Pack a Lunch that Won't be Traded

Back to school doesn't have to mean back to boring lunches - for you or for them.

Keeping in mind research claims it takes 10-12 introductions to new food before a child is usually even willing to taste it, here are some ideas to keep the sandwich-making mill fresh and the lunch you make in your child's own tum.

• Think small. Small-sized foods are easier for children to handle and more fun to eat. Cut sandwiches into smaller pieces, use tiny tortillas for wraps and small sandwich buns. Peel, cut and pack smaller pieces of different fruits to keep their interest.
• Try different types of bread for sandwiches and dippers - crackers, rice cakes, mini croissants, pita bread, mini muffins, little bagels, tortillas, focaccia, raisin or cheese bread.
• Take a look at those prepackaged lunches the kids always pester you for. They may not be overly nutritious, but you can pack the same types of snack foods, using healthier choices.
• Think about food safety. Freeze juice boxes or small gel packs to keep the rest of the lunch cool. Better yet, use an insulated lunch box. Lime Tip: Before filling a thermos with hot soup, rinse it with hot water (from the kettle), to heat it before adding the soup.
• Make your own snack mixes by combining dried fruits, unsalted nuts, pretzels, and baked crackers. Your kids will love munching on something crunchy and sweet or savoury.

Then there’s the sandwich option, which isn’t always as easy as it first seems. Deciding what to put inside can prove challenging, day after day. For some different sandwich fillings, try these:

• roasted vegetables with low fat cream cheese
• ham, pineapple, lettuce and cucumber
• tuna and corn mixed with mayonnaise
• turkey or chicken with pickle, chutney or salsa
• homous, grated carrot and lettuce leaves

Lime Tip: To make the whole process easier, why not have your kids to plan their own lunch menu for the week? A good friend swears by this method. Simply ask them to write down or tell you while you write down their choices for each day of the week (perhaps with a little nutritional guidance from you), post them on the fridge or cupboard and that's it - no battles.

The Outside Counts Too
Although we all know it's what's inside that counts, there is something to be said for the outside packaging to keep kids keen on lunch. Especially since the more disposable the bag, the more likely it is the whole lunch will end up in the garbage, as reported in the Seattle Times.

We say, bring on cute and funky reusable lunch carriers and keep our kids' lunches from getting traded or worse, turfed.

Check out our NEW arrivals: tiger, panda and rabbit insulated lunch boxes that unzip to place mats, reusable sandwich wraps in funky fish and camo shark designs, and stretchy neoprene totes that insulate hot or cold for up to four hours.

Visit Lavish & Lime for more fresh ideas for back to school must-haves.

Brown Bagging Turns Green

Back to school means back to brown bagging it, but this autumn the brown bag comes in a variety of eco-friendly options.

Green foodies, or groodies – and any of us who perpetually intend to take our lunch rather than buy it - can choose from an array of colourful, stylish reusable bags and totes to transport their gourmet lunch goodies to school or work.

Try our new Munchlers – insulated, soft-sided lunch boxes that unzip into a placemat, all in the shape of a zoo animal. Choose from Benny the tiger, Boo the pink panda or Meadow, the green rabbit. Great for ages 3+ through elementary school.

Older kids – and adults too – will love our Gourmet Getaway lunch totes that have just arrived. Made of neoprene, the wetsuit material, these bags have a sturdy zip, insulate hot or cold food and drink for up to four hours and stretch to fit any combination of stacked containers and food items.

The options are out there. Now, it’s up to us. Think about buying green bags rather than brown.

View our complete selection of eco-friendly lunch carriers and 100% recyclable water bottles at Lavish & Lime.

Grandparent's Day: Give a Memory

Although it' seems hard to believe, there is more to September than 'back to school'.

The first Sunday after Labour Day - this year it's September 7 - is officially dedicated as National Grandparent's Day, a celebration of the role our elders play in shaping our lives and the lives of our children.

As with most holidays, Grandparent's Day began in the U.S. It was first proclaimed in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter and was designated an official day by our own House of Commons in 1995.

Officially the purpose is to 'acknowledge their importance to the structure of the family in nurturing, upbringing and education of children'. We think this is great, but perhaps more simply, it should be about appreciation. Taking time to appreciate who our grandparents are, their devotion and the fact that without 'them' there'd be no 'us'.

More than ever it seems many grandparents are playing a significant role in shaping children's lives. Whether it's one day, two days or five days a week, as the cost of daycare continues to rise, lots of families rely on grandparents to provide care giving as Mom returns to work.

In British Columbia alone, 9932 children are being raising in the homes of grandparents, 45% of which are single grandparents, according to the North Shore Neighbourhood House's Grandparents Connections Program. The Program offers a weekly support group, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren so grandparents can share any challenges, issues and joys they're experiencing in their role as caregivers.

Make your grandparent's day on September 7 by giving a memory for them to look at and remember. Why not frame a favourite photo in a lovely photo frame, album or a unique photo serving tray? How about giving a keepsake leather journal and asking your grandparent to jot down some memories for you to keep, or better yet, sit down and do it together.

Grandparent's Day is a great reminder that these fantastic people in our lives are a wealth of wisdom and love. Let's teach our children to treasure them on this day and beyond.

For a selection of thoughtful and unique gifts for Grandparent's Day and any day of the year, visit Lavish & Lime.We offer gift wrapping, complimentary gift card enclosures and will ship your gift anywhere in Canada.

Sister's Day: A Dose of Sibling Love

“A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”
~Marion C. Garretty

Happy Sister’s Day! Haven’t heard of it? Neither had we until a few weeks ago.

Apparently, Sister’s Day happens the first Sunday of August and the intention is to celebrate being or having a sister.

Nobody seems to know its origins, but Hallmark and Crayola are big proponents. OK, so maybe this is simply another creative marketing invention, but isn’t it a nice one?

Sisters play such a big role in our lives – a playmate in childhood, a confidente in our teens and an invaluable friend as we grow older. How often do we take time out to celebrate our relationship with them?

We are incredibly lucky to have two little girls. Right now they’re becoming the best of friends, spending umpteen hours with each other, especially over the summer months. Our hope is that this closeness carries through but naturally, what happens in their adult years will be up to them.

Thinking about your sister? Surprise her with a thoughtful gift. A lovely necklace, earrings, body brush gift set or even a cheeky apron ‘Will cook for shoes’ or retro mirror compact ‘You’ll always be my best friend, you know too much’ all make great gifts. If she's into green living, how about a collapsible eco-basket? And if she likes gardening, a tin of paraben-free natural hand salve - great for green thumbs.

For something special for your sister any day of the year, check out our collection of gifts at Lavish & Lime.