Using Bento Boxes for lunches.

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Replies

  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    edited January 2015
    Teehee, you're welcome. I plan for world domination one lunchbox at a time. I'm sure it's a viable strategy.

    The lunch looks yum btw. I don't know how rough you are with your lunchboxes (I know I am), but if you have dressing I suggest a little pot with a lid (similar to this or this, or one small tumble could put ranch over everything (unless that's what you're aiming for ;) )

    Just as a sciency note so you don't have to worry, BPA is only found in clear plastics (or the lining of some tins and resins used to seal pipes), so if the Bento box you're looking at is a solid colour, then it's automatically BPA free ^_^.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    Oh wow, that is pricey. I'll keep looking around, one of the asian markets likely has it. If not, there's an asian superstore nearby that i can check out.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    @asearch4me YAY! Another convert. I think @mangrothian really does plan on a takeover of the world, you gotta watch those Aussies ;)
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    @specialkitty7 because we're sooooo well known for our multitudinous invasions ;) .

    ....Well I guess we are, but it's only when a good sports match or booze festival is on.
  • aSearch4Me
    aSearch4Me Posts: 397 Member
    @mangrothian, Oh, I definitely plan to get some cute little bento sauce/condiment containers. I mistakenly assumed when I ordered my box that the little condiment cups we use for spices/hot sauce when we hike/camp would be short enough to fit in the box, but they are just a smidgen too high. I'm waiting for my Amazon list to bulk up a little bit before I order them :smile: (I also have my eye on some super-cute panda rice molds with a nori cutter...lol). I'm a car-commuter, so my lunchbox doesn't take huge jolts or get tossed about, so the cupcake holders should work for 2t of ranch for now.

    It's only my 2nd day bento'ing (& still rocking randomness from the fridge for now), but I really like packing & arranging it each night. It's oddly relaxing..? It is way more satisfying than packing things in multiple, heavy glass containers each night...

    Also, thank you for posting the Japanese rice cooking link a few posts back. I think I finally figured out what I was doing wrong (not rinsing nearly enough).

    ( @specialkitty7 Yes, I know :smiley: . I think my parents even warned me about Aussies growing up... :smiley: )

  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
    This is my first reply on this thread, but I've been stalking like crazy! I think you can consider me a convert as well- I'm ready to try! This thread inspired me to think a bit more "outside the box" when planning my lunches for work. I appreciate all of the pictures and advice on this thread!!!
  • aSearch4Me
    aSearch4Me Posts: 397 Member
    Lunch for today. Pseudo-similar to yesterday. Turkey, Colby cheese stick, raw pumpkin seeds, snow peas, carrot chips, ranch, & raspberries. (327 calories, 18g carb, 6g fiber, 22g protein, 21g fat)

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  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    I was too hungry today to (remember to) get a picture of my lunch prior to digging in, but today was quite pretty. White dumplings, red pepper strips, a pink container for my dressing, and blueberries in the top, and brown rice with green sugar snap peas in the bottom. My rice is a bit crunchy, so definitely need to cook it longer tomorrow :D

    @asearch4Me your lunch looks awesome, I love how the snow peas are lined up like crackers!
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    chesves wrote: »
    I think you can consider me a convert as well- I'm ready to try!

    Yay! It really is a lot of fun, and I simply like trying new foods. It makes lunch pretty and more satisfying, and it has the added benefit of making my husband crazy. He thinks I'm already a bit too attached to my kitchen scale.

  • I use bentos for my son's lunches but you've inspired me to get more creative, as well as make one for myself. Here are my attempts. The cute whale bento is mine, because why should my son have all the fun? :)
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  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
    I just placed my first Bento order! :)
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    edited January 2015
    @BinkyBonk‌ love the onigiri rabbit!
    chesves wrote: »
    I just placed my first Bento order! :)

    Be careful, this is how it starts! I ordered one, now today I have three more coming :)
  • LizN63
    LizN63 Posts: 129 Member
    chesves wrote: »
    I just placed my first Bento order! :)
    Awesome, what did you get?
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    Yay! More converts! Be thankful you don't have a store that actually sells the boxes near you. If it wasn't for the fact that nearly every Bento item I've bought costs $2.80, I'd be broke.

    @chesves pics/links or it never happened! ;)

    I'll probably be almost bentoless for the next week :( . I'm on leave from work to go help out my parents whilst my dad has shoulder surgery. My mum is diabetic and lost her toe before Christmas (seeing my mum's stumpy foot is a good reminder to keep healthy, I tell you that!), so she's not exactly mobile enough to help him. It's kinda sad when you're going to miss being at work because of the habit/calming nature of making my Bento each night.

    Although I'll probably commandeer their kitchen to make a Bento to take into the hospital for mum and I. I can put up with hospital cafeteria coffee, but not hospital cafeteria food.

    I'll see what I can raid from their fridge for a Bento. I'll probably have to bring my own rice though.
  • satansees
    satansees Posts: 42 Member
    I do! Though lately they've been looking a little sad. I've been more into big sushi (making a few days worth at a time), but it's the same sort of thing. Pretty colours, lots of layers.
    I've become the kind of person who cuts their cucumbers into flowers.... It is a bit addictive, especially when you get into cute (practical) dressing pots and silicone grass and stuff.
  • PixieGoddess
    PixieGoddess Posts: 1,833 Member
    I haven't bento'd for over a year, and not regularly since college, but this thread has inspired me to dig out my box of bento boxes. (Yes, it's been so long, they're in a box at the bottom of a cabinet) V////V

    I would often put a side salad in one section and mix up the other 1-2 sections with stuff like rice, fish/chicken, eggs (yes, I have cute molds), homemade sushi rolls, etc. I've already noticed that I've been putting more variety in my lunches lately, as I'm eating gluten-free to test for sensitivity, and using one of my bentos would just mean that I won't have it all tossed into one container. And what do you know, I made rice last night and had leftovers :) It's fate (and world domination)
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    I'm all for world domination!
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  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    Today's box. Pork, veggie & mushroom dumplings, carrots, italian dressing, blueberries, Vigo white and wild rice mix and snap peas. Total cals 436, C/F/P 78/9/14. My diary is public to anyone, so you can look to see the actual breakdown. Didn't mean to make it so low fat, it just kinda happened.

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  • LizN63
    LizN63 Posts: 129 Member
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    Some rice under the chicken.
  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
    Okay, let me try to share the links of what I ordered .... I tried to copy and paste a pic, but it wouldn't work :(

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006U6DA8M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ANHS6C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006U6DAI2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Our local Dollar Tree had some cute containers I bought the other day as well. I'm not sure how leak proof they are, but bought them b/c the price couldn't be beat. :)
  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
    I'd love any (and all advice) on what to START with! I already have 4 of those "easy lunch box" containers, but rarely use them. I'm so excited to start!

    http://www.amazon.com/EasyLunchboxes-3-Compartment-Bento-Containers-Classic/dp/B004S129AQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421851982&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+lunch

    I've been packing my lunches in ziploc baggies- so UNattractive! I can see how this would be stress-reducing. It's like taking an active role in ensuring my meals are attractive and healthy!

    I'm going to pack mine (hopefully) to be right around 400 calories. I eat around 100 for breakfast, and 2 snacks at 100 each. Then I have a larger amount of calories for dinner. That's roughly how I try to allot my calories anyway .....
  • Frigs
    Frigs Posts: 745 Member
    I love this post. Very cute. I had a small container of fruit for snack yesterday and it was so satisfying to eat the whole container. It definitely cut down on cravings for more. I think I will try to incorporate more small containers in my menu planning.
  • aSearch4Me
    aSearch4Me Posts: 397 Member
    My Bento of the day:

    Still using random fridge contents this week... Leftover cheese frittata (mostly made with egg whites), raspberries, pecans, snow peas, carrot chips, and a lonely lil dark chocolate truffle as a special treat for what is sure to be a more-stressful-than-usual work day. :) Cal:291, Carb:21g, Fiber: 5g, Pro: 20g, Fat: 14g

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  • LizN63
    LizN63 Posts: 129 Member
    chesves wrote: »
    I'd love any (and all advice) on what to START with! I already have 4 of those "easy lunch box" containers, but rarely use them. I'm so excited to start!

    This website is a good place to start http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-basics
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    chesves wrote: »
    I'd love any (and all advice) on what to START with! I already have 4 of those "easy lunch box" containers, but rarely use them. I'm so excited to start!

    the just bento website is awesome, she also wrote a book that i borrowed from the library, and it's pretty good idea wise. I'd just start with random things that fit in your boxes. @asearch4me has had some pretty good looking bentos using what she found in the fridge.

  • thomasina_
    thomasina_ Posts: 3 Member
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  • thomasina_
    thomasina_ Posts: 3 Member
    Deal is back on groupon for bentgo lunch set $20
  • aSearch4Me
    aSearch4Me Posts: 397 Member
    Thanks for the heads up @thomasina_ !! I got my Bentgo from Amazon & love it. I'd like to pick up a 2nd one (to limit HAVING to wash mine each night when I'm crunched for time). Off to Groupon I go... That site is addictive.
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    I forgot to take a photo before I started eating, but this is my bento for post workout today. I commandeered my parents kitchen because I don't want to be tempted to eat out after gym just because I'm far from home. Just because you're not home doesn't mean you can't make a bento!

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    40l box
    - 2 onigiri, each with a pickled plum in the centre
    - Japanese pickles
    - Red wine vinegar sweet and sour chicken
    - Blanched veg
    - Baby bel cheese
    - Biiiiig bottle of water since its 33C today