I’m wild about the new Planet Box lunch box. I found them online and the more I learned, the more eager I was to try it out. Caroline was kind enough to send one for me to sample and after receiving it, I promptly ordered (and gladly paid full price for) another one.

Here’s What I Like:

Made of Stainless Steel. There’s no worry about BPA, it’s dishwasher safe, and should last indefinitely.

Compartments. The Planet Box includes well thought-out compartments to hold a variety of lunch items.

Recycled Materials. The carry bag is made of recycled bottles and comes in three colors: red, green & purple. It also contains an insulated pouch to hold a reusable bottle and an area for napkins and silverware.

Cute magnetic designs. There are several magnetic designs to choose from. There should be something to suit every kid.

Cool Factor. It’s just plain cool. My kids love their new lunch boxes and can hardly wait to take them to school.

Small, family-owned company. This is a small company created by a husband and wife team, Caroline and Robert Miros. They designed the boxes and run the company themselves. They care about safe materials and children’s health. I’m happy to support their efforts.

If your kids need a new lunch box this year (or even if you do), definitely give the Planet Box a look.

Disclaimer: Other than the free sample I received, I have no affiliation with this company and receive no compensation for writing favorably about their product. I really do like it – enough to choose these lunch boxes for my own daughters.

Sponsors: Studio Press: Genesis & Prose Child Theme

I’m going to stray a bit from the usual green-talk here today to let you know about something really cool.

Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity is one of my favorite people on the web. As I told a friend recently, there are a lot of snakes in the pit, but Chris is definitely NOT one of them. Chris has two primary goals: 1. To visit every country in the world before he turns 35; 2. To help people build their own empires doing work that matters.

I’ve purchased a couple of Chris’s products and have never been disappointed. I bought Working For Yourself which is one of Chris’s Unconventional Guides and I participated in the $100 Biz Forum he co-produced with Pam Slim. Chris is honest and the information he provides is genuinely helpful. He has achieved success himself and simply sets out to show others how to do the same — but his focus is on helping you achieve success with your dreams rather than merely replicating what he’s done.

One of the things I really like about Chris is that there’s very little hype around his products. There are no pictures of him driving fancy cars (he doesn’t even own a car–this is by choice, not because he can’t afford one) or promises of earning millions while you sleep. His life and his message are about achieving freedom, not about amassing huge quantities of money. His advice is specific and actionable.

I’m telling you about Chris Guillebeau today because he’s opened up his most ambitious product to date. It’s called The Empire Building Kit and it comes with loads of case studies of regular people who have managed to earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per year doing things they love. The people profiled in these case studies run their own very small businesses with 3 or fewer (often no) employees. The most impressive part of The Empire Building Kit is that Chris will send one email per day for 365 days that helps you build your empire one step, one day, at a time.

If you’ve ever thought about building your own empire or about designing a life based on your own goals rather than someone else’s, I can’t recommend Chris’s products enough. Give The Empire Building Kit a look and see if it’s right for you. There are three different price points to make it affordable for all would-be empire builders. 

Do yourself a favor and let Chris help you Build Your Own Empire in 1 Year. What have you got to lose?

[Disclaimer: I'm recommending this product because I truly believe in Chris Guillebeau and the quality of projects. Should you purchase The Empire Building Kit through any of the links in this post, you won't pay any more, but your purchase will help support Smart Family Tips.]

Sponsors: Studio Press: Genesis & Prose Child Theme

There are numerous designs to choose from in everything from sleek to cute and beyond. The best thing: their company actively works to green their business practices. All of the paper they use is either FSC certified or made from 30% post consumer waste. When I asked a representative from Tiny Prints, what steps they are taking to be more green, this was the response:

We went through an extensive checklist and walk thru with a member of the County of Santa Clara Green Business Program. They checked our appliances, recycling program, what kind of lights we use and more. After determining that we were a fit for the Green Business Program, our company was then reviewed by various compliance agencies in the area. We passed everything and are now certified green!

We:

• Buy “greener” products (i.e. recycled office and kitchen supplies, items that are not harmful to the environment, etc.)
• Send out Spare the Air updates weekly
• Track energy usage
• Turn off all electronic items that are not in use (shut off computers at the end of shifts)
• Recycle proper items
• Encourage staffers to use public transportation and carpool

While Tiny Prints is a sponsor of this site, I was not paid to write a positive review of their company. I am truly pleased with the quality of their products and with the efforts they are taking to green their business practices (otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted them as a sponsor). I’d encourage you to visit their site and see the designs for yourself. They are running a series of promotions and discounts on the site right now, too.

Sponsors: Studio Press: Genesis & Prose Child Theme

I’ve always been impressed with the quality of Equal Exchange’s products and this is no exception. The coffee is wonderful and the chocolate is delicious. The gift bag includes two 12 ounce bags of Organic, Fair Trade Coffee (Love Buzz and Mind, Body & Soul), two organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate Bars, two organic milk chocolate bars and a coffee pairing instruction card. All of this is packaged in a 100% recycled, printed gift bag with recycled tissue paper and ribbon.

I make it clear in my review policy that I will not promote products I don’t genuinely love. Nor will I promote products that go against the principles of this site. Equal Exchange is a first rate company that is doing a lot of good.

This Valentine’s Day, why not consider a gift that will not only make the recipient happy, but one that will provide the producers of the products with a living wage?

Visit Equal Exchange to read more about the Chocolate and Coffee Pairing Gift Bag and to order.

Sponsors: Studio Press: Genesis & Prose Child Theme

The book consists of 40 very small chapters divided into 4 categories (Getting Organized, Retaining Enthusiasm, Learning Together and Making Memories). The chapters are small for a reason. Jamie knows that moms are sometimes only able to read in fits and starts. It’s easy to squeeze in a chapter here and there as time permits.

One of the things that struck me in the first section was Jamie’s question, “If you’re not organized, why not?” It’s not a reprimand as much as it’s a question to ask yourself. Jamie suggests that being organized makes your job as a mother more peaceful and more productive. The question is really, why would you deny yourself the gift of peace and productivity?

I appreciate that Jamie’s suggestions can apply both to mothers who work outside of the home and to those who work full-time in it. While she is interested in homeschooling and follows the Christian faith, she in no way suggests that her choices are the right ones for all mothers. It’s as if she’s saying, “Hey, I know this is hard. Here are some things that have worked for me and my family. Feel free to use my plan, or adjust it so that it works for you.”

She provides plenty of resources and shows us step by step exactly how she organizes her days. If you have children, this book is a can’t miss. At under $10, Steady Days is well worth a look.

Sponsors: Studio Press: Genesis & Prose Child Theme