Using Bento Boxes for lunches.

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  • mariannehgv
    mariannehgv Posts: 34 Member
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    Hello! I've been drooling over all those pretty lunches as well. I used to make bentos about 4 years ago when I was losing weight and in one of my Japanese cooking phases, and it worked brilliantly, so I've picked it up again. Sadly the lid of my bento box melted a bit due to being too close to a hot frying pan, but if I keep only dry things in the large container that shouldn't matter.

    Today's lunch: leftover couscous with yellow moong dall, raisins, courgette and tomato. Other container: boiled egg, tropical fruit and nut mix, sunflower seeds and a mandarin. Total kcal around 550.

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  • kramrn77
    kramrn77 Posts: 375 Member
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    Proud new owner of an insulated lunch bag, so about to see how things withstand being in a car in the warm spring weather. I figure I'll toss in a frozen water bottle and hope for the best!glz1zpmqi6c6.jpg
    Lettuce wraps, one with chicken and guacamole and the other with chicken, roast beef and avocado dressing (trying to see which hold up the best. Raspberries and blackberries, carrots and hummus in the container. For my morning snack: whipped BP on celery with two strawberries for color. And as a yummy, Mexican caramels. Grand total: 571 for lunch and snack.
  • mariannehgv
    mariannehgv Posts: 34 Member
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    Ooh, very clever idea of the frozen water bottle! I'm going to make an insulated lunch tote soon, because my boyfriend has some clothes to get rid of. I'll make sure to leave room for a frozen water bottle as well :-)
  • xesixb
    xesixb Posts: 165 Member
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    My mouth is watering! It looks so delicious. I think you're doing a great job bento-ing. It really helps with keeping portions under control.
  • chesves
    chesves Posts: 224 Member
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    I needed to revisit this thread .... so inspiring .... hadn't been on here in forever- thanks for the renewed inspiration!
  • HanamiDango
    HanamiDango Posts: 456 Member
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    So lunch is still leftovers and no photos however yesterday was leftover pasta from Skinny Taste which I add a good amount of vegetables to and today's was homemade tortillas with cheese and leftover pork taco meat from last night. Both meals are under 500 cals. I think for tomorrows lunch I might do chicken chili or something like that since tonight is chicken tenders and mac/cheese which the kids will eat all up.
  • satansees
    satansees Posts: 42 Member
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    Rice, kale (I don't know if I like kale) and steamed haddock with sauce and random vegetables. Plus seaweed rice crackers. Under 500 calories. As much as I like my monbento, this round thing is a bit of a better size. 1eqa5lo9gc14.jpg
  • PixieGoddess
    PixieGoddess Posts: 1,833 Member
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    Dijon chicken, rice, and cooked veggies in the big tier; broccoli and cauliflower in the small tier with some Ranch dressing (not pictured, it was in the fridge)
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  • cindytw
    cindytw Posts: 1,027 Member
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    @kramrn77 you do't have re-usable ice packs? They are cheap and I thought a staple for taking lunch!
  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
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    cheap thin kitchen sponge + water for it (enough that it's not dripping) + ziploc bag + freezer = cooler success!
  • kramrn77
    kramrn77 Posts: 375 Member
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    I figured I would like the cold water anyway, so I just tossed it in. And it worked very well. Everything was cold when I ate lunch. I thought about the sponge and ziplock trick, but since I need to drink more water anyway....
  • kramrn77
    kramrn77 Posts: 375 Member
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    Today's lunch- 3z3zdikshju9.jpg
    Lettuce wraps- one with hummus and the other with guacamole and roast beef and salami. Blackberries and strawberries. Pecans and sharp cheddar cheese. Total calorie count 529. With a P3 pack for "second breakfast" I am good to go!
  • HanamiDango
    HanamiDango Posts: 456 Member
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    Chili and Frito's for hubby lunch today, so around 470 cals today for his lunch. Ok, so went a whole week making him lunches, now to make them better this next week!
    mangrothian wrote: »
    Ah to be a bit otaku and not have a hubby who doesn't prefer your food preferences. I feel you, I really do. I'm just glad one of my gf's is as obsessed with ramen as I am :p

    Honestly, hubby and I have always clashed on food choices. I like my vegetables plain and he like them with butter, salt, cheese, etc LOL.
    I have yet to find a good place for ramen but that is awesome!!

  • mangrothian
    mangrothian Posts: 1,351 Member
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    I'm not going to be having any bentos for nearly two weeks :( I'll need to rely on everyone's bento porn pics to keep me going whilst I'm travelling,
    HanamiDango wrote: »
    Honestly, hubby and I have always clashed on food choices. I like my vegetables plain and he like them with butter, salt, cheese, etc LOL.
    I have yet to find a good place for ramen but that is awesome!!

    Heh, we're the same. Salt, butter, tomato sauce, cheese. At the most I might sprinkle chilli powder on mine. As to ramen, I had to go to LOTS of different places before I found a few good ones. Although there's nothing wrong with a decent cup kitsune udon on occasion.
  • madiao
    madiao Posts: 119 Member
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    Omg I love ramen!! I'm lucky that hubby likes the same foods as I do so there is never need to male more than one thing :smile:

    Its not a bento but I made this home made ramen for dinner this week, it was so delicious!

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  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,435 Member
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    I bought a square monbento after my first bento box was warped in the microwave (it was labeled "microwave safe"). My hubs is now using the monbento box, and loves to take his lunches now
  • votkuhr
    votkuhr Posts: 276 Member
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    Hello from the newest member in this bento club!

    Top:
    - Mashed sweet potatoes with pepper and ground cinnamon
    - Hard boiled egg

    Middle:
    - Papaya, honeydew and edamame

    Bottom:
    - Chicken stewed in tomato sauce (garlic, basil, oregano), chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and yellow capsicum

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  • Boadicea_22
    Boadicea_22 Posts: 1 Member
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    I've been inspired by this thread too - I just need to sort out some time to get the photos uploaded. I can see that smallest boy and I will be taking bento style lunches on our days out this term.
  • Carol_
    Carol_ Posts: 469 Member
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    They are really pretty. I use '3 divider' Tupperware type containers and also others. I might look into these if they aren't way too expensive.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
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    Carol_ wrote: »
    They are really pretty. I use '3 divider' Tupperware type containers and also others. I might look into these if they aren't way too expensive.

    You really don't need to buy the fancy "bento" boxes, any old box will do. I started out with Lock Lock boxes and gladware. Unless you want to buy the fancy boxes... just a warning they get kind of addictive :wink:

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