Back to busy: Healthy school essentials for my family

Getting back into a healthy school routine, it helps to feel well-provisioned and prepared. For me, that includes having my favourite natural products on hand, to support our wellbeing as we launch into the opportunities and challenges of a new school and work year.

Here are a few back-to-school essentials we wouldn’t be without:

1. Weleda Arnica First Aid Cream

Fantastic for bruises, sprains and muscle aches, this a must in our family first aid kit. The kids often come home from school and get the Arnica for a banged shin or sore ankle because they know it works! This is a such a beloved product, and the soothing scent reminds me of my own childhood.

2. Kiwiherb Organic De-Stuff Rub

My son asks me to rub this on his chest and back before bed as it helps him breath more freely through the night, especially if he’s recovering from a head cold. The organic essential oil blend seems to help him wind down for sleep too. We also swear by the Organic De-Stuff liquid for clearer sinuses.

3. BioBalance Liposomal BioActive B Complex

This one’s for me, to help me keep pace with a busy family life. I’ve been taking this product for years and I really notice the uplift in my energy levels when I use it regularly. I mix a teaspoon in juice or warm water first thing to help get me up and going for the day. It has a full spectrum of B vitamins, and the liposomal technology makes it easier for the body to absorb.

4. CaliWoods Large Muffin Liners – Very Berry

I’m always looking for waste-free lunchbox ideas and ways to get more nutrition into the kids, and these muffin liners are an asset. Both my children are gluten-free so the baking doesn’t always come off a paper muffin liner in one piece. These silicon liners do a better job, help reduce single-use packaging, and go through the dishwasher with ease.

5. Nuzest Kids Good Stuff Vanilla Caramel

The after-school smoothie is a go-to in our household. The kids generally get off the school bus hungry and thirsty, so a nutritious smoothie ticks both boxes. A good hit of protein and nutrients around 3pm also seems to get us through to dinner on a more even keel. We add a scoop of this blend into our usual banana, spirulina and protein smoothies to cover a few more nutritional bases.

6. Antipodes Nirvana Hand & Body Wash

Amid the busyness, I look for little opportunities to elevate routine into ritual, and this body wash does that for me. As the name promises, the scent is divine. It’s very gentle so perfect for those in the family with sensitive skin, and it feels like a treat: with ingredients like hibiscus and cardamom, it makes bathtime a bit more exotic!