Part of the routine we've added into our school day is a simplified lunch system. It originally started because I thought we'd be gone during lunch time for swim lessons. Swim lessons didn't work out this time around, but I'm keeping the lunch idea because it just makes the day easier.
Our system is to make a bento box for each of us in the morning while I make breakfast and Bug unloads the dishwasher. What's a bento box, you ask? In short, it's a meal packed into a box. It originated in Japan where they pack one container with rice, vegetables and meat in a specific ratio. It's become quite popular in many foodie circles. Bento lunches are a work of art as much as they are meals.
My bentos are not works of art. They are just lunch, pre-packed, in one container. You may be wondering why, if we are home all day, do I need to pre-pack a lunch. And why am I doing it Bento style?
Here are 6 reasons why I choose to do our lunches this way.
Here are 6 reasons why I choose to do our lunches this way.
1. We have a hard time transitioning from one activity to another. When lunch is already packed, it makes the transition much easier.
2. Making lunch in the morning while I'm already in the kitchen making breakfast cuts down on my total kitchen time which frees up time in the middle of the day.
3. Bento lunches require less dishes. I only have two containers with lids to wash. Occasionally, I'll have another small container if we have dips included.
4. Because a bento is in just one box, it is portion controlled. This is good for both Bug and me.
5. One, premade box, is easy to grab if we are headed out the door around lunch time. We can make a last minute decision to head to the park for lunch or run errands.
6. Bite-size and finger-friendly, the bento lunches I make are just fun to eat.
We didn't eat bento all week. I did heat up some leftover soup one day and didn't get a chance to make lunch before I left on Friday (although we could have really used lunch already made up!). The bento lunches really helped us on the days we did make them!
You may be wondering now what our lunches really looked like. Here are a couple examples of what they looked like. I keep it simple. I don't pack anything that needs to be reheated. I'm not a big microwave fan, and having to reheat in a pan on the stove defeats the purpose!
Meatballs, cheese slices, carrot sticks and apple slices.
Chicken sandwich, carrot sticks and apple slices.
Chicken salad, celery sticks, apple slices and almonds.
(This was my grain-free option to the above sandwich.)
As you can see, we keep the meals simple. I try to fill the containers with as much fruit and veggies as I can. If it doesn't get eaten, we can just save it for snack time. You can Google bento for more ideas. My friend Pepper blogs about the bentos she sends for lunch for her son. She's got some great meal options. This week I think I'm going to try some muffins and yogurt. And maybe some hard boiled eggs!
How do you handle lunches in your home? Have you ever made bentos?
Head over to Ben And Me for more on the letter 'B'!
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