Back to School & On The Go Degustabox

Welcome to the Back to School & On the Go Degustabox!
Schools have re-opened their doors after a summer break, but these challenging corona times have brought many changes everywhere, including morning breaks and lunch time at school. Hot school lunches are not currently on offer in many schools in order to reduce the number of children gathering together to eat their meals.
Children are eating their lunches in the classrooms. If like many parents, you are struggling with ideas what to add to your child's lunchbox, the latest Degustabox might inspire you to add one or two products to your usual packed lunch.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.
Each time the monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. Your get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order.

What did we find in the Back to School & On the Go Degustabox?

Many children (and grown-ups too) enjoy smoothies in pouches. They come in convenient servings, you can carry them around easily, and there is a great variety of flavours to choose.
Swisse Me Start Me Chia (£1.80) is a breakfast blend of apple, strawberry, raspberry and blueberry, chia seeds and pomegranate juice.
These healthy smoothies are the quick pick-me-up with no added sugar. They are a source of fibre, low fat, vegan and made with real fruit.
My son tried it, but said that chia spoilt it for him, and he does have a point. I'd rather have a pure fruit and berry blend, not being a fan of chia. If you like chia, you will enjoy it.
Available exclusively at swisseme.com

Sunny Fruit Mix-Ups (£2) are real fruit pieces - sultanas and dried apple juice infused strawberries - with no added sugar. These snacks are great for a packed lunch or when you're feeling peckish.
One serving contains 55kcal ad 10.2g of sugar.
I used two of the mini-bags to make easy chocolate cookies (the recipe is coming soon).
Available in all major supermarket chains.

Simpleas Pea Powered Curls (£1.09) are made from sustainably sourced and harvested Great British yellow peas, which are lovingly baked and not fried.
Every snack is vegan friendly, gluten free, high fibre, high protein and only 88 kcal.
It will work for people with many dietary requirements.
There are several flavours to choose from. We got a Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar which is our favourite flavour. Crunchy, vinegary, with a note of sweetness from the peas, they won me over. I would definitely buy them as a healthier alternative to crisps.

Available from WHSmith, Skinny Food Company, Farm shops across the UK and on simpleas-snacks.co.uk

PICK UP! (£0.40 per single bar or £1.69 for a pack of 5) are a lovely sweet treat - a thick layer of chocolate between two crunchy biscuits.
Not all schools allow chocolate snacks, so it might not work as a packed lunch treat for everyone.
Bahlsen biscuits are made in Germany.
You will receive three different varieties - Choco Hazelnut, Milk Chocolate and Choco & Milk.
Avaiable at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, Co-Op, Lidl, Ocado and on Amazon.

TREK Salted Caramel Protein Flapjack (£2.50) is a new flavour from a well-known brand.
A delicious smooth slated caramel flapjack is gluten-free, packed with 9g of plant-based protein, making it a perfect slow-releasing energy snack, which will keep you going and leave you feeling fuller for longer.
My elder son enjoys flapjacks in his packed lunch.
Available at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

RXBAR (£2.50) is a protein bar. You will receive one of four flavours.
We received a Chocolate sea salt bar, made with egg whites, almonds, cashews and dates. This is the first time I've tried the RXBAR. There was a bit too much sea salt on top of the bar. I like the combination of sweet and salty, but something about this bar left me thinking they should keep working on that flavour.
Nutritional information: 207kcal and 15g of sugar.
Available at Sainsbury's, Ocado, Amazon and rxbar.co.uk.

Boundless Activated Cayenne & Rosemary nuts and seeds mix (£1.50 or £1 at Sainsbury's).
The classic taste of rosemary is enhanced by an unmistakeable heat of South American spice. Sweet and spicy, this nuts and seeds mix is gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients include almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, maple syrup, salt, rosemary and cayenne pepper.
Nutritional information: 172kcal and 2.9g of sugar per 30g bag.

The Great British Porridge Co (£1.50) makes a quick and easy breakfast option. This is a gluten-free porridge made with 100% natural tasty ingredients.
There are five flavours to choose from, for the morning boost. You will receive a sample. Full size packs are available at Sainsbury's and Waitrose or at thegreatbritishporridge.co.uk.

Swizzels Great British Puds (£1) are vegan chew bars. Great British Puds take the flavours of the nation's most-loved traditional puddings and see them transformed into unique chew bars.
They were created by a competition winner, Tracy-Jane.
Flavours include Sticky Toffee Pudding, Lemon Meringue Pie, Rhubarb Crumble and Apple Pie & Custard.
Nutritional information: 64kcal and 10g of sugar per serving of two pieces.
Available at selected ASDA, Morrisons, Co-Op, One Stop, B&M, Home Bargains, McColl's, Premier and Spar stores.

Capsicana Mexican Chilli and Honey Cooking Paste (£1.50) is based on the dish "Puerco al horno con salsa de chile y miel". It's created with Mexican grown chipotle and ancho poblano chillies for a sweet and smoky flavour.
It is great with chicken, pork or vegetables, and is perfect for fajitas, BBQs and marinades.
Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Ocado.

I was glad to see Twinings Cold Infuse (£3.79) included in the box. It was one of the products we used extensively in summer, though different flavours from the one we got. I even took two Twinings Cold Infuse plastic pots with us, when we went to Cornwall for a week. It is so easy to use it, just add a few teabags to the big jug of cold water, and later enjoy a flavourful and refreshing drink.
Available in all main supermarket chains.

Master Café Iced Coffee Latte/Mocha/Classico (£1.50) is a lovely treat for all fans of iced coffee.
Many iced coffee brands are over-sweet and milk-heavy. This is a lower-calorie, low-dairy authentic iced coffee.
Enjoy a punchy Classico, indulgent Latte or chocolatey Mocha.
Available at snaxemporium.com, Amazon, selected Budgens, Londis and other convenience stores.

And finally, there was a gift enclosed with the main selection - Drink Me Chai Spiced Chai Latte.
It promises a taste of an authentic spiced chai latte with a frothy and creamy texture. It contains less than 1% caffeine and is gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.
This creamy sweet drink with the flavours of cinnamon, ginger and cloves is lovely on a cold rainy day, when you feel like having a treat.
A full tub costs £2.30, and is available in all major supermarket chains.

It's nearly time for the next Degustabox delivery, and we can't wait to see what will arrive.