A Bento a Day
Besides being impossibly adorable, this painted enamel adaptation of the Asian field worker’s tacked lunch box is the ideal container for a dieter on the go.
I received one as a gift from my boss over a cup of Joe and a lesson on social networking. She said, “Here, take this and have fun with it. Maybe your kids can use it.”
Maybe, not! I’m not about to let them have another cool gift of mine so they can abandon it on the blacktop, allowing the contents to rot over the course of several months or convert it into a Barbie submarine bath toy.
Noooo. I’m going to pack healthy snacks in the tiered compartments because every dieter knows, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you don’t have those chopped organic veggies and fruits handy, you reach for the so-called protein bars (a.k.a. candy) or bagels (six points).
I know this sounds a bit crazy (’cause I am) but I even take it downstairs into the basement with me while I write so that I can keep nose to keyboard and not have to flee every time I get a craving for a chunk of jicama. I’ve also taken it with me when I have to drive a distance and get lots of looks from people who see me toting it. “That lady is stacked,” they’re thinking, and I like the fact they envy what I got on me, you know what I mean?
The best news is my bento is yet another way to eliminate throw-away bags and plastic and is awfully stylish compared to many of the reusable lunch containers made for work and school. It doesn’t leak and is dishwasher safe, too, for those who are sticklers about sanitation – and you should be.
And guess what? VivaTerra is even offering to give away this ultra-cool lunch box for you EcoSalon readers. Just post a comment on how you think you would use it to be entered to win one of your own!
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September 9th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I wouldn’t have given it to my kids either, even though I’m sure they’d both covet it!! Mommies need cool lunches, too. I love how you use it to transport your healthy snacks! I’d use it for the same purpose, eliminating the urge to visit the vending machine in the break room!
September 9th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
So cute! I’d definitely use it to pack my lunch for work, filling it with carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers slices from my CSA.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:14 PM
And don’t forget the sushi made of only good fish.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Bento is stylish indeed – and if arranged artfully, a great way to get kids interested in sumptuous-looking food, as the NY Times noted a few days ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/dining/09bento.html?_r=1
Good healthy food *looks* tasty. Prepackaged? Well, that has to work a lot harder by adding lots of addictive gunk behind the scenes. Bento’s strength is that it hides nothing. A good place for the next generation to start their relationship to food.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Omigosh where do I get one of those? that is the perfect bring-along-to-grad-school-all-day container.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
If you are looking a new and different take on portioned food check out Basikbox.com. It’s an Americanized bento box.
check it out (basikbox.com)
September 9th, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Let’s hear it for stylishly toting hunks of jicama! Mommies do need cool lunches.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:31 AM
I love the fact that it keeps certain foods separate that need to be and it’s so cute!!!!!!!!!!
I would use it to store Grapes & Cheries in the bottom, chicken chili in the middle and some whole grain crackers in the top (chili needs crackers).
I’d take mine in my backpack on a hike, or camping, or to work, and I might even let my daughter take it to school for her lunches when I’m not using it LOL Iove it!! It’s so pretty!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 10:51 AM
OMG. Such great uses for the box. Can’t you just see those art students using it as a purse? Keep those ideas coming!
September 29th, 2009 at 9:16 AM
So cute. Sooooooo cute. I love it for a day trip / lunch / impromptu mini-picnic / road trip. Especially the road trip part – the failing to plan is planning to fail really resonates with me, something I remember when I pull off the turnpike & am confronted by glaring windows of sugary fake healthy overpriced “drinks” in “convenience” store X. MUCH more convenient to take my own along! This little goodie just promotes good living – I’d use wax paper to line my items with, the way my gramps used to.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I would use it when I go out to run errands. Its always tempting to eat out a lot so I try to bring food with me at least half the time when I go out.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
What wouldn’t I use it for!? I would love to use it for my lunch every day or even picnics. So many uses! You could use them for cute storage in a craft room or in the kitchen too.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:18 PM
I love the color on those tiffin boxes!
October 1st, 2009 at 2:19 PM
What great colors!
October 1st, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Bento, bento, I want a bento! Great way to bring all my veggies and other healthy foods to work or to the beach, or etc, etc! Love that it is dishwasher safe….. and so colorful too.
Yes, yes I want one… I hope I win!
October 15th, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Perfect for my raw food treats..