Tuesday, August 25, 2015

REVIEW: Bulu Box

Thanks to my relationship with Sweat Pink and Fit Approach I was given the opportunity to try out Bulu Box. Who doesn't love samples and subscription boxes?! 

Disclaimer

A little bit about this box: Bulu Box is the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best. Each month, you’ll get a custom box filled with a new mix of 4 to 5 premium samples from top brands to try. Every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product is right for you. Shipping is free and you can cancel anytime. 

Sounds easy peasy, right?! Well, IT IS! You simply sign up for a monthly, 3, 6, or 12 month plan and then just wait for the box(es) to be delivered to your doorstep! (You are able to sign up for the standard Bulu Box or the Bulu Box Weight Loss. I was sent the standard box for the purpose of this review.)



BuluBoxReview

I have to admit, when I first open the box I was a little underwhelmed. I have done a few of the subscription boxes in the past and this one felt a little minimal. The cost per box is $10 (which is on the lower end of subscription type boxes), so 4-5 samples for that price isn't terrible, but I just wanted to warn you in case you were expecting a packed box with oodles and oodles of goodies.

In my box I received a Mediterra Tomato & Basil bar, an Island Boost Blueberry & Pomegranate fuel, a More-T toothbrush, some Bugeater Food Jump protein powder, Earth's Care Anti-Itch cream, and Yerba Prima Daily Fiber formula



BuluBox

Again, maybe to some folks these would stoke them out, but for me, I was fine taking or leaving all of the items. None of the samples had me running to the box to give them a go right away. (Hear me out, just because this box didn't have me jumping for joy doesn't mean that it wouldn't have others pumped or that the following month wouldn't have 4 to 6 amazing options.)

First off, Ryan and I are both vegetarians, so the protein powder made from crickets was out. Honestly, even if I did eat meat I am not sure I would actually be able to drink it without cringing from the thought of insects (not to mention, I am not a big protein powder drink drinker). They do claim that crickets are a more environmentally friendly form of protein than some alternative powders, so it has that going for it... 


The toothbrush had me intrigued. The bristles were perpendicular to the handle, instead of the standard parallel design. The setup is supposed to promote up and down brushing to reduce tooth sensitivity and give your mouth a deeper, easier clean. I'll say it took a little getting used to, but I definitely liked it! Not only does it help with the up and down motion (rather than the side to side that I normally do - OOPS), but it is a great way to clean your tongue too. 



MoreTToothbrush
Brush, brush, brush your teeth!

Bars, bars, and more bars. Who doesn't love a good bar? I know I do - they are convenient and easy to throw in your gym bag, purse, book bag, cup holder in the car, etc. This one was a bit surprising. The flavor profile was yummy (you could definitely taste the sun dried tomatoes and the basil), but the fact that it was in a "granola bar" form threw me for a bit of a loop. I would give it a 3 out of 5. It was good, but I think if I am going for a "bar", I would prefer a sweeter flavor rather than a savory one like this (It felt like it was more of a meal than a snack. It sort of reminded me of the scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where the gum changes into all of the different courses of the meal. The bar itself was tasty, just not quite in the format I was expecting.).


MediterraBar
Mediterranean yumminess in a bar form

I was told I was anemic last year, so my doctor suggested I started taking iron supplements to make sure I was getting enough of the mineral. Sometimes iron can give you some stomach issues (especially for someone already diagnosed with IBS), so along with the iron I also take a couple fiber gummies to make sure everything stays "regular". The fiber drink that came in the box was okay. The flavor wasn't bad, but as you can see from the picture, no matter how long I (vigorously) stirred it or extra water I added, I couldn't get the powder to dissolve (and I was NOT about to chew it down). I think I'll stick with my gummies.


YerbaPrimaFiber
Orange flavored with LOTS of sediment at the bottom

I know I seem like a Debby Downer, but it was just how the cookie crumbled. I hate not loving products sent to me, but I gotta #KeepItReal.

I have a consistency thing (what don't I have 'issues' with, geesh, this post is just pointing out all of my quirks, now isn't it?!) so I can't really do gels for running fuel (they remind me of snot). Thankfully for you, the hubby DOES like gels, so he was able to try out the one that came. He liked this one because it was a little more liquid-y than the normal type so it went down smoothly and didn't linger in his mouth for long. He used it during our 9.5 mile run this past weekend and although he said he would normally prefer more of a standard flavor he still gave it two thumbs up.


IslandBoost
As "island-y" as we got during our #SundayRunday... Alongside the San Luis Rey River

The anti-itch cream isn't too "sexy", but I'm sure it will come in handy. I haven't tried it yet, since I haven't been itchy, but I much appreciate it being an earth friendly cream made of peppermint and other mint oils. Although my mom reminds me that I am not made of sugar and won't melt, I must be pretty sweet because bugs are attracted to me like NONE OTHER! I am positive this will come in handy, but like the other products, I'm not sure I will love it enough to actually go out and spend money to purchase it.


EarthsCareAntiItch

I know I may not have had such an AMAZING experience, but that doesn't mean you won't love the Bulu Box. I would totally recommend (especially for the price without the discount code) you give it a go and try it for yourself. And what is even more tempting is that you can use code SWEATPINK and save 50% on a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription. I mean at that price they are sort of just giving it away, right?!


BuluBoxDiscountCode

Have you ever tried a subscription box before? If so, what was your experience? If not, what is holding you back?

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I would have been a little disappointed with this box as well. I mean anti-itch cream. If I need that, I'll buy it but its not really something to sample.

Ange @ Cowgirl Runs said...

That's definitely an odd mix of things.
Even though I'm a meat eater, I don't think I'd be able to choke down cricket protein powder, no matter how environmentally safe it is.....

Nicole said...

I'm with you on the crickets...no thank you! There is just no way. About half the stuff in my Bulu Box was vegetarian - we should have switched! Though, to be fair, mine was a little underwhelming as well.

The Silent Assassin said...

Do you or Ryan watch Nake and Afraid? there's an XL version where one of the survivalists is a vegetarian. She is living off of cashews, whatever fruits she can find (like unripened mangoes), and various plants. She is running out of her resources. The rest of the survivalists are depending on crickets, roaches, other insects, and whatever they call pull from the river like piranha and (electric) eel. The last couple of episodes, the meat eaters landed some huge protein (at day 31 out of 40). They are getting their strength back. They always welcome the vegetarian to partake in the meal so that she can get her strength up before extraction on day 40. But she has always refused and stood by her morals. She is getting week. She has 9 days left. Not taking in any protein maybe her downfall. they have hid pieces of eel for her in case she changes her mind before they head out for extraction. We will see if she sticks to her vegetarian ways =).