It's All About the Green!

They say on St. Patrick's Day everybody's Irish. So why not bento St. Pat's with style. St. Patrick's Day happens to be my Saint Day and has always been a very special. Our very Irish-American Traditon will be to serve Corned Beef and Cabbage for supper with root vegetables, tip a beer or two and toss down some soda bread. For lunch, it's all about the green. A very vegetarian bento filled with edamame, green cauliflower, white rice, green grapes ranch dip, furatake sprinkles, cubed cheese and shamrock sugar cookies for snack time. I just couldn't resist all the green.

Spring Mix Bento

My lunch bento is filled with spring mix greens, sliced strawberries and Greek Chicken with orzo. The little side car has raspberry walnut vinaigrette for the salad. The bento boxes are part the the new Happy Noodle collection from Paperchase. There are four in the stack in various sizes.

Happy Noodle, Happy Day

Look what's new from Paperchase. The line is called appropriately Happy Noodle. I found this little fellow at Borders Bookstore last night on my monthly scan of the Paperchase goodies. Paperchase is a British stationary company that seems to know alot about super cute. I had to restrain myself and stick to my allowance for the week. I did need to put a few things back on the shelf, but how could you leave this little guy behind to spend another night in the dark. I also bought a similiar themed binder and notebook to fill with bento ideas.

Butterfly Bento

Sweet and savory tastes are blended together in this Spring bento. It is a vegetarian bento filled with Kim Chee, marinated mushrooms, canned peaches, tomato slices, steamed broccoli, white rice and lime slices. I wish I could brag about my homemade Kim Chee, but that would be lying and it is Lent. The Kim Chee was purchased in the refrigerated section of my neighboorhood Oriental Market. Thank you Kikkokin. I have never tried Kim Chee before, but I know it can be made from scratch since it is in all of my cookbooks. I was afraid of the heat from the chili sauce. This product seems hot but not overwhelming. I'll keep posted.

Balanced Bento

Today I really tried to focus on the correct proportions in this bento both with color and food selections. I reduced the rice to 1/3rd. since carbohydrates are my largest calore issue. I increasd the protein to 1/3rd since I tend to limit the protein when trying to reduce calories and I end up too hungry. I remembered the green today although it took a little more effort since I have to steam broccoli at 6:30 am. Final effect, steamed rice, tamayo roll with ham slices, green pear and steamed broccolli. Healthy, fresh and filling a lunch to look forward to.

Very "buzzy" bento for a busy day

I have soo much to accomplish today I just know it is going to be very hectic. Lunch time will be no exception but at least I can claim it and "bee" proud. Eat nutritiously and steam forward. The selection is simple, turkey rolls, american cheese flowers, steamed corn, carrots, marinated tomato wedges and rice. I prepared this bento last night and for some reason the colors looked pretty balanced. It really could use some green, but no time...I'm off, I'm off to a very important date.

Spring Antipasto Salad

I'm in Miami, and we are having another cold snap. It may be 60degrees outside ut it feels like 40 to me. I am so spoiled and its should be in the 70's and Spring. For lunch I will enjoy an antipasto salad with baked triscuits and yogurt raisins. Looking forward to warmer days to come and lots of pretty flowers.

Here's Miss Kitty!

Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful...I am so looking forward to lunch today, with Miss. Kitty waiting for me. I have a very busy morning with a field trip at school. I know by lunch time I am going to be exhausted. In will step Miss. Kitty to lighten my load, a break and a big smile. Some days I just don't feel like being the grownup. Miss Kitty is made out of Japanese sweet rice, she is surrounded by lemon thyme chicken and cucumber slices. The side car is filled with papaya from the Farmer's Market.