I'm not sure how it happened. Just yesterday we were bringing M home from the hospital, hearing her first coos, watching her crawl for the first time. And now, we are sending her off to preschool. It's definitely hard to let go, to hand the reins over to another caregiver, especially when you're maybe possibly a teensy tiny bit prone to micromanagement. Of course, there is still one thing I can control: her lunch, and making sure it's as healthy and eco-friendly as possible. Using reusable, durable, non-toxic products will help save the environment and save you money in the long run. Here are my favorite items that will be making their way into our lunchbox this fall:
1. A chemical-free, insulated lunchbox // Kids Konserve Lunch Sack and SoYoung Small Cooler Bag :: the more vertical design of these lunch boxes allows for a bento box to sit upright at the bottom with everything else stacked on top, unlike some designs where picking up the bag by the handle means all the contents are now on their sides and just asking for leaks and smushed sandwiches.
2. Stainless steel snack containers // Kangovou Snack Bowl and MIRA Brands Leak-proof Containers
3. Reusable food-wraps-turn-placemats // Kids Konserve Food Kozy and Eco Lunch Gear Organic Cotton Sandwich Wrap :: unwrap your food and voila! a clean surface to eat on.
4. A stainless steel bento box with a leak-proof silicone lid // Eco Lunchbox Blue Waters Bento Box :: most bento boxes aren't leak-proof because the stainless lids aren't tight fitting enough. this one is, and it's plastic-free.
5. Reusable sandwich/snack bags // Fluf Organic Cotton Snack Packs and Itzy Ritzy Mini Snack Bags
6. An insulated, stainless steel food jar // Mira Brands Vacuum Insulated Food Jar :: so pretty. i'm a sucker for pretty. Thermos makes a great option as well.
7. A sweat-free ice pack // Kids Konserve Ice Pack with Sweat-free Cover
8. An insulated straw bottle // Thermos Fogoo Stainless Steel Straw Bottle :: i've tried them all. this is hands down the best straw cup. it's also pretty much the only non-plastic straw cup available, other than the Kangovou Straw Sippy, which unfortunately has terrible reviews due to its lack of durability. but oh, how beautiful it is. sigh.
9. A handwritten lunch note from mom (or dad) // InkSpotts Lunch Notes