Using Bento Boxes for lunches.

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  • sagj
    sagj Posts: 256 Member
    madiao wrote: »
    Drooooool! Made home made tonkotsu tonight.. Really just wanted to share with someone cause it was amazing!

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    Yum yum yum yum :smiley:
  • zira91
    zira91 Posts: 670 Member
    Today, im showing my lunchbox for the first time here.. its for tomorrow.. im getting pumped up from all the amazing bento box ive seen in this thread.. all of u senpai are amazing!
    ive packed, basmati rice, honey spiced grilled chicken thigh, carrots, and mango for lunch.. and there is almonds, prunes, raisins and dried cranberries for snacks.. and not to forget, my fav matcha pocky too ! :Dxb4hsmam103t.jpg


  • clh72569
    clh72569 Posts: 280 Member
    That looks lovely! BUt if packing your lunch directly into a feed bag or dog dish motivate you to eat better-do it!
    I'm not sure where any of the pictures we have of our food insinuate the dog dish or feed bag reference. Honestly, I find it extremely insulting. If this thread ain't your thing, then please move along elsewhere and learn some manners ^_^

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    Nicely put. We should all do this to trolls who try to derail a thread.

  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member
    Narcissora wrote: »
    piheart wrote: »
    Been way too long since I've posted... bentoing for months and got too busy! Anyways, here's breakfast and lunch from yesterday:

    Sautéed spinach, hard boiled egg, Greek yogurt with pb, cinnamon, and honey, banana and strawberries (327 cal)

    Turkey and laughing cow roll-ups, mini caprese salad (only 100 cal!!), mini spinach-tomato-feta quiche, celery and some Caesar dressing in the container for dipping (392 cal)

    Happy bentoing everyone!!

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    I love the mini quiche! I'm totally going to make those when I can start bento-ing again.

    Thanks! I love them too, and my recipe they are only 155 cal each, so a nice little treat to stick in the bento without hugely upping the cal amount (:
  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member
    zira91 wrote: »
    Today, im showing my lunchbox for the first time here.. its for tomorrow.. im getting pumped up from all the amazing bento box ive seen in this thread.. all of u senpai are amazing!
    ive packed, basmati rice, honey spiced grilled chicken thigh, carrots, and mango for lunch.. and there is almonds, prunes, raisins and dried cranberries for snacks.. and not to forget, my fav matcha pocky too ! :Dxb4hsmam103t.jpg


    Mmm, everything looks great! Welcome!
  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member
    edited August 2015
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    Today's bento.... unfortunately home sick, so who knows it I'll eat it all or what...

    Breakfast: trader joe's multigrain waffle, container with a lil syrup and butter, strawberries, banana, Greek yogurt with protein powder and vanilla (340 cal)

    Lunch: spinach salad w/chicken breast, feta, strawberries, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, carrots and homemade hummus in the ducky! (430 cal)

    PS my coworkers have started to tease me about my "childlike" lunch boxes... but I don't care cuz I'm having so much fun making them (:
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    edited August 2015
    piheart wrote: »

    Today's bento.... unfortunately home sick, so who knows it I'll eat it all or what...

    Breakfast: trader joe's multigrain waffle, container with a lil syrup and butter, strawberries, banana, Greek yogurt with protein powder and vanilla (340 cal)

    Lunch: spinach salad w/chicken breast, feta, strawberries, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, carrots and homemade hummus in the ducky! (430 cal)

    PS my coworkers have started to tease me about my "childlike" lunch boxes... but I don't care cuz I'm having so much fun making them (:

    Looks delish! My coworkers said roughly the same thing to me. But more like "what are you, twelve?" I just give a big cheesy grin, and say "yes". I feel sad for others that they pooh-pooh fun lunches.

  • PixieGoddess
    PixieGoddess Posts: 1,833 Member
    Steak, mixed veggies, rice, and a salad - for which I yet again forgot dressing V.V
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  • PoleFit96
    PoleFit96 Posts: 22 Member
    All the bentos here are so cute!!!! You've all inspired me to try it out as well :)
  • Sandyslosenit
    Sandyslosenit Posts: 322 Member
    @PoleFit96
    I can't wait to see your pics!
  • amygatl
    amygatl Posts: 12 Member
    Well, you have won over another lurker. This is only my 4th or 5th post ever. Here is my first real attempt at a bento:
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    Breakfast is Greek yogurt with blueberries and cantaloupe. Lunch is rainbow quinoa, tomatoes, egg & soy sauce. along with almonds, pickles, crackers & laughing cow cheese. I was going to save the crackers & cheese for mid afternoon snack, but I ended up eating everything by 1pm. Just as well, I was too busy for snacking today.
  • Sandyslosenit
    Sandyslosenit Posts: 322 Member
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    My daily bottle of Kombucha, breakfast is one bear shaped soy egg and I found some new lemon poppy breakfast biscuits, 1st snack is Sweet/Heat Feta fruit Salad, lunch is 2 pork spring rolls with fried quinoa and flower shaped pickled beets, 2nd snack is Energy Bites with a cheese stick. All for 950cals.
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    I come back from my run, and see all of these lovely lunches! I may have to make a pretty lunch today just for funsies (I'm at home on leave this week).

    And as to people being old fuddy duddys; I just tell 'em that getting old is mandatory, growing up is optional. It's their loss that they don't get to have fun with their food!
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    Here we go. My bored at home bento-ish lunch. Dumplings with rice, veg, pickles and miso soup.
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  • zira91
    zira91 Posts: 670 Member
    Here we go. My bored at home bento-ish lunch. Dumplings with rice, veg, pickles and miso soup.
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    Ur lunch looks gorgeous! & colourful!!
  • DawnEmbers
    DawnEmbers Posts: 2,451 Member
    @mangrothian - Your bored at home meal looks amazing. My lazy at home tomorrow (yay day off finally) will probably be just a microwaved noodle bowl with some meat added to it and a protein shake at some point cause I'm lacking on my protein lately.

    Today's lunch, picture taken before work, was more stuffed squash on the brown/wild/quinoa rice with some peas, half a serving of habanero bbq almonds for snack, and a strawberry cake. Would have been over 500 calories but I didn't eat all of the squash or rice. I didn't even get to dessert until at home (after working an hour later than scheduled) and I got one nibble before it got dropped to the floor when I was moving stuff around. It was a bit oily or something similar so not sure I like them. They were from the asian grocery store in the cookie/cracker/snack section.

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  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
    DawnEmbers wrote: »
    @mangrothian - Your bored at home meal looks amazing. My lazy at home tomorrow (yay day off finally) will probably be just a microwaved noodle bowl with some meat added to it and a protein shake at some point cause I'm lacking on my protein lately.

    Today's lunch, picture taken before work, was more stuffed squash on the brown/wild/quinoa rice with some peas, half a serving of habanero bbq almonds for snack, and a strawberry cake. Would have been over 500 calories but I didn't eat all of the squash or rice. I didn't even get to dessert until at home (after working an hour later than scheduled) and I got one nibble before it got dropped to the floor when I was moving stuff around. It was a bit oily or something similar so not sure I like them. They were from the asian grocery store in the cookie/cracker/snack section.
    Normally, my lunch is similar, but I was bored (was over watching the DOTA2 tournament), and felt like spending some time on it.

    I love the idea of the stuffed squash. I wish Mr. Mangrothian would eat something similar, but I doubt it.
  • DawnEmbers
    DawnEmbers Posts: 2,451 Member
    Normally, my lunch is similar, but I was bored (was over watching the DOTA2 tournament), and felt like spending some time on it.

    I love the idea of the stuffed squash. I wish Mr. Mangrothian would eat something similar, but I doubt it.

    I got the idea from a food post on MFP (I think the what do your meals look like thread), however the person with the original image and a much better one. They posted squash stuffed with barbecue pulled pork. I just tried the hamburger and veggies cause I can make those easier, plus had clearance beef to use. I want to try bbq stuffed squash one of these days.
  • topathemorning
    topathemorning Posts: 346 Member
    I'm so excited. I got my first Bento lunch box today at Fresh and Easy. I can't wait to pack up my lunch!
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    edited August 2015
    I'm so excited. I got my first Bento lunch box today at Fresh and Easy. I can't wait to pack up my lunch!

    Can't wait to see it!

    Here's today's bento (finally!) Left box is strawberries, grapes and a key lime greek yogurt (370 cals). Lunch on the right is mixed rice (on the bottom), shrimp in sesame oil, edamame & broccoli (423 cals). Far right are my snacks, smoked almonds, mini baybel and an egg (still in shell, oh, the horror!)

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  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member
    edited August 2015
    Everyone's bentos are gorgeous as usual!

    Today's breakfast & lunch:

    Egg on a bed of spinach, Greek yogurt experiment (peanut butter + sugar free instant jello pudding mix... we'll see how this one goes), blueberries, apple (322 cal)

    Green snap peas and hummus in the frog, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, laughing cow cheese, wheat thins (420 cal)

    Having trouble fitting 40-50 grams of protein in my bento breakfast/lunch. Any tips? I have been trying out Greek yogurt with different protein-y things inside, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I can't eat huge amounts of meat either... vegetarian for 7 years and recently reintroducing animal protein into my diet each day.

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  • zira91
    zira91 Posts: 670 Member
    i bought the cookie shaped lunchbox recently.. finally, i can use it! ive got ice cream shaped lunchbox set too.. with diff ice cream flavor as the lid.. :D

    Here's today's bento..
    Lunch: spiced honey grilled chicken, cabbage & mushroom stir fry, basmati rice, and mango.
    Snacks: oat crunch biscuit, matcha pocky, almonds, raisins
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  • mrron2u
    mrron2u Posts: 919 Member
    sagj wrote: »
    madiao wrote: »
    Drooooool! Made home made tonkotsu tonight.. Really just wanted to share with someone cause it was amazing!

    tgt1u8j7rnf6.jpg

    Yum yum yum yum :smiley:

    Any chance you'd be willing to share the recipe for your tonkotsu? It looks amazing!
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    edited August 2015
    piheart wrote: »
    Everyone's bentos are gorgeous as usual!

    Today's breakfast & lunch:

    Egg on a bed of spinach, Greek yogurt experiment (peanut butter + sugar free instant jello pudding mix... we'll see how this one goes), blueberries, apple (322 cal)

    Green snap peas and hummus in the frog, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, laughing cow cheese, wheat thins (420 cal)

    Having trouble fitting 40-50 grams of protein in my bento breakfast/lunch. Any tips? I have been trying out Greek yogurt with different protein-y things inside, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I can't eat huge amounts of meat either... vegetarian for 7 years and recently reintroducing animal protein into my diet each day.

    eslzf3lqmydc.jpg

    I don't think you'd have to switch to eating meat, but I love chicken breast & egg for the protein. If you're still mostly veggie, beans are the way to go. From here:
    Highest Source
    The beans with the highest amount of protein -- and which offer complete protein -- are soybeans. Cooked soybeans have 28.62 grams and edamame have 22.23 grams of protein in a 1-cup serving, which is about equal to the protein you'll get from a 3-ounce serving of meat. Soybeans are different from other beans because they have substances called isoflavones that act like estrogen and may help prevent some types of cancer. They also have 15.43 grams of total fat in 1 cup, which is significantly higher than other types of beans. A large percentage of the total fat consists of unsaturated fats that lower cholesterol, as well as omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation.
    Good Sources
    You may see the protein content of beans reported as one generic value because all beans other than soybeans have about the same amount. You can choose any bean you prefer and get at least 20 percent of your daily protein in a 1-cup serving. The average amount of protein in eight different beans -- white, adzuki, pinto, kidney, black, navy, garbanzo and lima -- is 15 grams. White beans have the most protein, with 17.42 grams in 1 cup. Lima beans are at the bottom of the list, with 1 cup containing 10.32 grams. The others have 15 to 17 grams of protein in 1 cup.

    Oh, and have you tried PB2 in the greek yogurt? I like mixing PB2 in vanilla greek yogurt and using it as a fruit dip.
  • sagj
    sagj Posts: 256 Member
    edited August 2015
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    Good, I wasn't sure if I was going to get up a picture today of my (two) bentos :smiley:

    Lunch
    Box 1: salad with kale, arugula, mushrooms, tomato, cucumber and basil goat cheese

    Box 2: strawberries, ham, and cooked pattypan squash and baby zucchini

    I have yoga teacher training this evening so I have a light supper in box three.

    Box 3: corned beef roll ups, spicy pickles, and black grapes

    Yumyum!
  • PixieGoddess
    PixieGoddess Posts: 1,833 Member
    I remembered the dressing for my salad today! Yaaay!!! (I swear there's green stuff under the mushrooms! It is an actual salad, really!) Sesame fish, brown rice (under the fish), and mixed veggies in the main box.
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    But now all I want is @sagj 's ham #_#
  • zira91
    zira91 Posts: 670 Member
    piheart wrote: »
    Everyone's bentos are gorgeous as usual!

    Today's breakfast & lunch:

    Egg on a bed of spinach, Greek yogurt experiment (peanut butter + sugar free instant jello pudding mix... we'll see how this one goes), blueberries, apple (322 cal)

    Green snap peas and hummus in the frog, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, laughing cow cheese, wheat thins (420 cal)

    Having trouble fitting 40-50 grams of protein in my bento breakfast/lunch. Any tips? I have been trying out Greek yogurt with different protein-y things inside, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I can't eat huge amounts of meat either... vegetarian for 7 years and recently reintroducing animal protein into my diet each day.

    eslzf3lqmydc.jpg

    Your bento is gorgeous too!! I like how u arrange ur apppe slices.. & How's ur greek yogurt experiment turn out to be?does mixing those taste good?
  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member
    zira91 wrote: »
    piheart wrote: »
    Everyone's bentos are gorgeous as usual!

    Today's breakfast & lunch:

    Egg on a bed of spinach, Greek yogurt experiment (peanut butter + sugar free instant jello pudding mix... we'll see how this one goes), blueberries, apple (322 cal)

    Green snap peas and hummus in the frog, mini quiche, mini caprese salad, laughing cow cheese, wheat thins (420 cal)

    Having trouble fitting 40-50 grams of protein in my bento breakfast/lunch. Any tips? I have been trying out Greek yogurt with different protein-y things inside, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I can't eat huge amounts of meat either... vegetarian for 7 years and recently reintroducing animal protein into my diet each day.

    eslzf3lqmydc.jpg

    Your bento is gorgeous too!! I like how u arrange ur apppe slices.. & How's ur greek yogurt experiment turn out to be?does mixing those taste good?

    Thank you!! Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of today's experiment. I ended up scooping it up and eating it with the apples, which wasn't so bad... Oh well. I have had better luck with just yogurt + protein powder, or yogurt + pb + honey. Guess I should just stop being adventurous and trying every single thing that looks good on MFP...!
  • piheart
    piheart Posts: 122 Member

    Oh, and have you tried PB2 in the greek yogurt? I like mixing PB2 in vanilla greek yogurt and using it as a fruit dip.

    Thanks for the suggestions!! Beans are a great source of protein, you're right I should incorporate those more. The only thing is it just takes so many calories of them to reach the protein goal I have for lunch! Maybe I just need more recipes... I will get looking!

    And, I have been trying to find PB2 forever but I don't think it's in stores where I'm at. Probably means it's time to buck up and order a bunch when it goes on sale on groupon again.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    piheart wrote: »

    Oh, and have you tried PB2 in the greek yogurt? I like mixing PB2 in vanilla greek yogurt and using it as a fruit dip.

    Thanks for the suggestions!! Beans are a great source of protein, you're right I should incorporate those more. The only thing is it just takes so many calories of them to reach the protein goal I have for lunch! Maybe I just need more recipes... I will get looking!

    And, I have been trying to find PB2 forever but I don't think it's in stores where I'm at. Probably means it's time to buck up and order a bunch when it goes on sale on groupon again.

    PB2 is just peanut flour. Try in the flour section of your grocery store if you can't find actual PB2. I've also found peanut flour at Trader Joes if you have one of those nearby.