Today I thought I'd start off with showing you which containers I use. I find these work the best for us, allow a variety of food and snacks to be safely packed, are easy to clean, and were inexpensive to purchase.
Grant generally just drinks water, and I bought this Bobble water bottle at a discount store where they were on sale for 3 for $10, which is a total bargain as they're usually more than that each. It has a built-in filter which filters the water as you drink it, and is good for 300 uses.
I've talked about my favourite Rubbermaid containers before - I like the 2 cup / 473ml size for main portions, the 1.25 cup / 296ml size for snacks, and the half cup / 118ml size for smaller snacks and dips. They are sturdy, they snap together for stacking, they are BPA free, and are microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. Bonus: they are inexpensive.
For tiny portions of snacks I find these little plastic containers handy. They are about a quarter-cup sized and cost about $2.50 for 8 at the dollar store. I also have some with green lids. They aren't BPA free but I generally only use them for things like nuts, as they aren't leakproof.
I found these Sistema mini sauce bottles at the grocery store this week - how cute are they?! I love miniature things. They come in a pack of 3 - one stays in Grant's lunch as a salt shaker. Each one holds 35ml.
The lunch bag I chose is the Sistema Maxi Fold Up Lunch Cooler.
It is the perfect size, is insulated, folds flat for storage, is easy to clean, and is flexible enough that I can squeeze any combination of my plastic containers into it. It has a mesh pocket on the front, in which Grant keeps a container of Tic-Tacs, and into which I put serviettes (napkins).
I also occasionally use foil or plastic wrap as needed. Sandwiches generally get wrapped in foil. I include forks, knives and spoons as needed - we don't buy disposable.
Check back tomorrow to see what actually goes into his lunches.
Packed Lunches, part 1
Packed Lunches, part 2
Packed Lunches, part 3
