Ladies & Gents… this week, I’m about to do something I’ve NEVER done before.
Skydiving? Ziplining? White Water Rafting?
Bah, I’ve never done those things either. But they’re along the same lines in skill and difficulty as what I’m about to take on. Are you ready for this? Deep breath.
This week, for the very first time… I will pack a school snack.
(Okay, stop laughing at me. I know it’s not the most daunting task in the world, but frankly, I’m terribly excited about it! I even took Ryder on a grocery run specifically so we could identify some of his favourite snacking foods. And before you totally roll your eyes, it’s not even a school lunch – just a snack. I know, I’m getting way too into this.)
We recently attended an open house for Ryder’s new school, and one of the first questions I asked his new teacher:
“Can you please talk to me about snack time etiquette?”
Well, it was pretty simple – no nuts, litterless packaging is preferred, and sharing of snacks is completely forbidden. Cool! I can deal with that. But I had a nagging question that I just needed to have addressed:
“So, um, if the child would like more than one snack, is that allowed?”
I know what you’re thinking – it’s only a couple of hours of school! Surely a handful of grapes would suffice? Er… no. You see, Ryder has officially been diagnosed with hollow legs. (Note: there was no official diagnosis.) He can eat and eat and eat and he’ll say after about 10 minutes, “I’m hungry please.” He has snackitis, with his peak snack attacks happening between 2 and 3pm. And so I was concerned that he’d crave more than just a little noshing during school hours. The good news?
“He can have as many snacks as he’d like!” responded his new teacher with a tight smile.
(Translation: He can have two snacks. We’re not running a restaurant.)
And so I came home, thinking that I had to run out and buy some cute, toddler-sized snacking containers for my little man. But then I remembered the Rubbermaid had recently sent their new LunchBlox Sandwich Kit for review, and I was quite certain it’d be the perfect solution!
“Rubbermaid LunchBlox makes packing lunch easier than ever. These modular containers snap together in multiple configurations to efficiently use the space in your lunch box or bag. Containers are perfectly portioned for your favorite lunch foods with handy measurements on the sides of each container. Your lunch stays chilled with snap in Blue Ice. Individual containers are sold separately from kits so you can configure a different way everyday.”
YAY for Rubbermaid! The LunchBlox was the perfect size to store an assortment of snacks that I know Ryder would plow through in a matter of minutes.
We had a snacking “trial run” yesterday afternoon (don’t judge) and I assembled a few of his favourites: cheese and crackers, strawberries, Goldfish crackers and dry roasted green peas. Then, when I closed all of the containers, I was happy to see that they also snapped together to minimize space – brilliant! I inserted the Blue Ice pack to show you how simple it is to keep the food fresh and cool.
I know I’m way too giddy about this, but amuse me please! I’m so happy to have found a great lunch (and snack!) solution that is from the trusted Rubbermaid brand. The kit retails for $12.99 and can be found at Walmart, Loblaws, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Co-op and TruServ.
I too saw these neat little systems of packaging. They also have one designed for salads. In this weekends’ smart source coupon flyer there is a $1.50 off the sandwich or salad kit.
Yes, I’ve checked out the salad kits too – they’re great! And thanks for the tip on the coupon, you’re awesome!
You are covering all food groups – two thumbs up :)
Thanks! He’s a great snacker – loves his fruits and veggies! Breakfast is a bit harder, though :)
I love Rubbermaid LunchBlox it’s a perfect idea.
these are so awesome!! I will have to go and pick some up! I myself start school this week and sending the littles to daycare, these lunch blox would be so perfect!!! i have been searching for something just like this!
Isn’t it awesome? I feel like I’ve been looking for this my whole life without even knowing it, LOL!
Two things:
1. Where did you find it? I have the coupon as mentioned but haven’t started looking. I would like to find it today, LOL. I have them ol’ regular containers from a competitor but these look more durable and dare I say “fun” (as fun as food storage containers get!).
2. What is wrong with your snack??? If someone says something, they are simply nuts, LOL. I would be flying high if my 5 yo soon-to-be in kindergartener ate that in it’s entirety! PS, love the star cutter! (I have several!) as well as sandwich cutters. I’m turning lunch into art, LOL.
OK, so I’ve learned to read more carefully. I stopped reading at the last picture! LOL Off I go to Walmart!
HAHAHA Monica I died laughing when I read this! Yes, they are definitely more “fun” as you mentioned, and yes, I’m thrilled that Ryder is such a good snacker! Sometimes I get the old “he’s not eating enough at lunch if he snacks that much, yada yada yada.” Thing is, he’s such a healthy eater, I don’t even mind if he loads up at snack time :)
I want one of these for my own lunch! So great :)
They are! And, they also make Salad Kits that are compatible – you’ll love them!
Totally love the kits… and not laughing at you at all because I also did a grocery run with Deven today as he is starting gr1 next week and I am also finding this whole packing lunch/snack situation daunting :( Never had to do it before as he had everything provided at school including a hot lunch!! Feel free to suggest some great lunch/snack ideas for kids :)
Aw Shilpa, that is so adorable! And good luck to Deven starting grade 1! I will definitely do an upcoming post with snack ideas…. once I collect some of my own! Need to spy on the other kids first :)
Very cute! I’m in the same boat — I actually went to the grocery store today, and to Costco last week — just to stock up on “snack” food. Quick question — do you know if the containers are BPA and phalate (sp??) free?
Hey Janice! You’re good to go – from Rubbermaid: “No current Rubbermaid consumer food storage products contain BPA, phthalates, dioxins, adipates or other plasticizers — so they do not leach these sorts of chemicals under any circumstances, including microwaving and dishwashing.” Good luck and give Charlotte a tight hug from me (and from Ryder, of course!)
This reminds me of an old Tupperware lunch box I used to have. It was great. It was red with a translucent cover. I like this rubber-maid lunch box. It is quite cute.
By the way I have two boys with hollow leg syndrome as well. I get it. Good luck on Tuesday.
Thanks so much Cindy! Love the new LunchBlox – so durable and “fun”!
These look like the perfect soloution to Moms packing and babes snacking:)
They are! Nice and compact, easy to open/close, and the perfect size for child snacking :)
I was looking for that the other day at my walmart…they only had the salad one though. Great snacks
Thanks Jill! I’m sure they’re sold out at quite a few places – seems to be a very popular back to school item!
I was just realizing last night that I need to get some more containers and options for snacks & lunches. There seem to be so many choices out there – thanks for doing the work for me! :) I’m definitely going to get these ones.
You’re welcome Heather! Ryder has been using them for a few days now, and he really likes them!
Big snacker? Bet you cant wait to see what kind of ‘hollow leg’ he has as a teenager! lol!
BAHAHA I know, I’m so dead :(
Love the rubbermaid lunch kit. That would make me bring my own lunches.
It’s true! The only thing I hate about packing a lunch is it turning into a soggy mess. These are awesome!
Haha I have these containers and I love them maybe just a little too much. I use at LEAST six for my lunch every day — just because I’ve grown fond of putting little snack-size portions of foods in their own containers…
OMG I love that so much – cause I would be totally the same way! A few gummy bears here, a few carrot sticks there…. LOL
LOVE IT!!! Okay, first off…I love the humour in your writing. Also love the way you talk about the products. So honest and fun! Love! Totally makes me want to go out and get this for Little One’s lunch, but we already have it! :)
Thanks Christine! Hope the little one loves them for her own school lunches :)
Love these containers! They are just what I’ve been searching for. Thanks!
You’re welcome! They’re amazing!
I love these new lunch containers. Would love the salad kit too! Even great for picnics. The lunch you made looks so good, Lena.
Thank you! We’ve been using them every day since Ryder started school and absolutely love them :)
My youngest loves packing snacks up in little containers like these even just to eat at home! Something about the tininess of them totally appeals to him. = )
Interesting discussion. I think i would like two snacks too!
I love Rubbermaid products, the lunch set looks great and I like how it comes with the cooler pack