Back to School with Robots from Crocodile Creek!

Beautiful yet practical. With a fun Robot back pack like this, your child might actually look forward to the first day of school! These sturdy back packs 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.

The backpack is tough, durable, and made from high quality polyester and PE foam. Wipe with a wet cloth to clean.

School lunch is more fun when packed in this beautifully-designed, high-quality Robots lunch case. Simply wipe with a damp cloth after each use. Each colorful lunch box has an insulated main pocket as well as a smaller zippered-compartment in the front and a mesh pocket on the back for extra storage. Made of quality materials with extra lining and padding to keep food fresh. Conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards.

Robot Drinking Bottle by Crocodile Creek. These beautifully-illustrated, eco-friendly stainless steel drinking bottles are great to use with water, juice, or milk. Perfect for school, sports and camp. An earth-friendly, reusable alternative to plastic and other epoxy lined metal containers. 100% recyclable. Made of #304 food grade stainless steel. Crocodile Creek products conform to all of the appropriate safety standards.

see:  Personalized Robot Labels

Don't Forget Your Back to School Labels - with Amy Adele

I LOVE this robot label for a couple of reasons.  Not just because my son loves them, but when I couldn't find a robot theme with Amy Adele, I shot over a message asking, per chance, if a one was available and 'voila'!  A day later she messaged to say she would create one -- and a day after that, there it was!  Now THAT is service. 

Amy Adele designs the highest quality, earth-friendly, family priced and themed stationary.  Whether you are looking for school labels, calling cards (for yourself or child), cards or personalized invitations, her selection will delight you.  P.S.:  There's a Free Shipping offer going on now too!

Back to School with Goodbyn Lunchbox

As I have Bento on the brain at the moment, I thought I'd post about "Goodbyn".  Goodbyn is one of the best earth-friendly lunchboxes around.  I personally find it mom, child and budget friendly too.  I consider it the "Americanized Bento" of the bunch. I first purchased this last year when my son enter Kindergarten, but I would have done well to pay attention to the 'suggested age' which was 6 years and up.  Although I tried to teach my 5 year old how to 'click' the lid shut -- I just didn't feel comfortable that he would be able to do it on his own.  But as he turned 6 a few months ago, and his motor-skills naturally improved -- It's been very simple for him to use.

No plastic bags or juice boxes needed.  Since it is dishwasher safe (although I prefer to wash it by hand) it's a breeze to clean.  FDA Approved - BPAs, Phthalates & Lead Free and 100% recyclable.  It comes with over 100 stickers for personalization.  It's available in two sizes and many color options.  Goodbyn is available from My Toy Box, where I find their prices very competitive, especially when on sale.

You may also enjoy:  "Back to School with Crocodile Creek"

I "Like" Mondays with 'Anna the Red's Bento & Plush Factory'

When I encourage my friends or acquaintances to do what they love and love what they do, this is a great place to use as an example.  'Anna' was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. in 1994.  This former art student loves to use her talent towards the most fantastic bento box meals (as well as plush art).  What child wouldn't love opening up his lunch to reveal such a playful meal?  This is nutrition well disguised.  To see her amazing food art, "Like" her facebook page or blog.

As we begin to think of back to school, give thought to a bento box this year.  I used an egg mold and some other clever side accompaniments last year and the result was a group of lunch ladies (as well as many students) finding much entertainment with each bite my little boy took.  Anna's site is well designed with many pictures and 'how-to' lessons.  She has given me much inspiration for a new school year of lovingly prepared and healthy meals.

For many choices in Bento Boxes and tools you may want to check out: 

Waste-Free and Reuseable Ways with Kids Konserve

Choose to Re-USE with KidKonserve BPA, Lead & Phthalate Free Products!

"See that lady mommy?"  asked my son as he pointed in the direction of the school stage.  There sat three individals who looked to me as a trio of Janitors.  It's always interesting dinning with a class of kindergarteners at lunchtime.  "That lady works very hard mommy, she cleans up when we spill something"   my son proclaimed as he brought my attention back to his important discussion.  And sure enough, as the lunch carried on and in-between my hard to break habit of telling the other children to chew with their mouths closed, the spills occurred and with eagle eyes, these hardworking men and women jumped to the cause. 

As lunch time came to an end, the 3 janitors then manned 3 large garbage cans.  What an amazing amount of rubbish there is I thought -- and there are still 2 more lunch periods to go... I stopped to thank "The Lady" and let her know her hard work was noticed by my son.  Now I'd like to thank 2 other ladies, that with a desire to teach by example and empower the children of the future, began their company, Kids Konserve. Lynn Julian and Chance Claxton have some amazing waste-free lunch products - here are just a few:

Get back to basics with KidsKonserve version of the good ol' brown paper bag.  Use for packing school lunches, picnics or on the go snacks.  Use entire kit or the individual components of the kit in your own lunch boxes.

Dimensions - Overall: 5.25" H x 3.5" W, Without Lid: 5" H x 3.10" W

Leak-proof, insulated, double-walled thermos keeps food toasty hot for hours!  Perfect for a change in your child's (or your!) lunch time routine!  Pack mac-n-cheese, soup, hot cocoa or leftovers in the morning and lunch will still be steaming when you are ready to eat.

Note: To ensure your food stays extra hot, it is  recommended you pour hot or boiling water in to the thermos for 3 to 4 minutes prior to putting your food in.

 Dimensions: 13.5" Round

Stop using plastic baggies altogether when you stock up on our innovative food kozies!  Wrap sandwiches, bagels and cream cheese, tortilla roll-ups, meat and cheese slices, apple slices or whatever you want to wrap up and take along.  Also perfect for use at home! Wrap up blocks of cheese, deli meats, cut cucumber, bell peppers or whatever else you used to put in plastic wrap or foil.  Easy to wash, just rinse/wash in the sink and air dry in minutes.

You may recycle the food kozies! Simply cut off the velcro closure and toss them in the recycle bin! They are plastic #4.

Dimensions:
16 oz = 4.75"  x 2.25"
8 oz = 4" x 2"
5 oz = 3.5" x 1.5"


Materials: 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel, Bisphenol-A (BPA) lead and phthalate free, plastic leak-proof lids: LDPE Recyclable Plastic #4.

Leak-proof nesting trio of containers are the perfect solution for packing yogurt, fruit salad, apple sauce, pasta salad, chips and hummus, apples and peanut butter and more! Use them to store your leftovers in the frig and get rid of those other pesky plastic containers! And since they all nest perfectly inside one another they will take up very little space in your cupboard, which means you will have room for a few sets!

See all sizes and selections at www.kidskonserve.com 

Get a coupon code for 15% off Kids Konserve Thermos here.

Frecklebox Personalized Stories and Gifts for Kids - Available at Kitsel

I grew up with one of those names that was never on the personalized book marker at the gift store.  Today, there are so many options.  I love the personalization from Frecklebox offered at Kitsel.

 *The lunch boxes are made of .30 millimeter tin (lead free) and covered with printed, laminated high-tack adhesive on all sides.

*They have a chalkboard on the inside lid for writing notes to your loved ones.

Frecklebox “Men At Work” Personalized Chore Chart.  Frecklebox Chore Charts make doing chores more fun for kids! Each chart is 11.5"w x 11"h, made out of durable plastic with a dry erase finish, includes one dry erase pen, velcro and magnet tape for hanging.

Frecklebox personalized puzzles make great personalized gifts, each uniquely featuring the child’s name in different settings.

Frecklebox personalized story books are all about making your child the star of the story, and are designed to educate and entertain.

Frecklebox’s newest story book begins with a child’s quest to demonstrate love to those close to her. From drawing pictures to sharing experiences, our "Great Big Heart" book brings the meaning of love to life for children.

Frecklebox personalized coloring books are the ultimate party favor. Each fun and unique theme features the child’s name on every page and includes a set of four crayons.

Track their growth from the moment they can stand! Frecklebox personalized growth charts measure up to 60 inches and feature vivid inks on canvas, top and bottom wooden dowels and a matching ribbon for easy wall hanging.

Available from:

Back to School with Crocodile Creek at My Toy Box

Here are some back to school sets from Crocodile Creek:

Visit My Toy Box to see the wonderful selection at reduced pricing.

What's In Your Bento? - Bento Box Review

  

Many, many years ago, schools did not serve lunches as they do today.  During this time, children in Japan would bring their meals to school in a bento box.  A bento box, is basically a Japanese lunch box.  It normally consists of 4 parts rice, 3 parts meat, 2 vegetables and a side of something pickled.  My first experience with bento left me almost too afraid to eat the food -- it looked so lovingly prepared.  Perhaps that is why I love Bento Boxes so much. 

Preparing a meal, is an expression of love with me.  My husband has learned to very carefully tell me when he doesn't like something I've cooked.  Though I do not have the time to prepare as many elaborate pieces as others might, our son still enjoys the little Americanized ways with his bento.  I've found that cutting vegetables into shapes entices children to try them.  I have a little neighbor boy who at first turned his nose up to starfruit.  After I cut it into its natural occurring star shape and explained that it tasted like an apple, he tried it...and loved it.

You can purchase many kinds of different shaped cutters and accessories for your box if you wish, or you can be as simple as you like.  I have a lot of different sized cookie cutters, and I just get resourceful with them.  But you can buy actual vegetable cutters from Asian shops.  Bento boxes come in dozens of options; dishwasher safe, microwaveable, 1-tier, 2-tier, etc.  I love that I never have to use plastic bags.  They are very fun for children and I think the popularity with bento is quickly growing.

If you happen to have an Asian market of some kind near you, take a look around.  You will probably be pleasantly surprised at what you find there.  I found these perfect sized bowls -- small and medium.  I loved them so much that I had to go back and get a second set of each.  (I also found my son's bento box at the Asian market.)

see:  Back to School with Goodbyn Lunchbox (Americanized Bento)
see:  Japanese Egg Molds

Japanese Egg Molds

Japanese Egg Molds

This is a favorite novelty in our home.  It's also a very fun discovery in a child's lunchbox.  They are very easy to do and somehow, I think our little guy feels it makes his boiled eggs taste better.

1)  Start with a freshly boiled 'still warm' egg.  See my 'How To Boil Eggs Perfectly' post.

2)  Place the 'larger end' of your egg in the 'larger side' of your egg mold (sitting vertically). Carefully close the mold, pressing down and smashing the egg in place.  Now close the tab with a snap.  It took me awhile to experiment with different egg sizes.  I find large eggs work best.  I have also discovered that not all large egg brands are equal in size. 

A Healthy, Happy Lunch

3)  You can either put your egg molds in a bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes or you can let them sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.  (I personally let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, because we like to eat our eggs still warm when possible.)

4)  Now gently open your mold and carefully remove your egg.  Use a small parring knife if you'd like to trim away the edges and perfect it ... that's just me.

5)  Serve happily.
P.S.  These are NOT dishwasher safe. 

see:  What's in Your Bento?