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Packing Lunches…the bento way
By metropolitanmama | September 28, 2008
Tired of packing the same old foods for lunch every day for you or your child? Wish you could pack healthier, fresher, more nutritious items?
You have got to try packing lunches the bento box way! Essentially, bento is a style of Japanese cuisine that has gained in popularity here in the States because it’s a super healthy and fun way to eat. It involves eating small quantities of a variety of foods.
Two brilliant moms created the bento-inspired Laptop Lunch System in 2001…and their system is kid-friendly and parent-proof. The “system” is a lunch box with four square-shaped containers (plus one “mini” dip container), a reusable water bottle, and a stainless steel fork and spoon. The system comes in an attractive insulated carrying case (free of characters or big brand names - love that!).
Here’s how it works. Every day you pack different fresh items in each square. Need creative lunch ideas? No worries! A handy Laptop Lunch User’s Guide is included and it’s one of the best books that I’ve seen on lunch packing to date.
Check out just a short list of the ideas within the pages:
- Sliced apples
- Dried apricots
- Blueberries, rasperries, cherries, or strawberries
- Grapefruit slices or 1/2 of a grapefruit
- A plum, a peach, or a nectarine
- Raw veggies: carrots, bell peppers, green beans, celery, etc.
- Steamed asparagus
- Baked potato
- Cottage Cheese
- Hard-boiled egg
- Black beans
- Pretzels
- Trail Mix
- Cubed watermelon or honeydew melon
- Mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (perhaps cut into fun shapes?)
WIN IT! One winner will receive a Laptop Lunch Bento Box System, courtesy of SuperMomz. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, October 6 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner is #240 Sue. Congratulations!
Topics: contests, product review, recipes/healthy eating |
September 28th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
so good to have you back
my tip is to get as much of it done the night before as possible!!
thanks!
moore.g@insideconnect.net
September 28th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
My best tip for packing hubby’s lunch is to change it up often. I try to send a different lunch each day. Thanks for the chance to enter. I have been reading some on bento boxes lately so this is perfect timing.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Plan ahead! I like to have some kind of idea before I start to assemble the lunch… otherwise it ends up really haphazard!
One of Roo’s classmates has this lunchbox system and it is really cool. I’d love to try it out, too.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Hi Steph! How are you feeling?
I love this idea! Here is my tip. We love the sandwiches at Whole Foods but they’re pretty expensive. So we get a nice bread like a whole wheat ciabatta (several actually), we go to the WF deli and buy the meat and cheese and then cut up veggies and then it’s super easy to put together. It taste just like the sandwiches at WF and we can prepare them ourselves in just a short amount of time! : )
September 28th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
These look great! We pack Blondie’s lunches in a metal lunchbox, but her cup and sandwich tupperware don’t fit in it together, and we have to get creative (and use a LOT of plastic baggies) to get everything in there. I like the compartments and the fact that the drink fits inside as well. Thanks!
September 28th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
My kids aren’t in school yet, but the system would be cool even for picnics in the park. I also love the muffin tin idea, I think that I might try that tomorrow. The kids seem to eat more when you kind of trick them by changing things up. Great ideas!!!
September 28th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
my husband always takes leftovers and a PB&J, As for my daughter we just got started and I her help me. She helps every step of the way and then she really does eat her lunch. It takes twice as long to make but she eats it!! One side note is she like to try new combos in her sandwiches which I have her take a bite before packing just in case she does not like it.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:22 am
For picky eaters especially, it’s good to get them involved in the planning (and preparation, too, if possible). It seems like everyone tends to eat better if they have some involvement in the process.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Oh I so like this. This would be great to take to the beach!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:32 am
I would love to win this!!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:42 am
I have always allowed my girls to help choose and prepare their lunches the night before. I also sneak a little surprise in there each morning. They have found that they actually look forward to lunch each day and almost always eat it all!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:54 am
We aren’t packing lunch regularly for our little guy yet, but we do love to picnic whenever we take a day trip. This would be great because I never have enough room in our insulated bag. My tip:when the weather is nice, we picnic even when we’re at home (on the front porch or in the back yard). My lo loves to eat outside and seems to be less picky if he’s not in the usual high chair situation
September 29th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Great lunch box! Thanks!
September 29th, 2008 at 5:04 am
That is a cute little lunch pack! I’ve abhorred the standard lunch boxes for years. Both of my daughters and my husband usually prefer brown bags, because the standard lunch boxes are no better. This would be a nice change of pace, it would certainly save me money, and it would mean one less person buying up throw-away bags.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:10 am
My tip for lunches: I make homemade bread once a week or so. To keep it fresh, I slice it and store it in a big ziploc bag in the freezer. If we are taking a picnic lunch somewhere, I make the sandwiches on the still frozen bread, and they thaw by the time we are ready to eat. If we’re eating at home, I just pop some slices in the microwave for a bit.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:56 am
This is really cute and practical. I’d love to win this!
September 29th, 2008 at 6:02 am
I like to use Ziploc bags to keep each item fresh.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:09 am
The best tip I have is, packing it the night before. If I wait until morning, things are so rushed, I’m more likely to put processed junk into it.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Do it the night before.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:29 am
We pack lunches here. . . the trick is to send good, fresh food. Not prepackaged junk. The kids love wraps, a thermos with sloppy joes plus whole wheat chips for dipping, and salads with chicken. We keep dice cooked chicken and keep it in the freezer to quickly toss on a salad with fresh veggies or fruit. Small container on the side holds the dressing. Love this lunch system. . . makes so much sense. MKW
September 29th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Pack it the night before.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:20 am
We are big fans and followers of Muffin Tin Meals, but I really want to buy Bento boxes for the kids. They’d love them!
Thanks for the contest…
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
September 29th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I forgot to leave my tip — Personalize it! Make sandwiches in the shape of letters starting with your child’s name. It makes it hard not to eat!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Well, this lunch box interests me because I do like to eat healthy and have been tossing all my seperate items into little ziplob bags. It is working since I then take all my little bags and toss them into a large ziploc bag with ice in it. This would make way more sense!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I love the Bento box! Right now - I send DH to work with leftovers in disposable plastic containers. (I prepare meals with the purpose of having enough left over for his lunch the next day. Pssst - that’s my tip.) The Bento system might make him more likely to actually bring the containers home. Lol!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I plan the night before school/or going to the park and it saves much time. My family is picky so its not always easy sneakin in good foods.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:46 am
We like to go grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon and spend Sunday evenings as a family chopping up fresh fruits and veggies and splitting them up for the week into baggies that can be easily grabbed for packing lunches. Even my 2 year old gets into helping by counting how many carrots go into each baggie. This way I also get to grab healthy snacks for work instead of those horrible frozen meals.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:02 am
wow, I need to get more organized! I am usually running around in the morning trying to see what I can send with my 2 kids for lunch. It would be much easier to send things that aren’t pre-packaged if they had a lunch box like this one.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Great giveaway! I like to put a note in with lunch.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Deff. make the night before
September 29th, 2008 at 9:28 am
those are neat. great prize.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I would absolutely love to win one of these. I’ve had my eye on them for almost a year now, and just haven’t taken the jump to buy any.
I’ve always been terrible at packing lunches, usually just stuffing some leftovers into a plastic container, or slapping together a PB&J sandwich. These containers make *me* eager for lunch… and I’m betting they would make *packing* a lunch fun, too!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
These are so cute and such a fun idea for packing lunches. It would force me to pack more of a variety so I could fill it up.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:14 am
So many ideas, so desperate to win! I would preslice and dice the evening before, and pack the box the morning of. A little split duty.
Thanks for the contest!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Frozen Grapes. Not only a great snack but it keeps the lunch cold.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
September 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Thanks for the contest! Would love to have them and I know my kids would too!
firstrosegrrl@yahoo.com
September 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am
My best tip is that you don’t have to pack cupcakes or cookies to leave something special in a child’s lunch. I regularly leave my son drawings of friendly monsters, robots and other creatures in his lunch, and he appreciates that a lot more than he would any sweets. Plus, it lasts longer, too.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:16 am
WOULD LOVE TO BACK IT WITH FRUIT AND VEGGIES… GREAT IDEA
September 29th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Thanks.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Hello. Growing up I hated the sandwiches in my lunchbox. They would either be to soft and mushy or the PB&J seemed hard and stale. So, what I do for my daughter’s lunches is place all spreads and sauces in a separate container with a plastic knife. This allows the bread to stay fresh. As for the PB&J we reserve those for afterschool snacks.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
tip- make extra food at meals and set aside in fridge before serving dinner/meals- and make the lunches at night- alot more detail and love is usually put into them
September 29th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Our absolutely best idea for packing lunches is to pack/plan the night before! I know it sounds simple, but it saves time and money. I actually have my older boys (13 and 10) pack their own lunches from a set list of available items. That way they get to have some say in what they are eating, and it teaches responsibility. Funny thing is, I still plan my husband’s lunch! Oh well!
tfisher83 AT myexcel DOT com
September 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Neat Idea!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’ve been hearing a lot about these bento box lunches lately. They look so cute and healthy! I would love to start doing this - I also think it would be great for my husband’s lunch.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My tip: I only get hubby to get a packed lunch about once a week, otherwise he is usually at client lunches. But when I do I always make sure to add a favorite in, luckily with my husband that could be avocado spread on his sandwich or yogurt with wheat germ and fresh fruit! Hopefully my kids are this easy!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
My picky husband hates a pre-made sandwich that sits in a lunchbox or fridge for hours. So, for egg salad and tuna, a put the mix in baggies so you can just squirt them out onto his bread for a fresh sammie!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I am glad that my daycare provides lunch so I don’t have to worry about it. But it will only be a couple of short years that I will be sending my daughter to school with lunch and this is perfect. I would probablly use it myself. Of course my girl would have to have the pink one!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Would love to win this. What a great compact lunch idea!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Thanks for the chance. This would be great.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I’ve seen these before and love them. I think they would be great for my hubby. I’d like to be able to send him off with something more interesting than leftovers. I don’t think I really have any great advice for lunches b/c the only one I pack now is hubby’s and it’s usually leftovers. I guess I could say to always have something on hand for sandwiches somthing quick for those times when you don’t end up with leftovers!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Definitely needs to be done the night before. I got my kids involved in the process when they were quite young, they are older teens now and pretty self-sufficient.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Variety is the spice of my lunch box menus.
My husband, being Danish, liked only open-faced sandwiches for lunch. I could place three bread slices (usually a dark rye) with things such as pate or sliced egg and capers or shrimp in mayonnaise sauce into a special lunch box. I needed only to separate them with pieces of waxed paper.
I made a list of many, many sandwich combinations and checked them off through the month. Never had any complaints, only favorable comments!
September 29th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Enter Me Please
September 29th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I have to pack my lunch every day…I only have a 30 minute break between classes and I can’t leave the school. I’m SO tired of packing lunches, but I think this would make it a little bit more fun! My only tip is to have some Lean Pockets in the freezer for days when I don’t have time to make a sandwich! Thanks for the giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’d love to win. It’s such a nice prize.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I love this! I have been looking for a practical lunch box fit for work and beyond…I like to keep lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and nut mixes on hand for a quick lunch on the go.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
as my grandson says wow
September 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
A friend was just telling me last week that she likes lunch trays/dividers like this because it reminds her to provide her kids with a variety of things to eat. She said one of her sons even reminds her if she happens to leave one of the compartments empty!
September 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I have been in love with the idea of Bento boxes for a long time now. I would say pack a variety of things so the kids won’t be bored of there lunch. Try to put in stuff that won’t spoil to easily. Put in fruits, veggies, and a sandwich. Try to be creative and put in different foods each time. Try to pack the food a day ahead of time if you are able to.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I wash and re-use the baby food containers for their lunches!
September 29th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I pack lunches the night before. When we run late, we still have lunch ready to go.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
My tip is to pack lunches the night before; whenever I tell myself I will just do it in the morning, I end up not getting around to it.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Count me in, my 2 oldest kids would probably fight over who gets to use it first. Thanks for the great giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I’m always looking for clever ways to do lunch. The colorful and unique design will make my daughter want to take lunch every day (and it may inspire her to let me include new things!).
Thanks for the opportunity to win this wonderful item!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
OH what a FAB idea….now that I’m packing lunches for 2 cherubs it gets a little tricky! My best tip is to make the lunches up the night BEFORE….to do it that morning is nutzo!! Thanks!!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
awesome idea
September 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I try to always pack some type of fresh fruit and vegetable with a protein like turkey.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
This is so cool.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Pack lunches at night and offer a variety.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
This is such a great packing device! It would fit in well with what I do. My favorite pick for packing my kids lunches is to make it interesting and fun. That way, getting lots of nutritious and healthy foods in them is easy! One big way I do that is through “dippers”! Instead of just celery or carrots, I’ll add in a small container of hummus for them to dip them in. With apples, a bit of organic, natural peanut butter. We’ll let them make home-made “lunchables” with whole grain triscuits or similar crackers, some lean turkey and cheese. For my kids at least, things that can be dipped or put together themselves are much more fun!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
That is so cool! My daughter just started kindergarten this year. I love the separate compartments.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
This is a really great idea. It is really cute and a great way to eat a healthy lunch in style. Also, it organizes things so that you can keep your portions under control and aren’t just filling things to the top when they may be much too big. This way you can keep yogurt separate from fruits and veggies or a sandwich. Really great idea for a product. I think I need a couple!
September 29th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
These are super cool, I could use these.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Son needs it!
September 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
My idea is to try to change up the food as much as possible and to try to have as much put together the night before as you can.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This is very neat!
September 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I love the idea of small portions of different foods. I am trying to get some baby weight off and this would be a great way to avoid the lunches at school and eat healthier.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Bento boxes are so cool. I re-use butter tubs and things like that for crackers or fruit. If it comes home, great, if it gets lost or forgotten, its no big deal. Thank for the chance to win!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
this is so cool! my son is totally into japanese stuff and this would make a killer lunch box for him.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
So good to see you back!
I love this idea. Right now my son takes a lunchbox to school with his snacks, and I always have a hard time fitting his water bottle in with his food. I’d love to have one that it built in. I could use one for each kid!!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hey, great prize! This would be soooo useful.
Thanks for the giveaway!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I make enough sandwiches with deli meat for one or two weeks.
I individually wrap and freeze them, minus any kind of dressing.
I add the dressing before putting the sandwich into my lunch sack.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
September 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
So glad to read your posts again, Stephanie! Welcome back. I hope the rest of pregnancy is much more restful and wonderful for you!
I grew up with a mini bento style container that I sometimes used for my school lunches. I LOVED IT. I definitely want to use a lunch box system for my entire family…it’s way cheaper than going out to eat!
Plan ahead and make sure there are plenty of fruits and veggies. If you have time, you can roll up kim bop (Korean style sushi that doesn’t need to be refridgerated)…sushi is so easy to make as long as the chopping prep is done the night before.
If you have things that turn brown from oxidizing, like apples or avocadoes, squeeze a little lemon juice or orange juice on them.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
My kids love it when I freeze frozen yogurt the night before in a thermos and send it in their lunch. By lunch time icecream is softer and Yummy!
September 29th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Not sure why but my first comment did not go through so I will try again. This is such a cool item. would love one of these bentos. I like packing lunches for hubby and the kids in tupperware containers with compartments but this looks even better.
I always like to pack lunches the night before. It makes the mornings easier. Also, I use the Gerber plastic containers my daughter used to hold snacks.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
My tip is don’t overbuy. People tend to think they need gobs more food than they do.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I let my son choose one food to pack in his lunch everyday. It’s not usually the healthiest food in his lunch, but I have found that he eats more of the healthy stuff if he has a part in packing his lunch! He would love this lunchbox!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
How cute and handy, I always fix lunches the night before saves time
thanks for the chance
September 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
bless you.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
My tip is to bag it up and get it ready the night before.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I only have to make lunches a few times a week, so, I always include a little note to my husband or daughter along with their food. Sometimes its silly and others its a reminder of how much they mean to me.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:08 am
WOW!! Great Idea!!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Great idea,hope I win.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I make extras at dinner for lunch the next day and pack it up once it is cool enough. Would love to have a couple of these, lol
September 30th, 2008 at 5:55 am
wow
September 30th, 2008 at 5:58 am
This is such a timely giveaway for me. I have been looking for a bento box. I love this one! Thanks for the giveaway!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I’d love to put fruits and veggies in it for my kids.
September 30th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Welcome back! Lately, I’ve been on a wrap kick. You can make a wrap out of just about anything–throw it in and roll it up. My husband eats on the go. So, it’s also easy to handle; and stuff isn’t falling out of it like a sandwich.
September 30th, 2008 at 6:40 am
These are REALLY NICE! I could use these.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:26 am
We have six kids so making lunches every day is a real chore. We have made it easier by planning the lunch menu for the week every Friday night, then we go buy the groceries. Every morning it is easier to make the lunches since I already what is going in them. The kids are able to help, they just look at the menu on the fridge and put the stuff in the lunch boxes. Some days, the older kids have been able to make all of the lunches without our help.
I would love to win this lunch box for myself, I’ve been working on losing some weight and this system could help me have correct portions to eat during the day.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I have been looking into these bento lunch boxes. There very cool.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:40 am
i would love to win this for myself haha. i love bento lunchboxes, and this is great!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:42 am
This would be ideal to take to work and for snacks at my kids games.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I would love to win this! I like to make bento style lunches!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I just saw one of these on a site and thought what a great idea and so green. I then got one of the newsletters with it in there I put it in a folder because I hoping to be able to get my hands on two. It would save soooo many plastic sandwich bags
September 30th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I have to admit that when I made my daughters lunch this morning, I used 4 baggies - yikes! This system is great!
My best tip is to make the lunch with the person who’s gonna eat it! I’ve made so many uneaten lunches that end up in the trash because it just wasn’t what they wanted. It’s worth it to just ask!
Thanks for the great contest!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:52 am
What a wonderful design. Much better than baggies. thanks for the chance
September 30th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I’m in!! Thanx for the contest.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Chance it up everyday. Throw in a few surprises. Like the one day I put a pickle in my sons lunch and he said his whole class was jealous. Who new, a pickle?!?
September 30th, 2008 at 11:00 am
that is great
September 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Love bento boxes!
September 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I’ve been looking allover for this
September 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
This would be great- Thanks for the chance:)
September 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
This looks awesome! I could use this for sure!!
September 30th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I pack my boyfriends lunch almost everyday, he would love one of these!
September 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I’ve been wanting one of these for a while now!
My only real “tip” for packing lunches is to not buy small sizes. If you like yogurt, buy a large container of yogurt and put it into a small tupperware container. Juice? They make small reusable things for juice. Don’t buy small bags of chips, just put some chips in a reusable bag. Etc. etc. Don’t be wasteful!
September 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Making them the night before!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
i want to win
September 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I would love to win this lunch box. I like that my food can be separated. Count me in.
September 30th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
MY BST TIP IS VARIETY. and make sure your child is happy about what you pack.
September 30th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
wonderful prize…would LOVE to win. THANKS
September 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Great prize- I could sure use SOMETHING to spice up lunch- PB&J gets old after a while
September 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
want to win this
September 30th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I like to pack the majority of the lunch the night before. Thanks for the contest.
September 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
What a time saver.
September 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I love Bento! thanks for the contest!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I love these! They would be perfect for my little grandson. He attends pre-school two days a week and they have what they call the “lunch bunch”…those children who will stay through lunch. He loves to be a part of the “lunch bunch”. He eats a wide variety of foods so he is easy to pack for but he loves to be a part of the “packing lunch” process and he can do a good job of picking a fruit, picking a vegetable, etc. He would love filling the different sections.
September 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
this would be a great replacement for our teenage mutant ninja turtle box
September 30th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I’d love to win for my son for school! He’d love this!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I have been looking at these. Would love to win one.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I love sandwiches, they are easy and great to eat! Thanks
September 30th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
very interesting. I like it.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I like the classic tips of freezing the drink the night before to keep things cool or using a thermos to keep soup warm. Oh and always put the heavy stuff on the bottom.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Great contest! Thank you.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I totally love this system! I’m back in school myself and I’ve been eating whatever I can grab from the vending machines. Not good at all! I would love to lose ten pounds, but the way I’m eating I might just be gaining ten pounds.
September 30th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
this looks like fun!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:59 am
My tip is to have your spouse make the lunches! Hee hee!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
How cool is that! I’ve been trying to find creative ways to send my son to school without plastic bags. This would be fab for both kids!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:46 am
What a great prize! Thanks for the contest.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:22 am
I try to get what I can get done the night before. And I also plan for leftovers.
If I’m making something I know my daughter or husband likes, I’ll make extras to have for lunch the next day.
Awesome contest.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:36 am
So glad that you are back and at it on the blog! I was getting worried!
My best tip would probably be plan ahead. When I pack my husband’s lunch, I always like to keep a good variety so that he doesn’t get burnt out on one thing…Planning ahead is the only way to go!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
October 1st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
thanks for this contest
October 1st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
My tip is that I have alittle of everything in the house. I do the boys lunches in the morning and I neverk know what they are going to want that day to eat. I would love to be able to make lunches in the evening but my oldest is very picky about what he wants.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
If I have any vegetables left over - I put them in a plastic container and freeze them. Then when I make homemade soup I have all these vegetables already at hand. Makes wonderful soups!
Thanks for this great contest and prize@!
October 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
perfect. this is just what i was looking for as my son starts school!
October 1st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
great for work.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:41 pm
HUBBY IS TOTING LUNCH FROM HOME NOW AS WE ARE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO SAVE $$$ - THIS WOULD BE A GODSEND TO STRUGGLING TO FIND CONTAINERS, LIDS, BAGS, ETC.. . DS AND DD WILL ONLY EAT PB&J FOR LUNCH BUT MAYBE THIS COOL TOTE WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY NEW THINGS!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I would have to say, pack the night before. I am not coherent in the mornings and it would be an adventure everyday finding out what strange thing I had packed! Great giveaway, thanks!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
This is a great way to pack a lunch. I always have trouble getting leftover containers in the lunch bag I currently use. Thanks for the giveaway!
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
My best tip is to plan ahead for the week so everything is on hand for fast packing of healthy lunches!
Thanks
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Like others above have said my tip is to plan ahead. This system would help me be more organized for my sons lunches. thanks for the chance!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
My son loves peanut butter sandwiches. I try to make them in different ways to keep it interesting like cutting it into triangles or strips or flattening the bread and making a “roll up”. I pack his lunch every day, so I could really use this. Thanks!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
I always check the freezer packs and put them into freezer bags to be sure they aren’t leaking! Thanks!
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
WOW!! Those are great! No more ziplog bags!!! My tip is to ALWAYS make sure an ice pack is in the freezer and do everything the night before! Thanks!
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
thanks so much!
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’ve been wanting to try bento but it looks so intimidating! This set looks fabulous though!
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
this would really be nice
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
We are all about fresh fruit and leftovers.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I’m new at being a momma of a school aged child, so I am still learning. I do always pack my little one’s lunch box the night before though!
I saw these laptop lunches in Parents magazine and fell in love. I am hoping so badly that I will win!
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Oh my goodness! I’ve seen these in magazine lately and thought they were such a great idea. We’re working really hard at living a more green life and this would be so wonderful to have! m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I just love this system!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I buy small bottles of water, which I freeze and put into their lunch boxes in the morning when packing lunches, it keeps food cold and is unfrozen in time for a very cold refreshing drink of water.
Thank you for a chance to win.
camper223@live.com
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
i have to agree with PLAN AHEAD!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’ve always tried to be a little creative with packing lunches because they can get boring. I might wrap the food in colored cling wrap, put a sticker on the wraps or put a nice note in with the lunch. But, I always try and do as much as I can the night before since mornings seem to get away from me too fast.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Wow, this is the coolest thing. I am so about stopping the waste cycle! I love that there are no plastic baggies and that there are no characters on the bag.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:16 am
I don’t pack lunches that regularly, but I always try to make sure I have a good variety of healthful items to put IN the bento box to help avoid a meltdown due to hunger when we’re out of the house for an extended period of time.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
This would be great for my landscaping hubby on the job!
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Good to get variety-more healthy.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
I like that everything is reusable.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
That’s an awesome lunch box, it would be perfect for my son! My tip is to pack the no fridge required stuff the night before and have all the other stuff ready and together in the fridge so you can just throw it in, in the mornings.
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
My husband is on a diet and is finally (Yay!) eating healthy - so I pack him a daily lunch box and snack pack (to avoid those office sweet-tooth temptations. I always include: an apple, two bananas and two small cans of (low sodium) V-8 Juice. For VARIETY, I vary the sandwiches everyday and alternate with, different “sweets” (muffins, healthy cookies and other snacks. Sometimes I throw in a small bag of unsalted nuts (curbs the appetite.) Although they’re are kind of messy - I prefer unsalted peanuts or pistachios IN THE SHELL - which slows down the snacking!
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Oh, my — this is great! What a wonderful, and fun, way to use up nutritious leftovers…..I would definitely put this to good use.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
We already pack lunches like this - a lot of small containers w/different foods in them. The kids love having a variety! But it’s difficult to fit all the diff. shapes and sizes into lunchboxes so this Bento system would be a DREAM!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
We pack lunches the night before and the kids pick what they want and the amount so mornings are not nearly as hectic.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I think my best tip is to pack it the night before when you are not rushed. When I pack in a rush in the morning the result is a crappy lunch. I sent my husband a can of Spagettios and a half sleeve of Saltines one day. Let’s just say that one didn’t win any votes.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I’d love to win this. I’m a big fan of Bento Boxes because they keep foods separated and are useful for so many uses. For example, you can keep your bread from being soggy with tomatoes by putting the tomatoes in the compartment next to the bread!)
October 4th, 2008 at 1:19 am
The Bento Box lunch system is indeed a great idea, compartmentalizing foods (especially for those kids who like certain foods and can’t stand for them to be touched by the ones they dislike!) and creating more possibilities for tasting by
the organized boxes! It’s great when someone takes a tradition like that of the Japanese and integrates it into our culture for everyone to appreciate and use!
October 4th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
My tip for a kids lunch is to make it fun, pack a little something exra, like a fun size candybar. And for the hubby, leave him a little note telling him that you love him or something of that nature.
October 4th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Pack it the night before & sometimes tuck in a note, a funny picture, cartoon, or something else they’ll like.
October 4th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I have four kids, and in my morning fog I can never remember who likes what. I have four index cards that they keep updated with a list of their favorites. When I pack, I just pull out the lists and put them next to the right lunch box.
I would love to buy these for all my girls, but they are a little expensive for me. I’d love to win.
October 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Variety helps make lunch enjoyable
October 4th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
This would be so useful for work!!
October 4th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
enter me
October 4th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
My girls have traditional Japanese Bento boxes but I’ve been wanting one of these since I’ve seen them. Thanks for the chance.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
This would be great because my daughter wants to start taking her lunch and we have started to eat healthier!
Thanks!
October 4th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Packing a healthy lunch is imoprtant.. Atfer a few veggies, I treat the mwith a cookie
October 4th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
When planning my weekly dinner menu I also include one for lunch. This would be wonderful to have. Thank you so much!
October 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
This is a great giveaway with a useful prize. Thank you!!
agsweeps [@] hotmail [.] com
October 4th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
This is perfect for my son! His school is zero trash now, so this is a great way to avoid plastic bags.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
The best tip I have is just pack the night before.Mornings are too rushed .I currently use Rubbermaid collapsible containers for lunches. But this system would be great to have everything in one bag.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Great lunch box! Thanks!
October 5th, 2008 at 3:08 am
I will often freeze the lunchmeat for the sandwiches and then I know it stays cool but will defrost by lunchtime. It works out really well.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:14 am
JUST STARTED TO HAVE KIDS DO “COLD LUNCH” VIRSES SCHOOL PROGRAM…THIS WOULD BE GREAT!
October 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I am attending college and this would be great for my evening or very long classes. I really love the idea. Thank you for this chance to win.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Prep batches of materials that won’t spoil on the weekends.
October 5th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Awesome!
October 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
My kids where so picky when it came to their lunches and now I have a grand-girl who is just the same. I packed things I knew they would like and every other day I would introduce something new…like celery sticks with peanut butter or cheese whiz and most of the time it worked. They wouldnt try something new at home but they would at school..go figure..kids!
October 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
This looks like a very useful, convenient product. Would you please enter me for a chance to win? Thank you.
October 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Would love to win!
October 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
When we have leftovers from dinner I immediately package them in lunch sized containers so that my husband can quickly grab them out of the fridge and take them to work the next morning.
October 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
This is a great idea!
October 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
The only way I can pack healthy lunches is to do it the night before. I often eat leftovers for lunch the next day so if I set some aside when I’m putting the food away, I’m more likely to eat it and not be tempted to eat fastfood or not fix a lunch in the morning.
October 5th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
This is a cool idea for this family!
October 5th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Do it the night before!
October 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
this would be perfect for my daughter!!!
October 5th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
My ds refuses to eat sandwiches so I’ve been trying to figure out a way to send his lunch without it getting messy; this looks awsome… That said… Sunday we “plan” the weeks lunch.. then the night before we try to put together the stuff that can be together… Morning of check note of fridge that lists the items needed…
October 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
very cool count me in
October 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I make extra dinner so we can use it in our lucnhes. They’re never boring!
October 5th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I try to offer a variety. My daughter loves pineapple and grapes. I also put in some cheese cubes.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
always make lunches the night before - there’s never time in the morning
October 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Our family started a little trick during the lean years. Don’t feed them any supper and they’ll be more inspired to eat their entire lunch.
October 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
they are picky eaters-so I pack what I know they will eat-raw fruits and vegs are good. they help me decide
October 5th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Cute lunch box.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I just recently learned about bento, and I love the concept. My husband and I take lunches to work all the time. We try to use leftovers from meals out — like when we have a few pieces of fish left over from the fish baskets at our favorite seafood shop, we make sandwiches. I try to save half my meal when we eat at the steak place or a burger joint. It helps cut portions at the restaurant and makes the price of dining out a little more economical (two meals for the price of one).
October 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
My kids won’ eat their lunches if they aren’t fun so I’ll include a little kit of dried fruits or cheeses, croutons, nuts or seeds so they can sprinkle them on their salads or soups. I cut their sandwiches in fun shapes and slip in a little note.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Perfect for yummy nutritious lunches!
October 5th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
my son just started preschool and this would be very helpful when packing his lunch. thanks
October 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I also try to pack lunches the night before, so that hectic mornings go more smoothly. I’ve also learned that turning ordinary foods into something different and fun helps. For instance instead of cutting carrot sticks into small, short pieces, I tried cutting them length-wise so they are long and skinny - my kids loved it!
This bento box is great - another creative way to make lunches fun!
October 5th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Planning ahead and packing lunch (or most of it) the night before it is needed is my best tip. Varying drinks, entrees and snacks is important. Finally, keeping healthy items stored to pack is a great tip.
I’d love to win this Bento Box for myself. It would fit my healthy lunch and a great drink.
October 5th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I make a list ahead of time of everything that is going into the lunch box. There are some things that can be packed ahead of time and others that can go in at the last minute. A list makes sure I don’t forget something and there will be a balanced meal.
October 5th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
i make a list of what of what i’m going to pack at the beginning of the week so i’m not questioning what i want in the morning
October 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Pack a light well balanced nutricious lunch. avoid havy foods.