How can I find time to make these super-arty lunches

metherer

AB - I second you on the portion control thing. I find that using my bento boxes really makes me think about how much food I'm actually consuming.

Gailey - agreed its not money saving at first, but once you have picked up a few bits (bearing in mind that none of them are really necessities) you can make them very cheaply. When I made bento lunches regularly I often used leftovers, and will do so again. And if you buy things specially you don't need a large quantity of it.

Was really looking forward to my lunch today. AB - do you find that you enjoy your food more when you know you've throught about it and put effort into making it? More so than grabbing a sandwich?


M
x

SEASHELL

arkonite_babe wrote: »

A very simple box with a tight sealing lid, something like a lock & lock or one of the klippit boxes, that's all you need to get started

Bonus items if you have them are; cookie cutters and craft punches. If you don't have these they are by no means essential.

I have a perfect sized lock and lock with removable dividers. I will look to see what the model number is on the bottom for you. It only cost me £2.99 so it didn't break the bank.

Thanks arkonite_babe would appreciate the number if it's there. I can't believe I've never heard of bento before. I've been browsing bento sites and some of the stuff is amazing even my dd got excited about it and is now looking forward to starting school so she can take "cool" lunches First time she's been excited about food for a long time.

arkonite_babe

Seashell, I went to look for the box and dearest eldest daughter left it in her work fridge :mad: :mad: :mad:
I will get it for you when she brings it home

Metherer, when I don't make a bento and I buy lunch, I just feel so guilty and I have a tendency to head for all the wrong food. Tomorrow I'm feeling like panda PBJ pockets and fruit.

Gailey the detail on the sarnies is cheese. Usually cut from sliced cheese, I do this with cheddar sandwich slices, you don;t have to use processed cheese. Leftover bits get crumbled in other food or used in toasties, no waste then Sandwich crusts from pocket sarnies go into the breadcrumb bag in the freezer or for making croutons in winter with soups. Carrot shape cutouts get bunged in a freezer bag for use in casseroles or stews.

arkonite_babe

SEASHELL wrote: »

Thanks arkonite_babe would appreciate the number if it's there. I can't believe I've never heard of bento before. I've been browsing bento sites and some of the stuff is amazing even my dd got excited about it and is now looking forward to starting school so she can take "cool" lunches First time she's been excited about food for a long time.

Seashell, my daughter finally brough the box home from her work fridge!
The model number on the bottom is as follows..... HPL 815 and is 550ml with 2 removable dividers.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you

metherer

Bento-ing is addictive... My new mayo case and sushi grass arrived today, and a couple of new boxes came on Saturday.

arkonite_babe

I have a few other bits and pieces in swap limbo. Collection downsizing due to a house move much to hubbys relief

23rdspiral

woop! more people bento-ing!

i made a great discovery last week, sosmix-ages are FABULOUS cold in bento! (for those that dont know, that's sausages made from sos-mix, which is TVP).
i had one with salad, leftover brown rice, and chinese salted veg. i worried it'd be dry, but it was yum!

arkonite_babe

cool, I haven't tried anything like that. I'm a dedicated meat eater

Bento for me is still using the odds and sods from the freezer (leftovers) so they aren't pretty. Hence very little in the way of blog posts.

Triker

Saw these and thought...perfect for Bento http://www.lakeland.co.uk/jigsaw-toast-cutter/F/keyword/jigsaw/product/14258

Also have them on ebay. I've a Lakeland near work so may pop in for a looksy.

mumoftwo

I have discovered Bento :j I love the bento boxes and when I was in Lakeland they had new lunch boxes in and were selling the Alladin bento box cheap, I just had to have it.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31P5t7A01DL._AA300_.jpg

I make lunches for my DD at school and meet her at lunchtime, so that one will be good for winter time, I can make cooked stuff for her and me.

I also had to have one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PINK-STRAWBERRY-LUNCH-BENTO-BOX-CUTLERY-GIFT-/190385585762?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item2c53dd7e62#ht_761wt_911

Just because it is so cute.

I love this thread and have spend hours looking through your blog and your links to other blogs Arkonitebabe.

Lakeland are started to do nice boxes:
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/product/14067