Back-to-School for Everyone!
Early morning alarms, routines, new teachers and new adventures. Kids love the new gear, shiny and sharp new supplies and the promise of a great year ahead. If you’d like to make this dream come true for underserved kids, we’d love to encourage you to donate to CCSC in Houston. They provide back-to-school supplies to underserved children in 33 zip codes. Just $45 dollars can change a child’s whole year, with needed supplies and a clothing and shoe voucher!
Caffeine, Please
Our back-to-school shopping list just might start with something for mom! My kids make fun of my carpool coffee situation. I have probably spilled coffee on myself, or the floor of my car, at least 100 times during our school drop offs. I just don’t like any of the to-go coffee mug options, so I always use a regular mug. Which doesn’t fit in the cup holder! So the mug gets placed on the middle console and 9 times out of 10, it spills everywhere. My amazing cooking class director, Melissa, found these reusable coffee cups on Amazon and they might just save my car (and my clothing) this year!
Teachers, this one’s for you: The Ember rechargeable electric travel mug. It has a base that keeps your coffee at the perfect temperature while it sits on your desk. For home use, there’s also a rechargeable mug. It’s a little pricey, so this one’s only for the serious coffee aficionados.
For the college bound, the Keurig K-Mini brews fuel for dorm life and late-night study sessions. Ok, moving on from coffee, promise!
Bento Basics
For the lower school cafeteria, we found the perfectly portioned bento boxes. The Bentgo kid-portioned lunch box is durable, leak-proof and comes in blue, green or purple. If you need fresh lunch ideas, you’re not alone. I know I could use some creativity in my lunch packing program.
Older kids may prefer the Sistema Lunch Kit with a 5-ounce container for salsa, ranch dressing or hummus. We also like reusable sandwich bags and Bumkins bags, which can be easily rinsed and thrown in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Stay Hydrated
August is so HOT, especially in Texas, and everyone needs to get their 64-ounces and stay hydrated. This BPA-free motivational water bottle will do the trick! I may order extras to tuck into birthday bags for middle school girls. Act surprised, friends! My high schooler embraces a more understated Hydroflask situation.
Deck Your Dorm
For every college-bound student on the go, smoothies are a quick way to fill up on fruits, vegetables, protein and nutrients. The NutriBullet high speed blender doesn’t take up much counter space and is way more affordable than a Vitamix — let them buy their own when they get their first job! And check out my friend Katie’s new book Prep: The Essential College Cookbook for simple and healthy meal ideas.
For heating up leftovers, ramen or mac-n-cheese (not as nutrient-dense as the above!), a must-have for any college apartment is the Black+Decker Microwave Oven.
And no dorm room is complete without a mini-fridge, especially one that comes with a freezer. For the design obsessed, this Frigidaire option is pretty darn cute.
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