Back to School means back to making school lunches—and the constant search for tasty, HEALTHY lunch items your kids will actually eat (and hopefully even like!).
The days of the traditional lunch (sandwich, fruit, cookie) are waaaay behind us, and most parents we know get super creative when it comes to stocking their little ‘uns lunchboxes. Rising Tide is lunchbox central, with all kinds of great options for even the pickiest kids.
Start in the Deli, where house-made burritos (with cheese or without) or chicken burgers make a perfect main course. Pick up a small thermos and our hearty soups and chili (made fresh daily) can be lunch stars, as well. Roll up some sliced turkey or ham from our meat case (turkey/ham, cheese, apples and honey mustard make a roll-up few kids will argue with).
For a kind of anti-sandwich, we’ve got all kinds of wraps and tortillas (including some g-f) that are the perfect vehicles for quick quesadillas or to encase any tasty leftovers. And don’t forget to hit up our 100% organic produce department, where you’ll find all the fruits and veggies your kids will love (best served, we find, as a kebab or cut into some creative shape. These kids will make you WORK for it!).
When it comes to filling out those lunchboxes, we’ve also got a ton of great kid-friendly snacks –many on sale for September—wholesome enough for you and yummy enough that your kids won’t toss them out.
- Lilly’s Classic Hummus & Crackers $3.99
- Annie’s Organic Snack Mix and Cheddar Snack Mix 2/$6
- Veggie Go Fruit & Veggie Strips $1.69/each
- Peeled Snacks (Apple, Mango, and Paradise Blend) 3/$7 (sale ends Sept. 11)
- Quinoa puffs from I Heart Keenwah, in Truffle, Herb, and Cheddar flavors 2/$5 (sale ends Sept. 11)
- Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bars (Dark Chocolate flavor) $2.89/box
- Organic Valley Stringles Mozzarella or Cheddar Sticks: $4.29 for 6
- Larabar Fruit and Nut Bars 5/$5
- Justin’s Snack Packs: Nut butter/pretzel packs come in Almond butter, Maple Almond Butter, and Chocolate Hazelnut butter 2/$3
- Skinny Pop Singles $.99/bag **everyday low price**
Truly, the options are endless for stocking a nutritious, delicious lunch. (make sure you’re thinking sufficiently out of the box…even breakfast can make a great lunch!) Get a vibe on your kid’s needs and wants, then come on in. We’ve got you covered.
Holy guacamole! It’s time to check out a new chip.
When we first tried Forager Organic Vegetable Chips, we were bowled over. And when we realized they were made using only fresh pressed veggies (the byproduct of making cold pressed juices), ancient and sprouted grains, and a touch of sea salt, we thought…that’s genius! Why waste all that nutrient-rich vegetable pulp when you can make it into a super healthy, 100% organic, non-GMO, great tasting, undeniably crunchy (and pleasantly addictive) chip?
We were hooked.
All three flavors are awesome: Greens (Kale, cucumber, spinach, fennel, parsley, etc.), Roots (carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, ginger) and Beets (beets, kale, cucumber, basil, etc.). But it’s the Greens flavor that’s flying off the shelves as quickly as we can stock them. They’re THAT good.
Like a tall glass of juice (without the juice).
At Rising Tide Market, nothing makes us happier than supporting a local, heart-centered vendor with one eye on aesthetics and the other on the planet.
So imagine our excitement at teaming up with Glen Cove girl and first-rate designer Hilary Star de Roy, and her company The Royal Native.
Inspired by the glamour of the mid-century jet set and the adventurous spirit of the bohemian gypset movement, and fueled by a dozen years in the fashion industry, Hilary took her love of patterns and an impeccable eye and ventured out on her own. A short time (and two children) later, she poured everything she knew into an old dream: launching her own line of African wax print clothing and accessories. The Royal Native was born.
Fast forward to Summer 2016…we love Hilary and are crazy about her prints! Case in point: her Cabana Totes, available right here at The Rising Tide Market. Crafted from vibrant, exotic, hand-blocked patterns, these are the PERFECT bags for a day at the beach, the farmer’s market, or any other summer outing. Just $59.99 for the only bag you’ll need this summer. And it’s locally made!
Eco-friendly to their very last fiber, The Royal Native Cabana Totes are reusable, machine washable, and made with love and care in the USA. Come in and get yours today, and visit Hilary online at www.theroyalnative.com. #royalnative #africanwaxprint #totebag #localisbest #montauktomexico #bestbeachbagever
If you haven’t tried Cacao Nibs, you don’t know what you’re missing. With the crunch of a nut, but the satisfying mouthfeel of chocolate, nibs are bits of fermented, dried, roasted and crushed cacao bean (essentially the least processed and most natural form of chocolate). They’re packed with fiber, have free radical (anti- cancer) fighting properties, and have been shown to help prevent heart disease. These nutritional powerhouses are like superfoods on steroids!
Plus, it turns out Cacao Nibs are extremely versatile. Our favorite way to enjoy them is in a smoothie. Rising Tide features Raw Cacao Nibs in two of our yummiest smoothie creations; The Betterfinger (better than a Butterfinger!) and The Boss (named after the man, the legend, Rising Tide founder and owner Jerry Farrell).Try them once–you’ll be hooked.
At home, swap Raw Cacao Nibs for sprinkles on ice cream or cupcakes, bake them into granola or cookies, or use in savory dishes like this salad from Chef Michael Chiarello http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/mixed-green-salad-with-whole-citrus-vinaigrette-recipe.html. And there’s certainly no harm in just snacking on them. Mmm, mmm, mmm.
We’ve got Raw Cacao Nibs for a great price in Rising Tide’s bulk section. At $12.99/lb., they’re $5/lb. less expensive than the packaged kind. Pick some up, get creative, then let us know YOUR favorite way to use them.
Like you, we are beyond excited to get out in the sun, soak up some precious Vit D, and do all the outdoor things we’ve dying to do all winter long. The only hitch: when it comes to sun exposure, how do we protect ourselves from sunburn, aging and skin cancer? Which sunscreens are the most effective? How often (and how much) should we apply?
Here at Rising Tide Market, we look to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, when stocking our sunscreens for summer.
Each year at this time, EWG creates a Sunscreen Guide to help shoppers locate those products that score highest on different criteria such as:
- how well it protects against UVA and UVB rays
- how harmful the ingredients are known to be to humans
- how well the ingredients hold up over time
It’s all this great research that led us to All Good sun products.
Launched by massage therapist and outdoor enthusiast Caroline Duell with a goal of connecting nature with healing, All Good’s sun protection products ALWAYS put the planet first.
Try:
- All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 33, featuring non-nanoparticle zinc oxide and calendula, chamomile, and sunflower oil to soothe kids’ sensitive skin
- Sport Sunscreen, SPF33, made with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide and jojoba oil
- All Good Sunscreen butter with SPF50, water resistant for up to 80 minutes!
- All Good Broad Spectrum Sunsticks (SPF30) in Unscented and Coconut. Made with an oil and wax base, the Sunsticks hold up to the most rigorous activities.
Now that we’re sure our sunscreen matches our healthy lifestyle, let’s make sure we use it the right way. When it comes to sunscreen, no product will be effective if we don’t apply it—and re-apply it—properly. The American Cancer Society recommends lathering up early (30 minutes before going outside), regularly (after being in the water, sweating a lot or towel drying) and generously (The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying one ounce — about a palm-full –evenly to all exposed skin). Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter of the suggested amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower than advertised.
Also, it’s important to remember that sunscreen is just one part of a sun-healthy lifestyle. Limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing are also important.
Let the Sunshine!
If you’re looking for a healthy, great-tasting way to hydrate when the temperatures climb, look no further than Coconut Water.
The clear liquid found inside a young, green coconut, coconut water is the most popular beverage in many tropical countries where it’s used treat a variety of health conditions, especially those that are digestion-related (constipation, stomach flu, intestinal worms—even dysentery.) (Note: pregnant women also use it to ease nausea and constipation; nursing moms to boost the immune boosting properties of their milk!)
The primary reason most Americans love their coconut water—besides its low calorie count (46 per serving) and its lightly sweet, refreshing taste— is its ability to HYDRATE. Coconut water contains 600 mg of potassium per serving (12% DV), along with magnesium, sodium and calcium, all important electrolytes necessary to maintain blood volume and heart health, and to prevent dehydration. Maintaining adequate electrolyte levels can also help reduce fatigue, stress, and reduce muscle tension. (Who couldn’t use that?!)
Feeling Good Hydration
It’s the hydration effect that makes coconut water a great post-workout alternative to most sports drinks. One study showed that while water, sports drinks and coconut water all have similar rehydrating effects, the coconut water made participants feel less full, have less stomach upset and feel less nauseous than the other drinks—even regular bottled water. Plus coconut water is only about 4.5% carbohydrates whereas traditional sports drinks can contain 6-8% carb concentration— this makes coconut water a great choice athletes trying to watch their sugar intake after a workout (not to mention their need to avoid the artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and caffeine found in most commercial sports drinks…yuck!).
For most casual exercisers, coconut water—sometimes referred to as Nature’s Gatorade—is a great low-sugar, post-workout hydration choice. (Note: Some long-distance endurance athletes may need more specialized products that contain more sodium and carbs.)
When shopping for coconut water, look for those that are 100% coconut water, NOT from concentrate, with no added sugars. We’ve got a whole bunch here at Rising Tide Market, all vetted for both taste and quality of product. Try adding some to your morning smoothie, or drink whenever you need a hydration boost. The taste will win you over; the way you feel will keep you hooked.
