Essentials Crate is a monthly subscription featuring healthy and eco-conscious lifestyle items for day-to-day life. The cost is $44 per month and includes 4-5 full-size home, personal care, beauty, and/or wellness products from local artisans, small businesses, and bigger household brands.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 15% off your first order!
CODE: MSA15
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
I am taking over this box for Megan and I was excited about the prospect of discovering new clean, eco-friendly products. I love that they have a range of products from household to kitchen goods and even beauty products. This month it seems that Essentials Crate is all about sustainable kitchen goods. I have to admit I have similar versions of these products, but I was happy to test out some new brands.
The theme for this month is "Picnic Perfect Box". Here is a look at the digital info page with their listed values for each product:
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Let's dive in!
Essential Living Silicone Ziplock Bag Set - Listed Value $26
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I am a big fan of these reusable silicone food storage bags, of which I own several from a different brand, so I was pleased to receive two more and in two different sizes, one for sandwiches and the other for snacks. These bags are awesome because they are reusable, made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone, and safe for use in the refrigerator, freezer, microwave, oven, and dishwasher. Features I love are the little ring on the edge which means you could use a carabiner to clip it somewhere and the fact that these passed the leak test when I filled them with water. The reason I probably won't be switching from my preferred brand though is due to the fact that the openings are very narrow making it difficult to get food inside and also I was unable to find this particular brand online.
Essential Living Beeswax Food Storage Wrap Set - Listed Value $20
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I have a set of these from a different brand, although mine only came in two sizes while this one came with a small, medium, and large option. These are also a bit cuter than the ones I have and I think that, although I haven't used them as much as I should, mine are probably ready for the compost bin by now! These wraps are just a bit odd in the way they feel slightly sticky/greasy from the beeswax, Jojoba oil, and tree resin that the cotton is coated in, and while I don't usually mind because I mostly use them for covering bowls or wrapping around fruits with a peel, it does make it strange to clean since you have to use cool water. Once you clean them with cool, soapy water, you hang them to dry and they are ready for you to use again. I do love that these are biodegradable and that if you warm them up just enough with your fingers, they really do tend to grip whatever you are wrapping very well.
Essential Living Wheat Straw Bento Box - Listed Value $24
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This last item is a nice-looking wheat straw fiber bento box complete with a stainless steel fork and spoon. I love that it is bio-degradable and that it has a separate compartment for the silverware on the top. It is divided into three separate areas on the bottom, much like other bento boxes and it is microwave and dishwasher safe. I love the minimalist look of this, but I have to admit, I have just never gotten into bento boxes so I'm not sure how much I will use this. We just don't pack lunches that often, and when we do, we use our silicone storage bags, so this may be something that ends up being donated to someone who can use it. I do like how well it fits with the theme though.
The Verdict
This being my first Essentials Crate, I was actually a bit disappointed. There were only three items inside and none of them felt particularly special to me. I'm trying not to let the fact that I already own reusable silicone bags and beeswax wraps color my opinion, but overall, I feel like they are pretty common these days and not necessarily a new discovery. The bento box, while not something I currently own, is something I would say also falls into that category. All of that aside, I can still appreciate the curation and the usefulness of these items (I can definitely always use more silicone bags!), but since everything was branded as "Essential Living" I do have to wonder a bit at the total listed value of $70. I think if there had been something a bit higher end in here to round it all out, I would appreciate it all just a bit more!
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To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, your first box will be the September box.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 15% off your first order!
CODE: MSA15
Value Breakdown: This box costs $44, including free shipping which means each of the 3 items costs an average of $14.67.
What do you think of Essentials Crate?
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