...and the most earth-conscious, too!

As most of you already know, I am always on the look out for ways to minimize waste, and have I ever happened upon a phenomenal find!

While eating my mid-day meal with "the lunch bunch" in my nephew's elementary school today (Mai and Ringo shared the time with their aunt), I became enthralled with the little gal who was sitting to my left. Along with her apple slices, veggie chips, soy milk and yogurt from her lunch box, she extracted a little chocolate-colored packet. She undid a velcro closure, opened the fold, appeared to read the inside, smiled widely, and then pulled out a child-sized pink calico cloth napkin from an interior pocket. Age is irrelevant; if a fellow female possesses an accessory of note, Auntie Allie's asking for details!

As it turns out, her little lunch box lovely is called a Happikin. (I even wrote it down so I'd not forget once my nephew and I had consumed the last of our cookies!)



A quick peek online reveals a tidbit that shouldn't surprise: the creator of the Happikins is mama! Committed to living in a more planet protecting mode, she's created the Happikins to help reduce the 18,000 pounds of waste generated by the average elementary school each year. A small step perhaps, but great distances are accomplished via compounded small steps!

Needless to say, my nephew's set is already on order! (Hmmm, and maybe I should consider some stocking stuffers for Skye and Ben...)



Here's hoping by the time my twins enter school Happikins will be on the required supplies list; but even if they're not, rest assured Ringo and Mai will each have a set!
(Side note: Apparently my little lunch-eating seatmate was reading the inside of her Happikins pouch! A panel of the interior cloth is treated, so a note may be written with dry erase marker and erased daily. Genius!)

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Respect Mother Earth.
---Allie

PS - Speaking of creative thinking and gift ideas, have you checked out our 2008 Posh Cravings Gift Guide for Divine Dads? Do!