Can't Box Me In!

Ok, I admit it. I have a thing for containers, boxes and organizational do-dads. Big ones, little ones, partitioned ones, metal ones, cute ones, transparent ones...they ALL have a purpose in my house.

(There....I've said it now maybe my husband will leave me alone about it...although I doubt it!)

With one kiddo going back to school and one starting school, it was the perfect time to pick up some new boxes for lunches. I had been coveting the boxes from Planetbox.com and finally broke down and ordered a couple. I don't regret it one bit, because I absolutely LOVE them, but my husband about had a heart attack when he saw the price. Just remember, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission ;) (ok, not good marital advice and if you ever send your significant other over to my blog I will deny I ever wrote that!).

I do have other containers but these are my go-to ones right now. I can fit the perfect amount of food in them for my 5 and 7 year old and it makes packing a healthy, well-rounded, lunch a snap. Even if you don't do the cut outs/themes/embellishments, these are still a great option. The fact that they are stainless steel make them even better in my opinion; there is no leaching or staining and I can toss them in the dishwasher each night and they are perfect and ready to go first thing in the morning. The little containers that come with them are fantastic for dips or other softer items like yogurt. My boys have an easy time opening and closing them and seem happy with them and it presents the food in such an appealing way that their boxes come home completely empty each day.

Today's lunch wasn't much in the creative department but I think they will still be happy with it.

Whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and ham, brocoli florets and carrot sticks with ranch dressing in the little container for dipping. Grapes and blueberries and a few Bunny Grahams as a treat. The red bag at the top of the picture is a Re-Pac bag with salsa Sun Chips.

The Re-Pac (Re-PacBags.com) bags are also fantastic! They are reusable zip bags that are lined so that you can even put things like peach slices in them and they won't leak. I just turn them inside out, hand wash them, and leave them out to dry with the dishes, although you can supposedly machine wash or put them in the dishwasher. The fabric and colors are awesome and the zippers super easy for little hands. The amount of Ziploc bags that I no longer use is outrageous!

I'll share more about boxes and other options over the next week or two. If you put your questions in the comments I'll try and answer them!