Baseball practice started this week.  Machine pitch for the 8 year old, first tee-ball season for the 3 year old {he’ll be 4 in 3 weeks}.  This means that life has officially gotten even more hectic for the Blakes, if that was possible!  Also means snack-time, dinner-time, and weekend lunches for about 4 days out of the week will be served on the baseball stands or lounging in the grass behind the dugouts once the weather gets a bit warmer.  Reusable snack totes, here we come!!!

I will NOT, will NOT, HAVE NOT bought plastic baggies for our lunches and away meals in quite some time thanks to all the reusable baggie companies out there!  I’ve tried my fair share and have never had a complaint!  Today I want to introduce you to the sturdiest ones I’ve found so far, plus the most “educational” for my pre-schooler.  No fancy designs from Graze Organic and that is totally not a bad thing!  When it comes to a hectic life and three very territorial little boys, simple and “the same” is what matters most!  So when I say, “Connor, grab your snack bag…” he’s learned which Graze Organic bag has “snack” on it.  Of course, they still fight over the “surprise” one {little do they know that one of these days I’m going to fill it with broccoli…SURPRISE!!!}

See, Graze Organic bags are educational like I mentioned.  My 3 year old knows the difference between them all, the pictures helped him learn the words and I have the confidence that when I’m watching T throw the ball at 6:30pm and chasing A as he heads for the port-a-potties and C is whining for his sandwich {AKA dinner on the run} I point him towards our cooler {which yes, is reusable too} and he knows which bag to open to find his sandwich!  Same goes for his {daily} pre-school lunch, all the bags are pre-labeled for us and easy to open for C so there’s no prep work for him or his teacher.

And what compliments I’ve received!!  Everyone is in love with reusable everything now a days but the simple “fruit” baggie from Graze Organics has gotten me the most comments while out and about {first was at a hockey game while the boys shared Goldfish from the “snack” bag and the family next to use was enthralled by Graze Organic bags!}.  Oh wait…I mentioned how sturdy they are right?  I’ve tried several other companies and these are the thickest, most durable ones yet!  Made in the USA from 100% certified organic cotton & hand silk-screened using water-based inks BTW so no worries on the material that is storing your child’s food.  I’ve been ever so impressed with our set of samples from Graze Organic and I thank them for easing my woes as baseball season crashed down on our family!!  GO PS ROYALS!

Organic Cloth Napkins too!!

Take 15% off your orders through March 14th with the code babyelan15! Heather and Lesile have a fabulous story about how they got started, about being green and having a healthy lifestyle with their families, check it out here!  I’m sure you can all relate!  And if you are ready to learn something today…here’s your educational green facts from Graze Organic in their why organic section!

At almost 32 years old, I’m a recent addict to caffeine.  My friends will tell you I NEVER use to drink coffee, NEVER drank caffeine soda…not until I hit 30…strange yes, but with 3 kids, unless jobs and hobbies, no time to pee, I turned to caffeine instead of losing my mind!  And it’s fabulous, didn’t know what I was missing!!  Now, how about some organic coffee for you coffee lovers out there!  Pass right by Starbucks and try these blends instead!

Read Larry’s Beans story here, about Larry, a coffee connoisseur from Seattle who in 1994 began partnering directly with farmers to bring you 100% Fair Trade, Shade Grown, Kosher, and Organic or Transitional Organic coffee!  Try blends from Decaf to their house blend to Cowboy blends and Costa Little Ricky {the perfect after dinner drink}.  All come in a 12 oz. biodegradable bag, filled with rich beans to satisfy your coffee craving; available at Abe’s Market!

Larry’s Beans from Abe’s Market on Vimeo.

GREAT video from Lisa at Abes Market!  Check it out!

“Larry’s Beans’ Purpose in Life is to concoct wondrously luscious works of coffee and make the world better at the same time.” How many of your have the same purpose?  Not necessarily with coffee products, but in your careers, or life’s as parents, or your community…doing what you do and making the world better at the same time, one step at a time.  Support companies like Larry’s Beans and Abe’s Market by doing just that, purchasing products that make you feel like your making a difference.  Plus, you’re getting a real treat in return!!  Take 10% off all your Abe’s Market products with the code BabyElan10 at checkout {look for “Have you got a coupon code?”}  Expires 3/31/10.  Enjoy!!