Heigh-ho, heigh-ho: Eco Lunchbox

-By Lisa

When it comes to food, I am a snacker. A grazer.

I also usually work from home, which means that every couple of hours I wander into the kitchen and rifle around for something to level out my blood sugar. But I recently started a temporary gig working for a professor at University of Virginia, meaning I am at school for an oh-so-traditional 9-5.

Sure, there are places to get decent food on grounds. In fact, UVA has been doing some great work promoting sustainable dining practices in their cafeterias, focusing on local, organic, humanely raised and fairly traded foods. However, I get hungry at odd times when I can't hike over to the good food places (or it’s too cold and I’m too lazy.)

So, I need to take food with me but ziplocks and paper bags are a total no-go, both for reasons of environmental sustainability and for avoiding high school flashbacks. I stopped by Rebecca’s Natural Foods to see what they might have to solve my food issue. Katherine loves the Laptop Lunches for her daughter, but that wasn't quite right for me. I was looking for something more snack appropriate and compact.

I found this – Eco Lunchbox. It’s shiny and who doesn't love shiny? Made entirely of stainless steel, this compact little box is actually three separate containers. For me, the top compartment usually holds some fruit, the nesting cup holds nuts and the bottom compartment is where my sandwich lives. Everything is separate and out of each other’s way. (Yes, I am one of those weirdos who can’t have their food touching.)

It’s lead free, plastic free and totally dishwasher safe. Plus, it just reminds me of an update to the classic lunchbox. It’s like I’m a hip, 1950s construction worker.

Ecolunch also makes 100% cotton, hand block printed lunchbags. Those are machine washable and can be converted to be worn as a back pack, shoulder bag, sling bag or hip bag. Other accessories include napkins - which can be used as placemats, too - and bamboo sporks. (A personal thank you to Eco Lunchbox for giving me the excuse to use the word "spork.")

My lunchbox is the perfect size for what I need and I love the convenience of having my regular food from home easily at hand.

Now if I could just wear my sweatpants to work, it’d be just like home.

For more from Lisa, check out www.justherejustnow.com

Comments

[Dawn]

What a fabulous find!