Photo diary: Project 365, week 3, 2026

Week 3 going on 4, and it wasn't the smooth sailing. 

 It's been a while since I made pancakes on Sunday, and I thought my guys would enjoy the treat. That's the way my boys like it, with a sliced banana, whipped cream and chocolate fudge sauce on top.

My personal preference is honey, or maple syrup. How do you like your pancakes?

It was definitely a Blue Monday for me. I got up, feeling utterly wrecked. My ribs hurt a lot, I had difficulty breathing, and was really worried how I was going to cope. 

I went to the pharmacy and begged for the pain relief (when Sasha was out with his PAs), as the Ibuleve gel didn't even touch the pain. They suggested I needed to be seen by a doctor. As if it were that easy.

I couldn't go to A&E as my husband was away and I had no-one to look after Sasha for several hours. His PAs took him out briefly, but waiting time at A&E is so long that it would be unrealistic to expect to go in and out in that short slot. Paracetamol & Codeine helped with the pain, and by the next morning my breathing normalised too.

There are still some Christmas decorations in town, including this reindeer in the square by the cinema. I wonder when he goes back to sleep until the next Christmas.

Finished reading Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes. She is well known for her marvellous illustrated books for young children, like the Alfie, and Doggo series. Her charming drawings are instanty recognisable. She also wrote some books for middle grade school.

Hero on a Bicycle is set in Italy, in 1944, when Florence was under the German occupation. It's a story of a 13-year-old Paolo and his family, and how in extraordinary circumstances ordinary people find strength to do heroic deeds, often against their own judgment. Reading it as a grown-up and a mother, it made me think of how fragile we are, how vulnerable, and how often children don't listen to their parents, thinking they are invincible. If only.

It also made me think of my in-laws, both of whom were young children in the Nazi-occupied Italy.

Started reading Grace by A.M. Shine, a horror story set on a remote, creepy island. The proofs arrived in an evelope with the image of the book cover printed on it, how cool is that?! So far it is pretty riveting.

My husband was back from his travels the evening before, and as has become our little custom, he shopped at St Pancras station. There is a little cafe Aux Merveilleux de Fred that sells the most delicious buns, with sugar on top, and with raisins (they also have other tasty bakes and patisserie).

We had buns for breakfast.

Thursday is another miserable day. Grey skies and almost non-stop rain. My poor Sash got a stomach bug, so I had to cancel his PAs asap. He spent most of the day dosing off in bed.

I was too preoccupied to take even a basic snap. My brother, on the other hand, who was staying in Istanbul with his wife and daughter, sent me a whole lot of beautiful photos from their travels and visits to museums, palaces and harem.

My brother is a big softie. When he travels, he takes with him a big bag of cat food, and also buys food locally to feed the street cats. There were lots of cats' photos. 

I loved this staircase, so moody and atmospheric.

Thanks goodness, Sasha was better the next day. 

All the week I have been drawing illustrations on the theme of the Alphabet Challenge. My final drawing was a Zany Yak with a Xylophone, covering XYZ letters. 

In the last few months I got addicted to ginger-flavoured teas. I think I prefer lemon & ginger combination in comparison to the pure ginger tea, but anything goes. I am quite obsessed with it, and have at least a couple of cups every day.

How did your week go?

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Degustabox advent calendar

 

Hope you are having a stress-free and heart-warming festive season. I wonder, what advent calendars, if any, did you enjoy? We had a ball with two Degustabox Advent calendars (one I received for free for the purposes of reviewing; another one - an International edition - I bought back in September).

Degusta Box Advent Calendar 2024 contains 24 festive surprise food and drink items. Contents value of this calendar is £55. 

Let's recap what we found inside, day by day.

Day 1:

Filippo Berio Classic Balsamic Glaze (£2.99) is a true Italian classic. 

Rich, thick, sweet tangy syrup is a perfect accompaniment for a big variety of meals, from sandwiches and bruschetta to grilled meats and vegetables, from pizza to salad. You can also use it in sweet recipes like a fruit salad or an ice cream sundae.

Available in ASDA, Morrisons, Ocado and at www.filippoberio.co.uk.

Nutritional values: 189kcal and 45g of sugar per 100ml, or 10kcal and 2.2g of sugar per 5ml spoon.

A great start to the culinary advent!

Day 2:

Clara's Selections Wafer Rolls Hazelnut & Cocoa (£1.25) - are indulgent light crispy rolls with a cocoa and hazelnut filling.

Eat them as a snack with or without a hot beverage or ice cream. What a delectable treat (and not just for Christmas).

Nutritional values: 495kcal and 44.3g of sugar per 100g.

Available in Home Bargains and One Beyond.

Day 3:

Cypressa Rose Harissa Paste (£3.25) is an aromatic blend of spices featuring paprika, red peppers and rose water.

Used widely in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, this product will jazz up your mealtimes with its vibrant colours and bold flavours.

Use it as a marinade for chicken, fish, meat or vegetables; stir into soups and stews; brush it over a chicken before roasting; or spread over halloumi before frying.

Nutritional values: 355kcal and 0.5g of sugar per 100g.

Available at Ocado.com.

Day 4:

Rock Stone Confection Taste of the Caribbean Rock Sweets (£2.99) could be found in both Degustabox advent calendar and Degustabox advent calendar International edition.

Celebrating different cultures and diversity, these candies come in eye catching colours and offer bold flavours  The Caribbean selection comes in sweet flavours of Pineapple/coconut, Caribbean crush and Pink lemonade. 

My sons were very happy with these candies.

Gluten free and vegan friendly. Made in England.

Nutritional information: 374kcal and 75g of sugar per 100g (lots of sugar, but it is a SUGAR confectionery).

Day 5:

Rubis Wine Chocolate Wine (£4.10) is an award winning combination of Spanish Tempranillo wine and cacao, which is blended and bottled in the UK.

The taste is very special, velvety, with a subtle chocolate flavour. Serve it either at a room temperature or over ice. Very festive taste. A real treat!

Available at www.rubiswine.com (and Ocado). Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Day 6:

Ryvita Rosemary and sea salt thins (£2.20) are a crunchy and crisp baked Ryvita snacks. Use them as scoops for dips, dunk them in soup, spread with toppings of your choice.

British baked, high in fibre, low in saturated fat, with no artificial preservaties.

Nutritional information: 27kcal and 0.2g of sugar per thin.

Available in all major supermarkets.

Day 7:

Ballymaloe Foods Ballymaloe Relish (£2.20) is a delicious relish that brings an extra oomph to your sandwiches, cheese boards and burgers.

A Great Taste award winner in 2023, this relish was created by Myrtle Allen, Ireland's first female Michelin-starred chef. Her daughter Yasmin now produces this legendary relish for the markets worldwide.

Ingredients include: tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, onions, sultanas, tomato puree, sea salt, mustard seed, spices. Gluten free. Guaranteed Irish. Made with natural ingredients, fat free, suitable for vegans.

Available in Tesco.

Day 8:

Explore Cuisine Organic Green Lentil Penne (£3.50) is pasta made with plant protein.

Loaded with 21g of protein and 6g of fibre per 100g serving, and made with clean, organic and gluten free ingredients. 

Easy to prepare in just 7-9 minutes, this colour-infused pasta will make a great midweek meal. Serve with pesto or fresh basil leaves and pine nuts.

Nutritional values: 347kcal and 1.3g of sugar per 100g.

Available online on Amazon and Health Food Store.

Day 9:

Truly Nuts Milk chocolate or Dark Chocolate (£1.35) are made from hand-picked, wild-harvested Brazil nuts. You will get one pack of two.

Truly Nuts! Brazil nuts sweet talk milk chocolate are milk chocolate coated Brazil nuts, crunchy and sweet.

Gluten free, vegetarian friendly, sustainably sourced, these nuts make a delicious treat.

Nutritional values: 571kcal and 33g sugar per 100g (one pouch is 30g).

Available in WHSmith, Amazon and on the Truly Nuts! website.

Day 10:

Teapigs Spiced Winter Red & Everyday Brew (£2) come in cute small boxes, and look like Christmas tree decorations. Tea is welcome any season, and Teapigs make a great cuppa.

Teapigs English Breakfast is their signature blend: robust, rich and flavourful, perfect as morning cup to wake you up properly.

Teapigs Spiced Winter Red tea is a soothing rooibos with orange, cloves and spices, so very Christmasy.

Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, on Ocado and Amazon.

You will receive two items.

Day 11:

Pringles Hot Kickin' Sour Cream (£2.25) is a hot twist on a classic Pringles flavour. 

These sharing crisps are great for a movie night. Eat them straight from the tub, or serve with cooling dips. 

Nutritional values: 523kcal and 0.61g of salt per 100g.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Day 12:

Lavazza Iced Ready to drink cappuccino (£2.50) is a new iced coffee from the iconic Italian brand.

Iced cappuccino is a combination of 100% Arabica with semi-skimmed milk and delicious cocoa.

The balance between chocolate and coffee is just right. This is a smooth, creamy velvety refreshment, best served cold.

Available on Lavazza.co.uk.

Nutritional information: 48kcal and 6.5g of sugar per 100ml (one can is 250ml).

You will receive 1 item (usually sold as a pack of four).

Day 13:

Knorr Chicken Gravy Pot (£2.25) is a handy kitchen staple, which offers a quick and easy way to make a homemade-tasting gravy.

If you are having a roast chicken dinner, it won't be the same without a jug of hot gravy.

Now you can prepare your chicken gravy in a flash - just use one pot of Knorr chicken gravy, made with high quality ingredients. 

Free from artitifical colours or preservatives, these pots will make cooking a family meal easier. Lovely with chicken sausages too.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado, Tesco and ASDA.

Day 14:

Joyfull Millets Crunchy Muesli fruit & nut (£1)  is a wholesome muesli, high in fibre and a source of calcium and iron. Available in three flavours: Fruit & Nut, Honey & Nut and Choco & Nut.

You will receive two items.

Millet is a nutritious ancient grain, known to humans for 4000 years. 

Nutritional values: 338kcal and 20.7g of sugar per 100g, or 152kcal and 9.3g of sugar per 45g pouch.

If you're more of a cup of tea and a toast for breakfast person, you could use this muesli as an ingredient in baking cookies.

Available in Morrisons.

Day 15:

Leon Tomato Ketchup (£2.65) is inspired by the Mediterranean diet, known for its use of plants and bold flavours.

This sweet and tangy ketchup is gluten free and vegan, and is made with sun-dried tomatoes. Great for all those tasty sandwiches, made with festive leftovers.

Nuritional values: 100kcal and 16.6g of sugar per 100g (one bottle is 280g).

Available in Sainsbury's.

Day 16:

Hilltop Blossom Honey (£2.50) is an award-winning honey, amber in colour. It is sweet and has a mild floral scent. 

Lovely to drizzle over hot crumpets or pancakes, added to porridge or tea. The honey has so many culinary uses, from marinades and salad dressing, to bakes of all kinds.

It has a lovely taste, though I prefer to buy honey of single origin, rather than a blend of non-EU honeys, as sadly it loses a lot of its health qualities when mixed with different honeys. It is still good for eating and cooking.

Nutritional values: 307kcal and 76g of sugar per 100g.

Available in Tesco.

Day 17:

Garner's Sweet Pickled Baby Onions (£3.90) will make a lovely addition to a classic Ploughman's lunch. Eat the pickled baby onions with a chunky cheese sandwich, add to a charcuterie board or a cheeseboard with a selection of robust cheeses and sliced fresh apple.

Baby onions are pickled in a malty vinegar for a well-balanced sweet and sour taste.

Awarded a Great Taste award in 2022.

Nutritional information: 107kcal and 22.1g of sugar per 100g (drained); suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Day 18:

SimplyCook Indian Masala Lamb Chops (£2.95) is a handy recipe kit, which contains 3 flavour pots to create an authentic dish.

Cook 140+ chef-created recipes in 30 minutes or less with SimplyCook unique recipe kits. We had Simply Cook recipe kits in the previous Degustabox deliveries, and it's lovely to try another recipe from their vast range.

Simply Cook Indian Masala Lamb Chops serves 2-4 people. You will need lamb chops to prepare the dish. The ingredients include Masala paste, Spice Blend and Mint Chutney.

Nutritional values: 160kcal and 17.9g of sugar per kit.

Available at www.simplycook.com.

Please note that this kit has a short expiry date. If you don't eat red meat, try with another meat or paneer (I cooked a paneer and cashew curry with this kit). Turkey curry, anyone? 

Day 19:

Sweet Freedom Choc Pot Caramel Chocolate Spread (£3.15) is a Great Taste Award winner.

This vegan spread is made in the UK, has no palm oil or GMOs. It is a source of fibre, and has 61% less fat and 44% fewer calories than the leading chocolate spread.

Spread it on toast or pancakes, add to the brownie batter or cake.

Nutritional values: 302kcal and 38.7g of sugar per 100g, or 15.1kcal and 1.9g of sugar per 5g tsp.

Available at www.sweetfreedom.co.uk and ASDA stores.

Day 20:

Cheez-It Cheese & Chilli 150g (£2) is a thin and crispy snack baked with 100% real cheese, with no artificial colours or flavours. 

Crunchy and well-seasoned, Cheez-It makes a great snack, whether you are feeling peckish or having a movie night. There is a warming kick from chillies.

Nutritional information: 501kcal and 1.5g of salt per 100g, or 150kcal and 0.45g of salt per 30g serving. No artificial colours or flavours. 

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Day 21;

Billington's Dark Brown Soft Sugar (£4.50)  is a must product for the festive baking. Just imagine all your Christmas bakes from gingerbread to cookies, from brownies to cakes. And don't forget all the marinades too.

Crafted with care and ethically sourced, this premium sugar adds a rich, treacle-like depth to your recipes. 

This unrefined natural sugar has been very carefully produced to lock in the natural molasses of the sugar cane, thus adding a distinct unique rich flavour and beautiful colour.

I used some of this sugar to make non-alcoholic mulled wine, with lots of warm spices and oranges.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Day 22:

Vidas Drinks (£2) are all-natural beverages that fuel your day, without the extras found in conventional drinks. 

Made with 100% natural ingredients, without added sugar or sweeteners. Low calorie, with less than 50kcal per can

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to soft drinks, Vidas is your friend. Drink healthy, anytime, anywhere.

You should recieve 1 item in your box. we got a Pomegranate & Black seed flavour.

Available at www.vidasdrinks.co.uk.

Day 23:

St Dalfour Apricot Fruit Spread (£3.25) is a delicious apricot preserve made near Bordeaux in France.

One of our family favourites, St Dalfour apricot fruit spread is 100% from fruit. No added sugar, it's gently cooked with vine-yard ripened grape juice and fruit juices.

It's sweet, tangy and very tasty. Great with croissants, and other sweet bakes. 

My guys love baked camembert. I usually score the top and add a couple of tablespoons of jam/preserve. We tried it with apple, pear, pineapple and other preserves, but keep coming back to the apricot one, as in our opinion, it works perfectly with gooey melting cheese.

Available in the major supermarkets and on Ocado.

Day 24

Horlicks Chocolate (£3.75) is a traditional malty hot chocolate. 

High in Calcium, Zinc and Vitamins C, D and B12. Just add hot water to make a creamy, malty hot chocolate. Traditionally crafted using malted wheat and barley, this is a warming comforting drink, perfect for the cold winter evenings.

Nutritional values: 119kcal and 15.4g of sugar per 32g serve.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

What a fabulous selection of foods and drinks!

Degustabox Advent Calendar has been stocked full of wonderful surprises. A must advent calendar for a foodie! 

Degustabox June Box

 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 June Box Degustabox?

Let's start with the Product of the Month - Brioche Pasquier PITCH Strawberry Filled Brioche (£1.75, pack of 6). 

My sons love Brioche Pasquier products. In fact, when last month my younger son went on his Duke of Edinburgh overnight trip, he asked me to buy several packs of Brioche Pasquier brioche (chocolate-filled) for breakfast for their group of six.

Strawberry filled brioche rolls are individually wrapped and practically mess-free. Great for lunchboxes or taking on picnics or trips. Free from preservatives, artificial colours and hydrogenated fats; suitable for vegetarians. 

Top marks from my boys for flavour and texture!

Nutritional values: 125kcal and 8.6g of sugar per brioche.

Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and ASDA.

Mentos Discovery 14 Flavours (£1.80) - if you love Mentos, you will be thrilled with this multi-flavoured selection of chewy dragees bursting with fruity flavours.

I always buy a pack or two of Mentos for longer trips, in fact, these dragees have become part of a tradition of travelling to Cornwall by car or train. 

Made with fruit juices from concentrate, they present a variety of flavours - raspberry, watermelon, strawberry, pineapple, orange, lemon, blueberry, grape, passionfruit, blackcurrant, lychee, lime, banana and cherry.

Typical values: 10kcal and 1.9g of sugar per 1 piece.

Available at Morrisons and other supermarkets.

Aero Choco-Hazelnut 90g sharing bar (£1.35) is a new Aero sharing bar. A combination of Aero's signature melt-in-your-mouth bubbles with a hazelnut flavour makes a lovely treat.

Smooth velvety milk chocolate is made with Rainforest Alliance approved cocoa. 

A bit too sweet to my taste, but my sons love Aero, and this bar didn't last long.

Typical values: 137kcal and 14.6g of sugar per 2 rows. Suitable for vegetarians.

Available in major supermarket chains.

Bonne Maman Chocolate & Orange Spread or Caramelised Apple Spread (£2.90) are new indulgent spreads, carefully crafted from simple ingredients and containing no palm oil.

You should receive 1 item in your box. We got Chocolate and orange spread. Excellent with croissants, plain brioche and pancakes/crepes. 

We've also tried Caramelised apple spread before, as I bought the jar as soon as it appeared in the shops.

Nutritional values: 255kcal and 43g of sugar per 100g.

Available at Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons.

HIPPEAS Flavour Blast! Bohemian BBQ and Blazin' Hot (£1 each) are vegan snacks made with chickpeas.

With 2-3g of protein and under 92kcal per 22g serving, these plant-based puffs are a lovely snack.

Flavour Blast! are available in two flavours. They are a good source of fibre, gluten free, have no MSG, palm oil or artificial preservatives.

Available at Morrisons, Ocado, Amazon and Hippeas.com.

You should receive both flavours in your box.

Jordans No Added Sugar Granola Apple & Cinnamon (£3.60) is made with tasty wholegrain oats, baked to perfection, creating the most satisfying crispy and crunchy golden clusters. 

Juicy sultanas, apple and cinnamon are found in every mouthful. High in fibre, source of minerals, no added sugar.

Nutritional values: 190kcal and 5.1g of sugar per portion (approximately 9 portions per bag).

Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Tesco.

Tropicana Sparkling Zesty Orange or Tropical Twist (£1.25) is the latest addition to the delicious range of Tropicana drinks. 

Refreshing fruity drinks are made with real hand picked fruit. Much more enjoyable than plain sparkling water, and healthier than many other fizzy drinks, with more fruit and no added sweeteners.

You should receive 1 item of 2 in your box. We've got Tropical Twist which is made with hand-picked Costa Rican pineapples and other tropical fruits. Perfect with ice, or just straight from the fridge.

Typical values: 24kcal and 4.5g of sugar per 100ml (one tin is 250ml).

Available at WHSmith, Shell and other independent retailers.

J2O Mocktails White Peach & Mango Daiquiri/ Strawberry & Orange Blossom Mojito/ Blackberry & Blueberry Martini (£1.29 each, see above) is an exciting new range of delicious soft drinks from J2O.

Beautiful flavours will make your taste buds dance. 

Strawberry & Orange Blossom Mojito with a hint of mint and lime. 40kcal and 8.3g of sugar.

White Peach & Mango Diquiri with a hint of botanicals. 45kcal and 9g of sugar.

Blackberry & Blueberry Martini with a hint of bitters extract. 43kcal/ 8.8g of sugar.

Vegan approved. 

Available at Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury's.

You should receive 3 items in your box.

Teapigs English Breakfast or Honeybush & Rooibos Tea (£4.60) is a beautiful refreshing tea.

You should receive 1 item of two in your box. We got English Breakfast, which is a firm favourite in our family. Strong, malty, well-balanced brew to start the day.

This signature blend combines Assam and Rwandan teas, and very nice it is.

100% natural, no artificial flavourings, made with big quality whole leaves. All tea temples are plastic free. 

Available at all major supermarkets and online at teapigs.co.uk.

This was an excellent box from Degustabox, probably one of my top favourite boxes of this year. What product did you like the most?

New Year & Enjoyable Moments Degustabox

 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 the New Year & Enjoyable Moments Degustabox box?

Plantastic Sweet Apricot & Ginger Flapjacks with almonds (£2.25) combine tasty oats with sweet apricot chunks and a little kick of ginger. Topped off with almond nibs for a crunchy texture, these plant-based flapjacks are a good source of fibre and contain no artificial colours or flavours.

A lovely start to your day, if you want to keep up your Veganuary resolutions going.

Nutritional values: 135kcal and 11.7g of sugar per flapjack.

Available at Tesco and on Amazon.

Dorset Cereals Dark Choc & Hazelnut Muesli Crunch happens to be the Mystery product of the month. This cereal is a combination of signature muesli grains, crispy granola pieces, deluxe dark chocolate curls and caramelised hazelnuts.

Nutritional information: 208kcal and 4.7g of sugar per 45g serving.

High in fibre, suitable for vegetarians and non-GO. It doesn't say Vegan on the box but I don't see any dairy ingredients.

This cereal makes an excellent ingredient for making cookies too.

Kit Kat Bites (£1.59) are bite-sized pieces of the classic milk chocolate bar, with a smooth chocolatey centre and crispy wafer bits.

Working with Rainforest Alliance, Kit Kat proudly displays the badge to show their support for the cocoa farmers and their communities.

Open the pouch and share with your family or friends. You can reseal the pouch to treat yourself later, if there's any left. 

Nutritional information: 100kcal and 10g of sugar per 10 sweets.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Munchies Caramel and Biscuit Sharing Bar (£1) is a chocolate treat which combines gooey caramel and crispy biscuit inside a milk chocolate shell. Perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The bar has mysteriously disappeared after I took the photo, and nobody has confessed as to who's eaten it. So much for sharing. :)

Nutritional information: 89kcal and 9.1g of sugar per 2 pieces.

Available at B&M, Booker, Spar, Iceland, Aldi, Poundland, Home Bargains and NISA. 

Lee Kum Kee (Europe) Limited Sachet Sample Box (£4.99) is packed with small sachets of umami flavours which will allow you to explore the authentic Chinese cuisine.

I'm a frequent visitor to Lee Kum Kee site, and have quite a stash of their sauces and oils in my pantry. Their Hoisin sauce is delicious, and Teriyaki sauce is exceptionally good, probably our top favourite Teriyaki sauce, and we've tried many brands.

The sample box includes Premium Oyster sauce (40g), Chiu Chow Chilli Oil (3g), Sweet Soy Sauce (20ml), Chilli Garlic Sauce (30g), Hoisin Sauce (30g), Yellow Bean Sauce (40g) and Lee Kum Kee cooking guide.

It's a great starter pack which allows you to sample products without buying full sized ones. 

Try drizzling the chilli oil over noodles, pizza or soup to add a little kick of heat.

Available at Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, CO-OP, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado & Chinese and Oriental supermarkets.

Knorr Organic Chicken Stock Pot (£2) is a handy addition to the pantry to bring a rich flavour into your dishes. Made with quality organic ingredients, slowly simmered with authentic flavours, this stock is great in risotto, soup, pasta dishes and one-pot dishes.

Free from artificial preservatives & colours, gluten free, made with sustainably grown herbs and vegetables. 

Nutritional values: 8kcal and 0.93g of salt per 125ml.

Available in the major supermarket chains such as Tesco, ASDA and Sainsbury's.

Heinz Made for Veggiez Balsamic & Rosemary sauce (£2.50) is an expertly crafted sauce from the new range.

A couple of months ago Degustabox has introduced a different sauce from the range - Chilli & Miso - which we absolutely loved. It was perfect for roasted vegetables. I was very pleased to find another flavour from the range.

Balsamic & Rosemary is another sauce, great for cooking vegetables with. It is made with Balsamic vinegar of Modena, Bramley apple puree, olive oil, a selection of vegetables, herbs and spices. Inspired by the Mediterranean flavours, it works perfectly with grilled or roasted courgettes, peppers and tomatoes. 

Add a generous dollop, when making a tomato-based sauce for pasta. You can also use this sauce as a dip.

Available at Morrisons and Ocado.

Odysea Harissa Houmous/Spicy Ajvar dip (£2.75) - a popular side dish to serve with a variety of snacks, like crisps, crackers, slices of chunky bread. Either dip goes well with roasted vegetables and cheeses, as well as cold meats.

You will receive one item of two. We got Spicy Ajvar dip, made with roasted red pepper and aubergines, garlic and spices. This is a traditional recipe from the Balkans. Rich and spicy, this vegetable-based dish is suitable for vegans. 

Nutritional values: 124kcal and 5.5g of sugar per 100g.

Available at Sainsbury's and on odysea.com.

Vandham Turmeric Sampler (£5) contains four sachets of best-selling turmeric teas infused with superfoods and packed in pyramid-shaped tea bags.

Flavours include: Turmeric Moringa, Turmeric Ashwagandha, Turmeric Ginger and Turmeric Spiced. All these teas are caffeine-free and 100% natural, certified Plastic Neutral product and Climate Neutral.

1% of revenue is directed towards the education of their farmers' children.

Available only online at www.vandham.com, and the full range products at Holland & Barrett.

You can make a chai latte with a turmeric tea and milk of your choice.

Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine (Alcohol free Mulled or Alcohol free Merlot) (£3.25) is another product to help you with new year's resolutions, if you are taking part in the Dry January.

Available in Sparkling, Whites, Rose and Red as well as the Limited Edition Mulled alcohol free, these drinks are lower in calories and are vegan. Perfect for parties, when you don't fancy alcohol, or/are a designated driver, but don't want to stick just to lemonade or iced tea.

We received a bottle of Mulled wine, which is rich and fruity, and full of flavour.

Available at Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-Op, Ocado, Nisa and on Amazon.

What was your favourite product from the latest Degusatbox?