Sweet Reads Box Limited Edition Cook’s Box Review April 2021

We may not even be halfway into the year but I’m calling it right now: Sweet Reads‘ latest limited edition might be my favourite book box of 2021 (and certainly up there with one of my favourite subscription boxes period.) It’s the co’s third Cook’s Box, this one curated around the newest gem from Canadian sisters Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat, The Bite Me Balance Cookbook: Wholesome Daily Eats and Delectable Occasional Treats. *

* They kindly sent us this box for review

Like Sweet Reads Box monthly boxes, this one opens with a product card with a photo related to the theme of the box on one side and a description of the contents and how they tie in to the book on the other. The card is always packed picture side up so you can be surprised as you dive in. I always set it aside to read after I’ve unpacked everything. What do you do?

Usually Sweet Reads Box books are a surprise, but for this box and the previous two ones the titles were revealed in advance. I’m a longtime fan of Julie and Lisa (my friend Emily and I collaborated in 2016 to help promote their third book, Lick Your Plate) and they’d reached out last fall to ask if I would participate in the Bite Me Balance Instagram campaign but their supply of cookbooks ran out before they could send me a copy. All that to say I was thrilled to see it chosen for this box.

The Bite Me Balance Cookbook “A delicious cookbook with fantastic, easy to follow recipes that you will love. Canadian cooks and sisters Julie and Lisa provide recipes that are packed with flavour, and are described as 75% healthy and 25% butter! We have made a number of these recipes weekly staples in our home.”

We’re really down to the dregs for groceries but I’m excited to start cooking from the book when we’re stocked up again. (Maybe this weekend!) My friends Dana and Dany highly recommend the BBQ sloppy joes so I might start with those (Dana also made the cranberry date oatmeal cookies and they looked amazing!) or maybe one of the many salads, which all look incredible. With 138 recipes covering breakfast, lunch, brunch, weeknight dinners and special gatherings there’s no shortage of delicious goodness to choose from and Jill and Lisa’s humour (I do enjoy a good Young and the Restless reference 😂) and tips make it a fun, approachable and informative read.

Sweet Reads Box also included a bookplate signed by the authors. Love!

Mango Wood Salad Servers (Danica Studio)

“We know you will love these beautiful salad servers. Practical, beautiful and will look fantastic at a family meal. Perfect for serving your first salad from the book.” ** (** indicates a Canadian product.)

For all of our kitchen tools and supplies we didn’t have a pair of salad servers and I love the size of these ones and the Scandinavian-inspired design.

Wine Aromas Tea Towel (Now Designs)

“Adding a little wine to the box with this wine appreciating tea towel. Perfect for kitchen prep.” **

My mom likes a good Cab and has dabbled in wine-making over the years so I saved this tea towel for her. I like it but she’ll love it.

Raspberry Inferno Tea (London Tea Co.)

“A delicious fruity tea with a hint of spice. Wonderful hot and iced, it is a great companion to a light meal or any afternoon sweet.”

Assorted Cookie Varieties (Cartwright & Butler)

“A fan favourite in previous boxes we have included assorted flavours across the boxes. You will get on delicious flavour of sweet biscuits.”

I can’t speak to the tea as I haven’t yet tried it but the cookies are long gone. So delicious!

Holy Grail Garlic Sea Salt (Kanel)

“An amazing spice blend from Montreal that will add flavour to every dish.” **

I know the brand but I’d never tried their products so I was happy to see this one included. The garlic salt smells amazing and I’m sure we’ll get tonnes of use out of it.

Beeswax Wraps (Swift Acres Apiary & Farm)

“Our favourite way to reduce single use plastic wrap/bags. Resusable, sustainable and compostable.” **

We have a couple of beeswax wraps now and they’re great. Much easier to work with than plastic wrap, eco friendly and cute too. I’ve seen different patterns and colours in other boxes — they’re all so pretty!

And it isn’t on the card, but Sweet Reads also included a Swedish sponge cloth by Danica.** I love these for cleaning up spills and wiping down the cupboards and counters and my mom swears by them for dusting. Compostable too.

I was so pleased with my first Cook’s Box (that one featured Baking Day with Anna Olson) and this one is incredible too. Packed with products I’m excited to try — those that I have are excellent — and a cookbook we’ll use time and time again. Also so great to see so many Canadian brands!

Like the other limited editions for adults, this one sold for $100 including Canada-wide shipping. Sweet Reads Box also offers a variety of boxes for kids.)

  • Single monthly Sweet Reads Box: $80
  • Three-month subscription: $230.97
  • Six-month subscription: $443.94
  • 12-month subscription: $863.88

Sweet Reads Box ships across Canada and shipping is included.

You can save 10% on three- and six-month subscriptions when you sign up for the Sweet Reads Box mailing list. The co. also shares bookish news, discounts and info on upcoming boxes on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of the latest Cook’s Box? Is there a particular cookbook of product you’d like to see in a future edition?

Try Small Things – https://trysmallthings.com

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