Showing posts with label bento boxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bento boxes. Show all posts

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Simple Things

Here's what's making me smile after the weekend:

My baby boy's first laughter:
 (You can hear my nephew, Taylor, yelling in the background :))

My first lunch packed in my new Goodbyn bento box:
roasted chicken, black beans, roasted almonds, string cheese, pistachios, sandwich thins, and an avocado
(Goodbyn bought using the discount code provided by Bleubird Vintage--thanks!  Bleubird was also the inspiration for posting a photo of my lunch--checkout her cool kids' lunches).
And, I made our first batch of baby food with my baby food system, organic green peas--pictures and details on that to come, but it was easy and fun! 
image via here
 I think I'll try edamame and chick peas next, then maybe squash...any other suggestions on first foods for baby that are easy to make yourself?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Ode to the Obento!

As I once again sit at my desk on a Monday and make silent oaths in my head to "not drink so much next weekend," "only eat pizza once a week," and "definitely run more than once this week," I am inspired by the Bento lunch craze that has become increasingly popular in America...

I had heard the word "Bento" in reference to a lunchbox, but wasn't quite sure what it entailed...basically, it is defined thusly: a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bentō consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more vegetable, usually in a box-shaped container, (wikipedia.com). Obento, in Japanese, means "boxed meal," and is an art-form. Japanese mothers spend a lot of time making the perfect obento--a balance of color, taste, and texture.

The New York Times recently did a story on Bentos, Bento Boxes Win Lunch Fans. Bentos can be cute, but don't have to be, and are great for help with portion control. Here are some super-beautiful and creative Bentos...maybe when I have kids I'll attempt one of these...
via here

via here

Until then, maybe I can try making one more like this:
via here

And here are a few Bento accessories that I would love to have:
2-tier Bento box
via here

Mini-animal soy sauce bottles
via here

Bento divider cups
via here

I'm going to experiment with Bentos soon...I'll post the prototypes.

If you've ever tried making Bentos or if you're inspired, please let me know and post pictures. Here are some Bento-inspired blogs: