In honor of Earth Day, why not get your kids in on the environmental holiday with a planet-friendly (and healthy!) school lunchbox makeover?  We took on the tradition American lunchbox fare & ditched items like Wonder Bread sandwiches & snacks filled with preservatives & partially-hydrogenated oils in favor of an organic & healthy alterative that kids will love!

The idea isn’t to take away any of the fun in the old lunchbox … it’s about making the most important meal of the day – the one that’s got to keep kids going til school’s out! – as nutritious as it is pleasurable.

Sandwiches are staples in most lunchboxes & make yours with organic, whole-grain bread is an ideal way of  increasing fiber in your child’s diet.  Try using high-quality, organic cold-cuts (never processed “lunchmeats!”) & a slice of organic cheese.  Or, if your school is not nut-free, try swapping traditional PB&J for organic almond butter & no-sugar-added jam.  Many peanut butters are full of hydrogenated oils & sugar, while almond butter generally has no added ingredients or preservatives.  It is a great source of protein & is packed with mono-unsaturated fats.  To make your child feel extra special, use a cookie cutter to make sandwiches into stars, hearts or any other cool shape.
 
As much as we all love potato chips, they are not exactly the healthiest snacks on the planet, especially for children who need energy to get through the day.  Annie’s Homegrown is an all-natural company that makes delicious snacks like Cheddar Bunny Baked Crackers, made of organic wheat flour & real Wisconsin Cheddar, contain no trans-fats & are a great source of calcium.  With these as a snack, your child won’t miss Cheetos for a moment.

Many parents have a hard time getting their children to eat vegetables – especially when the greens aren’t covered in cheese or butter!  Try packing some carrots & broccoli with a lighter dip like salsa, hummus or our Bollywood Baby Dip.  (To make our dip, combine 2 parts Tastybaby’s Bollywood Baby flavor & 1 part organic cream cheese.  Stir until smooth.  We suggest packing veggies & dip in a reusable plastic container.)

Lunch is never complete without dessert, so instead of cookies or brownies, pack a container of Tastybaby’s delicious fruit flavors like Bangos, Hip 2 B Pear, or Life’s a Peach.  These are 100% organic fruit purées that contain no added sugars or preservatives.  In the morning, put the frozen container of food in the lunchbox & it will keep the entire lunch nice & cool until your child is ready to eat.
 
For a drink, swap a juice box or soda can with a reusable Sigg bottle filled, with half organic lemonade & half water to reduce the amount of sugar in the beverage.  Also, instead of a paper or plastic bag, which gets thrown away after each use, purchase an eco-friendly lunch sack that can be used everyday.
 
As mothers, we only want what is best for our children & this Earth Day-inspired make-over gives them a tasty lunch that is as good for our kids as it is for the planet they will inherit.

Check out this great information from Waste Free Lunches