The Griffin's Nest

 Anybody who knows me knows how much I love snacks.  They also know I am allergic to nuts, which makes healthy snacking a problem.  Manufacturers of the healthier snack option tend to think that nuts have to be involved, so it is back to the crisps for me.  No nuts in a crisp!

But scrolling on Facebook recently I came across an advert for trail mix.  I used to eat a fair bit of this back in the days before I became allergic to nuts but for obvious reasons haven't had any for a long time.  I also had started to find it a bit boring, and rather like eating muesli or granola at more times of the day than just breakfast.  This looked different, more exciting with a wider range of ingredients.  A quick look at their site confirmed my initial thoughts that yes, this was a trail mix for the 21st century but oh dear,most of the mixes contained...nuts.  

Undaunted I messaged the staff at The Griffin's Nest and was told to my joy that they could tailor their mixes for individuals and substitute something else for those pesky nuts.  Yay!  A few days later and this was what arrived in my mailbox:

A sturdy reusable cardboard box filled with five paper bags, each containing four 45g packets of five different mixes.  Two Mixes of the Month, The Rocky Mountain Mallow Mix, the spicy Meanwood Valley Trail Mix and my own concoction "Choose Your Own Adventure" which I called Summer Special.  Here's a better look at the packets:

Let's open a packet.  How about Summer Special?  I ate one packet so there should be four packets instead of three:

Note the paper bags.  They do have plastic windows but these can easily be removed and the rest put in with the recycling.  There is also a useful resealer so you don't have to eat it all at once, although I couldn't resist doing this.  Turn the striped packet over and you will see a label showing exactly what is inside:

Not easy to see but you get the idea.  A list of ingredients with allergens in bold type, plus a short piece about the company.

Also inside the box is a printed list showing what each pack contains:

It's a bit small but you can just about see the mix type, price and my notes.

This packet contains a more interesting recipe than the usual trail mix.  There's puffed rice, chocolate honeycomb pieces, dates, sunflower seeds, sultantas and banana chips.  This is my own slightly more indulgent choice, a visit to the website will show you what the Griffin's Nest team have come up with.

• Quality - Can't be faulted 10/10
  
• Value For Money - I would say pretty good.  Not a bargain or overpriced 9/10
  
• Delivery - I was informed that due to some items being out of stock the box would be a couple of days late.  As it was the time between placing the order and receiving it was fast 10/10
  
• Versatility - I was able to tailor the mixes to suit me as well as concoct my own from a list of ingredients.  Very impressed. 10/10
  
• Green - Most of it can be recycled.  A bit of plastic here and there but nothing major. 9/10
  
• Customer Service - A chat function on their site plus messages and emails.  One of the best I've encountered. 10/10
  
• The Whole Nine Yards - This company have certainly done that, and I'm told more mixes are in the pipeline as well as some savory ones.  10/10

That's a great score!  They will be hearing from me again...and again...