Over the past three months I’ve been searching for the perfect lunch box. I really wanted a bento box, but they, as I discovered, not available locally. In fact, I went to every gift shop, cooking store, asian themed store, and asian grocery (about 8 total) from here to Des Moines and back again. No luck. I just really wanted to hold it in my hands and consider it before spending money on one. Because I don’t really know if I’ll use it.
Flash back to May when I was in San Fransisco.
Jason and I went to Japan town and I bought a few food picks and sauce holders in the shape of little pigs and fish. I considered getting a bento box there, but since I worked from home I was like “nah, I don’t need one”. I had no idea I’d be getting a job by the end of the year and working in an office where I’d use one just about every day of the week!
Turning back to the stash.
Anyway, so, I decided to look around at what I had and lo’ and behold, I had a glass food container
I’m finding that by packing my lunch bento style, I’m more inclined to grab a bunch of little things vs just one huge thing. So this first box was pickles, carrots, cheese and crackers, mandrine oranges, and pot stickers + some soy sauce in the little pig. It turned out to be way too much food.
By using cupcake liners (I’ve sense invested in some silicone cupcake liners
This meal was a comfort food lunch for me. Oh potato chips I love you, but you are so not good for me. Egg salad sandwich on wholewheat bread with eggs from the ladies out back. And of course another orange. I love those little guys.
And one thing I have found is that if I pack my lunch the night before, I take it. If I don’t, I’ll not have time and end up eating out. For shame on me! The bento box has made lunch more fun, usually more healthy, and a whole lot more cost effective. And, it’s not even an “official” bento box. But, it’s packed on the same principle, so I’m going with it.
So how do you all pack your lunch? What’s your favorite pack and eat healthy snacks?
Until Next Time!
Kristin
I’ve looked at the bento boxes, but we don’t go out much, so we don’t really need them. We typically just back hard boiled/deviled eggs and raw veggies if we need to go somewhere. Quick, easy finger foods that are also really healthy!
I’m a salad in the summer, soup in the winter lunch packer. This week I made a big pot of curried lentil soup on Sunday and ate it all week, supplemented with some oranges and yogurt on the side.
Ive started work again this week (after being unemployed for 6 weeks) and to be honest have just grabbed the first thing that could be made into sandwich (boring cheese for three days and instant noodles in a cup for the other two days). I really must get back into the habit of putting some thought into my lunches. I have an insulated bento style lunch carrier, so have no excuse really. Your pictures have inspired me. Thanks for sharing. :o)
It’a funny that I should read this post just now. Just Bento is running an informal class on how to make bentos, including how to decide what to put in them and how big to make them. I am not consistent with my bento making. Some of the family members don’t like cold things so it can be a challenge. But everyone seems to like leftover rice heated up with a fried egg on top. It keeps warm without the egg getting weird, if you use a thermal jar. Mine also all like leftover roasted veggies from the night before. They are fine in a room temperature bento. They don’t even really need a dipping sauce.