Having tried every which way to pack my 10 year-old’s lunch, I thought it was about time that I shared some of my favorite’s with you. They’re actually family favorites because my husband often takes his lunch in to work, and I pack my own meals when traveling. Remember that you don’t have to buy expensive bags and coolers for a waste-free lunch. Items like thermos flasks can be found at thrift stores and garage sales too.
Tip: For a waste-free lunch, I like to pick up odd vintage cloth napkins from flea markets and thrift stores – same with flatware. These kinds of items typically get lost!! I’ve made the mistake of packing a really nice spoon or one of my favorite napkin, only to discover that it got left in the school yard. The only item I spend my hard-earned cash on, is a good lunch box or container that can be clearly labeled.
Tiffin
Okay, when Lola took one of these into the playground, it became a fad – all her girlfriends wanted one. The cases from the Happy Tiffin are so darn cute! A tiffin is a brilliant way to carry food and keep it warm. It’s made from stainless steel so it won’t leach chemicals into your warm food. Also, if you’re packing something like pasta or rice, it’s perfect because the tiffin usually stays upright and keeps the food in better shape. The tiffin is perfect for you to take to the office too.
Thermos
We’ve had all kinds of disasters with various thermos-style soup containers. Some leak and
some are really difficult for little fingers to open. I love the Thermos Foogo leak-proof food jar. I love making soups for my daughter’s lunch in the winter. She’s not a huge sandwich fan, so to fill her up with a warm veggie soup is perfect.
Bento: 
Bento style lunch boxes have become really popular with moms over the last few years. I love the Goodbyn Box. It’s so easy and has plenty of compartments for everything you need. I also love that is easy to customize with cute stickers for younger kids. It’s BPA and phthalate-free & made in America. Be mindful that it’s not leak-proof.
Cool Bag:
I love the Pack It insulated lunch box. It’s genius because the lining is insulated with ice packs, so all you have to do is fold it up
and shove it in your freezer. It opens up into a roomy bag and keeps food and drinks cool for up to 10 hours!
Lunchskins
These sandwich bags are a brilliant alternative to plastic resealable bags. They are made of a safe, non-toxic material, they are dishwasher safe, will keep sandwiches fresh and come in adorable designs.
Tip:
When you do get back from the farmer’s market or grocery store with fresh produce such as lettuce, celery, carrots, and radishes, get the preparation over and done with right away. Never buy pre-cut veggies, as they are way more expensive and don’t last as long. The small amount of work it takes to wash a head of lettuce is worth it!. Use the dual-spray system to clean your food, chop it up, dry it and store in glass or BPA-free containers.
The smoothies have been printed out and I will try them this week on the boys.
Thank you,
Portia xx