My Bento Box Rocks

A new school year is starting for whippersnappers and it always makes me nostalgic. Who doesn't remember their first day of school? I remember hardly sleeping the night before in anticipation. I'd stare at all my newly sharpened pencils and new notebooks, I'd have my new outfit all laid out and I always had a new super cool lunch box to start the year.


First day of 1st grade
I think that's why I love my bento box so much... makes me feel like a kid again but without the math homework or ummm detention ;)

Here's some of my favorite bentos hope it gives you a few new ideas...



FAQ's about the Bento's:

Q: Do you eat it all?, Can I eat _____? A: Do you eat it all? Sometimes. Sometimes it's a meal & a snack if I'm going to be out for awhile. Sometimes it's shared. I usually bring extra protein muffins to give to someone when they say "what's that?" Also I stop when I feel almost full (when I recognize my soft cue: that post gastric bypass little message your body tells you when you have had enough - for some it's a sneeze, a runny nose, hiccup, sigh, yawn. If you recognize yours quickly you can avoid overeating and potentially losing what you just ate by not taking "just one more bite.") so I often bring a little home. Portion size should be determined by your medical posse. Can I eat _____? My blog is filled with oodles of weight loss surgery friendly food ideas and recipes that are OK on MY PLAN and I am honored my recipes and ideas are used by bariatric programs, nutritionists and dietitians all over the country (and a few overseas too) but my standard disclaimer is: "when in doubt, print it out" and ask your Dr before you try something you are unsure of.

Q: Where did you get your bento? A: Here's an online source:


(FYI: the blog scores a few cents for those purchased through the link/helps pay the domain bill.) I have several different boxes and inserts of different sizes too.

Q: Do they leak, can you microwave them, how do you keep things cold? A: I've never had it happen but I don't put anything toooo saucy or soup in them. I have a thermos I use for soup. So far so good though. I have microwaved in them. I try not to because you know how things get distorted after you nuke them too much I don't want to risk it. I use these to keep things cold or place the whole box in the fridge.

Q: What are the benefits to putting food in a bento box? A: For me, it's a way to visually see my meal is balanced (high protein, low carb.) It's great for portion-control (just don't fill the box full of chocolate LOL.)

Q: Do you have a link to all the bentos you have made? A: Yes. Click here for those. Also if you click on the pictures in the slide show most of them are labeled with post links. A work in progress.