Smash Lunch Boxes – Craft Gossip

I have been putting off the whole “Back to School” thing until Christmas had passed. It seems I can only deal with one drama at a time. So for the next few weeks expect a few more posts about the woes of back to School time. This is not a paid advertisement but I did recieve a lunch box of choice to test and review.

Today I am sharing with you the new range of Smash lunch boxes. Apart from the funky new designs the new range of lunch boxes come with an Anti-bacterial lining. Now any parent who has found a lunch box on a Sunday night still filled with Friday’s lunch will appreciate the importance of knowing it’s anti bacterial layer makes it easy to clean out.

This year Smash is launching Blue IQ Antibacterial Lining in all of their insulated lunch bags. It is a smart antimicrobial lining that inhibits the growth of uncontrolled bacteria, mould and mildew that can come through normal cleaning. Its wipe-clean formula helps reduce smells and stains and helps your lunchbox last longer. by Smash

My daughter 9 chose the Dream , Sparkle, Shine Duffle bag. It looks like a handbag so is very cute and practical too. Her existing lunch box does sit sideways in it, but that shouldn’t be an issue unless I send soup (which I don’t). She informed me It also fits nicely on her bike handles but I am not sure where she is biking too with just her lunch bag.

My son 7 went for the bag with spiders Double decker Cold box. This has two separate compartments which means I can allocate his morning tea and lunch in their own compartment so no “special” treats will be eaten before his savory food. Yes, I know he can just open the “treat” side first, but let me believe he is a sensible boy who will do as mummy suggests for his health.

But wait there is more… If you think this range is cute wait till you see the Adults range.

All Smash products are high quality, BPA free, feature Blue IQ Antibacterial lining and are tested to meet all European and USDA Food Safety Standards.

Stockists: Smash Lunch Bags are available at Coles, Big W, Woolworths, Officeworks and Target, available for Back to School from January 1 2017. Products, colours and sizes may vary by retailer. Only available while Stocks Last.

Read These Next

The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is important throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Her feast day is Dec. 12, and the celebrations honoring her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 begin a few days before that.

Whether you celebrate yourself or just want to share about the celebration at home or in your classroom, Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a good place to start. The book, by Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne, with illustrations by Dana Sanmar, tells the story of a family’s celebration of the feast day in both English and Spanish.

They prepare with a novena, which is nine days of prayers and preparations. The children, Lucia and Pablo, are given special outfits made by their grandmother that look like what Juan Diego might have worn when he saw Our Lady. The book describes the prayers that are made each day, such as a prayer for respect for life, for families and for the indigenous people of the Americas, to name a few.

As told in the book, Juan Diego was a native Mexican born near modern day Mexico City. His given name was Cuaauhtlatoatzin, which means “He who speaks like an eagle.” When he converted to Christianity his name was changed to Juan Diego, and as he walked to church he passed a hill called Tepeyac. One day he heard the birds singing especially beautifully and a voice called him to go to the top of the hill.

There he saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, who asked him to tell the bishop she wanted a chapel built in her name at the foot of the hill. The bishop asked for a sign that Juan Diego really saw her, and later she had him collect flowers that she blessed and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego dropped the flowers, an image of Our Lady could be seen on his cloak, which is still on display in her basilica to this day.

The feast day is celebrated as mañanitas, which includes singing, indigenous music and dancing, and children presenting flowers to Our Lady. Juan Diego is remembered today as being humble, brave and faithful, and was the first indigenous American made a saint.

The book is colorful and tells the story in a clear way, and it’s fun to have it both in English and Spanish if you teach Spanish or speak Spanish at home or in the classroom. It’s a great way to learn the basics of the celebration and the story of Juan Diego and why he is still remembered today.

About the book: 40 pages, paperback, published 2024 by Loyola Press. Suggested retail price $14.99.

Read These Next

Have you read?