As you can imagine, I receive a lot of press releases, story ideas, and general information via email about companies and brands.  Maybe I should start a weekly column.  Anyway, I can’t possibly post about them all, but every now and then, I receive something that I find interesting that I think you may benefit from!

Since we’re talking about going back to school, I thought I’d share with you some fun ways to pack a healthier lunch, courtesy of Disney Family Fun.  Just FYI, I am posting this because I want to and am not paid or otherwise compensated to do so.  I just want to pass along some fun information!

• Use A Bento Box: Japanese-style bento boxes and their nesting compartments are perfect for kid-size nibbles. Best of all, when your child pops the lid, the entire spread is at her fingertips, which puts the carrots on par with the PB&J and grapes for super-easy grazing.  I like the ones from Laptop Lunches!
• Sneak In Extra Veggies: If the produce in your kid’s lunch is making the return trip home, consider hiding it. Add finely grated carrots to tuna and chicken salad, swap lettuce for nutrient-dense baby spinach, or try Horizon’s new Little Blends yogurts, which offer surprisingly tasty fruits and vegetable combos, such as Strawberry-Carrot and Banana-Sweet Potato.  Has anyone tried these?
• Add (More) Whole Grains: Pack whole wheat pretzels instead of other salty snacks. Or take a cue from nutritionist Barbara Storper, author of Janey Junkfood’s Fresh Adventure!, and make a checkerboard sandwich. Use one slice of whole wheat bread and one of white, then cut the sandwich into quarters and rearrange the squares to create the checkerboard pattern.
• Offer Nutritious Snacks: Apples not making the grade? Try freeze-dried fruit, such as Brothers-All-Natural or Crispy Green. Another option from chef and school-lunch reformer Ann Cooper: homemade gorp. Kids can choose the ingredients, then mix up their own combinations each night before school.  These are yummy.  I just wish they were organic.
• Serve Low-Sugar Drinks: In lieu of traditional juice boxes, pack a juice-and-water blend, such as R.W. Knudsen Family Organic Sensible Sippers, or fill a thermos with flavored water (make your own or try a store-bought variety – just be on the lookout for artificial sweeteners).  We also like First Juice.

For more fabulous Back to School Ideas, visit Mommy Mandy & Mommy Goggles!