This past school I started using this tupperware lunch kit that I bought in NH from a tupperware-selling friend [thanks, Kristen!] back in about 2001-02. I loved putting Nick's half sandwich in the big compartment, almonds/walnuts in the other and some grapes or cut up red/yellow peppers in the last one. I was done using ziploc bags!!! Undoubtedly, Nick had the healthiest lunch and recently told me how shocked he was that "no one" in his grade likes broccoli! :) Not that Nick doesn't love candy and treats, but I do not send them in lunches. Teachers have enough to worry about without having hyperactive kids! Plus has anyone seen kids' packed lunches these days??!! Soda, cheetos, whitebread pbj, cookies. No joke. No one brain function is down as well as attention span! Man!
Here's Nick lunch carrier:
I've been researching online what else I can buy for lunches so that we can be completely DONE buying and throwing away 1000's (if not more) ziploc bags each year--for the rest of us: car trips, long driving days, Ted's lunch, Maddie's lunches, and my errands at lunch time; also, how how we might get rid of the many plastic containers we have which all contain some dangerous elements (especially when microwaved) called BPAs. If you google these or check www.healthychildhealthyworld.com you will see why these are hurting our children, especially our babies. Scientific studies are finally showing that autism, asthma, ADD/ADHD and allergies (that have risen, in autisms' case, 700% in the last few decades) can only be linked to environmental causes...the EPA and the EWG websites will give the facts. www.epa.gov and www.ewg.org
So what can we do?
Use recyclable napkins and lunch totes and lunch bags.
These are the cloth napkins I hope to win from the contest being sponsored by the excellent blog: Over Coffee: The Green Addition www.overcoffee822.blogspot.com
These are the safe plastic, easily washable snack and sandwich bags I just ordered from www.reuseablebags.com
along with some cloth ones that have designs my kids will love--
These come from the same website, although I just bought a few at Sprouts, so I didn't purchase these.
I was VERY tempted to get this one, as it's metal, but the price of nearly $17 and the knowledge that my kids might leave it somewhere, didn't justify spending that much on this fabulous bottle; also available at www.reusablebags.com, though made by Klean Kanteen. Plus I got myself an stainless steel one recently, at I can't remember where...made by Subzero. It was much cheaper, but this one below is probably better quality. We'll see.
So I am excited to pack lunches, wipe out the baggies and the containers and use them the next day. It will free up a whole drawer in my kitchen! And ease the billions of pounds of plastic in the landfills, though Fort Worth offers recycling which are so happy about. No more plastic water bottles for us!By the way, Nick announced last night that he was going sugar-free for 100 days!! Maddie didn't quite have the courage to quit all sugar, but pledged to give up candy. Good! That makes it easier for me as I'm quitting too; not cause I want to, but I have been getting lots of headaches from sweets and it ruins my day. So, farewell, to the sugar drug, which I think, in the long run will make me feel much better, lose weight and have a clearer mind. For some awesome info. on sugar addiction, the dozens of negative effects it has on our bodies and brains, see www.drstandgardenermd.com. He is fabulous and shows some great videos relating to all aspects of health.
