With summer almost upon us, I feel obliged to share some important information with you.

We are all aware of how good water is for us and how essential it is to keep hydrated during the warmer months.  But did you know that dashing into the convenience store to grab your child a bottled - water on their way to soccer practice because she left thers at home can be potentially dangerous?

The Precidio Pink Polka Dot Aluminum Water Bottle is BPA- free (So important because of the many toxic risks associated when heating or cooling plastic) and because it’s made of aluminum, it won’t change the taste of whatever you put in it.  Drinks stay cold for hours and the built in hang -tag allows you to easily attach it to their belt loop, sports bag or shorts.

These clever containers are available in a variety of different designs, including a cool geometric pattern that boys will like. This makes a thoughtful gift for a summer birthday or even  High School graduation.

Teaching our kids to take care of their health as well as the environment is a good thing and introducing products like reusable bottles is a great opportunity to do just that.   (They’re fun, too!)

I’m a big believer of buying quality.

OK, actually with the recent economic downturn, I’ve reasserted myself as a buyer of quality over quantity. Which is why this Back-T-School, I’m buying fewer items, but better quality items.

Pricegrabber just completed a survey that found that:

41 percent of online consumers with school age children plan to cut back on back to school spending because of the weakened economy

The top 3 money-saving techniques online consumers used most often to purchase back to school items: shop at discount/bargain/outlet stores (51%), use shopping comparison Web sites (38%) and visit retailers’ Web sites to print out coupons (27%)

I think I fit right in with that group. I’ve been shopping at outlet stores, using Pricegrabber to comparison shop and religiously looking for coupons before I buy.

I’m also shopping for quality which is why I like this JanSport Messenger Bag. With planned obsolescence out and buying things that last back in, this number one seller seems an obvious choice for back-to-school.

This messenger bag is available in a whole host of colors and features a main pocket and two smaller storage compartments. It also features a water bottle holder and smaller zip pocket on the back.

Of all the things you need to buy new each year, back-to-school clothes, notebooks, shoes and lunch boxes, a new backpack may be the most unnecessary. Not that every child doesn’t need a backpack these days to cart home the ever growing pile of assignments designated. “homework”.

It’s just this shouldn’t be something you have to buy every year. With the slumping economy and the increased focus on living life a little less materialistic, this is a great time to teach your child to buy quality things that last.

OK, sure, your child is clamoring for the latest commercial character on their backpack and you can pick them up cheap, but a hip color or design and nifty REAL backpack (i.e. the kind made for people who actually go backpacking) features have their own “cool” factor.

The JanSport Super Break Backpack is the number one seller for students around the world and it comes in a variety of stylish design. Sturdy enough to last for years, the Superbreak backpack has a large main compartment and a front pocket big enough to store pens, pencils and an ipod. Both the shoulder straps and the back are padded for extra comfort while carrying those heavy books home.

Though, don’t expect that to be any consolation when your child expects you to explain everything in those heavy books to him or her!

I’m spending this month writing about back-to-school products that are healthy for your child and healthy for the planet and oh, yes, aren’t ridiculously hard to find or completely unacceptable to fashion conscious little ones.

So, here’s another option for a phthalate-free, lead-free lunch bag. (I KNOW you’ve been reading about these scary chemical additives!) This one by Crocodile Creek is great for your globally aware daughter…O.K…maybe she’s not so aware but thinks this type of design is really cute. I know I do.

This bright and colorful bag meets both the US Toy Safety guidelines and the European ones. (I think that’s pretty important since European standards are much higher than ours here in the U.S.) BTW -Crocodile Creek is known for it’s commitment to child safety.

Features include a lead free lining and construction from phthalate free plastic, i.e. it’s not made from PVC (Polyvinylchloride). It’s roomy too with an outside pocket on each side, one with a zipper for dropping in an ice pack.

I really like the design on this one. The multi-cultural images work for both younger and older girls and the cute greetings in a variety of different languages are a conversation starter.

These Sigg Kid’s Water Bottle are all the rage with what has become known as “Whole Food’s Moms”. I recently bought one for my son and I have to say they’re great.

For one, I don’t have to worry about nasty chemicals getting into his water. The epoxy based inner lining is resistant to leaching. (Since these are made in Switzerland, they exceed the FDA standards. European standards are higher than ours.) This has recently become a concern of mine and I find myself frantically checking every water bottle I consider buying for the safety rating.

They are also virtually unbreakable and incredibly light. Since I worry about over burdening my child as I send him off to school, this is yet another concern of mine! (Not to be overly dramatic, but my list of worries seems to keep growing aided by scary news reports!)

And…they don’t leak! Has this been a problem for you? I find my lovely child tends to bite on the spout and he has caused several fairly expensive water bottles to start leaking due to that unfortunate habit. The twist open and closed design of the Sigg Kid’s Water Bottle happily prevents this problem and he can bite away in peace.

Available in a number of stylish designs…a big number it seems, there’s one that’s sure to be perfect for even the most fashion conscious child.

Why does it seem to take the entire month of August to prepare for September? Each year we replace flip flops and bathing suits with uniforms or school clothes. Water toys and wagons give way to pencils and pads. Moms hit the malls and tap the keyboard to find the best back-to-school gear.

Over the next few weeks I’m going to be covering some back-to-school gear I like - mostly healthy for your child and the planet, fashionable if at all possible and kid friendly certainly. Let’s start by doing lunch!

I shudder to think about the hard metal lunch box I carried throughout elementary school. It was most certainly laced with lead and other harsh chemicals. Fortunately, that’s no longer an issue since lead free lunch boxes are now available.

This one, the BuiltNY Munchler Lunch Bag is both lead free and PVC free! Though there is a often a barrier between the lunch bag and the food, an apple or other unpackaged food could get contaminated by lead or phthalates in PVC (vinyl) lunch bags.

BuiltNY offers these cute lunch bags in several different designs…very cute for the younger set. They are on the small side so are probably best if your child also purchases part of his or her lunch at school (such as a drink) or is a light eater.

Summer is half over and the stores are beginning to fill with Back-To-School supplies. Besides the pencils, paper and glue listed on your list, you most likely will be looking for something in which your little one can carry all of those things.

Most children these days carry a backpack to school. Most kindergartners and young elementary ones carry one too big for their tiny frames. This causes strain on growing bodies and medical professionals are starting to raise the alarm about how ergonomically incorrect this is.

Rather than buy your young child a regular-sized school backpack, consider buying a mini backpack like this one from Jansport. The smaller size causes less back and muscle strain and keeps kids from stuffing too many things in them, creating an even worse problem.

Children in kindergarten and 1^st grade rarely have books to carry anyway and this, 11.5 x 10.5 x 6.5 backpack is plenty big for worksheets and folders, as well as the smaller books read by this age group.

Do your child a favor this year and buy a sturdy backpack in just the right size. You’ll prevent injuries that may include headaches, muscle pain and skeletal problems. Since your child may be carrying a backpack most every day, this may be on of the best things you can do to ensure he or she grows up, “big and strong”.