January 2018 Oatbox Review

With the start of 2018, many of us are making resolutions and setting goals to live healthier this year. Exercising, drinking more water, going to bed earlier, eating cleaner, and taking more time to relax are all great ways to improve your health, but don’t forget about breakfast. Sometimes it seems easier to grab a donut or skip breakfast entirely, but taking a few minutes to fuel your body with something nourishing and satisfying will give you energy to make progress throughout the day and keep you from making poor food choices at other meals.

Here’s some good news: You can have a quick, healthy breakfast without having to turn the stove on or get up much earlier. Even more good news: You don’t have to leave the house to get the ingredients. Thanks to Oatbox, you can have a variety of healthy breakfast products delivered to your door for only $20 per month with free shipping across North America.

Oatbox sends its subscribers two different granola mixes every month. The mixes include seasonal ingredients,  mineral-rich organic oat flakes that are known for preventing cardiovascular diseases and maintaining a healthy digestive system, organic rye flakes that aid in digestion and weight loss while lowering the risk of diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure, and organic raw honey that contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. They do not need to be cooked and can be enjoyed with some milk or yogurt for a fast yet healthy breakfast. Aside from the classic granola mixes, there is also an option to receive individual oatmeal pouches, gluten-free and nut-free granola, and breakfast cereal bars. All Oatbox products are handcrafted, made of healthy ingredients, and free of preservatives.

I was lucky enough to try the January 2018 Oatbox*. Read on for my review and to see the unique granola flavours that I received this month.



The box arrived securely packaged and beautifully organized.



It also came with two recipe cards with a tasty way to use each type of granola including Grilled Pineapple and Crispy Granola French Toast.



The granola mixes come packaged in resealable bags and contain 380g of product each. This calculates to 8-10 50g (1/2 cup) portions per bag at about $1.25 per portion. The shelf life is up to five months as the best before date on the bags I received is June 2018. I expect to finish mine by the end of February though since I can’t get enough of these flavours.

The first flavour in my box is Gingerbread & Cranberry Granola. It’s a cozy, seasonal blend of organic rolled oats, organic rye flakes, apple sauce, pecans, organic cranberries, brown sugar, molasses, canola oil, organic spelt bran, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger.

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect combination for winter. It makes me think of the holidays and all the delicious flavours of the season. The different textures are also a great aspect of this granola. The soft cranberries really complement the crunchy oats and pecans.



Let’s take a closer look at those richly-coloured berries!





I’ve been eating this granola as a breakfast parfait. I mix plain greek yogurt and cinnamon and then layer it with chopped honey crisp apples and the granola mixture. The combination of apples, cranberries, and cinnamon brings warmth to a cold day. The glass jar that came in the box is the perfect size for making breakfast parfaits, overnight oats, or chia seed pudding. It’s also very cute and closes with a tight seal.

I have also been eating this granola as an afternoon snack with unsweetened applesauce or as a healthy cookie. To make the cookies, mix 1/2 cup of the granola with 1/4 cup almond butter, 1 mashed ripe banana, and 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips. Form the dough into 12 cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on the cookie sheet until set (about 10 minutes).



The other granola flavour I received is Pineapple & Dark Chocolate Granola. This mix includes organic rolled oats, organic rye flakes, apple sauce, dark chocolate, organic raw honey, brown sugar, canola oil, freeze dried pineapple, and organic spelt bran.

This is my first time trying freeze dried pineapple and I can now confirm that I was definitely missing out. It tastes like candy and is not full of added sugars like some dried fruits. The sweetness of the dark chocolate balances the tangy pineapple, and the crisp oats add a nice crunch to the mix. The chocolate tastes like real, rich chocolate rather than watered down cocoa powder like some store-bought chocolate chips do.



Here’s a close up of the mix. Those pineapple pieces taste as light and fluffy as they look.



I enjoy this granola on its own with almond milk for breakfast or as a part of a healthy dessert. I like to top a slice of fresh pineapple with plain greek yogurt and the granola and garnish with strawberries. It’s a sweet, creamy, crunchy, and very satisfying after dinner treat that’s free of processed ingredients.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the January Oatbox. It includes affordable, healthy products in unique flavours for a nourishing breakfast, an energizing afternoon snack, or a guilt-free dessert. I especially appreciate that Oatbox sweetens its granolas with natural ingredients like honey, brown sugar, and molasses rather than artificial or chemical sweeteners that leave an unpleasant aftertaste. I think this subscription would be a great gift for granola lovers, anyone who doesn’t have time to make breakfast in the morning, or those who want to add more heart-healthy (and tasty!) foods to their diet.

To learn more about Oatbox or to sign up for a subscription, click HERE or visit https://www.oatbox.com/.

Which granola flavour is your favourite?