I stumbled across lunchinabox.net a couple of weeks ago and was intrigued.

Now, I'll state right off that a lot of the food that people in Asian countries eat, you could never get me to put within a foot of my mouth - but that's because I'm a somewhat picky eater and am very picky with seafood/fish.

Anyway, I decided to try out the concept of packing my lunches that way. I've fell into the trap of eating out a ridiculous amount since I started grad school last September. I like the idea of packing one container well and the forced portion sizes you have to deal with based on the container size. (There's a link on the website that specifies how big a container you should use based on sex, age, height - plus exceptions).

I'm sort of trying to follow the 4,3,2,1 rule (although not to a T). 4 parts carb, 3 veggies, 2 protein, 1 desert <- I either skip, or add something on top as a desert/snack for later.

I've taken pictures of the few lunches I've made so far to show my family, and most are impressed and one sister wants me to make her lunches. :P Anyway, the concept is cool and it can be a neat way to change your lunches around.


My First Bento Box - kiwi, babybel cheese, grape tomatoes, rice (yaki onigiri) , chicken from a chicken curry at Tropika, Thai stir-fried veggies from Tropika


Lunch and Dinner Bentos (#2) - lunch in lock and lock, dinner in Winnie the Pooh container, and small lock and lock of jello pudding (snack). Dinner in next picture, and lunch was pretty much identical to bento #1, but had raisins instead of a babybel cheese.


Dinner Bento (half of bento 2) - Vegetarian Chili made by mom from Traineo recipe, apple slices, wheat thins and mini eggs.


Bento #3 - Lunch
KD Spirals (mac and cheese) with half a Turkey and Chicken mexican sausage (Freybe), kiwi, Tangy Dill Crunch'em pickles, yellow pepper, and a few cherry tomatoes. Side container with jello pudding - container slightly leaked

wow...that looks really awesome!! I use the same set of Lock&Lock containers for my kids lunches and never thought to use cupcake liners to create sections in them. Thanks for sharing this!

Pretty cool!

I love this site, though it's in Japanese.

You can also Google Flickr + Bento + <something> and usually find a Bento rendition of whatever.

Now THERE is a great idea! I've heard a lot about using bento boxes when you're brown-bagging your meals and I think this could be great for me because I am always working or at school with a lunchbag overflowing with brown rice and plain chicken or salad.

What sorts of healthy, diet-friendly foods do you put in your bento meals?

Thanks!

I have been eating my lunches at school bento-style for years. I never get tired of it! I always have rice or pasta, some source of protein, typically an egg, and a vegetable.

The cupcake liners are awesome. I took the suggestion from the lunchinabox website and got some silicon ones so a) I can reuse them and b) they can hold stuff that is wet.

I've only started making the lunches this week, and will only typically need to make lunch Tues-Thur based on my schedule this semester.

It's been fun so far, trying to come up with what to put in and trying out different ideas.

am evolved - that's cool. I think it would have been a lot of fun to have gotten into this earlier.. oh well, I can still enjoy it. And I feel much healthier eating my bento because I can think about what I'm putting together vs buying a lunch on the run.

I LOVE bento boxes!! I want that pokemon one!! cool

hey that is really a great idea. ill hav to try that soon, cuz im gettin sick of eatin subway every day! the cupcake holders look like you could put a variety of things in them, but are still a fabulous way to keep portions in check! awesome!

tex