Everyone Hand Sanitizers Tell Back to School Germs to Back Off

Self-proclaimed germaphobe that I am, I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer within close reach everywhere we go. When Miss O was in preschool, her teachers literally wrote "wash hands" in their daily schedule 3 times, which equaled once an hour. So I was surprised to learn once she hit kindergarten, washing hands became a luxury in a jam-packed day where going to the restroom to suds up and scrub away germs before eating was unheard of.

So I started sending Miss O to school with a small bottle of hand sanitizer in her lunchbox and in her backpack so she can always eat her snack or lunch with clean hands.

EO Products recently debuted a fantastic new line of hand sanitizers under their Everyone brand, that come in a gel or a spray and feature appealing scents of coconut + lemon and peppermint + citrus. These awesome sanitizers are made with plant-based ingredients and essential oils and they are completely non-toxic and sans chemicals and other harmful additives. They are free of parabens, triclosan, and artificial fragrances, and they contain non-GMO ethanol to fight germs, and plant-based glycerin and jojoba oil to keep hands moisturized as opposed to sticky. Miss O and Mr. A prefer the scent of Everyone hand sanitizers above and beyond any we have used previously.

Additionally, all EO Products are plant and essential oil based, made with only pure and organic ingredients, and contain NO ­ disodium EDTA, sodium lauryl, phthalates, petrochemicals, chemical preservative, silicone, propopylene glycol, detergent, mineral oil, EDTA, aluminum, sulfate, and  they are Gluten-FREE. No animal testing is ever done, and every product is non-GMO verified.

On top of all this goodness, Everyone Hand Sanitizers cost only $2.99 for a 2 ounce bottle of spray or gel. That's a huge bargain in the world of green hand sanitizers, which typically cost double that amount for the same size!

Stock up on these gems at Whole Foods or purchase them online for a discounted price of $2.24 -- especially before flu season strikes!

Free Printable School Lunchbox Notes

There's nothing like opening up your lunchbox to find a love note inside. Especially when you're about to foray into the great, big wide world of kindergarten.

I love Pinterest, and when I was looking for cute little cards to include in Miss O's Laptop Lunchbox, I came across this entire page of printable lunch notes.

Fire up your printer and stick these sweet sentiments into your kiddo's midday meal so she'll know you're thinking about her all day long.

*Be sure to use recycled printer paper to print up your notes, and recycle them when finished with each note as well. It's also green to write a sentiment that may be reused time and again so you can cycle the same 5-7 notes into your child's lunchbox each week.

CleanWell Products Keep Back to School Germs at Bay

I'll admit it: I'm a germaphobe. And with Miss O starting preschool in less than a month, I am already fearing the bugs she may catch and bring home. In my search for a hand sanitizer she can use while on-the-go and unsupervised, it was important to me to find one that was alcohol-free and non-toxic, but also effective.

Enter CleanWell products. Powered by a natural, thyme based formulation, their collection of hand sanitizers kills germs while being kid-safe, gentle on sensitive skin, biodegradable, and naturally antibacterial.

I am going to put CleanWell 1 ounce sprays in Miss O's lunchbox and backpack. They are easy for kids to use, and unlike gels, they are more manageable to dispense without overdoing it. CleanWell now offers their formulation in an orange-vanilla scent that I think kids will really like.

I'm also going to stock our car with CleanWell's hand sanitizing wipes and 8 ounce foaming hand sanitizers -- so when I pick her up from school, she can wipe her hands clean of the day's dirt and grime.

Readers? What are your best tips for fighting germs? I know some moms believe kids need to be exposed to germs, get sick, etc., but I don't think I'll ever be able to adopt that philosophy and be lax in having my kids at least keep their hands clean! If anyone else is a germaphobe with helpful tips, please share in the comments below!

The New Generation Eco-Friendly, Non-toxic Lunchbox

I'm a big fan of the no-waste lunch concept, which eliminates the disposable bags and containers that plague landfills. I have written previously about complete lunch systems, as well as accessories like reusable water bottles and cloth sandwich and snack bags, and I recently learned about The New Generation Lunchbox, which is an insert that fits inside your child's existing lunch carrier. With this mealtime accessory, there's no need to purchase a completely separate system if your child already owns a lunch bag that she's fond of. Simply insert this BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free New Generation Lunchbox inside (as shown below), and voila, you've got a waste-free lunch!

I like that The New Generation Lunchbox features two levels, the top level is perfect for housing a sandwich or wrap (cut in half), and the bottom level compartmentalizes chips, veggies, and fruit.

As mentioned by the mom of three who invented this clever system, this insert does away with the frustration of having to locate and wash multiple pieces: lids, containers, etc. in order to pack a daily lunch -- which is enough of a feat!

The insert also features a handle, and may be used on its own as a lunchbox if you opt not to put it inside an insulated lunch carrier. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe for even more added convenience.

If you haven't taken the baby step to green your child's lunch regimen- consider buying The New Generation Lunchbox as an eco New Year's Resolution!

*SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Enter code "petite20" to get 20% off The New Generation Lunch Box through December 31!

Get 'Funky' with Kids' Lunches to Lessen Food Waste

Thankfully, I have a few more years before I need to pack a lunch for Olivia, but as back to school time draws near, I feel for all those parents who are going to have to come up with yummy, healthy, creative lunch ideas to pack in their kid's lunchbox everyday. When I came across the Funky Lunch sandwich design website, I had to pass it on!

I suppose you could widdle these sandwich forms into fruition on the home front as well... but packing them as your child's school lunch will certainly make him the coolest kid at the table. Check out the gallery of the amazing images of sandwich design at Funky Lunch for inspiration.

Two great things about taking this extra measure to create a sandwich design: 1) it will encourage your kids to clean their plate and leave no waste, which is inherently eco-friendly 2) kids will perhaps try new, healthier foods if they are presented as such adorable, tasty options.

Please visit Waste Free Lunches to learn more about packing a lunch for your child that won't harm the earth.

*I also have to give a shout out to my mom who packed my lunch (and my siblings lunches) for nearly 2 decades. She also dealt with all my picky eating issues: (no sandwiches!), managed to give me yummy food to eat every day without fail, and even tucked in notes which she kissed with lipstick. Yes mom, your seat in Heaven is being shined as I type this...

Graze Organic: 100% Organic Cotton Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags and Cloth Napkins

I find it invigorating that the more the eco-movement takes hold, amazingly made green products continue to sprout up. Such is the case with Graze Organic. Graze Organic's fitting tagline is: "because every bag matters," and savvy eco-minded moms, Heather and Leslie developed this adorable line of reusable snack and sandwich bags and cloth napkins to help lessen their family's environmental impact. Their wares have so much style and flair that you'll hardly miss those convenient plastic baggies you may currently be using... and you'll find making the switch to Graze Organic a real perk!

Made in the USA (in Los Angeles, with hip graphics designed by local artists) out of 100% unbleached, undyed organic cotton and hand silk-screened with water based inks, Graze Organics reusable snack and sandwich bags are as easy on the eyes as they are on the earth. Their utterly adorable deluxe set of 5 bags made me want to start packing a lunch the moment I saw them... and I don't even have a kid in school. Colorful graphics on various sized bags (1 large, 4 small) prompt the following contents: sandwich, fruit, vegetables, snack, surprise. And after they've been used you can, "throw them in the wash, not the trash."

And the Graze Organic line continues to please with their sweet 100% organic cotton cloth napkin collection -- each napkin is silk screened by hand using water based inks. The designs include dandelions, ants, Diggs the dog, and Rose the cat... and they're versatile enough to run the gamut from a child's lunchbox to a swanky cocktail party. We use the cloth napkins at our dinner table and they jazz up our solid placemats with their character.

I am a huge fan of Graze Organics, and I know you'll enjoy their reusable bags and cloth napkins as much as I do!

Citizenpip Reusable Lunch Kits for Hearty, Eco-Friendly, On the Go Meals

Back to school shopping for an eco-friendly, waste free lunchbox? Recently launched company, Citizenpip has one of the best reusable lunch systems I have ever seen. All I can say is size really does matter, and I was never a dainty eater... not as a child, and not now. While there are many green lunch systems for kids on the market, the issue I have with them is that they're sized for people who eat like birds! I love that Citizenpip has made a literal 'Soup to Nuts' reusable lunch kit that is as appropriate for mom or dad as it is for a child. The whole family may use this well-equipped, compact kit if need be.

Function aside, let's talk style and substance. Citizenpip's lunch kits are chic and sassy, and their designs (choices include: Yum, Eat or Tasty) make them easily interchangeable and something every member of the family would be proud to tote. Most importantly, every component of Citizenpip's lunch kits is non-toxic. They are FREE of lead, BPA, phthalates and PVC.

I highly recommend the Soup to Nuts kit for daily meals away from home. It covers every need with the following contents:

• 1 insulated lunch bag with name tag and carabiner that easily attaches to a backpack
• 1 100% stainless steel water bottle
• 1 100% stainless steel insulated food jar
• 4 BPA-free airtight food containers
• 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set
• 5 100% cotton napkins

The containers are airtight and leak proof -- both great, essential perks for versatile meals... hello Thai veggie curry, or homemade lentil soup, goodbye PB & J! All of the components are also recyclable!

You may also buy different variations and individual components of the Citizenpip lunch system depending on your needs.

As if the Citizenpip lunch kit wasn't already a must-have, the company also offers a purchase program to benefit schools. Rally students and teachers at your school together to buy Citizenpip lunch systems to reduce waste and encourage reuse and recycling... and Citizenpip donates a portion of each sale to the purchasers' school!

Side note: If you don't have children or don't need a 'back to school' lunch kit per se, I highly recommend Citizenpip reusable lunch kits for adults who are trying to eat more healthy, homemade meals on their lunch hour. Buy one for any member of your family or for a friend who is opting to stop buying food out. This kit will be a great incentive to pack a lunch filled with yummy food!

Buy your Citizenpip reusable lunch kit here! I LOVE mine!

Ban the Brown Bag

On the topic of ditching plastic bags, I was also thinking of that other daily sack that clogs our landfills: the brown lunch bag. There are a couple of reasons other than pollution to ban the brown forever... it barely keeps food from mushing together... we've all eaten that PB&J sandwich that was wadded into a ball at the bottom of the bag before we could get to it... ick! And I have found an adorable alternative to the brown...

The Gourmetgetaway Lunch Bag insulates your food separately from your drink, to get rid of that sogginess factor that also sometimes ruins food and tears a hole in brown bags. This lunch bag also opens up into a placemat! It has a zip closure that keeps food hot or cold for several hours. It's machine washable too, so no need to sweat spills anymore. While you're at it, think about buying some BPA free plastic containers for your food as well, instead of always reaching for the plastic baggies.

Toting a reusable lunchbox or bag yourself, and giving one to each of your children, will help put a dent in the billions of pounds in lunch waste Americans toss each year. Bon Appetit!