Back to School Health & Wellness Checklist

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It’s already August and I can’t believe another fun-filled summer is coming to an end and back to school is just a few weeks away. With a middle schooler and kindergartener, one of my top priorities this year will be to keep my girls healthy. The start of school brings plenty of germs and a heightened risk of illnesses, so I am stocking up now on all the essentials so my daughters will have the best start to their school year.

One of my favorite places to shop for all of my family’s health and wellness needs is Whole Foods Market. They have a huge variety of amazing natural products and all of the brands we love. Listed below are the top products on my back to school health and wellness checklist to ensure a happy and healthy start to the year.

Tom’s of Maine® Wicked Cool™ Toothpaste + Toothbrush

Regular toothbrushing is extremely important for children as it helps to remove bacteria and plaque that can later cause tooth decay and gum disease. Tom’s of Maine® has just the right size toothbrush for little hands and their Wicked Cool!™ Toothpaste make brushing time fun for kids and pre-teens with the brightly colored packaging and mild mint flavor. I love that this toothpaste is fluoride free along with being free of any artificial dyes, sweeteners and flavors. I also love that Tom’s of Maine® values sustainability and all packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle® and 10% of profits to human and environmental goodness. Whole Foods Market is a one-stop shop for the entire Tom’s of Maine® product line. We can always find the products we use regularly at great prices. Now through September 8th you can earn $1 back on any variety or size Tom’s of Maine® Toothpaste through Ibotta!

Organic Children’s Probiotics

Probiotics are super beneficial in promoting the immune system as well as supporting digestive health. Simply put, probiotics promote “good” gut bacteria which helps to eliminate harmful bacteria and decrease infection. For this reason, probiotics are normal part of my girls routine during the school year. I choose a brand that is certified organic, chewable, and contains at least 5 billion live cultures.

Bandages

Bandages are a self explanatory item to have on the wellness checklist but I always make sure to be well stocked up for the upcoming school year and keep them stashed in my purse and car. I also choose latex free bandages whenever possible to avoid any unnecessary exposure.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is definitely a must-have item for back to school. I purchase a couple of travel sized bottles for my daughter to keep in her locker and lunchbox. I also like to always have a bottle in the car so my daughters can clean their hands when we are on the go.

Tom’s of Maine® Wicked Cool™ Kids Deodorant

There is no denying that once kids hit middle school age they no longer smell like roses. Tom’s of Maine® Wicked Cool™ Kids Deodorant is formulated just for kids with natural ingredients including the odor inhibiting plant, hops. Wicked Cool!™ has a gender neutral scent that provides long lasting, 24 hour odor protection and is free of aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrances. You can find this deodorant in the personal care section at Whole Foods Market. With each Tom’s of Maine® purchase you are helping support the Green Your School for the Greater Good Program. Each purchase contributes to a $1,000,000 fund that helps make schools more sustainable through DonorsChoose.org. Below are additional details on how the program works or head over here to learn more.

• Imagine: Teachers identify ways they can educate their students about green initiatives.
• Submit: Teachers submit their classroom projects and supply requests through DonorsChoose.org.
• Fund: Every project is automatically matched by the Tom’s of Maine Green Your School Fund. The remaining amount can be funded by anyone at any amount they choose, until the full project amount has been reached.
• Receive: Once projects are fully funded, supplies are delivered straight to schools.

Multivitamins

My kids eat a well balanced diet however I like to make extra certain they are getting all the vitamins/nutrients they need on a daily basis. Supplements are a great additional way to make sure your child is getting all the necessary nutrition they require each day as they grow.

Fruits/Vegetables

Fruits and veggies are packed with immune boosting vitamins, antioxidants, and soluble fiber which has anti-inflammatory effects. Berries and spinach are among the top choices for immune boosting properties. Superfood shakes are a delicious way to incorporate colorful fruits and leafy greens into your little one’s diet.

Adequate Sleep/Bedtime Routine

According to the National Sleep Foundation, it is recommended school age children (ages 6-13) have 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Both physical and mental development are directly impacted by the amount of sleep a child has each night. Set up a regular bedtime and wakeup routine so your child is able to get the proper amount of sleep he or she needs.

Ready to shop for all of your back to school needs? Head to Whole Foods Market now and stock up on all of your favorite Tom’s of Maine® products to help support the Green Your School for the Greater Good Program! Also be sure to earn $1 back through Ibotta on your Tom’s of Maine® toothpaste purchase. Happy Shopping!