Melissa Joulwan Quarterly Box Review #EAT01
Melissa Joulwan is one of the newest Quarterly curators, and since her box has a paleo theme, I had to try it out. (I avoid dairy and gluten in my diet, so almost all paleo items work for me!)
If you aren’t familiar with Melissa Joulwan, here’ is her Quarterly mini-bio:
Melissa Joulwan is the author of two best-selling Paleo cookbooks and a healthy lifestyle blog called The ClothesMakeTheGirl.com. The theme of her boxes is eating clean, training hard, and living loud.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Melissa Joulwan for Quarterly
The Cost: $50 a box
COUPON: Use coupon code FIRSTBOX10 to save $10 off your first Quarterly box (to any curator).
The Products: A care package of paleo goodies plus a new recipe in each box.
Ships to: US and Worldwide.
Unlike the traditional Quarterly letters, this box came with an illustrated sheet detailing the items included.
And on the back was the recipe for Snuggle Soup!
Nikki’s Coconut Butter Honey Pecan Pie – Value $13
Pacific Organic Bone Broth Chicken with Ginger – Value $1.50
This coconut butter is SO good! It’s not overly sweet at all, but has a great flavor. Now I have to try the Pumpkin Spice flavor!
Pacific is the brand I always buy for regular chicken stock, so I know I’ll like this ginger version too!
Pure Indian Foods 100% Organic Grass-Fed Ghee – Value $12
Primal Pacs Snack Pack – Value $4
I’ve never tried Ghee since I avoid dairy, but I know it’s a very popular paleo item, and considered paleo since it is boiled down butter that removes lactose and casein. If you recommend it let me know.
These Primal Pacs were new to us, and at first glance my husband said it looked a little gross. Then he ate the pack and said it was delicious and we should get more!
White Planet White Anchovies in Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Value $4
Knork Paring Knife – Value $25?
I could only find this knife in a 3-piece set, so I’m estimating on the value. It’s a beautifully constructed, high-quality knife, so that’s always a welcome addition to the kitchen! (I’ve never cooked with anchovies before, but I may give these a try – everything else we’ve sampled from this box so far has been great).
Verdict: This box has a value of about $60. For a food box that’s a pretty good value – usually it’s just about breaking even. (Not sure why that’s the case with food subscription boxes, but it always seems to be the case). I think the curation of this box is great – everything I looked up has amazing reviews, and we love everything we’ve tried.
What do you think of #EAT01?
Hi Liz,
You mention a coupon code but don’t specific what it is. Has it expired?
Thanks!
Unfortunately I don’t believe there are any current Quarterly coupon codes.
I’m reading Quarterly’s twitter. The November theme is “Good Morning” and the value is over $60.00.
Liz, try the ghee! It has a nice buttery flavor and I love to cook eggs with it. I have also used it to make a great buffalo sauce with just ghee and hot sauce. I learned about ghee when I did a whole30 and now it’s in my regular rotation of cooking fats including coconut oil. The Paleo diet has taught me to avoid conventional oils that are highly processed, too high in Omega 6 or that oxodize under high heat. They are so bad for you! Also…I am loving every item you put in your MSA Quarterly box! It would be cool if you included one of your favorite food/snacks that avoid dairy or gluten in an upcoming box!
I agree! Ghee is fantastic. Great for higher heat cooking, and can impart a lovely buttery/caramel flavor even if you don’t/can’t use butter. Definitely give it a try.
I was hesitant to sign up for her box because I am not completely Paleo, I am closer than most people, but not all the way there. I do like that she included the coconut butter and the ghee though because I have been wanting to try both of those and just never took the plunge. I think this would introduce me to new things I haven’t tried and maybe simpler ways to get things I make now. Thanks for sharing with us!
Liz, would you please add this sub to the swap site if not already in progress? Thanks!
yep – we’ll get it listed – thanks!
I’m not paleo or gluten-free but the Primal Packs look interesting. I’m always looking for convenient, nutrient-dense snack options. I’m going to check them out.
Just an FYI on the value for food boxes – it is most likely due to the small profit margins in the grocery industry. The average net profit margin in a conventional grocery store are around 1%. The products in these boxes probably have a higher profit percentage than that, but much lower markup than beauty, clothing, jewelry, etc.
Paleo is so totally the opposite of the way I eat. Yeah, I cook from scratch but — no meat, lots and lots of dairy, legumes are my main protein source (well, OK, they may be competing with dairy), and whole grains are not my enemy.
So, thanks for the review — there’s no way this box would work for me. And that’s good to know, too!
I think if I had to pick an eating style it would be a combination of Weston Price and Paleo and add chocolate 🙂 . WAP is where I developed my appreciation for chicken broth, coconut oil and ghee.
Same here! My husband and I are vegetarians and we make almost everything from scratch, including bread and the mock meat products. So vital wheat gluten is our best friend!
This still looks like a fantastic box though for those that it would work for. Thanks for the review!
I knew I should had subscribed! I signed up for the second box. Ghee is very good for you if you can tolerate it. Some can that have a dairy intolerance. I make my own chicken broth and never thought about adding ginger. I will have to try that. I think she did a great job in selecting the items. I also like that she included a knife.
Liz, if you don’t want the white anchovies, I’ll swap ya! 🙂 That box looks marvelous.
Also, if you have an intolerance to dairy, ghee will likely be OK for you. I suppose it depends on how severe a reaction you get from dairy products. It IS technically dairy, it’s the same as the clarified butter you get at fine seafood restaurants for dipping shellfish like lobster or shrimp.
Shanna, you can totally have my anchovies! LOL
white anchovies aren’t salty; they’re usually served as boquerones…sort of pickled. Total yummness! All the good omega-3 fatty acids too. I crave them!
I use Ghee all the time in my Indian dishes and my German Christmas cookies. It’s a great product!