In keeping with the previous post on avoiding bad stuff, and making a turn to the healthier....thought I'd post a few ideas on bagged lunches. Hopefully adults are brown-bagging it as well, but at least for the kids..................if you're bothering to make healthy, organic, nutritious lunches...then don't defeat that effort by stowing them in BPA laden plastic containers, and zip-lock bags!
There's a ton of super-cute fabric bag available for sandwiches and snacks, but all of them I've seen so far, utilize PUL.... polyurethane laminated
fabric. This stuff is full of dangerous solvents that are just as dangerous. BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR CLOTH DIAPERS AS WELL. NOT SO BAD IF THE PUL IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DIAPER, WITH PLENTY OF ORGANIC PADDING BETWEEN, BUT YOU DON'T WANT THIS STUFF AGAINST YOUR BABY'S SKIN! There are lots of free patterns available online for making snack/sandwich bags, but I don't think it's necessary to pull out the sewing machine, or go through the trouble. Find some nice organic, cloth napkins, and simply wrap your sandwiches or snacks up, and secure with some elastic, or ribbon. I can't think of many kid-friendly sandwiches that are too messy for this method.
SOME OTHER ALTERNATIVES:
WOODEN CUTLERY:
Took me a while to search out something affordable on this idea. Of course I thought bamboo cutlery would abound, but....not unless you want to pay $8 + $15 shipping, or order 5000 at .35 cents a piece! Finally came across a few decent offers.
These are cute. Sporks. They're disposable, but I'd say they'd last a month before needing to be tossed. Bamboo cleans easily, bcuz of it's tight grain, and natural water repelling character. These would make any lunch fun!
Verneerware Natural Bamboo Sporks (24 pack) $8.99 per pack CLICK HERE TO VIEW SITE
ECOWARE is another option. On sale for .70 cents a piece. Buy in bulk and save even more. 3 piece sets
come individually wrapped with napkin. Again...there's absolutely no reason why this cutlery can't be used on a regular basis. Wood is long lasting, and naturally resistant to germs & bacteria. How many wooden cooking spoons do you have in the house? Do you toss them out after one use? Of course not!
Other then that you can get chopsticks...depending on the dexterity of your child. Or just regular old silverware. BPA-free cutlery is available as well, but in general I think it's a good idea to avoid as much plastic as possible. Just doesn't carry healthy energy.
TIFFINS are one of my most favorite things! Absolutely worth the investment for a quality product that will last you as long as you need it. And, you're always going to need it! In my opinion there's nothing better for totting around
food stuff. They're also perfect for holding small crafting materials like beads, sewing notions, polymer clay supplies, piping tips and pots of food colors, etc, etc, etc. If you're lucky enough to live near a Chinatown, or Little India....check out the import shops for this common house-ware item. Again, avoid the cheap, cutesy, plastic ones, and go for the stainless! MAKE SURE THEY'RE STAINLESS!!! Not tin! You can find some that are enameled with pretty colors, and patterns if you so desire. They may seem pricey in comparison to plastic storage-ware, but last forever, even with the most brutish of kids. Can't have too many of these on hand.
The easiest way to find the best deal for these online is to do a Google shopping search. There's too many to list.
Do you care about this subject? Do you think it's going overboard? Do you make your kids lunches? Take your own homemade lunches to work? Or eat out? Any cool ideas of your own that you'd like to share? Comments ALWAYS welcomed!
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