and it has a great flavour.

Drinks
In terms of drinks this Month, the alcohol option was the Mahou Beer which I am told went down well! I also received the Get More Multivitamins sparkling lemon and lime drink which was refreshing, and the Botanicals Sparkling Jasmine and Lime drink which I have yet to try.


Degustabox: Website 

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July Degustabox Review

Hey everyone! I am back today with another Monthly post on the contents of the July Degustabox. I have decided to do it a little different to usual; and have split the items up into categories so you can really get a feel for how much variety is in the box. As always, you can use my discount code BLDEG15 at the checkout to receive a generous £7 off your next order. Enjoy!

Sweet Treats
For tasty treats this Month we were spoiled for choice! The Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles Infusions were so tasty and are actually one of my favourite sweets of all time. Something new to try were the Itsu Crispy Seaweed Thins, now I have to be honest I wasn't too keen on these but I can see why some people would love this sort of snack.The Bahlsen Choco Leibniz are, in my opinion, one of the best chocolate biscuits out there, and I love that they now come in handy portion packs. The last sweet treats are the Brookside Chocolates, which are fruit and berry flavours blended with dark chocolate; I know these were consumed very quickly and I was told they are delicious.

Useful Cupboard Items
The Sarson's Balsamic Vinegar is always a useful item to have in the home, and is perfect for salads. The
Jordans Swiss Style Muesli is delicious, and as a very fussy muesli eater I must say I definitely approve of this one! The Felix Gerkhins will come in handy in the Summer I am sure for a good old BBQ, and the
Seabrooks Crisps stole the show with my family, as they all seemed to absolutely love these (I didn't manage to try them as they had all long gone...).

Drinks
A few drinks were included in the box this Month, which were the ALO Drink; made with Aloe Vera, the Rejuvenation Water which was my favourite of the four as it was very fruity and I am really interested in the claims the brand make (fuel the immune system and builds a resilience to stress), the Berry White Drinks were really sweet and refreshing, and finally the Cracker Drinks Fruit Drink which we haven't yet tried, so I can't tell you much about that one.

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June Degustabox Review: BBQ Box

Every Month a delivery is sent to me by the lovely folk at Degustabox to feature on my blog. I always look forward to this subscription box the most as it includes one of my favourite things - food! You can use my discount code BLDEG15 to receive an incredible £7 off your next order with Degustabox.
This Months box has been such a great theme too, as we recently purchased a new barbeque so lots of these foodie items have really come in handy.

The Zeo Cloudy Lemon drink is something I have tried before and loved, so I was super pleased to see it again as it is very refreshing and perfect to sip when you are chilling out in the garden. The Branston Spicy Tomato Relish tastes AMAZING on a burger and is something I am definitely adding to the shopping list. Other fab items include the Haywards Silverskins which have been fab added to salads, the Schwartz Handmade Burger Mix which is so easy to make and really flavour-some too. Probably my favourte item of the box is the Bakedin miracle mug brownie which is absolutely delicious. Other tasty treats in this Months box included Heinz Amoy Coconut Milk, Sacla Pesto Pots (these are super handy!), Miracle Noodles, Smooze Fruit Ices, Destrooper-Oliver Belgian Butters (they are delicious with a cuppa!) and Butterkist Yoghurt Coated Popcorn; which I have to say, is probably the nicest popcorn I have ever tried! The alcoholic option of this Months box was a can of Marstons lager - I haven't tried this but I am sure the man of the house will soon. I am super impressed with this box. What do you think?

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Degustabox May 2016

One of my favourite things I discovered when I started blogging is subscription box services. A box arriving at your door once a Month with mystery contents? I am in! Especially if it involves food - my true love in life.

Degustabox is my favourite subscription box - you receive 9-14 surprise food and drink items once a Month for a very reasonable £12.99 per Month - you can receive £6 off your next order with the code - just simply enter this code at the checkout. 

The first item I noticed in the May box was the Jack Daniels Honey BBQ Glaze - we love this at home as it gives a great taste to chicken dishes. We eat pasta a lot so the Garofalo Fusilli will definitely come in handy! The Cranes Cider went down a treat - I love fruity ciders and have now found some new favourites! The Kallo  Milk Chocolate & Yoghurt and Kallo Milk Choco Corn cakes are delicous, guilt free treats which I have been taking in my packed lunch to work, particularly love the milk chocolate rice cakes. I have also been taking the Brioche Pasquier Croissants as a mid morning snack, I love brioche and particularly love to pop them in the oven for a few minutes as they are so tasty warm. The Beloved Dates Date Nectar is perfect to add to pancakes and cereal, and knowing it is made only from Date Nectar makes it a slightly healthier alternative to honey. The Pechkeks Misfortune Cookies were a fun addition to this Months box - the messages are very funny! Very different to any fortune cookies I have had before! The Get Fruity fruity bar was another healthy yet tasty treat. I have never seen these before so will be checking these out the next time I do a food shop. The last two items in the box were the Pomegreat Pomegranate Juice and The Wonderful Co Pistachios and Almonds. I haven't tried these yet but I'm told the juice is refreshing and the pistachios and almonds are almost gone so I assume they were tasty too!

This has been another brilliant box this Month, probably the best in a while! Have you tried Degustabox yet?

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April Degustabox

Another Month has flown by once again, where is time going?!
It is that time of the Month I share my thoughts towards this Months Degustabox contents.

If you are new to Degustabox; they are a monthly subscription service where you receive a box of 9-14 surprise food and drink items. If you are a complete foodie like me, this box will bowl you over! I love looking into the box when it arrives and planning meals and thinking of new recipes to include them in.
I have a generous £6 off discount code for you - just enter BLDEG15 at the checkout.

Included in the box was Canderel Sugarly - I actually use this as analternative to sugar all the time so it was great to see this! The Thor Dry Apple Spritz, Rejuvenation Water and Green Lady were the drinks included in this Months box - all were very refreshing and I love to try new drinks. Sweet treats from April's box were two very delicious bars of chocolate: Milykbar and Smarties, which definitely didn't last long.
I love marinading chicken when cooking, so the Levi Roots Coat 'n Cook Sauce tasted delicious. Other delicious items which were in the box included Bebeto Fruit Strings and Parle G Rusk.
My favourite items in this months box were the limited edition Popchips, loved the rosemary flavour, and the Veetee Rice, which is something I buy all of the time.

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March Degustabox 2016

Another Month has whizzed past again. It really is true what they say, after 21 time just flies by!
I have another brilliant Degustabox review today. I loved the Easter, breakfast and treat theme to this box, pretty much everything has been consumed now - they didn't last long! So I feel I can give good feedback of my thoughts of the products included in the box. You can use my discount code BLDEG15 to receive a rather generous £6 off your next order - you're welcome! All links are listed below.

First up, the Brioche Pasquier Pains au Chocolat were delicious, we are big fans of the Brioche Pasquier brand in our house so they didn't last too long. The Weetabix on the Go Breakfast Drinks are great for a quick breakfast and contains the fibre and energy that the Weetabix cereal contains, so it is perfect if you are in a rush like I usually am on a Morning! The Good Hemp Coconut Alternative Milk is another good addition to the box, admittedly this one hasn't been used just yet, but will be good to try an alternative to milk. The Kent's Kitchen Stuffing just looks like a great idea - so convenient, easy and quick to make!

Metcalfes Cinema Sweet Popcorn was absolutely delcious and even better knowing that it contains 67% less sugar than other sweet popcorn! I would definitely recommend this popcorn if you are looking for a sweet treat without the guilt! Chewits Chewy Sweets are a retro throwback for us all - they have been around for 50 years and they still are our favourite chewy sweet! I was really intrigued to see the Parle Hide & Seek Biscuits and Monaco Biscuits in the box this Month - the Hide & Seek biscuits are amazing.

Pipers Crisps in Cheddar and Onion are super tasty and great for a snack while watching a film, we loved the flavour. My Sister very quickly chomped up the Lindt White Chocolate Gold Bunny - Lindt chocolate is super sweet and it was lovely to see the little bunny included in the box. Kallo Rice Cakes in Milk Chocolate and Quinoa and Seeds were something I was excited about. I am trying to eat more healthily and these are brilliant to include in my packed lunches, and are full of flavour. Lastly, the Karyatis Meze To Go is a pepper and feta dip, great for parties or snacking - we actually tried these with the Pipers Crisps, very delicious.

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January 2016 Degustabox

Its time for another Degustabox review guys, and today's post will be featuring the January Box. If you are new to Degustabox; in a nutshell is a surprise food and drink subscription box which lands on your doorstep once a Month with a variety of 9-14 random items. I have a discount for you to take off a generous £6 off of your order, which is BLDEG15 simply enter this code at the checkout to redeem the discount. I have included all of their links down below if you want to check them out.

This Months box included a ariety of products. First up; Finn Crisp crispbreads which I have tried before and are great with soups! Coldpress Golden Delicious apple juice drink was really tasty and was extremely fresh, will have to look out for this in the future. The Conscious Chocolate was delcious and as it is raw and hand-made, was a guilt free treat. Jordans Country Crisp fruit and nut is something I have overlooked in the supermarket, but so glad it was included in this box as it tasted great and loved having it for breakfast this Week. Next up, the Amoy New Taste of Asia cooking sauces are something I haven't tried yet but looking forward to including in some home-made curry dishes. My Dad tried the Tsingtao Chinese Beer and said he really enjoyed it and that it was very refreshing, so theres that! The Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks are a great addition to to box as they are healthier than potato crisps. The Clarks Carob Fruit Syrup is a great item that can be used by adding to drinks or in baking. I have tried the Slim Noodles before and actually really enjoyed them. I am not a big noodles fan but these are pretty good and are low in calories which is great if you are trying to eat a little healthier like me. Latly, the Gathr Crobar in Peanut Crunch is a natural energy bar which I am yet to try, but as it is the DB Discovery of the box this Month, I'm sure it will be great.
Have you tried Degustabox before?


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November Degustabox 2015

This Months Degustabox is brilliant! It is full of treats and really useful products for the festive season.  Degustabox have a fantastic discount code for you - BLDEG15 - which takes £6 off your order.

Degustabox Discoveries 

This Month, there was a selection of Degustabox Discoveries. I received three of the DB Discoveries. The products I received were the Jim Jams - Choc Spread, the Tuckey's - Digestives, and the Rekorderlig - Cider. Now, I have only recently started eating chocolate spread, and this is a really tasty one! The Tuckey's biscuits are sweet and perfect for tea dunking, and the Rekorderlig cider was tasty and refreshing.

The other products in this Months box were Britvic - Gourmet Drops, Ryvita - Crispbread, Branstons - Chutney, Butterkist - Popcorn, Bourne & Wallis - Pickles, Nim's Fruit Crisps - Mango & Pineapple Fruit Crisps, Ryvita - Crackers, Hartley's - Jelly, Belvita - Soft Baked, Divine - Chocolate, and the final product which was included in the box was Diageo - Bailey's, there was an email from Degustabox stating there would be an added extra and this was it, what a treat! Thanks Degustabox.
The Britvic Gourmet Drops are the perfect addition to a hot chocolate, they are my new favourite thing. I am a big fan of Ryvita so these crackers and thins went down a treat and also make great party food. Butterkist popcorn is my favourite, we loved trying out the salted caramel flavour! Me and my Sister have been buying the Belvita biscuits for a while now, so it was nice to try something new from them - we will definitely be purchasing these in the future. We shared the block of Divine chocolate betweeen us, which was super delicious. I am a big fan of fruit snacks, so the Nim's Fruit Crisps didn't last long! The Branston Chutney and Bourne & Wallis Pickled Onions are being put away and saved for Christmas, can't wait for all the party food! The Hartley's jellys will also come in handy as I have plans to make some trifle - even better that it will be glittery! 

Don't forget to check out the Degustabox website and keep up to date with them on their social media platforms, all of which are linked below.

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October Degustabox and Discount Code

Degustabox are back with a cracking selection of products this Month, including a lot of snacks and useful cupboard fillers! If you haven't tried Degustabox before, it is well worth giving a whirl - you will receive 9-14 surprise food or drink products a Month and you can use my discount code BLDEG15 to receive £6 (yes, six pound!) off from your total order.

Some of my favourite products this Month were the coconut chips from Nudie Snacks. I love coconut chips and it was great to try a different flavour too. The Cirio Chopped Tomatoes and Passata were handy to receive as we use these items every Week and they are great brand. Another favourite has to be the Kabuto Noodles; I have tried these previously and they are really tasty and useful to have for a quick snack or lunch in a rush.
The Geeta's Chutney and Curry Paste are some fab products to be able to try. We loved the limi and chilli chutney, we are yet to use the korma curry paste but will be using this in a curry we are cooking this Week. Other products included in this Months box were The Snack Sensation Rice Crackers which we actually used with the chutney - both were very tasty. Another product we received from the same brand were the Freeze Dried Fruit, that tasted sweet and are 100% natural and healthy. The Lorina Lemonade was refreshing and tasty, the Liberation Foods Cashews and Peanuts were fab to snack on during bonfire night, and the Chipstrips were really interestingly shaped crisps which I would recommend trying, I am thinking of adding salsa to them next time!
Lastly, the Product of the Month was the 9 Bar Carob Hit pack which taste great and even better they are really healthy. I have tried products from the brand before but hadn't tried this flavour. We also received a free voucher for President Unsalted Butter, which I haven't used just yet.

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Degustabox September 2015

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Degustabox; the surprise food and drink Monthly subscription service - they have proved to be incredibly popular in the UK and I can see why. This Month I have an amazing discount code for you all to receive an extremely generous £6 off your order - which means your next box will cost just £6.99! Simply enter the code BLDEG15 at the checkout!

As always, I will give a run down of each product in the box and what I thought of them.

Db's Discoveries

The Olive Shop Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This Extra Virgin Olive Oil looks super posh, doesn't it? We use extra virgin olive oil a lot at home for salads, so it is always handy to have an extra bottle of olive oil in the cupboard. 

Kent's Kitchen Spicy Szechuan Posh Noodle

I have tried these Posh Noodles from Kent's Kitchen before and they are really tasty and surprisingly full of flavour. I love that these are so quick and easy for a quick lunch but are still low in calories.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

I absolutely LOVE peanut butter and these are so, so good! Chocolate and peanut butter are perfect for each other, and noone does it better than Resse! They didn't last long...

Mallow & Marsh Mini Box of Raspberry Marshmallows

This was a lovely addition to the box, and very yummy! They tasted lovely and were a perfect accompanied with a hot chocolate. 

Maynards Wine Gums Red and Blacks

My Dad loves sweets and his eyes lit up when he saw these as they are his favourite. I didn't actually try these myself but I have been told they were lovely! 

Bassets Jelly Babies Berry Mix

These are another family favourite - they are definitely the best jelly babies flavours, so a bag dedicated to them are just brilliant. These tasted good and were shared amongst the family.

The Good Cider of San Sebastian in Apple and Pear

My Dad tried the apple cider and I tried the pear cider; we both enjoyed them and they are so refreshing. Cider isn't a tipple we have in our house very often, and we were both surprised at how smooth this was.

Up & Go Breakfast Drinks in Chocolate and Vanilla

Drinks like this are always a winner in our household. These were very tasty and I would recommend giving these a try with your breakfast on a Morning - really good.

Compete Energy Bites in Mocha Flavour 

This product really intrugued me - anything promising energy I am always interested in giving a go and seeing if it works. They are aimed to give energy and help alertness. These were surprisingly tasty.

Sweet Sally Spiced Tea

I love it when  tea is included in the Degustabox - I really like flavoured tea but don't tend to try many flavours so it is good to be able to try new ones to see if we like them. I really enjoyed this tea and will be looking for it in the supermarket on the next grocery shopping trip.

I really liked this Months box - it is nice to have some sweet treats ready for Autumn. I love the variety of products too, it is always great to be able to try something new.

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Degustabox July 2015

Another Month, another Degustabox review! If you are unfamiliar with Degustabox,  it is basically a Monthly subscription service where you receive around 9-14 surprise food and drink products which are often new to the market or products you might not normally buy in the Supermarket. The box costs £12.99 per Month, which is a fraction of the price of the products inside the box if you bought them individually. I also have a £3 off discount code GUBN9 which you can apply at the checkout to make the box just £9.99.

Lets have a peak inside this Months box shall we?

Db's Discoveries This Month Degustabox have introduced their new initiative; DB's Discoveries, to bring new tastes and flavours to the box. They will be sent out to a percentage of subscribers each Month.
Little Miracles 

This Months DB Discovery is from brand Little Miracles. Little Miracles Organic Drinks are made from a blend of organic tea, juice and ginseng. They are sweetened with agave, and each blend is less than 90 calories per bottle. They have no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. 
Both me and my Sister drink these and they really are so nice. We have had them from Degustabox before and I am so glad we did because otherwise we'd never have known about them! They are really tasty and I love trying the different flavours. I think we have tried almost all of the flavours now.

Lambrini *alcohol option*

Lambrini have unveiled their new look ready for Summer, particularly with their flavour So Strawberry. This looks really fruity and I imagine it will be really sweet, just what I like!
I haven't tried this yet as I am saving this for next Weekend, but I know I will love it if it is anything like the other Lambrini drinks!

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drinks

Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drinks are made from milk and are great for on the go as a quick breakfast alternative. I received the flavours chocolate and vanilla in my box. 
I had never tried these before but I found them really tasty and I was quite impressed with how filling they were. Chocolate was definitely my favourite!

Fru Snax

FruSnax take fruit and yoghurt pieces and prepare them to eat by freezing them, evaporating the water and locking in the flavour. I received two packets of these in my box and I must say they are really tasty and full of flavour. I think they are perfect for that mid-day sweet treat fix - but without the calories, as they come in at only 50 calories per pack.

Newton Appl Fizzics

Newton Appl Fizzics is a blend of apple juice and sparkling water and is completely natural, containing around 40% less sugar than apple juice. 
I love the name of this - brilliant, so clever! I really liked this drink, I think it tasted refreshing and perfect after being in the fridge - and with ice added to it.

Taking The Pea

Taking the Pea are the UK's first range of flavoured peas. They provide more protein than crisps and less fat than nuts, making them ideal to pop in your lunchbox. 
My Dad actually tried these and said they tasted really interesting and so different to anything he had tried before.

Tasty Little Numbers

Tasty Little Numbers are perfect for a really quick meal and fit in well with a healthy eating plan. I received two of these meals in my box, which were Chilli Con Carne and Chicken Tikka Masala. I have only tried the chilli con carne meal so far and teamed it up with salad for an evening meal last week. I cooked it in the microwave and I thought it tasted pretty good for a fairly low calorie meal. Since trying these meals I have been browsing online looking at their other products - including cakes and biscuit bars!

Jele Beautie 
Jele is Thailand's best selling jelly snack. These are a interesting and a fun way for a quick jelly snack.

Say Yes To No 

Say Yes To No Toasted Bread Chips contain no artificial  flavouring and colourings.

I really liked these! The sour cream and onion flavour was really tasty and I would probably have these again. I think they would be great as a snack or you could even team them up with a meal like spaghetti bolognaise as an alternative to garlic bread.

I am impressed with the quanity and variety on this Months box!

Have you ever tried Degustabox before? What do you think?

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Afernoon Tea at Bettys, York

Recently I visited York for the Day whilst I was up North visiting family. I have always loved afternoon tea and I am into anything like that, so we decided to head to Betty's.
You may have recently read my guest post from Georgina here, where she lists her favourite locations for afternoon tea in the UK. She included Betty's so I knew it must be a good place to go.

We chose afternoon tea for two, which consisted of; smoked salmon and cream cheese, roast Yorkshire ham, roast free-range chicken breast and egg mayonnaise & cress sandwiches, a sultana scone with strawberry preserve and Yorkshire clotted cream each, a selection of hand-crafted miniature cakes, and of-course a pot of Tea Room Blend tea. We also had a glass of homemade raspberry lemonade too as it was quite a warm Day, so we wanted a refreshing cold drink as well as tea. 

The food quite simply tasted amazing. Everything tasted fresh and I really enjoyed it all. The sandwiches were tasty, the cream tea was surprisingly filling and the strawberry preserve was sweet and delicious. The miniature cakes were really tasty too, and it was nice to have a selection of cakes to try. Next time I will definitely be bringing some cakes home with me.

If you love tea and cakes and enjoy afternoon tea, I think Bettys is a great place to go just for the experience. I probably wouldn't go too often as it is a real treat, but I would definitely recommend it for a nice day out. The staff are extremely friendly and the customer service really is fantastic. 

Themed Afternoon Teas in the UK

Themed afternoon teas in the UK

Hey everyone – Georgina here from Georgina Does. Lovely Zoe Has given me a guest posting spot here on her blog today so I thought I’d talk about something I love – Afternoon teas around the UK. A few I have been to myself, mostly in London but whenever I go on a trip in the UK the first thing I do is search out their best or most exciting afternoon tea.

The Afternoon Tea Tour Bus – London

This one is a little different to the others. You still have all lovely sandwiches and savouries, the scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, lots of delicious cakes and of course your choice of teas. But the difference is, you eat this afternoon tea whilst riding around London on a double decker, red tour bus.

It’s certainly an experience and you get to see all the important parts of London although all the movement of the bus makes pouring some milk into your tea, pretty stressful. Indulging is such rich foods, while gulping everything down to avoid it falling onto the floor could all add to the fun, but if you don’t have a strong stomach you should try to be careful as you might end up with indigestion. Be sure to take some Gaviscon with you, just in case!

Bettys – York

Bettys was founded by Frederick Belmont, a Swiss baker and confectioner who came to England in search of opportunities. He opened the first café in 1919 and since there five more have opened! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but are very well known for their afternoon tea which is why they have made this list! It’s a great place for traditional afternoon tea with the usual smoked salmon, egg and cress sandwiches etc followed by a warm scone and some delicious cakes. With each of the six Café having their own shop filled with tasty cakes so you can even take some home with you! Opt for pink champagne to add to the indulgence.

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea – The Sanderson, London

This is a normal, sit down afternoon tea but again, it is totally different from all the others. Obviously themed around the mad hatter’s afternoon tea from Alice in Wonderland. You are served green and orange bread for your sandwiches. There is a delicious little bottle saying “drink me” and as you sip away you can taste the flavours change. But that’s all I’m giving away! There are lots of surprises to be had! Be sure to have a wander around the Sanderson hotel as well – it’s amazing.

Chocolate Afternoon Tea – Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire

Set out with beautiful views this afternoon tea is served in the Stoke park country club, hotel and spa. Similar to the usual afternoon tea but this one includes a selection of homemade Chocolate Cakes and Pastries as well as chocolate chip scones and Stoke Park's Ultimate Hot Chocolate. It’s a chocolate lovers dream!

Where is your favourite afternoon tea?

Degustabox June 2015

My Degustabox delivery has become one of my favourite things to look forward to at the end of the Month. If you are unfamiliar with Degustabox,  it is basically a Monthly subscription service where you receive around 9-14 surprise food and drink products which are often new to the market or products you might not normally buy in the Supermarket. The box costs £12.99 per Month, which is a fraction of the price of the products inside the box if you bought them individually. I also have a £3 off discount code GUBN9 which you can apply at the checkout to make the box just £9.99.

This Months box theme was picnic inspired, really perfect for (some!) of the weather we have been having recently. I have been on a few days out, and also spending more time in the garden, so a lot of these items have been great to take out for a snack or a picnic type lunch. I am really impressed with this Months selection, everything in the box will be used (the majority of it already has!) and I have found items I have never tried that I am keen to have again. That is the main reason why I love Degustabox services, it allows me to try items I would usually walk past in the supermarket or products I have never heard of.

Maui & Sons Coconut Water | £1.50 at Primark
Maui & Sons 100% Pure Coconut Water is a light and refreshing alternative to sugar filled sports drink, and it has the nutrients and antioxidants which boost energy.
I have to be honest in saying I am not the biggest fan of drinking coconut water; but as I have heard it has good heath benefits, I chose to mix it with something else. I added this to a smoothie I made earlier this Week with fresh fruit and ice and blended it all together - the smoothie tasted great and I will definitely be adding it to smoothies again.

Zeo Carbonated Soft Drink in Zesty Lime | £2.49 at Ocado
Zeo Drinks are made up of 98% spring water blended with naturally extracted fruits and botanicals, and are just 30 calories a bottle.
I absolutely love these drinks and have drank them before. I really love the Zesty Lime flavour - it is so refreshing and I enjoyed drinking it on a warmer day sat in the sunshine. I have tried the Cloudy Lemon flavour too which I wanted to mention as that is another favourite of mine, definitely check out Zeo if you like a thirst-quenching drink.

Melba Thins Multigrain | £1.39 at Tesco
Melba Thins Multigrain are great to garnish with pate, cheese or salmon, and topped with fruit or salad. They are great if you are feeling a little peckish.
Unfortunately the packaging didn't quite make it in one piece when my box arrived (by no fault of Degustabox, its the couriers!), but the thins are fine and I am still able to use them. These are the only items in the box I haven't tried yet, but I am sure they will taste nice as I have tried Melba Thins products before.

Kallo Corn & Rice Snacks in Sea Salt & Vinegar | 70p at Tesco
Kallo Corn & Rice Cakes are flavoured with all sorts of savoury and sweet toppings, this product being Sea Salt & Vinegar. Each bag contains just 70 calories.
I really enjoyed munching on these before work Today, they are really tasty and I would love to try out the other flavours; Sundried Tomato and Herbs is next on my list! I think they are a good alternative to crisps and I actually found them a lot more filling.

Kallo Rice Cake Thins Belgian Milk Chocolate with Caramel Pieces | £1.60 at Tesco
Kallo Rice Cake Thins are thin rice cakes covered with a delicious topping, low in calories and gluten free.
I have tried Kallo Rice Cake Thins before but I had never heard of this flavour so I was eager to taste it. I can't believe how delicious these are, I just couldn't stop at one! They are so low in calories too so its a guilt-free way of getting a chocolate and caramel fix.

Enhance for Water in Apple and Blackcurrant | £2.49 at ASDA and Ocado 
Enhance for Water gives water a WOW, by adding a drop to water it adds a natural fruity taste. It contains just 1 calorie per drink and is a great way to enjoy a sweet fruity drink which doesn't contain artificial colours, flavours or added sugar.
I have tried a few of these products before and I really like that they are so handy for travel and I think they are such a good idea. This flavour tastes to me just like my normal apple and blackcurrant squash. It is fab for popping in my bag and taking out with me. Having this really does encourage me to drink more water so it is a definite thumbs up from me.

Vitvibe | £1.20 
Vitvibe are vitamin and collagen jelly snack which are a great way to eat healthily. They are made from a blend of real fruit juice, and packed full with vitamins.
As far as I am aware they are a fairly new product. They taste quite sweet and I can imagine these would be ideal to pack inside a child's lunchbox or good for a picnic.

Love Chin Chin £1 at Love Chin Chin
Chin Chin is a famous sweet snack which is popula in West Africa that 'crunches like a buscuit, tastes like a cake'. They are made from 100% natural ingredients and come in a variety of flavours, mine being in cinnamon.
I have never tasted anything quite like these chin chins before, there is nothing I can compare them with, but I do really like them. They are a tasty crunchy snack and I will be looking at buying these in the future, I think they make a great treat. I ate this pack alone but I would in the future serve them on top of a dessert as I think it would make a good topping.

Coconom Organic Coconut Sugar | £3.75 at Holland & Barrett
Coconom Organic Coconut Sugar is a natural alternative to sugar made from 100% coconut tree blossom sap. It is great for use in baking, on porridge, in smoothie and hot drinks. It includes no artificial flavours.
I had never even heard of coconut sugar before this box arrived, so I was interested to see how it tasted. I did wonder if you would be able to taste coconut. I added to my Morning smoothies and they tasted only slightly sweeter. I also used the sugar in hot drinks, where I found the drink tasted quite sweet but not in the usual way that the sugar I usually use tastes. I think it has a slight caramel taste to it and I have been using it in my coffee instead of regular sugar as it tastes like something you would get from a coffee shop.

Brioche Pasquier Chocolate Flavour Filled Brioche | £1.69 at Morrisions 
The brioche is filled with a chocolate flavour filling with a hint of hazelnut that makes an indulgent sweet treat! Suitable for vegetarians. 
I have tried these before and they are super tasty. If you like brioche or are a chocolate lover I am pretty certain you have already tried/love these. I like that they are individually wrapped so you can have them on the go or with a picnic. 

Brioche Pasquier Choc Chip Brioche | £1.70 at Tesco
 Brioche Pasquier Choc Chip Brioche is just like their traditional Pains au Lait but with Chocolate Chips. Suitable for vegetarians.
I think this is my favourite item from the entire box this Month. I am a big fan of brioche and the added chocolate chips just tastes delicious.

*Post includes PR sample*

*Any prices or offers mentioned in this post were correct to my knowledge at the time of posting*

Peanut Hottie Milkshake

With Summer so close now, its the perfect time to create some cooling and tasty milkshakes. I have teamed up with Peanut Hottie to create a delicious Peanut Butter flavoured milkshake using their very own Peanut Hottie. Peanut Hottie contains just 83 calories per cup - this is perfect if you have a sweet tooth and fancy a tasty low calorie milkshake.

I love anything peanut butter flavoured and I must say this milkshake tastes amazing! I use Peanut Hottie original for hot drinks on an evening, so it is great to know I can mix this with milk to create a yummy cold drink too! I am now hooked on the Chocolate Peanut Hottie version!

This little milkshake is so easy to do, I have included the simple instructions below so you can have a go yourself! Get Shakin'! 

Ingredients

3 Teaspoons of Peanut Hottie Original or Peanut Hottie Peanut Butter & Chocolate

200ml of milk of your choice

Chocolates, nuts, marshmallows (optional)

Serves 1

Method

Take the three teaspoons of Peanut Hottie and 200ml of cold milk, empty them both into a blender and mix to create a delicious peanut butter treat. Why not add a few marshmallows and sweet treats on top too!

Peanut Hottie is available from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Booths for £2.99. Peanut Hottie is made with real peanuts, and it is free from artificial colours, egg, dairy, gluten and gelatine, which makes it suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

You can check out the Peanut Hottie website for more information and other recipes by clicking here.

*Post includes PR samples*

May Degustabox 2015

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you have probably seen my reviews on Degustabox previously. If you are unfamiliar of Degustabox, it is basically a Monthly subscription service where you receive around 9-14 surprise food and drink products which are often new to the market or products you might not normally buy in the Supermarket. The box costs £12.99 per Month, which is a fraction of the price of the products inside the box if you bought them individually. I also have a £3 off discount code GUBN9 which you can apply at the checkout to make the box just £9.99.

Each Month I have been sharing the contents of the box to show what great value it is, and also sharing the surprise factor from each box. This Month had a slight barbecue theme which was perfect for the Bank Holiday and the warm weather we had in the UK. I am overall impressed with this Months box. Everything we received were things we like and will use.

Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque Sauce is the number 1 BBQ sauce in the USA, and is perfect for marinating, dipping and using as an ingredient when cooking. I am looking forward to trying this out with a few burgers over the Bank Holiday!

Schwartz Marinade in a Bag is another item perfect for the Weekend. I am a big fan of Schwartz products as they are so simple and easy to use, and add a lot of flavour to a meal. 

 Maggi So Stir Fry Noodles are great to have in the cupboard for a quick meal. I've tried these before and they are great as you just have to add your meat and vegetables into the same pan as the noodles and the seasoning which infuses the flavours together. 

9Bar are a healthy snack which are full of nutritious seeds and dried fruit which make a great guilt - free tasty treat any time of the day.

 Daelmans Stroopwafels are so delicious and perfect for tea dunking or just eating alone. They are soft, toasted waffles with a creamy caramel filling - yum!

 Sarsons Balsamic Vinegar is perfect accompanied as a salad dressing or ingredient for cooking. This is a really useful product which will get tonnes of use out of. 

 Slim Pasta Lasagne is something I have heard only great things about! It is a low calorie alternative to regular lasagne. I am looking forward to trying this for dinner soon. I'm interested in looking into the rest of their products too, so thanks Degustabox for introducing me to the brand!

Green Coco Kids Coco Juice with Banana is a really tasty and fresh drink, great for the warmer days. I will probably either drink this alone or add it to a smoothie with fruit. 

Fuel 10 Protibrick was probably the product we were most excited to try. We love our cereals in our house, so a wheat biscuit which is designed to boost your protein is something we will enjoy on a Morning - they are really tasty and filling.

Degustabox Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

*Post includes PR sample*

April Degustabox 2015

Are you a fan of subscription boxes? I am a big fan of Degustabox; the surprise subscription box which arrives once a Month full of 9-14 food and drink products. Most of the products are new or products you may not have picked up in the supermarket. Degustabox is a great way of trying new food and drink and discovering new favourites! The box costs just £12.99 per box - you can get £3 off your next order making the box just £9.99 with my discount code GUBN9. 

This Months box is the international box, which is full of food and drink from different places around the World. I think this is a great way of trying products you may not have tried before, I am really looking forward to using the products this Month - I think this box is the best yet!

Veetee Rice - Spicy Mexican Style and Peri Peri, £1.49 each
Microwavable rice is really convenient, and of the best brands I have tried is Veetee. I am eager to try these flavours which I haven't tried before.

Barry's Tea, £1.75
We are big tea drinkers in our house, so new tea bags are always something exciting to try! Barry's Tea is a family run Irish company which are well known for their varied range of tea. I am eager to try their gold blend tea, I have heard only great things!

Cirio Tomato Fillets, £1.69
Cirio is a famous Italian brand which sell a huge variety of tomato based products. Their tins of tomato fillets are perfect to add into a curry. 

Cirio Double Concentrated Tomato Puree, £1.20
Cirio Tomato Puree are a great addition to add to spaghetti bolognaise and other meals. I really like products like this, as they are so useful kept in the cupboard.

Kinder Chocolate with Cereals, £1.55
Chococlate is well appreciated in our home, and Kinder is one of favourite brands. The mini chocolates with cereals taste delicious and are a tasty afternoon treat.

Kinder Choco-Bons, £1.55
Another Kinder product which tastes amazing are the choco-bons, which are covered in milk chocolate and hazelnut pieces. Kinder chocolate was originated in Germany.

Nandos Potato Chips - Smokey BBQ, Spicy Chicken, Sizzling Hot, £0.69p each
Nandos are hugely famous in the UK for their tasty chicken - so who wouldn't love Nando's crisps?! These taste really flavour-some and tasty - perfect with your lunch.

Schwartz Authentic Indian Recipe Mixes - Korma and Balti, £1.08 each
I am a big fan of Schwartz products, I often use their spices and powders when making homemade meals as they are so easy to use and add so much flavour. I am eager to try their Indian recipe mixes. This a new product range so it is really exciting to be able to try these out!

Debeukelaer Cookies Bakery, £2
Made famous in the USA, Debeukelauer Cookies Bakery are irresistible cookies which I must say, taste amazing and moreish! 

Scheckters Organic Energy Drink, £1.35
Scheckters Organic Energy is a natural energy drink. I know this will be drank pretty quickly from someone in the family as we do enjoy trying new energy drinks. 

IDrinkq Enhancement Drink, £1.49 each
IDrinkq is a new generation drink which claims to help you think smarter. I am interested to see how this tastes and to see if it improves my mind!

Kingfisher (Alcoholic choice), £2.00
Kingfisher is India's number one selling beer. It is a refreshing, cold beer with subtle citrus flavours, perfect to go down with a curry. I know my Dad and partner both really like this beer so it will go down a treat! This is the alcoholic option in this Months box - you are able to choose whether you would like an alcoholic choice or non alcoholic choice. 

Wonjo Drink (Non - Alcoholic choice) 
Wonjo is a natural hibiscus drink which aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and is made from natural ingredients. Wonjo is the non - alcoholic choice for the box (you would receive one or the other).

You can read more about Degustabox on their website and social media links here:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

*Post includes PR samples*