Degustabox October

We're celebrating a spooky season this month, yet October isn't just all things candy-related. It's also earlier evenings with cosy meals, like bowls of comforting soup and stew, and of course, enjoying hot chocolate, preferably with whipped cream and marshmallows, and baking simple treats like rocky road and caramel squares.

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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in October Box Degustabox?

Product of the Month - 

Barilla Pesto alla Genovese con Basilico Italiano (£3.35) is an aromatic and colourful pasta sauce, made in Italy.

Made with real Parmesan (unlike many pestos in jars, which are made with less expensive cheese), this sauce will enhance a variety of Italian-inspired recipes, from pasta to griddled or baked chicken with pesto, from pesto pinwheels to artichoke tart.

Basil in this sauce comes from the sustainable agriculture.

Nutritional values: 482kcal and 3.25g of salt per 100g (one jar is 190g)

Our favourite pasta dish with pesto is pasta alla Genovese, cooked with cubed potatoes and green beans, and coated with a generous helping of pesto. And don't forget the grated parmesan. Mmm, an ultimate comfort food.

Available at Ocado, Amazon, Co-Op, and Morrisons (selected stores).

Brioche Pasquier Pancakes (£2.20) are a lovely breakfast or brunch treat, soft and squishy. 

French family bakery since 1936, Pasquier offers a wide selection of baked goodies. My family loves their brioche, and I buy the pancakes occasionally too, especially when I don't have time to make my own from scratch. Lovely with all kinds of toppings, and with a cup of tea.

Great for lunchboxes, for on the go, eat them as they are, or put in the toaster to warm them up.

Nutritional information: 124kcal and 9.8g of sugar per pancake; free from preservatives, suitable for vegetarians.

Available in Morrisons and Co-Op.

SlooOW Rustic Multigrain Baguette (£1.60) is an organic wheat baguette, partially baked and made with the best and 100% natural ingredients. The bread dough is given more than 24 hours to rise, to later become a very tasty crusty bread.

Bake it in the oven for 12 minutes for a crispy crust. 

Great for bruschetta, with tomatoes, basil and olive oil, or make hot mini sandwiches with it, with lots of grated cheese. 

Nutritional values: 143kcal and 0.51g of salt per 50g serving.

Available in Tesco and Hello Fresh.

Proper Corn Smoky & Sweet Paprika/ or Tangy Chilli/ or Cracked Black Pepper & Salt popcorn (£1.90) is a super snack with a warm kick for the tastebuds.

Three new flavours of Proper popcorn are going to be a big hit. 

Popcorn is naturally high in fibre, and wholegrains are a source of magnesium and zinc.

Nutritional information: 90kcal and 0.6g of sugar per serve (20g), contains natural flavourings, gluten free, vegan.

Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Ocado. After we enjoyed the new Smoky and Sweet Paprika, I've spotted the new packs in Waitrose. While we will eventually try all flavours, I have already bought the paprika one a couple of times, as it's so moreish.

You should receive 1 item in your box.

Three Robins Little Smoothie (£1.89) is a dairy free oat smoothie with real fruit and veggies. Their motto is Tasty Goodness for Kids.

They come in two lovely flavours: Super Berry and Totally Tropical. My son enjoyed the smoothie.

Nutritional values: 46kcal and 8g of sugar; no added sugar, made with real fruit and veg, fortified with vitamins and minerals; no artificial flavours.

Available to order on the Three Robins website.

Knorr White wine stock pots (£1.90)  are stock pots, made with half a glass of full bodied white wine

Melts in rich flavour in seconds, perfect for risottos and casseroles.

I used one of the stock pots, while cooking a chicken stew with dumplings. 

Nutritional values: 4kcal and 1g of salt per 125ml; free from artificial colours, gluten free, vegan.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Chewits Fruity Jewels (£1.30) are sugared chewy gummies with fruit flavour (rhubarb, cherry, strawberry, pneapple and apple).

This is the same Chewits brand that you're familiar with, but with a lower sugar content and a new fruity mix. 

Nutritional information: 77kcal and 8.5g of sugar per 4 sweets; no artificial colours or flavours

Fruity and Sour Jewels mix are available in Tesco and Morrisons now.

Tarczynski Kabanosy Extreme Piri-Piri (£2.30) are Polish Kabanos with Piri-Piri stuffing. This snack is designed for convenience, and is packed with flavour. 

Piri piri gives kabanos an extra oumph, and will rock your tastebuds. 

Nutritional values: 421kcal and 5.7g of sugar per 100g.

Available in the world food aisle of all major supermarkets.

Nestle Carnation condensed milk (£2.39) is made from all natural ingredients: fresh whole milk and natural sugar.

This classic product is well-known, and is used widely in baking and puddings. You can make Millionaire's shortbread or fudge, rice pudding or ice cream, Banoffee pie or cheesecake, the possibilities are endless.

Nutritional values: 161kcal and 27.5g of sugar per 50g serving; a good source of calcium.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mardel Alfajor De Dulce de Leche Negro and Blanco (£1.50) are soft cookies, filled with Mardel dulce de leche (milk caramel) and covered with either dark or white chocolate coating.

Gave my boys one each, and they enjoyed these cookies a lot. A lovely sweet treat, Alfajor is an iconic product from Argentina.

Nutritional information: 398kcal and 43.5g of sugar per 100g (one package is 50g).

You should receive 2 items in your box.

Available in international Latin shops.

Three international products in the latest box might give you a taste of what's to come in the International edition of the advent calendar from Degustabox. I have pre-ordered mine a while ago, and can't wait to discover all its treasures.

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane

 

"So much was good about Norton Dene and her new life, but there were still prejudices that must be overcome, the clinging to the past replaced by the new ideas that would take them into the future".

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane is a fascinating historical saga set in the 1930s.

This is the second book in the series, which could be read as standalone.

Blurb:

Times are changing as secrets unfold...

Somerset, 1931.

Doctor Frances Brakespeare continues to settle into her new life in rural Somerset at Orchard Cottage Hospital, striving to improve the medical treatments on offer to the community.

After successfully establishing a mother and baby clinic, Frances is determined to move with the times and add family planning advice to her roster - but are the residents of Norton Dene ready for such progress or will she face opposition?

In her personal life, her relationship with the Reverend Gregory Sampson becomes her safe haven whilst battling with an embittered family relative in London. As always, Frances strives to honour the values inherited from her benefactress Izzy Brakespeare.

As further dark family secrets and sins unfold, it seems the Brakespeare family name will have more resonance to Frances than she ever imagined and when a stranger enters her life, Frances may finally have the answers she has always sought.

Doctor Frances Brakespeare is on a mission. After her mother and baby clinic has become a success, she wants to expand the services by adding a family planning advice to its schedule. 

"She'd thrown herself into being resident doctor at the Orchard Cottage Hospital. Some people baulked at the prospect of a female doctor. Others thought her a breath of fresh air. She'd made changes, she'd modernised, and she intended carrying on doing so..."

Frances is adamant that family planning will greatly improve the lives of the local women, who are burdened with big families, and health problems coming from frequent pregnancies. And then there is the financial aspect, of course, with too many mouths to feed. 

"Now she had plans to take it a bit further, which were both modern and bound to shock in such a traditional small town. Family planning advice was likely to be contentious..."

It proves to be a very controversial subject, with the local community being divided in their opinions, and the opposition raising its head.

On top of the clinic issues, Frances has to deal with her adoptive mother's sister Beatrice. Izzy adopted baby Frances from the workhouse, and brought her up, offering all the opportunities she herself was denied and encouraging her education and commitment to the medical profession. Beatrice feels great resentment towards her late sister Izzy for giving their family name to a "nobody". 

Beatrice is a snobbish, unpleasant character, she is incensed that her family name is bestowed on someone she considers to be from the lowly class. "She was like a dog with a bone, she couldn't let go of it, couldn't stop it ruling her days and her nights".

She instructs the solicitor to threaten Frances with possible repercussions if she doesn't relinquish her name.

Reverend Gregory Sampson provides a safe haven to Frances, and a shoulder to lean on. He is also a sounding board for the ideas that might scandalise the local society.

 "...hellfire and Brimstone were not Gregory's style. He exuded infectious joy in his job and everyday interaction with people and the world at large. In short, he had the capacity to make religion part of everyday life, not just for Sundays".

When a stranger appears in Norton Dene, they have a dark story to share with Dr Frances. What tragic secrets will come to light? 

The second book in this historical/medical saga is a captivating sequel to the previous book, which introduced us to the main protagonists and set the scene.

There are new characters brought in the book, as well as a love story unfolding that would please the most discerning romance readers. 

Norton Dene is not a fluffy rose-tinted community of friendly locals with modern ideas. The setting of the book feels authentic and realistic, with all the struggles women faced at the time, revealing tiny steps forward towards acceptance of professional women, and medical progress.

It was lovely to catch up with the lives of the nurses we met in the previous book, sisters Lucy Daniels and Nancy Skittings.

This heartfelt series will thrill the fans of the historical saga.

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a tale of courage and hope, love and friendship, loss and second chances. Absorbed me completely. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

If you missed my review of the first book, you might want to read it - see A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital. 

Many thanks to Lizzie Lane, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/familyaffairsatsocial

Author Bio –

Lizzie Lane is the author of over 50 books, a number of which have been bestsellers.  She was born and bred in Bristol where many of her family worked in the cigarette and cigar factories, this inspired her saga series for Boldwood The Tobacco Girls.

 

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: @baywriterallat1

Instagram: @baywriterallatsea

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LizzieLaneNews

 

Bookbub profile: @baywriterallatsea