Lunch Munch

No more plastic disco lunchboxes! Litterless is the new lunch and if you and your kids aren't doing it, this will help get you started. There are a number of new ecopreneurs, such as Vancouver's Fill Your Own, who provide sustainable mealtime solutions. Locally, we've asked nutritionist Wendy Howarth to share her tips and found some wares that will pack a good lunch (and with our current promo code they're 15% off at Goop and Goob - see below).

Wendy notes that packing waste-free lunches will save you money in the long run as you won't have to worry about spending more on pre-packaged snacks and plastic wrap or baggies. She also suggests using silicon cups in a standard storage box to make compartments. In doing so, she adds that kids will generally leave the food they don't eat behind so you have a better idea of what and how much they're actually getting out of their lunch. The different compartments also encourage portion control, allow for a balance of food groups and enhance food presentation (we don't always have time for sandwich cut-outs with faces).

One of her favourites (and ours) is the Goodbyn. Made from BPA, phthalate and lead-free plastic, it features easy to open ears, has a built-in handle, comes with an 8.5 ounce reusable beverage bottle and has five perfectly sized compartments to keep kids lunches from spilling, sloshing and mixing so they can taste their lunch the way it was made to be. Available in blue, pink, red and green. $28.50

If you take the route of packing your own reusable containers, here are a few super cute insulated lunch bags your kids will love to grab as you head out the door.

Zoo Lunchies are sized perfectly for little hands and have an easy-to-clean large main compartment with two mesh pockets for utensils and other goodies. Nametag included. $16

Built NY has two great lunchboxes that appeal to big and little eaters. The first is their collaboration with award-winning children's book illustrator Stephen Savage who has created these zoo animal packs. Made from soft sided polypropylene that unzips to a placement and stores flat - we love that part. Available in Boo the pink panda, Benny the tiger, Lefty the dog (we think) and Meadow the bunny. $15

For the big kid, the Built NY Extra Relish machine washable neoprene lunch tote comes with a shoulder strap to help carry the extra load of a bigger lunch. Definitely our man pick. $39.99

Last but not least, Fluf has the lunch bags we might just have to buy for ourselves. Made from 100% certified organic cotton and lined with phthalate-free vinyl, we think these are perfect for the bigger kid or modern working mother. Designed with cool and colourful illustrations of things like milkshakes, little birds, apples and "I'm on My Way to Eat a Salad" (if it's not, we won't tell).

This list wouldn't be complete without a good sipper. We've talked about the Crocodile Creek Eco Bottles and Built NY bottle tote before, but we also love Klean Kanteen. Available in classic 12 and 18oz sizes, these are made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, 100% recyclable and easy to clean (no worries about germs and bacteria hiding in these rounded corners).

All of the above are available at Goop and Goob who is offering 15% off of all Back to School items. Get them while you can using the code 2kool4skool. Offer ends September 4.

Lunch time!

Top to bottom: Goodbyn, Zoo Lunchies, Klean Kanteen, Eat a Salad, Extra Relish, Boo Bag.

Back to School: Care and Packs for Little Backs

This week it seems like everyone's on the lookout for that perfect pack. Although we admit we're suckers for a cute backpack, we know it's just as important to make sure we've got the right pack on our budding scholar. So not only are we sharing our pack picks, we're including information on backpack safety with these wearing guidelines.

Choose right.

Be sure to choose the correct size for your child. The backpack should not extend past his/her lower back - if it does, go smaller.

Pack right.

Pack no more than 15% of your child's total body weight and bring only what your child needs. Improper use as a result of overpacking can put stress on a growing spine. Pack heavier items in the back and make use of any compartments for smaller and lighter items.

Lift right.

Be sure to squat down and bend at the knees - not the waist - when lifting and lowering a heavier backpack.

Wear right.

Using both shoulder straps to balance the weight between your shoulders. Ideally, shoulder straps should be heavily padded and there should be a waist strap for lumbar support. Both shoulder straps should be tightened so that the pack is close to the body. The pack should not extend past the lower back. Consult your doctor if your child complains of pain as a result of backpack wearing.

Dante Beatrix Big Kid Eco Pack Love

This is the first of two Dante Beatrix backpacks on our list.

These sturdy backpacks are constructed with nylon made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles and trimmed with naturally biodegradable canvas. Each pack removes seven 16oz. plastic bottles from the environment.

Features large front zipped pocked, two side pockets, and an interior zipped pocket. Sized for ages 5-10. 14" x 15" x 5.5". $42

Crocodile Creek Kids Backpack Beautiful yet practical. These sturdy backpacks are just the right size for younger children. Constructed of durable high-quality materials, they have been thoughtfully-designed to help keep active kids organized and ready to go! Conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards. Back packs are 11.5" w x 14" h. $28.50

Dante Beatrix Little Pack

(We've got this one!) Inhabited by the adorable creatures of Maakun Forest, these popular little packs hold everything a tot needs for a busy day.

Constructed from durable nylon and laminated canvas to make them extra easy to clean.

The roomy interior space contains a smaller zipped pocket.

Padded back panel with name tag and padded shoulder straps.

Sized for ages 2 to 5. (9" x 12" x 5.5") $42.99

Skip Hop Zoo Pack The Zoo Pack is the little kid backpack where "fun meets function!" Whimsical details and durable materials make this the perfect on-the-go pack for kids on-the-go! Age: 3+/ BPA-Free, Phthalate-free, PVC Free/ Roomy main compartment/ Insulated pouch for snacks/ Adjustable mesh bottle pocket/ Padded, adjustable comfy straps/ Write-on nametag inside/ Easy to clean lining. 10" width x 4" depth x 11.5" height. $25

MEC Bookbag Daypack

Old school meets new school: easy-carrying storage for books, a laptop, and other academic supplies.

The internal laptop holster stops a couple of inches short of the pack bottom, to keep your computer from slamming

on the ground when you set down the pack.

MEC Teeny Genie Daypack

A pint-sized, yet fully functional, rugged top-loading pack built just for kids.

In addition to the large main compartment, this bag features a zippered top pocket and dual mesh side pockets.

Under the lid there is a flat mesh pocket and clear name cardholder. The underside of the padded shoulder straps are covered with 3-D mesh for added breathability and the strap fronts are accented with highly reflective Scotchlite™ flecks.

All of the above packs (with the exception of our MEC picks) are available locally at Goop and Goob. Even better? We've teamed up with them to offer you 15% off all back to school products at Goop and Goob with the code 2cool4skool.

That's right, we've got your back.

For more information on backpack guidelines and wearing visit Backpack Safety America.

Cool Lunch Ideas for Kids

We've teamed up with local nutritionist and mother of 1.5 (almost 2!) Wendy Howarth of Origins Nutrition and Wellness to bring you this great list of nutritious meals and snacks to pack in your child's lunchbox - tried and approved by some of the pickiest eaters.

Find out more about Wendy and her services here.

Getting started – let your child choose a cool lunch box or insulated bag.

A salad a day – Get your child to make a salad with a variety of mixed veggies. Anything your child makes will be more likely to get eaten.

Cool Tuna Casserole - Mix one can of water-packed tuna or one cup of cooked chicken with about three cups of cooked macaroni. Add a cup of vegetables -- corn or peas, chopped carrots, celery, or tomatoes - toss with a little salad dressing or mayonnaise.

Vegetarian chili (Amy’s) with grated cheese on top with a slice of whole grain bread.

Be sure to give your child protein (brain food) with every meal.

Healthy leftovers – make great lunches. Meat and vegetables.

Sushi sandwiches – spread/layer sandwich ingredients on a slice of fresh crustless bread, roll up and slice into pinwheels. These are easy to eat, pack easily, and look great! Egg, chicken or tuna salad, sliced chicken, veggies and a small amount of goat cheese or cheddar.

Sandwich shapes – Assemble as usual and then cut into shapes with large cookie cutters.

Soups – Homemade are best. Canned or dried usually contain too much salt or additives.

Smoothies – for kids on the run. Toss into the blender, a scoop of protein powder, milk (almond, rice or cow’s), pineapple juice, a few berries, ½ banana, and a tablespoon of flax seed oil to boost the immune system.

Mini-kabobs - cooked cubed chicken, sweet peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, grapes, melon or kiwi.

Hummus and pita bread or crackers.

A bowl of granola, with good plain yogurt and berries on top.

Whole Foods for Thought

Maintaining a healthy well-balanced diet can be a challenge, especially when you've got picky eaters (adults included). Feeding the Whole Family: Cooking with Whole Foods is full of excellent family-tested recipes for babies, children and parents using whole grains, fruits and vegetables that everyone will enjoy (did we mention the dessert section?). Plus with back to school approaching, it provides tips on packing whole foods for nutritious lunches and snacks that your little ones will love - like these Brown Rice Krispy Treats (yum!).

Brown Rice Krispy Treats

1 tsp. unrefined sesame oil
1 C. brown rice syrup
2 tsp. almond butter or tahini
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 C. dry natural brown rice crispy cereal

Optional additions:
1/2 C. peanuts
1/2 C. raisins or currants
1/2 C. unsweetened carob chips
1/2 C. chopped almonds

Put oil in a large pot and heat. Add rice syrup and nut butter. Stir and heat until bubbles form. Turn of heat and ad vanilla extract. Add cereal and mix well. Stir in optional items and mix lightly. Put mixture into a 9x13 inch pan. With slightly wet hands, press mixture flat. Let set to room temperature. Slice and serve. Lasts a week in an airtight container.

Preparation time: 5-8 minutes
Makes 24 squares

Find it here.

Kristin and Kamille's Nature Crafts

Meet Kristin and her 3-year-old daughter Kamille. You'll hear more about Kristin as a Squamish Mom who blogs, but for now see how they found inspiration in last week's post on Nature Crafts. Thanks Kristin (and nice work Kamille!).

Kristin and her happy camper.

Kamille sourcing her materials

And here's what she found.

Finished product. (Check out that necklace!)

Made something of your own? Send it to us at info@squamishmom.ca .