Gear up for Back to School

With school only a few weeks away now's the time to start thinking about getting your kiddo back in the sit down and focus groove. And to start thinking about school supplies and lunch/snack ideas!

When it comes to back to school shopping I say the more color the better! I've always loved helping my daughter pick out school supplies with all their bright colors. From backpacks to folders to markers there's so many colorful supplies out there. And the people over at Pilot Pen know exactly how to satisfy that desire for color with their awesome lines of pens and markers!

Back to School Snacks and Beverages Guide!

The school year is upon us and the need for snacks and beverages is at an all time high! Between school lunches and after school snacks it's time to stock your pantry shelves and refrigerators. With everything from Fruit Rolls, Miniature Popcorn and Portable Olives, to Organic Ginger Ale and Naturally Flavored Water, we’ve got you covered on snack and beverage essentials!

Lunchbox Snacks

NEW Welch’s Fruit Rolls deliver the same quality consumers love in Welch’s Fruit Snacks, in a new, irresistibly fun format. Featuring fruit as its first ingredient, they come in three mouthwatering flavors: Berry, Tropical Punch, and White Grape Strawberry.

The Little Kernel is a miniature popcorn brand with a unique, hulless, “miniature kernel.” Popped in 100% pure olive oil, each kernel is gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, kosher and certified whole grain.

Go Organically Fruit Snacks are USDA-certified organic, made with real fruit, GMO-free, gluten-free and preservative-free. Even better, these tasty and smart snacks are only 70 calories for each individual pack.

Viki’s Granola On-the-Go Packs are made with 100% all natural ingredients, gluten-free and baked with love. With a fresh, soft and chewy texture, Viki's Granola is great to enjoy on its own or with yogurt for a nutritious snack.

Gaea Organic Snack Olives are packed in a handy re-sealable package, without liquid, allowing the convenience of snacking now and later. 100% natural, containing zero additives or preservatives and very low salinity, Gaea’s Organic Olives make for a delicious savory snack.

Lunchbox Beverages

Skip the soda by opting for Sparkling Ice’s 8oz. Slim Cans. This slightly carbonated light and refreshing beverage contains Zero Calories, Zero Carbs, is Gluten Free, and is Sodium Free.

Brooklyn Organics is the perfect beverage for those looking for a sugar-free drink option. Each contains a bold fizz in a svelte packaging and is USDA Organic-certified, non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten Free and Caffeine Free.

AquaBall's naturally flavored water is the only zero-sugar, zero-calorie, zero-preservative children's beverage around. Available in four flavors and featuring fan favorite Disney and Marvel characters, AquaBall is not only fun for kids, but also smart for parents.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Get ready for back to school! #Giveaway Ends 9/1

Get ready for back to school with this awesome prize package valued at over $200! There's a little something for all ages.

Welcome to the 2nd annual MamatheFox's Back to School Giveaway

Hosted by MamatheFox

Sponsors include: Wean Green, Momobaby, Gina's Soft Cloth, I See Me! and Teach My

This years giveaway will have (1) winner, who will take home: (1) pair of MomoBaby Shoes (up to $54 value), (1) Kitchen Set from WeanGreen ($55 value), (2) Teach My Yoga Mat Sets ($50 value), I See Me My U.S.A. Road Trip Gift Set with Map ($50 value) and a set of reusable lunchbox napkins from Gina's Soft Cloth!

This years prize package is valued at over $200!

Giveaway runs: 8/18 - 9/1 • Winner pulled on 9/2 • Open to US only

 

Entry-Form

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Back to School lunches are a breeze with StarKist

There's always those days when you are running behind and don't have time to make an elaborate lunch for your kiddos. But no one has to know it when you have StarKist Tuna Creations in your pantry. They are handy packets of flavored tuna ready for making sandwiches, wraps, or toppers for salads and more. They come in perfect portion sized individual packets that make lunch making a breeze. No need to drain them either because they aren't in liquid like the canned version. That makes them great for enjoying on the go too. Sometimes my daughter likes to make her sandwich after she gets to school so the bread doesn't get soggy. These are perfect for that because they have a notch at the top for ripping it open and then you just squeeze it right out onto the bread. They're also great for my husband to keep in his locker at work with a package of crackers for those times he accidentally forgets his lunch at home. They come in an assortment of classic flavors like ranch and lemon & herb as well as their new Bold flavors like hot buffalo style and jalapeno. That makes them great for satisfying everyone's taste buds.

With 10 great flavors to choose from and it’s no drain, no mixing required, it’s hard to find a reason not to pack them up!

Connect with StarKist: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received monetary compensation or product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Lunchbox Inspiration from Juicy Juice

I can't honestly tell you how long we've been fans of Juicy Juice in our house. My son is now 16 and I can remember giving him watered down juice when he was learning to drink from a sippy cup! He wouldn't go for plain water so this was the next best step to keep him hydrated without giving him sugar overload. So much has changed since then with their new lines of juices...so there's no more need to water it down even! As a mom I'm now happy to provide my kids with a box of Juicy Juice in their school lunchbox. I've even been known to use Juicy Juice in recipes when they call for fruit juice. I mean why not they have great fruit flavors, and they are 100% juice!

About:
Iconic kids’ beverage brand, Juicy Juice helps parents pack the perfect lunch. Whether you have a picky eater or need lunchbox inspiration, Juicy Juice offers a variety of better-for-you beverages in kid-favorite flavors like Apple, Fruit Punch and Berry that contain no high fructose corn syrup, no cane sugar and no artificial sweeteners – including the brand’s popular line of 100% Juice, Juicy Juice Splashers, a 50/50 blend of fruit juice and filtered water in a pouch, and the all-new Juicy Juice Organics.

Looking for lunchbox inspiration? Try one of these packable snacks or sandwich alternatives made using Juicy Juice:
• Fruit Juice Gummies
• Grape Marinated Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
• Apple Quinoa Salad
• Maui Waui Smoothie

Connect with Juicy Juice:  
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Back to school with the basics from Thirty-One

Back to school whether it be elementary or on up through college you still need some of the same basics. A few of those are a backpack or Cinch Sac and a thermal lunch bag. I know my kids don't always like what is on the menu for the school lunch so they do take theirs through out the year some. And I can remember when I was in college taking a lunch sack with me when I had classes close together during lunch time and knew I didn't have time to run home for lunch. Now days there are so many different backpack options to choose from and some kids actually prefer a Cinch Sac instead of a traditional backpack for going between classes. My daughter uses her Cinch Sac to tote her boots and winter gear to school for recess to keep it separate from her school books in he regular backpack.

You can find some really stylish options for a Cinch Sac and thermal lunch bag right on the Thirty-One website. And you can get them in coordinating colors like the set in my photo above. I like them because they are well made and I know that part way through the school year I won't have to replace them like many they offer during back to school shopping sales. Been there and done that, I'd rather invest in Thirty-One products that I know from years of experience using them that they are made to last. Plus they have really fun patterns to choose from and you can even get personalization if you like. My daughter's been bugging about getting her name on some stuff lately so I'm thinking it will make for great Christmas gifts for her!

If you're one that likes to break away from them norm (like me) then a tote bag might be your "backpack" of choice so to speak. I know I didn't like taking a big bulky backpack with me to some of my college classes because I knew the room was crowded and really for just one book I didn't need it. Instead I opted for a tote bag like this stylish Wander Tote from Thirty-One. I love the message on the front that says "Follow Your Own Path" and how fitting is that for a college student!? It has interior pockets that are perfect for your phone, keys, pencils and other small stuff. And it has a large top zipper so you can keep your contents private if you hang the tote on your chair.

If you haven't checked out Thirty-One in a while I encourage you to do so because things are always changing from season to season. New products, new patterns, and new colors! Their fall/winter catalog just launched August 1st so be sure to hop on over and check out all of the cool new stuff!  And make sure while you're there you check out their customer specials and hostess rewards. Hosting a party can earn you FREE and exclusive products not available to customers.

Connect with Thirty-One: 
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

Disclosure: I received the products featured in this post for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions state are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Neoprene Lunch Tote with Matching Water Bottle Tote

I had been looking for a new tote for my husband to take his lunch to work so I was pretty excited when I saw this one on Amazon. The nice thing about this lunch tote is that it comes with a matching water bottle tote. I always pack him a water bottle in the morning so he starts the day with a full drink. Then he just fills it up throughout the day at the water fountain. I like that the water bottle tote has a clip on one side so you can attach it to the lunch tote to make for easier carrying and it not take up room inside the lunch tote. It also has a drawstring on the other side so you can make the top tight around your water bottle so it doesn't slip out. Plus it keeps the neoprene snug against it for added insulation.

Inside the lunch tote there's lots of space for all of your food plus your freezer packs and other necessities. I like how roomy it is inside, plus the neoprene material is stretchy so it's easy to put different shaped containers in it. Yet when it's empty it folds down pretty flat for storage. Once you have it filled up you can slip the top shut to keep you food safe inside, and keep it cold. Another feature I like is the added shoulder strap so you can carry it hands free if you don't want to use the built-in handle. The shoulder strap is also adjustable so you can make it the length that's comfortable for you to carry on your shoulder.

Buy it: You can purchase the Neoprene Lunch Tote with Matching Water Bottle Tote on Amazon.

Hango™ Lunch Bag Set #hangobags

What's in that drawstring bag you ask? Well it's a nice set of Lunch Bags by Hango™

Sometimes you need to separate parts of your lunch, or you just need a little cooler for a few small items and this set is perfect for that. Ever have your sandwich get completely squished by the rest of your lunch? With the Hango™ lunch bag set you won't have to worry about that again. Just pack your "delicate" foods in one bag and the rest in the other. To give you a clearer picture of the sizes of the coolers I used cans of soda since we all pretty much know the size of a soda can. The bags come in a nice drawstring tote that keeps them together and clean in between uses. Plus you can use it for other things if you like. That means you actually get three bags to use! The lunch bags are folded down inside of themselves upon arrival so you'll have to unfold them for use. I found it easy to fold them back down after use also. The construction of the bags seems to be very good quality and I think they will last a long time. These would be good not just for lunch bags too, great for holding make-up and many other things you want to keep sorted and safe during travel or storage.

Bag Sizes: 
• Large 6" L x 6" H x 10" W
• Small 5" L x 5" H x 7.5" W

Buy it:

Sacko Insulated Lunch Bag Review #sackolunchbag

If you've ever packed a lunch whether it be for yourself or for someone else than I'm sure you've had some of the same problems I've encountered over the years. Needing more space and needing a place that's separate from the ice packs so it stays dry. That's one of the many features I love about my new Sacko Insulated Lunch Bag. It not only has a nice large main compartment, it also has side mesh pockets and a front zippered pocket. Now I have the perfect place to put my husbands silverware and napkins separate from his food! No more soggy napkins come lunch time. As you can see from the photo I was able to pack his entire lunch with lots of room leftover. Great for those days you have multiple containers you need to pack. Or for packing lunch for two even! It has a nice adjustable shoulder strap so he can carry it into work hands free. The insulation works great because his lunch stays nice and cold until he's ready to eat it. And it even wipes out nicely if you have something leak inside.

Features:
• Zippered main compartment
• Front zippered pocket
• Side mesh pockets
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Fully insulated with PEVA lining
• 7-1/4" W x 10" H x 7" D
• Crafted with durable polyester

Buy it:

Lunchbox Buddies - Coming to Mass Ave Toys in Indianapolis on 11-8

Boston-based Lunchbox Buddies has already invaded lunchboxes on the East Coast, and now the wacky lunchbox notes are making their Indianapolis debut! Each packet of 'buddies' features 20 original characters, from Orbit the Space Cadet to Gilbert the Goofball, and a silly accompanying message. Lunchbox Buddies are a quick and easy way for parents to stay connected with their children throughout the day-- even when they can't be by their side 24/7.

Professional designer and father Jim Adorney, the creator of Lunchbox Buddies, will be visiting Mass Ave Toys this Friday, Nov 8, from 4:30-6 p.m. and drawing personalized Lunchbox Buddies for visitors to take home. This event is free to attend, and the product will be for sale as well.

If we didn't already have plans on Friday I would love to attend and get a personalized drawing for my kids. I think these are really cute and kids would love to find them in their lunchboxes. I know anytime I send a packed lunch to school with them I'm always trying to find a creative way to send a note with them.

You can learn more about Lunchbox Buddies at lunchboxbuddies.com.