2014 Back-to-School Essentials

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Aug 19, 2014) - What are the "must-have" essentials for "Back-to-School 2014"? Lifestyle expert Lynn Becker has some great recommendations:

• Gold Emblem Abound snacks from CVS/pharmacy are great for your kid's lunchbox. They're free from all artificial preservatives and flavors and contain zero trans fats. And they offer a range of nutritional benefits at an affordable price. The snacks are available at all 7,600 CVS pharmacy locations nationwide. CVS/pharmacy. @CVS_Extra.
• Genuine Thermos Brand reusable lunch kits and FUNtainer bottles and food jars keep food and drinks fresh and healthy through lunchtime. Kids love them because they look cool and feature Spider-Man 2, Batman, Hello Kitty and other characters. Parents are fans because they're BPA-free, eco-friendly and easy-to-clean. Thermos.com and ShopThermos.com. @Thermos.
• BeginAgain makes teaching toys from earth-friendly rubberwood, which are colored with child-safe stains. Among their newest items is the Counting Chameleon Puzzle that teaches numbers on one side, and spells them out in English and Spanish on the reverse. beginagaintoys.com. facebook.com/AWishtoBeginAgain.
• Penn Foster is an alternative to traditional high schools. It is a private, licensed online school that offers an accredited high school diploma program. It's a great option for parents who homeschool their children, or choose self-paced, online schools for other reasons. Thanks to an active online community, students can connect with each other and faculty. Pennfoster.edu. @pennfoster.
• Personal Creations offers unique, customizable backpacks for boys and girls. Made of rugged, durable material with adjustable, contoured padded straps, they feature solid colors or playful prints, and can be personalized with a full name or three-letter monogram. personalcreations.com. @pcgifts
• SpareFoot.com is a great website for college students to find, compare and book nearby self-storage units. The units are a excellent idea because a cluttered dorm room or apartment can contribute to poor time management and a constant overwhelmed feeling. SpareFoot offers real-time availability and exclusive deals. SpareFoot.com. @SpareFoot.

Follow Lynn Becker on Twitter @AskLynnBecker.