- Just a Minute
- Posts
- Water bottle recs, pack a picnic caddy, and the best mental health prevention
Water bottle recs, pack a picnic caddy, and the best mental health prevention
Issue 86 // JAM
Hi!
Every summer growing up, my mother would stock our trunk with a stash of towels, Ziplocs, paper goods, picnicking basics, and more.
We went on a lot of trips and were prepared for every eventuality - came across a park with a pretty stream? We have towels for drying off after spontaneous wading, bags for collecting pretty rocks. Took sandwiches along? We have the washing cup + paper towels for washing already packed.
More recs for summer travels down below - special thanks to reader N for sharing hers.
Readers Recommend
Thanks to all the readers who shared their water bottle recommendations:
These are easy to clean and don't have a straw. They are not "spill-proof" when open, but there is a top that closes.
My 2.5-year-old uses this water bottle and we're VERY happy with it. The cap and straw parts come completely apart, so no mold build-up!
Contigo has a version of a pop lid. It's stainless steel which is a plus.
I enjoyed the Munchkins sippie cup (for kids) because it's for real spill proof. Not hard to wash, but take care to also lift and wash the silicone on top.
For my kids and older boys I got these cheap ones that work great.
Love this one
These are really hard wearing - have had some for years. Also no straw! They're spill proof as long as clicked shut and also have a lock so can't pop open.
Yeti makes a great water bottle for those of us who get nauseated by rubber straws or water bottles that have covers that are hard to wash or air dry. Every part of the cover comes off (it’s magnetic!) and can be washed and dried thoroughly. Absolutely no mold building up. And hundred percent spill proof. (Note: the magnetic cover is sold out in a lot of places; you can get it here.)
Personally, I use and love the Owala and loved hearing from the readers who do too!
And thanks to the mom who recommended a solution for moldy straws: long q tips for a perfect cleaning! (They also make straw cleaners.) Best to wash out the bottles and straws and let them dry overnight.
Need help accessing links? Hit reply with your specific request.
JAM PARTNER
Join Sarah Yocheved’s free live class, The Step by Step Formula to Rebuild Your Marriage on Wednesday, July 29th to discover the moments of connection that will finally transform your marriage.
JUST FOR YOU
🍚TIP: Take sushi salad to go. Our absolute favorite take-along meal for short / nearby vacations is this “sushi” salad it’s easy to bring along prepped, simply delicious, and incredibly filling.
We pack rice, bring cucumber sticks, cubed mango, and chopped salmon (cooked or raw!) in Ziplocs, along with an avocado, plastic knife and small container of sauce. To assemble, simply combine and enjoy.
Soooo yum and so filling
🧺HACK: Prep your picnic caddy. (Like this one or this one.) Load up all the supplies you’d need for a summer trip – plates, straws, cutlery, napkins, water bottle clips, garbage bags, silverfoil, washing cup and benchers. Keep it in the car, and whenever you’re heading out for a summer outing, you just have to pack up the food and you’re ready to go and get a full meal on the table when you arrive, or wrap up you hike!
Thanks reader N for this great share!
❄️REC: Upgrade your insulation for more comfort + energy efficiency (maybe for free!) We used AirSeal to re-insulate our attic and so appreciated their incredible customer service, quick responsiveness, and how easy they made it throughout. Plus, the difference was noticeable immediately. (And appreciated! Our AC is so much more powerful!) If you live in NY, you might be eligible for free insulation upgrades (the income limits aren’t as low for this offer as they are for other programs). Check it out now —>
Feel free to reply and I’ll connect you with AirSeal directly.
*To spotlight your brand or product here, reach out.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
I can FEEL this image in my personal space
MOTHERHOOD MUSING
That’s all for today!💜☕
The JAM Fam
PS. Having trouble accessing the links? Happy to help! Just hit reply with a specific request.
PPS. Have a friend who should be JAMing with us? Send her here.
Received this email from a friend? See previous issues of JAM and subscribe so you don’t miss future ones here.
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Feel free to hit reply, or WhatsApp us (201-472-3867).
DID YOU KNOW?
You can always revisit any issue of JAM on our site,
and you can browse all our product recs on this page.