The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

January 12, 2015 · 20 Comments

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

It’s nearly back to school time again!

If you need to update your lunchboxes, check out my round up of the best lunchboxes for kids. Depending on the age of your child, your budget and your preferences, there are lunchboxes for everyone!

♥ Planetbox

These lunchboxes are so popular and with good reason! They are the ultimate in waste free, safe lunchboxes. Made from 100% great quality stainless steel, they are able to go in the dishwasher. There are lots of different sizes and options to suit your child’s appetite.

PlanetBox is designed to keep foods from “touching each other.” When you close the PlanetBox the top and the bottom meet so that foods will not co-mingle, even when carried and stored on its side. The seal on the PlanetBox itself is not designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, dips, and applesauce. The Dipper included is the best option to use for foods such as these. They have a silicone rubber seal that engages when placed inside the PlanetBox to create a tight leak-proof seal.

Get Planetbox online here.

♥ Cheeki Leakproof

This is what mums everywhere have been waiting for and wanting. A stainless steel lunchbox that is affordable and leak proof!!

This new one from Cheeki is double layered and has a silicone seal under the lid (which doesn’t touch your food) – genius. There are three variations: double stacked, regular and large so you can find a size that suits you.

Get Cheeki leakproof lunch boxes here.

♥ Lunchbots Quads

These stainless steel lunchboxes from Lunchbots are great for waste free lunches. Made of the highest grade stainless steel, you can get them with or without a protective, colourful cover. They are easy to clean, easy to open, virtually unbreakable and will not rust or stain. They are not watertight, so best for snacks without a lot of juice!

Get Lunchbots online here.

♥ Yumbox

One of the only lunch boxes that is leakproof! The Yumbox has five different 1/2 cup compartments and a little dipper. It has one lid to seal it all up. Yoghurt, dip and sauces will be not leak out! It has a kid-friendly latch and is designed for toddlers upwards.

Made from food safe materials, it is BPA and phthalate free, dishwasher safe and durable. Yumbox comes in pink, green, purple and blue and they also fit snugly into the the seriously cute So Young lunchbags.

Get Yumbox online here.

♥ Goodbyn

Goodybn lunchboxes come in a range of colours and sizes. They are a great waste-free lunchbox, with separate compartments and one lid. The lunchboxes are made from safe plastic – #5 PP (polypropylene) – one of the most benign plastics on the market and 100% FDA approved materials . There is no lead, BPA, phthalates or PVC and they are totally 100% recyclable.

It’s a sturdy lunchbox and you can get extra accessories like a leak proof dipper container, ice bricks, stickers and insulated lunch bags.

Shop Goodbyn online here.

Have a great back to school!

Eco-friendly back to school tips!

January 16, 2014 · 6 Comments

Eco-friendly back to school tips!

Back to school invariably means buying a whole lot of new things.

Every time I buy something new these days, I try to see if I can’t find a greener, healthier alternative. I figure every little bit helps.

I have a few ideas on how you can lessen your environmental impact at this time of year and be a little bit more green. In most cases, it saves you money as well!

♥ I guess my biggest tip is to encourage kids to take really good care of all their school stuff to extend their life (the stuff, not the kids!) and avoid new purchases. Make do where you can. Buy the best quality products you can afford.

♥ Label everything well (I just use a permanent marker) to avoid losses.

♥ Go through the school stuff from last year and work out what is still in good condition and doesn’t need to be repurchased. Recycle, upcycle or reuse everything you can as well.

♥ Get the kids excited about being an ‘eco-warrior’! You can set a fabulous example to your kids and get them involved in helping out.

♥ Avoid items made with BPA, PVC or anything that says it’s anti-bacterial (this means it usually contains triclosan).

♥ Choose products with minimal packaging. Don’t buy single pencils in plastic packaging – get a pack of 12 in a paper box that can be recycled. Instead of individual pots of yoghurt, buy a big tub and use small, reusable containers or the reusable squeeze pouches.

♥ Public transport, walking, biking and car pooling are all ways you can cut down your environmental impact of getting to school. Even just one day will make a difference.

♥ UNIFORMS

You can buy second-hand at most school’s uniform shops, local opshops or take a look at websites like The Uniform Exchange or School XChange.

Let friends with older kids know you are interested in any used uniforms.

Donate your old uniforms back to the school or local opshop.

♥ BACKPACKS AND BAGS

Buy bags that are made of recycled materials or biodegradable materials like cotton, bamboo or hemp. We found a ‘name brand’ backpack at the op shop for less than $10, so check out what your local has to offer!

Consider making your own library bags, swimming bags, sleeping kits, pencil cases, water bottle covers, ipad cases etc from recycled material you already have at home. If you are not so great at sewing, have a look on Esty or Hand Made for some handmade ones.

♥ LUNCHBOXES

After many years of making school lunches, I prefer lunchboxes that can be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher! Trust me, smelly lunchboxes are not pleasant or hygienic.

Get some cutlery from the opshop or buy a bamboo spork for lunchboxes – they are cheap and re-usable. If the kids need serviettes, pop a wet washer into the lunchbox rather than using paper ones.

Ditch the plastic wrap! Did you know that some plastic wrap contains triclosan? It’s very nasty stuff! Plastic wrap is not great for the environment. Paper bags are better, but are still disposable.

We like using sandwich wraps – they are very sturdy and easily washed. Plus, they are easy to open for little fingers. Check out the 4 My Earth range here.

We also use stainless steel containers for things like salads. Check out my top stainless steel lunchboxes here.

♥ Drink Bottles

Buy stainless steel drink bottles where you can. It saves buying packaged drinks and there is no chance of nasty chemicals leaching into your drinks. Just be careful when choosing as some of the cheaper ‘stainless steel’ drink bottles can contain aluminium. I love the Cheeki brand of water bottles.

♥ STATIONERY

Buy recycled products wherever you can! Micador and Tudor are brands that have recycled items.

♥ COVERING BOOKS

Reusable book covers make the job sooooooo much easier and they are super cute! Give them a wipe over and they will last many years. You can get them from your local stationery supplier.

You can also use leftover gift wrap, kid’s artwork, comics from the newspaper or recycled brown paper to cover books. Get the kids to decorate.

♥ TEXT BOOKS

Hire where you can or try websites like Textbook Exchange to get them second-hand.

I would love to hear your top tips for being a greenie at back to school time.

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

January 13, 2014 · 14 Comments

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

Whether your kids are heading to school for the first time, starting high school or changing schools, it can often be accompanied by a little bit of stress and anxiety.

I am not just talking the kids here either – many of us mums feel very anxious and a bit teary about sending our precious bundles off the school!

I feel like a veteran school mum with one child heading to Year 12 and the other in his third year of uni. Where does the time go?

Here are my top tips to make back to school calm and stress-free!

1. Be positive

Whenever you are talking about school, keep a positive attitude. Kids will quickly pick up any anxiety or negativity you might be feeling about it. Talk about all the fun things you used to do at school and all the friends you made.

2. Pack a yummy lunch

Pack something your child loves to eat for the first day so they are looking forward to it.

3. Do a reccy (reconnaissance mission)

If you are able, get permission to visit the school in the holidays. Hang out on the swings, stroll around the buildings, find the toilets and get familiar with the layout before the big day. Most places will have an orientation day, but visiting when its quiet can make a difference.

4. Aromatherapy oils

Put a drop or two of essential oils on a hanky for your child to sniff if they are feeling a little anxious. Try 123 Nourish Me’s Calm Down and Confidence roll ons specifically designed for kids!

Mums, don’t forget to do the same for yourself!

5. Buddy up

See if you can find someone who will be in your child’s class. Have them over for a play date before-hand to get friendly and chat about school. Encourage them to look out for each other on the day.

6. Keep it simple

Make sure bags, bottles and lunch boxes are easy to access for little fingers. It’s not much fun struggling with layers of clingwrap to get to your lunch! Try these brilliant, reusable sandwich and snack pockets that have velcro closures.

7. After-school fun

Although they will most likely be exhausted, a small treat to look forward to after school can be something to get them through the day. A visit to the park or reading their favourite story perhaps?

8. Love note or magic banana

Write your kids a cute little love note, jokes or pop some stickers in their lunchbox for a nice surprise! For the ultimate in cool and eco-friendly, write a message on a banana with a skewer. By lunch time, it will have magically appeared.

9. Have a morning routine

A set time to get up and a routine to follow will keep that morning chaos to a minimum and keep everyone calm. Use checklists and have a central point for the all school stuff.

10. Play school

Have a fun day at home where you play ‘school’. Get up, get ready, get the uniform on and have brekky in real school time. Go outside for lunch and practice opening the new lunch boxes.

11. Crystals

Let your child choose a few crystals to carry in their pocket. Agate is calming and comforting. Calcite helps alleviate fear and can reduce stress. Aquamarine can calm nerves and help banish fear and phobias. My kids have always loved doing this!

12. Flower Essences

Alisha at Naughty Naturopath Mum has an amazing Back to School pack containing four flower essence blends for kids (and parents) to help with back to school emotions. Find them here.

What tips do you have for a stress free back to school?

Back to school – helping out those less fortunate.

January 25, 2013 · 9 Comments

At this time of year, when we rush around and organize back to school and lament at how much it all costs, it’s easy to forget how lucky we really are.

I am so grateful that my kids get a fantastic education.

I am so grateful that I can afford to buy them uniforms, shoes and school supplies.

Many children around the world and right here in Australia, are not so lucky.

I consider it a privilege to help out those children where I can.

Here are some organizations that need help.

* The Smith Family run a yearly appeal to sponser a school child in need. Watch the video here. It breaks my heart. We have all known children who haven’t quite fitted in at school.

“Right now, the sad reality is that 605,700 dependent children and young people are living in jobless families, and they urgently need our help.

At school, these children don’t have the basics like a school bag, complete uniform or the schoolbooks they need to make the most of their education. They are often teased or left out by other students. And because they don’t fit in, they end up struggling at school, or failing altogether. For some, it can set up a pattern of underachievement that can literally last the rest of their lives.”

You can help by sponsoring a child here and connect on Facebook here.

* State Schools’ Relief “is a charity providing disadvantaged Victorian students with new school wear and attire. Last financial year they supported 10,756 requests for assistance. They have been supporting children and families who cannot access new quality clothing and footwear due to circumstances like poverty, neglect, family violence, homelessness and natural disasters.”

If you are in Victoria and attend a state school, you can apply for uniform assistance here.

If you would like to donate, go here or organise a fundraiser, go here.

* Wall of Hands was created as a simple way for people and organisations to help close the Indigenous literacy gap by raising money and awareness through their friends, schoolmates and colleagues. Being able to read and write is a basic human right. Yet for every five Indigenous kids living in a remote community, only one will be able to read at the minimum standard. That’s only one in five kids who are gaining one of the most important skills essential to a satisfying and successful life – the ability to read.

If you would like to donate, go here. Connect on Facebook here.

* Pacific Smiles works “with communities in Australia to collect donations of learning implements and other essential items for the less fortunate children in villages, schools and orphanages in the South Pacific Islands. We give children in the Pacific Islands new opportunities to learn and develop.” Donate here and connect on Facebook here.

*Backpacks for Aussie Kids is an Australian organization, providing backpacks filled with essential and personal items to children in care. One of my favourite charities! You can donate here and connect on Facebook here. This organization also takes clean, good quality second-hand items, so please take a look at what is needed here. It’s as simple as throwing some stuff in a post pack and sending it off!

Do you know of any great charities that help kids with schooling?

Please leave us a link!

Carrot, Zucchini and Pineapple Muffins

January 24, 2013 · 13 Comments

The gorgeous Vanessa from Superfoods for Kidz is sharing a yummy back to school lunchbox treat with us today.

Vanessa cooks gluten free with her thermomix and uses lots of superfoods.

Today, we have some gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free muffins. Hopefully these will be able to suit most school requirements!

Carrot, zucchini and pineapple muffins

Okay, so this is what you need:

300g brown rice flour (make first in the thermomix)
140g carrot, roughly chopped
110g pineapple, roughly chopped
50g zucchini, roughly chopped
130g coconut oil
1/2 cup date water (water that is left over from soaking dates)
1 cup dates, soaked
2 tbs chia seeds
2 tbs honey
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vital veggie power

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Place all ingredients in your Thermomix and mix well on speed 6 for around 30 seconds, using the spatula to assist.

If you are not using a Thermomix – finely grate the carrot and zucchini and chop pineapple into small pieces and then mix with the other ingredients

Bake in a moderate oven for around 22 mins until they spring back when touched.

It is a big mixture – I made 18 normal size muffins and 6 baby ones.

Freeze the leftovers for lunches!

Thanks so much Vanessa ! If you are keen on more recipes like this, check them out on the Superfoods for Kidz website.

You might also like to read:

Six healthy biscuits for lunchboxes

Healthy lunchbox ideas

15 Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

What are the best packet snacks for kids?

15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

January 21, 2013 · 28 Comments

15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

What’s wrong with sandwiches?

Well……nothing!

My boy likes taking sandwiches and that’s okay. My daughter avoids gluten so we get a bit more creative with her lunches.

Here are some other things we like to put in the lunchbox!

♥ Leftovers

Most things you make for dinner can be easily turned into an awesome lunch. Cook extra meat and add it to a salad or just reheat dinner in a saucepan and place in a food thermos. Fill the thermos with boiling water first to heat it up.

♥ Zucchini slice

Zucchini slices or savoury slices are so quick and easy for kids to eat at lunch. Cut it into small squares and serve with salad veges in a container. Try my Gluten Free Zucchini Slice recipe.

♥ Cold chicken nuggets

Homemade chicken nuggets are so yummy cold! You could also try my chicken and cheese fritters recipe.

♥ Rice paper rolls

These are so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! Wrap in a damp clean cloth to keep them fresh. Check out some recipes here. I use Pandaroo brand as it doesn’t tear as easily as the other brands.

♥ Sushi

Homemade is better as store-bought can contain lots of additives. The rice is easy to make in the thermomix if you have one!

♥ Bircher Muesli

Yes, we eat this for lunch! Yum. Soak some organic oats and dried fruit overnight with your choice of milk (we like coconut milk). The next day, add chopped nuts, seeds and fresh fruit. We also like taking chia porridge.

♥ Blueberry Breakfast Slice

This is perfect for kids who aren’t that fond of savoury lunches. Add a container of yoghurt for dipping. Find the recipe here.

♥ Dip and veggie sticks

Add some of my easy seed crackers if you like. Check out this dip recipe my kids are crazy about.

♥ Salads

Pretty much anything can go into a salad to make veges more interesting for kids! Use a good quality protein like hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna or chicken breast. Leave the dressing on the side, so it’s not a soggy mess! Cut the salad veges into interesting shapes. Take a look at these recipes for inspiration.

♥ Pasta salad

My kids adore pasta salad! It’s just as simple as using leftover pasta shapes and diced veges like carrot, cucumber, capsicum and tomato. Add some cheese or protein if you like and a homemade dressing.

♥ Meatballs

Make extra next time you cook and freeze them. Pop into the lunchbox with a dipping sauce, cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes and salad. Try these meatball recipes for inspo.

♥ Lettuce rollups

Put a selection of grated vegetables, cheese and meat in the middle of a large lettuce leaf and roll up tightly like a spring roll. Serve with a dipping sauce.

♥ Pizza or pizza scrolls

What kid doesn’t like pizza? Make extra and freeze in single portions. Try this recipe of mine, using the easiest pizza base recipe ever! Just avoid toppings with additives like ham and processed meats. Use organic tomato paste, fresh vegetables, chicken, egg, seafood, roast lamb or beef or even fresh pineapple!

♥ Cheese and Spinach Rice Cakes

Part quiche, part muffin, my savoury rice cakes are so delicious and a brilliant way to add extra vegetables. Find the recipe here.

♥ Sticky Chicken Legs

You can also make these with wings but they are a bit more tricky for busy kids to eat. Mix up some honey, tamari, garlic and ginger and marinate some organic chicken legs. Bake in a medium oven for about 20 mins until done. Cool down. Serve with salad.

I would love to hear some of your lunchbox ideas or link me up with your favourite recipes!

You might also like to read:

Six Healthy Biscuits for Lunchboxes

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks

Win a Green eARTh Back to School pack from Micador!

January 17, 2013 · 99 Comments

The Natural New Age Girl gets really excited about colouring-in and art and craft (as you can tell!)

Over the years, we have probably tried most of the major brands of colouring in paraphernalia and you would think they are pretty much all the same. Not so.

Apparently the quality of the finished product is dependant on the brand. Let’s not talk about those dodgy ones that break all the way along the inside and drive you nuts every time you sharpen them. Yes, I have heard all the complaints. I sometimes think we have created a temperamental artiste!

Soooooo, you can guess we were excited to road test the Green eARTh range from Micador this week!

Now, I love the fact that they are all made from recycled materials. The range contains products that are:

Made with FSC® 100% certified timber;
Made from recycled materials;
Made with bio-degradable materials;
Manufactured using clean energy sources;
100% recyclable, when their market alternatives aren’t.

The Natural New Age Girl was super-impressed with the quality. She said the colours were bright and they were easy to use. I think we have found a winner!The Mega-Markers are particularly cool for little people. They are nice and chunky to hang onto and the nib is sink proof (genius!) I love that they are also made from recyclable materials, non-toxic and fully washable. Yes, you will be thankful when a pretty picture gets drawn on the walls or your best doona cover (as was the NNAG’s habit when she was little!!)

We also had fun on the website downloading some FREE fun craft activities, like this cute bookmark.

So, would you like to try them out for yourself? Well, you can get them online here or you can win one of four packs, containing one Green eARTh Back to School Pack AND one set of Mega Markers.

This giveaway is now closed. The winners were Candice, Kylie, Claire and Pam.

This is how you enter:

*SUBCRIBE to the blog (just add your email to the top right hand box)

*LIKE the Micador Facebook page. Go here.

*COMMENT on this blog post and tell me what is your favourite colour and why.

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway is only available to Australian residents who fulfill the entry criteria. The winners will be announced on this blog post and also emailed, so please leave a valid email address and check your inbox to see if you have won. The giveaway starts now and ends Monday, the 21st of January at 5pm. The four winners will be chosen using random.org. Please share with your friends!

Do you try to buy eco-friendly stationery and back to school supplies?

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