Cheater Bento


So technically it’s not cheating, but here’s an easy and inexpensive way to start Bento-ing for your kids without laying out big bucks, or driving to one of the large metropoleis if, like me, you live in a region lacking in Japanese food supplies. Of course you can simply order online too. Which I did. But that’s another post.

In the baby/toddler products aisle of stores like Meijer, Wal-Mart, etc., you may stumble across this cute and very useful snack box by Sassy, called the On-the-Go Feeding Set. I found mine locally for $5.99 and have been packing it full for school lunches for my younger daughter. I know it looks tiny, but following the Bento model can be loaded with calories. And since I also pack a similar container for the afternoon snack, I’m not worried that she’s eating too few calories. Honestly, since I’ve started doing this, I think she’s eating more calories. Certainly, she’s bringing home fewer mangled leftovers.

It isn’t super tight and leaks a little, but I take that into account when filling it. And there isn’t as much of a learning curve to packing it as I’ve found there is with a traditional Bento box.

If you want to check out the different styles of easily accessible Bento boxes for kids and don’t want to get your hands dirty, check out anotherlunch.com where Melissa shows pictures of the different types, and evaluates them by size, washability, etc. She even has a Sassy Box category, where you can see the Sassy lunches she’s created.

And how about you? If you’ve used one for your kids, especially for those on specialty or medical diets, I’d love to hear how it’s working.

 

3 comments:

maddy said...

These are absolutely gorgeous! What a steal. Love your work. I’ve greatly enjoyed to visit your blog!

Letters

July 5, 2011 at 12:41 AM
alileelei1 said...

I've found that at Walmart now they have this same style thing for adults in the disposable plastics section! Rubbermaid makes one as well as Ziploc although Ziploc was quite a bit cheaper, and I have had no leaking issues thus far! :)

July 27, 2012 at 2:20 AM
Angela said...

Alileelei, thanks so much for sharing that! (And sorry for the delayed response.) I've used the Ziploc ones too and agree that they are great for not leaking. And they hold a lot more food, which is helpful as my daughter is getting older. I've found a SwissGear brand lunch box into which they, and a drink, fit perfectly :)

October 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM

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Formerly, I've worked in publishing and been a medical student. Currently, I'm a freelance writer and copy editor, and full-time mom with two exceptional daughters. LivingLaVidaMama focuses on intentional frugality and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet that has dramatically improved my younger daughter's autistic-like symptoms. Contact me at MadForWriting at windstream.net