I love this recycled canvas beach bag from Wayne Pate. Wouldn’t it be perfect for your last summer trip to the beach?
Wayne Pate | Recycled Canvas Beach Tote
6 Lunch Box Fruit Options That Your Child Will Love
Every lunch box should be packed with the seven essentials for a healthy lunch and one of the most important essentials is fruit. Packing fruit for lunch can sometimes be tricky though — the piece of fruit might be too large for the lunch box, cut fruit may turn brown (which many kids simply won’t eat), or you might pack a whole apple, orange or banana – which is more than your child can eat and 1/2 of the fruit goes to waste. But we want our children to eat fruit with their lunch. These are my six favorite fruit options that can easily be packed in a lunch box and are sure to be gobbled up too.
Eco-Friendly Back To School Shopping Secrets
Are you getting ready for back to school? Are you finishing up or just starting your back to school shopping? Getting the children ready for back to school in an eco-friendly way can seem tough and expensive. Guess what? – it doesn’t have to be. Here are my favorite ways to do your back to school shopping without hurting the environment or your wallet.
1. Go Through it All
Every year before school starts, Eben and I spend an afternoon going through his closet and dresser. I have him try on EVERYTHING, yes everything – because you would be surprised that last year’s socks never fit! We sort everything into five baskets: Keep, Fix, Sell, Upcycle, Donate. If it still fits and is in great condition, then we hang it back in his closet. If it still fits and needs a new button or a stitch here or there, I mend it. If it is a fabulous piece that just doesn’t fit, I usually sell it on eBay and use that money to buy anything else that Eben needs for the school year. If a pair of cargo pants is too short, or has a hole in the knee, I hem them into shorts. If it is a piece that can’t be upcycled into something that he will use, then we donate it.
2. Host a Clothes Swap
Don’t be shy – invite your friends, family members and neighbors over for a clothing exchange. Give each person a “ticket” for each piece of clothing that they bring. Then let them shop for the same amount of garments as they have tickets. This is a great way for your children to get a whole new wardrobe that fits and your friends and family members will go home with clothing that fits their children too. Not to mention, what a fun way to get together before back to school!
3. Get Thrifty
I have lived in many communities that have fantastic thrift stores brimming with like new clothing for the whole family. Can’t find what you need at your local thrift? Check out the online children’s exchange company thredUP or hit your local yard and tag sales. You will be amazed at the amount of clothing that you can find, if you just get a little thrifty.
How do you make your back to school shopping budget and eco-friendly?
What Is Peaceful To You?
Eben’s classroom at school has a peace shelf – each child in the class brings in something that is peaceful to them to display on the shelf. I asked Eben what makes him feel peaceful? Secretly, I already knew the answer to this question and when he answered I smiled – I was right. His answer: the beach. I asked him why the beach is peaceful to him? He said, “When you are underwater and there are fish swimming everywhere, it is quiet and peaceful – you just float.” Perfection.
He picked a large starfish from one of our shell jars to take to school to place on the peace shelf and share with his class.
I am curious – what is peaceful to you? Is it a place, a person, an activity? Or is it more complex?
Do you have a special place in your home or office that houses things that make you feel peaceful?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things
Hello, Friends! How was your week? Did your children go back to school? Or are you still getting ready for it?
Eben’s first week back to school went perfectly – I think it has a lot to do with him having the same teachers again this year and a lot of his friends are still in his class. Not to mention, he has P.E. twice a week – they walk to a nearby gym for CrossFit. I hear he really enjoys the rope-climbing and rings, if there is climbing involved, he is all about it. It has me thinking that I should really try out a CrossFit class or two – I hear it is addicting. Have you tried it?
While I ponder this, here are a few green things to keep you entertained this weekend:
– A super sweet rock family.
– Garlic Harvesting.
– Corn, Buttermilk and Chive Popovers. Yum.
– I love this Mail Sack iPad Case.
– OMGoodness – I love Nicole’s office makeover. Well done.
– Yes, you do look good in a sombrero. (intro photo)
– Found materials that have a past is the inspiration at this Etsy shop. (loving it Rikkianne!)
Have a lovely weekend, see you back here on Monday.
xo,
Sweet Greens