Lunch box essentials

The first day of school is right around the corner, less than a month here in WV.  Since Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution hasn't found it's way to my kid's school it looks like I'll be packing lunches again for my girls.  If you watched Jamie's show last Spring (which did take place in WV but about 3 hours from us) you saw that the majority of food served at our schools is pre-processed food.  I love the cooks at my girls school, they are sweet ladies that truly care about the kids, however, they are limited in what they can serve.  Hopefully one day the USDA will take a look at the school lunch guidelines and realize that we aren't doing our kids any favors with the food we are feeding them. 

Ok, my rant is over, thanks for hanging in there with me. When I am packing a lunch for my munchkins my criteria is : #1. Healthy and  #2. Cheap! Bonus if when my girls take inventory of their goods they think, "Wow! my mom rocks!" A mom can dream! At our girls school lunch will set you back $1.40, $1.40 x 2 kids a day = $2.80 x 20 days a month = $56. I am certain I pack it way cheaper than that!  On Monday I posted how you could score a cheap or free lunch box for your kids.  Keeping with the back to school theme and since my baby (ok, she is 4) is headin' off to preschool this year and I have been buying her lunch supplies I thought I'd share what I consider to be the essentials!

 

The first in my arsenal are the Funtainer Food Jar and Funtainer Bottle both by Thermos.  The Food Jar is great for keeping foods hot until lunch rolls around.  We love to put soup, chicken tenders, macaroni or leftovers in it.  As long as everything is warm when it goes in it will stay warm all day. The Bottle has a flip top with a removable straw and does an excellent job at keeping drinks really cold.  The only issue we have ever had was when I put flavored water (which was carbonated) in it, that didn't work out well!

The stainless steal is super easy to clean and doesn't retain odors like my kids beloved Broccoli & Cheese soup. Both BPA free too so no worries about leeching!  There are several colors and even characters to choose from, they come in at around $15 each, however we are heading into year 3 with our older daughter's and it is still good as new! You can find them at Wal-Mart,  Target, or a great selection at Amazon. 

Next up,  a sandwich container, This one is common sense and not exactly rocket science.  It basically keeps a PB&J  from getting smushed. These are super easy to find, usually for $1 or less. 

 

I love these little Ziplock containers! They are durable, reusable (we have used the same pack for 2 years of packed lunches everyday and they are still in great shape), and inexpensive so if your kiddo accidentally throws one away it isn't a big deal.  I save lots of moollah by not buying single serving yogurts, applesauce, fruit...ect.  Instead, I buy yogurt in tub, and put it in one of these, if you throw it in the freezer the night before or add frozen fruit it keeps it super cold! I also use them for fresh fruit, canned fruit, ranch dip for veggies or ketchup.  You can find them just about any store for just a few bucks. 

When lunch includes something that requires a fork or spoon I throw in one of these Zoo Pals Cutlery pieces (my kids are only 4 and almost 7 so I know that this won't be an option for older kids but I'm sure you can find something similar). These, like the Ziplocks,  are affordable and durable, much more durable than a regular plastic fork or spoon.  We wash them and use them over and over again and at less than $3 a pack they aren't a budget buster. 

 

If you are trying to save money, brown bagging your own lunch one or two days a week can add some serious coin to the piggy bank!.  Any of the items above could easily be used to pack a healthy lunch for the office.  I will be subbing and volunteering at my girls school a lot this year so I just bought myself a new lunch bag from Thirty-one. They have really cute and durable lunch totes that are insulated, you can even get them embroidered for a small fee. A friend of mine is a Thirty-one consultant if anyone is interested. 

After all this food and lunch talk I am hungry!  Do you have a lunch packing item that rocks? If so, let's here about it! Happy packing!

*NOTE: These are my opinions as a mom whose has found these products to be useful. I am not receiving any compensation or products from any of the brands or products I mentioned.  I will be shelling out for them just like everyone else.

It's getting hot in here: Cool Summer treats!

Whew, the dog days of summer are here!  Actually, I'm not really sure what the dog days of summer are but this summer has been miserably hot and humid here in WV.  After one of the worst winters in decades we are now having one of the hottest summers in decades which means that I hear, "Mom,  I'm hot!!!" about 437 times a day.
These popsicles have been a go to treat to serve my overheated munchkins this summer.  They love them and since they are super healthy I have no guilt if they eat a couple a day! The great thing about them is you can they can be tailored to whatever fruits your kids like or what's on sale that week!  Here's what we used:

Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Blueberries
Yogurt - we used vanilla but you can use whatever you have
Milk
Carrots- Come on, trust me, you won't even taste them and they are a great way to sneak in some veggies
Frozen Bananas- I save the leftover parts from when the kids want banana in their oatmeal but don't want the entire banana. Just throw them in a freezer bag!

Optional: Protein powder.  My youngest isn't the best eater so I cleared it with my pediatrician and we put in some vanilla protein powder in smoothies and popsicles.

Note: Since I use all frozen fruit I don't need to use ice. My kids complain that it makes the popsicles taste watery.  I buy fruit when it is on sale cheap and throw it in the freezer for this purpose, a few weeks ago I snagged $1 pints of blueberries and I was thrilled!

I'm sure since this recipe is so complex that you are on the edge of your seat wondering what is next, here is the earth shattering next step: put all the ingredients into a blender.  My assistants demonstrate proper technique:

My youngest no longer wears real clothes, everyday is dress up to her!

Now, blend it all up so it's nice a creamy.


I usually let my kiddo's taste test it at this point and give them a smoothie.  Then, break out my $1 popsicle molds from Family Dollar and start filling 'em up. 

This usually yields enough to fill 2 popsicle molds (16 popsicles) and 2 smoothies.

Pop the molds in the freezer, they will be ready in a few hours. I have found that the smoothie makes the wait easier.  Doesn't that look yummy, and as promised, there is no evidence of the carrots!

We like to get creative with the fruit we use too, if you have a yummy combo feel free to share it : )

Here is the budget breakdown:
I had all the ingredients on hand, but determined that the cost for the portions needed for the popsicles would be about $2, making each one cost about $0.12!

DIY: Take that Anthropologie!

At the risk of the ridicule that will come from my mother, I’ll admit that I like to watch Cougar Town.  Yes, Mom, it is smut but it’s funny smut. Anyhow, about the second or third episode I noticed these super fun and cute letters in Jule’s breakfast nook that spelled  "EAT" (take a looksy, you can kinda see them behind the blonde's head).  My heart swooned, and thanks to DVR I was able to go back and pause on the frame where I could see these letters I now so desired, here is a closer look.

For a couple of episodes I closely watched all the kitchens scenes trying to get a glimpse and did a few times. I had to know where these letters came from and how I could make them a part of my very own house.  Since I live in the sticks, I scoured the internet and had no luck at finding them, probably because I wasn't really sure what to search for. I finally discovered that they hail from Anthropologie, but are $14 a pop (they have since been reduced to $8 but there is a very limited selection)!  My killer mental math skills quickly determined that they would come in at fifty bucks after tax & shipping. Whoa...slow this decorating train down,  I am WAY too frugal to drop $50 on them. I ended my search disappointed and then ate a big bowl of ice cream to console myself. In my sugar induced state I thought, “Hey, I could just make those.”  After a few minutes of serious thought I realized that it won't be too hard.

So, the next day I was off to Wal-Mart to get my supplies.  As I said before, I live in the sticks so heading to Michael’s or any other craft store wasn’t an option because they are all over an hour away.  But Wal-Mart didn’t let me down and had what I needed which I determined to be:  wooden letters to spell out E-A-T and a package of patterned cardstock, I went with a Martha Stewart one that had 24 double sided sheets and could be used for multiple projects.  I already had a big tub of mod podge and paint brushes at home, but if you don’t go ahead and pick those up too.  At this point I had invested $10.54 in my project (3 letters at $1.19 each and paper at $6.97), if you don’t have mod podge figure in a few more bucks but you should still come in under $15. Keep in mind, you’re only using 3 sheets of the scrapbooking paper and there will be tons of other projects the other 21 sheets of paper can be used for. So, if you figure the cost out per sheet of paper it comes in at $0.29,so each letter comes it at $1.48, Woo Hoo!

Here we go! 

These are my letters, I opted to go with some fun whimsy ones:

Step 1: Determine your color scheme from the paper you purchased. I opted to do one color on top and a coordinating one on the sides.

Step 2:  I measured the sides of my letters, they were about an inch so I cut 1 inch strips in the colors I chose.  There was no way to do the sides with 1 continuous strip so I tried to hide my cuts as best I could. 

 Then, go ahead  and lay your letter down and trace it on the paper then carefully cut it out. 

Step 3:  Brush mod podge on the inside of the paper and then carefully apply to all sides of the letters.  After all the sides are covered apply mod podge to the outer edge of the letters.  It will appear white but don’t worry, it will dry clear. 

 Now, apply the paper to the letter, make sure to hold it tight until it dries a bit so you have a nice seemless edge:

 Step 4: Apply mod podge to the back edge of your cut out letter, then place the paper the front of the letter.  Brush a layer of mod podge to the front of your letter, be mindful of brush strokes and finger prints as those can show up on the finished product. 

 Watch those brush strokes!

Step 5: WALK AWAY, I know it’s hard, but they need time to dry.  A few hours or overnight should do the trick.

Here are mine hanging in my kitchen.  Yes, I know they are different from the ones above, I've had mine for a few months but made these for a friend who loved them:

A little closer look:

Step 6: Hang those babies up, stand back and admire your work.  You are on your way to becoming a DIY rockstar!

Back to School Bargains!

Think back to those late August days of your youth, remember the excitement that came with a trip to get a new backpack and if you were really lucky a new trapper keeper! Those were the days, now instead of the school supply excitement I get to buy the goods for my kiddos.  Oh well, at least I can stockpile and save a ton,  there are deals aplenty to be had!  Now is the best time to stock up on the basics that you will need to send your munchkin(s) on their merry way when that first day rolls around. I like to throw in a few extra boxes of crayons and pencils for our crafts at home and even stocking stuffers.  Keep in mind that many stores price match so don't waste gas driving all over town.  Here are some of the best deals I've found for goodies this year:

Hot Lunch Box DEAL: Hurry to Wal-Mart or Target now and grab on of these Embark Lunch boxes, they start at $3 - $12.99. Here is the best part: they are full of coupons inside and you can even get a mail in rebate up to $4.96!

 

At $7.99 this one is a steal at Target! Inside you should find a coupon booklet plus an offer for a FREE 6 month subscription to Parents Magazine! There should be an advertisement tag on the side of the bag. If Parents Magazine isn't your thing or (like me) you already have a subscription you can write "REFUSED" on the advertisement, send it in with your receipt and they will mail you a check for $4.96! Can't beat that, especially if you find a $3 one! But wait...yep, it's gets even better!  Check out the coupons that you'll find inside: 

Booklet #1 (expires 12/31/11):  

Yoplait kids yogurt – $1/2Minute Ride – $1/1,Capri Sun 100% Juice – $1/1, Purell Product – $1/1 (excludes trial), Pediasure 6-pack – $1.50/1, Arm and Hammer Kid’s Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush – $1/1, Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials Multipack – $1/1

Booklet #2 (expires 12/31/10):
Leapster game – $5/1, Horizon Organic Single Serve Milk (8 oz) – $1/3, Yoplait kids yogurts – $1/2,Bumble Bee Premium Albacore or Light Tuna Pouch – $1/2, Dole Fruit bowls, gels or parfaits – $1/2








$0.15 Deals
various folders

$0.25 Deals:
24 pack Crayola Crayons
Composition Notebooks

Elmer's 2 Pack Washable Glue Sticks

Elmer's Washable Glue

1 Subject Spiral Notebooks

$0.60 Deals
 Assorted Pencil Boxes

$1 Deals:
Post-It Notes (90 ct.)
Sharpie Markers (2 pk.)
Bic Mechanical Pencils (6 pk.)
Paper Mate Pens (10 ct.)
Magic Tape (300")
Crayola 10 Count Washable Markers
Crayola 12 Count Colored Pencils
Dixon 24 Count #2 Pencils
Bic 10 Count Pens, use this coupon  $1/2 print coupon 

 
 $2.50 Deals
Georgia Pacific Copy Paper (500 sheets)
Avery 5-Tab Edge Dividers
Mini Water Bottle (18 oz.)
Folders (3 pk.)
Fashion Folder (1")
 1-Subject Fasion Notebook

Here are the Office Max deals this week, ends 7/24

$0.10 Deal

Purell Original Hand Sanitizer (0.5 oz.) (No Limit)

$0.20 Deal:

All Just Basics Ballpoint Pens (10-pack) (No Limit)

$1 Deals:

OfficeMax mechanical Pencil Starter Kit
Just Basics erasers (5-pack)
OfficeMax 1-Subject Notebooks (100 sheets)
Scotch Magic Tap In Donut Dispenser
All Post-It 2×2 Notes (1-pack)
Liquid Paper Correction Fluid

We have a DG really close so I'm excited, here are the Back-to-School Deals at Dollar General:

$0.50 Deals:

Bic Cristal Pens (8-pack)
3M Post-It Notes (200-count)
DG Office Index Cards (100-count)
One-Subject 70-sheet notebook (wide or college ruled)
DG Office Yellow #2 Pencils (10-count)
Westcott Kid’s Scissors
Raymond Geddes Crayons (24-pack)

$1 Deals:

Composition Notebook
Sharpie Ultra-Fine Permanent Marker
Elmers School Glue (4-oz.)
5×7 Fashion Notebook
DG Office Calculator
Activity Box
Filler Paper – Wide or College Ruled (125-count)
DG Office Zipper Binder Pouch
Liqui-Mark Colored Pencils (12-count)
3M Post-It Die Cut Notes (150-count)
3M Post-It Flags (50-count) — use $1/1 coupon here to get them free!

Target has a few deals, look for more in August:

Bic Pens packs –$0.60
Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon
$0.10 each after coupon

Kid’s Scissors — $0.50

Pencil Case — $0.50

$0.25 Deals:

10-count case of Simmons Woodcase Pencils
2-pack Elmer’s Glue Sticks
24-count Crayola Crayons
12″ Rulers

$0.50 Deals:

Stretchable Book Covers
7-piece School Select Eraser Set
Mead Trapper Refills

$1 Deals:

10-count Broad or Fine Crayola Markers
12-count Crayola Colored Pencils
10-count Mechanical Bic Pens
Bic Wite Out
Westcott  2-Piece Math Set