LUNCH BOX 101: Picking ‘n Packing Tips

Ah yes ‘tis back to school season which means our easy, breezy days of summer turn to crazy, hectic days of hysteria.  And, that it’s time for us to pick out our young child’s lunchbox. Will it be Hello Kitty, Iron Man or there fave TV or animal adorning the front this year? Well, before we take them to the store there are some things you should keep in mind to insure their lunch stays fresh and their new lunchbox withstands the tossing, dropping and whatever else they do with it when playtime and the playground call.

Here are some simple tips from pickin to packin them that will help keep your child’s food fresh, and their lunchbox and mani in tact!

READ THE LABELS! MAKE SURE IT’S MADE OUTTA THE RIGHT STUFF The first thing is to only look at lunch boxes and bags that don’t contain the following:

LEAD: it’s toxic and can be easily ingested by your child simply touching it.
PVC: Another toxin that contains lead so again your child can touch it and ingest
BPA:  This is a hormone disrupting toxin that has been found in water bottles when they’ve been washed in hot water or left in the heat.

·BEST BETS:  Tin, cloth or nylon but again read labels and when in doubt throw it out as a consideration or call the manufacturer.

PUT IT TO THE TEST! Your kiddies are not going to treat their lunchbox with TLC so when selecting try as best you can to test and go for one with most of the following traits:

Separate sandwich shaped compartment
Easy to open and close
Pull tab on zipper
Won’t leak or spill
Easy to pack
Stain resistant
Spot washable and/or machine washable
Can label/print name
Stain resistant
Spot washable and/or machine washable
Insulated:  retains hot and cold  which leads me to….

CHILL, CHILL, CHILL

Insulation:  that’s the biggest problem with lunchboxes since the majority of them won’t maintain a safe temperature of 40 degrees or cooler for two hours which is required to keep perishables from going south. And, though snack time may be an hour or so after our little ones arrive at school lunch is often 2-3 hours post arrival.  for more then two hours.  Here are a few packin tips ‘n tricks to help keep food fresh and my two Accidental Housewife lunchbox picks!

o FREEZE IT: You can use the traditional ice paks but the following will serve that purpose as well.  Freeze the following overnite and by the time they enjoy them at school they’ll be defrosted and refreshing!

Single serve bottles of water
Juice paks
Sliced fruits
Yogurt

Whole fruits like apples, peaches and pears can also be a terrific ‘cooler’ so place them in the fridge overnite and put them in their box or tote!

MY ACCIDENTAL HOUSEWIFE SEALS OF APPROVAL

NEW SCHOOL WINNER!! BEST IN CLASS!!!

DABBAWALLA LUNCH TOTE from GROMMET.COM

My absolute fave since it meets all the safety and general requirements plus goes beyond: keeping food at safe temp for up to 4 hours as you’ll see below!

BTW Dabbawalla is what they call lunchtime food delivery men in India!

1. ECO -friendly: sponge material that’s biodegradable

2. Toxic free

3. No lead, BPA OR PVC

4. Keeps food safe temps up to 4 hours

5. Front load washing machine or hand wash

6. Pull strap/zipper/

7. Lots compartments

8. Natural insulating properties so it’s easy to keep food at safe temperatures for up to 4 hours with just a small ice pack.

NEW SCHOOL WINNER! Best in Chill!

RACHAEL RAY TIC TAC TOTE

Our very own Rach not only knows how to make yummy lunch box treats but also how to keep food fresh and has created this colorful tote which will keep foods hot or cold for 6-7 hours! Love that moms…this is the one for total peace of mind for food safety! Plus it has:

• High-density thermal insulation with Therma-Flect radiant barrier

• Ultra Safe leak-proof lining with Microban

• Exterior front pocket

• Carry handles

OLD  SCHOOL WINNER!!

FRECKLEBOX OLD FASHION LUNCHBOX TINS

Their designs are great, they meet the safety requirements, easy to clean, sturdy, doesn’t leak, personalized, maintains chill for two hours or so (but need to include an insulator and my chill tips!!) And, they’re offering a special 20% discount promo on line!