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School Lunches: Elephant Cracker Bento

I know that I rarely send cute lunches for Mr G. But this time around he approved with thumbs up. So I took my elephant shaped cutter to cut ham and cheese for a cracker bento lunch today.  Fridays is usually the day when we're low in pantry supplies. But that is not an excuse for a lousy meal.  I still want it appealing and healthy for the kiddos.

K-Bento: Spring Rolls Love

Missy A has an inclination towards anything wrapped and pretty. She loves the idea of unwrapping it while eating and chatting. But if they were poked by a pick, she'd refrain from doing it. She'd eat it piece by piece instead.  She also loves our new heart-shaped silicone cups that holds the grapes and goldfishes.  So I have to cut the spring rolls diagonally and turn the other half, in such a way that 2 long sides meet at the bottom, so they make a heart when poked together with our pink triple heart picks. Nori lines the silicone cup underneath it. She ♥ this bento!

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School Lunches: Pepperoni Pizza Sammies

Today's lunch is pretty different.

Mr G is having a Pizza Sandwich.  Not our usual pizza bread. This time we made pizza filling in a sandwich. We thought of giving pizza a different appeal. He's not much into cute shapes, so I would have to keep his lunch simple but healthy.

We call this lunch for the big boys.

K-Bento: Mini-Star Sandwiches & Fruits

Missy A is a peanut butter lover, and Reese's is one of her favorite chocolates. This is the reason why I have to invest on cookie cutters to make her lunches look different each time. It's actually her idea, and I'm on it.

Today's lunch is a White Chocolate Peanut Butter mini star sandwiches, instead of her usual Nutella and PB sandwiches. We love its' creamy taste and yumminess. It gives off a fantastic blend that keeps you asking for more. Her sides are raisin grapes, and strawberry hearts with her favorite horse fork. 

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School Lunches: Spring Rolls & Onigiri

This would be one of my numerous take on onigiris. Onigiris, originated from Japan, are rice formed into balls. It's the best way to eat rice in school with the use of chopsticks.  If cooked right, it remains sticky, and will never crumbled even when you bite on it. I made it with furikake this time. Furikake seasons the rice which makes it yummy to eat even by itself.  There are store bought Furikake in Asian grocer, but you might want to consider making your own so you can eradicate unhealthy preservatives on your child's food, if you plan to consume it on a regular basis.

For his main entree`,
he has onigiri and spring rolls on a few Nori sheets.

Mandarin oranges and gold fishes for dessert.

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K-Bento: Butterflies and Penguins Aboard

Missy A hardly eat a sandwich if they weren't cut into bite-sized pieces. And it took me a while to find all of my mini cutters to cut them into shapes that's highly appealing to kindergartners. Now that I found them, you'd be seeing more adorable shaped sandwiches each day she brings them to school. I'm also collecting more shaped silicone cups to hold side dishes and treats and keep the foods separated from each other. It certainly adds appeal to all of our packed school lunches.

Today's lunch is White Chocolate PB and Nutella Butterfly sandwiches on Nori sheets.

Goldfishes on the white penguin cup, and raisins on the blue penguin cup.

For mid-morning snack, she has a chocolate pudding and a fruit juice pouch.

Happy lunch-packing everyone!

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School Lunches: Sushi Rolls with Furikake

It's nice to meet new people who teaches me new ideas for lunch. It's also great to be able to volunteer in school on lunch time since I get to move around and peek on each one's lunches.  Each time I see something interesting, I'd ask what they're having for lunch. I turn to Google and check what they are. If they are a certain cuisine that's pretty tricky to make, I sought for my friends' help, which they never fail to teach me the easiest way to make it health-wise.

Today's lunch is sushi rolls with Furikake. Furikake is a Japanese rice seasoning that consists of sesame seeds, roasted seaweeds and dried bonito mix. A Japanese friend taught me how to use it. I was told to sprinkle sparingly since this gives the rice a palatable salty flavoring. Anything too much might make it too salty.  It actually depends on the mix you're using. I'm slowly introducing Mr G into it and see how he liked it. So far, he has given me a thumbs up.

On top left is shelled edamame, and on top right is his favorite treat GoldFishes.

Hope you're having a great lunch ahead!

Happy eating!!

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NEW Easy Lunchboxes Winner

My previous winners didn't respond to my email and Facebook message for

more than 48 hours now. I would have to select another winner thru Rafflecopter.

My NEW Easy Lunchboxes Winner is: 

Sarah W. Kertcher

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations!

Please respond with your mailing address and choice of color for your cooler bag

within 48 hours to claim your prize.

An email has been sent!

Thank you for your participation.

School Lunches: Gyoza

Today's lunch is Yaki-Gyoza (AKA: potstickers)

It is originally a Chinese cuisine that became popular across. It was traditionally known as Jiaozi(鍋貼) , potstickers in North America, and Yaki-Gyoza in Japan, and Gyoza in our household.  They're pan-fried and we served them with black vinegar.

Missy A had asked for gyoza since last week, but I only had the chance to make them this week.  It's been busy like crazy. I was off from teaching for a week, and when I got back, I have to make up for the missed classes, and have given my students an extra half hour each day for 2 weeks. Just enough time to catch up on Reading and Phonics.

So my little Missy finally got her wish today with black vinegar on the Mini Dippers.

She had an Oreo treat and raisin grapes on the side.

Watermelon kebabs on those monkey long picks that should keep her hydrated on mid-morning breaks as she plays in the playground under the heat of the sun.

Mr G had a similar lunch on his Easy Lunchboxes.

Today he brought his trainer chopsticks as he learns to use them till he trains his fingers to grasp them properly and transition to the standard chopsticks.  I must say this has been one of my best purchases ever.  They're very easy to use and tips are wide enough to pick up food.  It's a frustration-free chopsticks ever.

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School Lunches: Sushi-dogs

If there's any food that you'd see me pack over and over, that would be the sushi because they are our favorite staple in our household.  I am learning new sushi stuffs that I am sending for school as well. I just need to find the ingredients and learn how to make them.

For today's lunch, the kids have been chanting for sushis. So I made them sushi-dogs.

Missy A had them with oranges for lunch and that trainer chopsticks that she's been toying around with foods. I have no doubt that she'd be a pro in no time.  I guess since both mom and dad are pro chopsticks, it makes learning faster.

 This bento box comes with a different kind of chopsticks, but would have to replace it with the trainer once just so she gets the hang of it.  When she's all better, she could bring the regular chopsticks with her.

 A few slices of oranges for her snack to keep her hydrated on

warmer days.  They're reach in Vitamin C and are anti-oxidants, which are best
to fight the common illnesses associated with warmer climates.

Mr. G had a similar lunch except that his is heftier. I packed him a garden of spinach salad & carrots with Ranch on the Mini Dipper. Like Missy A, he got some oranges and kiwis in his Easy Lunchboxes. 

He had a little accident in school today. He was running and hit another boy in the playground, brow to brow. They both got swollen brows after and ended up crying. Glad the other boy was okay. He wasn't in the school clinic when I came, but the nurse assured me that he was all better after an ice pack. 

So far our school week went pretty well.

I hope you had a wonderful one too.

~Marie

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School Lunches: Chicken and Cheese Taquitos

Mr G has been curious about so many different cuisines now. And he's palate is sure ready for some spices other than what we normally use at home. As much as he's not into burritos and tacos for school, he asked for Taquitos instead. He said they're less messier and they're easier to eat. Since I don't make Taquitos at home, Hub bought one in store to have him try it first before we jump into home-made Taquitos.  And he loved it.

For school, he had Chicken and Cheese Taquitos, salsa were left out. He had a salad medley too with celery sticks and Ranch on the mini dippers, and slices of oranges.  All packed in his favorite Easy Lunchboxes.

Have you entered my FunBites giveaway yet?

Here's how to enter.

Ahoy, Matey! ~ Talk Like A Pirate Lunch Hop

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day

Bento Booty Treasure Hunt

at Bento Bloggers & Friends.

Listen up, mateys! 

If ye wants to sail with me, 

then ye've gots to prove 

ye gots what it takes! 

Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook - Easy Lunch Boxes

Ever heard of a Bento Cookbook?

Or better yet, a cookbook made for school/work lunches?

Kelly Lester, the owner and maker of Easy Lunchboxes, 

has tied up with Trader Joe's to create

a cookbook for the busy housewives 

to pack meal for their families whenever on the go.

Thus, Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook - Easy Lunchboxes was born!

It is the 7th book in the popular series of Cooking With Trader Joe's Cookbooks. It has more than 80 meal ideas professionally photographed by my favorite Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking. You might want to visit her site to see her awesomeness and become a new fan as well.

The book is filled with bold and crisp colors of scrumptious healthy meals, all courtesy of Trader Joe's. I am mesmerized the moment I laid eyes on the digital edition of the book. What more can a hardcopy do? Touch, Sniff, Adore and Hug it to your heart's desire. Every page is captivating.  It is a sure inspiration to start preparing and packing meals for our loved-ones.  They are full of healthy and practical tips that anyone can make use of in the process of preparations.  The recipes are simply the best. They are easy to follow, and ingredients readily available at the Trader Joe's.  You know that when it's from Trader Joe's, it must be organic and free of harmful ingredients.

Here are a few of the digital layout of the book. 

The best of the best bento moms gathered together to create an inspiration for every household across the globe.

What you will see is not just any ordinary lunch. It's an array of lunches that can

be packed for school and work. A variety of healthy ingredients for the health-

conscious family.

Also available are allergen-free recipes for the allergen-cautious families.

There are substitutions and alternatives to take your worries away,

while your kiddos devour them happily.

 
A cookbook that helps you present your food in the most appealing way.
Just a few supplies of silicone cups, food picks, and cutters that you need.

With an easy to follow how-to recipe found on its opposing page.

An absolute solution to the lunch-packing madness.

Steamed Artichoke, Salmon Tarragon & Tarragon Dip.

Spicy Beef Pinwheels & Pickle Salad

Spinach and Red Pepper Frittata

Lentil and Quinoa Salad are among the recipes you'd find.

Need you see more?

Peek inside the book to see the gorgeous color photos of every meal

and captivate you even more.

Order your copies now at Amazon.com.
You'd be glad that you did.
I love my copy and I'm positive that you would too.

~Marie

School Lunches: Breakfast Yang-Chow

We had YangChow Fried Rice for breakfast this morning and the kids actually suggested  it for lunch as well. Isn't that great? It saved me the effort and time to prepare their school lunches as well, since I was too busy preparing for the pirate hop.

Everything was cooked fresh. I have to steam the Jasmine white rice before I could stir-fry it with garlic, frozen peas, luncheon meat, and eggs.  My only seasoning for this was sea salt. I actually have to leave out eggs and fry them by themselves. Missy A doesn't like her YangChow with eggs.  So she had them her ways and a few of her favorite black grapes.  Her snack includes a yogurt drink and a pack of Mini Oreo Cookies.

 Mr G had the same lunch except he had his Yangchow topped with slices of scrambled eggs, and strawberry wheels instead of grapes. He preferred berries over grapes.  He got Mini Oreo Cookies for his treat.  He had a chocolate chip cookie for snack with a yogurt drink.

So far so good! Our day went well. The kids devoured their lunches as usual.  I must admit Missy A has fully adjusted eating her lunches in school.  She has pretty managed her time eating and chatting with friends at the same time.  And she doesn't need me in school for assistance either.  There were a couple of times that we left home pretty late that I couldn't find a parking spot anymore. The only option left was to drop off the kids on the front gate and have both of them walk to their classrooms.  I had to ask Mr G to oversee his sister a bit to make sure she's in the right class, which he did perfectly well.

I hope your kids had adjusted well in school by now.

It takes time and each kids are different.

Just be there for them.

Have a wonderful day!

~Marie

School Lunches: Cracker Bento

One of my children's favorite lunches would be the Cracker Bento.  It's been inspired by the Lunchables' Cracker Meals, except it's a healthier home-made version. Now, why do you think we prefer to make them than to purchase pre-packed meals?

For so many reasons.

My 4th grader has outgrown his pickiness when it comes to food after
I started to pack school lunches for him last Fall. You can give him anything
and he'll come back with an empty Easy Lunchboxes and a happy tummy.

1. Portion Control 

It's easier to adjust portion according to your children's appetite. For bigger children, you can always add more crackers and deli or add a variety of fruits for a more fulfilling meal. For younger kids, you can always pack a little bit of everything so they get the nutrients they need.  Just enough that will fill them up.

2. Personal choice of sides

My children differ with their choices of treats for their lunches. If you've been following my blog, you would notice that I normally post separately for both kids since they have different school lunches for the most part of the week. He loves vanilla, while she opts for chocolate. He eats all kind of fruits, while she prefers only grapes and strawberries. He's vegetarian, she's not. Just imagine if we have the store-bought ones, there would be a lot of food wastes. Stuffs that they don't eat would surely go to waste.

This an example of Portion Control, Appealing Lunches with a personal touch,
personal choice of sides.  Missy A doesn't like cheeses so she doesn't
get one. Since she's having a difficult time eating while chatting at lunchtime,
everything sent were in bite-sized pieces, skewered into food picks.

3. Personal choice of ingredients (for allergy-friendly meals)

We don't have any food allergy-issues at home, but we observe them for other kids in their school. I have seen children with anaphylaxis reaction to certain food groups, and I'd hate to be a contributor to this aspect.  My children are aware of those allergies and how it directly affects them, so I raised them to be concerned citizens.

4. Appealing Presentation with a Personal Touch

I always love preparing my children's meals with a personal touch. I like showing them how much I love them thru my bento work of art. He once told me that he's proud to be my son because he's friends talk about his lunches in a good way.  Teachers have known me to be so detailed with almost everything, and were surprised to see his lunches to school.  A matter of fact, I was given the invitation to do school lunches for purchase.  I would just have to figure out cost and portion size. 

5. Packed on reusable containers (Mother Earth friendly)

If all else would pack lunches to work and school, we could have done Mother Earth a huge favor. We could help reduce wastes at landfills by reusing recyclable lunchboxes.  There are tons of choices. The options are yours.

I hope you love today's post.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

 Don't forget to check out our current giveaway!

A chance to win a FREE FUN BITES cutter of your choice.

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Back To School Event Part II: FUNBITES {Review & Giveaway}

It's time for another BACK TO SCHOOL Giveaway.

This is part 2 of 2.

Since I have an incoming Kindergartner, I thought FunBites would be the best BACK To SCHOOL giveaway since one of our duties for lunch packing would be chopping fruits, sandwiches or anything into bite-sized pieces to make lunch-eating mess-free and worry-free.

In my experience of lunch packing, my children eat better on containers when they are already chopped up to bite-sized pieces. They are not only best on toddlers and preschoolers, but also perfect on to-go meals for school-aged kids.  It's wonderful when utensils are not quite required to eat when on the go.  I love to serve them on plastic skewers, or cute fork picks, when dipping is required.  It gives them the ease of eating without a single mess.  It adds special appeal too when arranged and presented in a creative way.

FunBites cutters come in 2 different looks: Cube It and Luv It.  Both have the ease of manipulation.  They are user-friendly. They're great for pancakes, sandwiches, cheese, fruits and more.  Cutting is a breeze.  

Here's all you need to do:

Place the cutter on top of the food, without the popper top. 

Grab the handles on both sides of the cutter. 

Firmly rock it down from side to side to cut through the food.  

You don't need to be gentle. Press hard if you need to.  

Insert the popper top, push down as you lift the cutter up from the food. 

Arrange the cut food as you please to make an appealing lunch.

The generous FunBites have given me the greatest opportunity to give out (1) FunBites cutter of your choice: CUBE IT or LUV IT to one of my lucky readers.

To enter, I have set up Rafflecopter for a fool-proof entry.  Just follow the instructions and you should be fine. Not all entries are mandatory, but I would appreciate it if you do give this giveaway a shout-out on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you very much!

~Marie

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a FREE Cube It Cutter to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed herein are purely mine.*

Starbucks Giveaway Winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations!
Peter H!

Please respond to my email within 24 hours,

or another winner will be drawn.

Thank you!

School Lunches: Another Puzzle Piece of Lunch Punch

Mr G can't get enough of our New LUNCHPUNCH  Match & Munch Set.
Today he had a puzzle ham and cheddar sammies, cheese crackers,
melon and edamame. All packed in Easy Lunchboxes.

 Don't forget to check out our current giveaway!

A chance to win a FREE FUN BITES cutter of your choice.