Yesterday I posted my interest in Bento Box Lunches. And today, I followed up by going to my local Wal-Mart where I found all I needed to get started on this new eating venture.
Lunch Supplies
Now, I don’t claim or even pretend to be a Food Artist. I knew before I started that I wouldn’t be winning any Food Blogger of the Year Awards with this one. But I still wanted to give it a try.
Bento lunches are attractive to me because I love putting together something healthy yet inexpensive. I love playing with my foods. I love portion controls. I love that there are so many ways to style a lunch and have it taste good, too. I really love the experimenting that leads to creating something visual and edible at the same time.
For starters, I found this great container. Don’t you just love the fork and knife on the lid?
Bento Container
The best part? There were two sets for less than $4.00. Gotta love Wal-Mart!
For my main course, I planned a healthy pinwheel roll on a whole wheat tortilla. I spread a thin layer of Cream Cheese before topping it with fresh baby Spinach leaves, three slices of Buddig corned beef meat slices, Sargento baby Swiss cheese, and sprinkled with a dash of Lowrey’s Salt Free 17 Seasonings.
Pinwheel Ingredients
Layers
Seasoned Roll
I placed toothpicks in the pinwheel to keep it from unrolling as I cut it into six pieces. They didn’t fill the large compartment of the container, but I know it’s more than enough. Portion control, remember?!
Then I moved on to the vegetable side dish. I rinsed the baby carrots and sliced a few stalks of celery. After patting them dry (you never want to put moist or juicy foods into your Bento container), I layered them along with several plum tomatoes and sliced mushrooms. Doesn’t this look colorful?
Colorful Vegetables
For my sweet dessert, I filled a cupcake liner with Planters’ NUTrition Mix: a sweet and salty combination of mixed nuts and dried fruits.
Now, I know myself well enough to know that even with the idea of a healthy, portion controlled, tasty lunch, I’ll still get the munchies. So I also bought Graham Crackers in the shape of Angry Birds, a salty granola bar, cheese stick, and a Gogurt. To complete my feast, I added two tea drink mixes. I even bought eggs to boil, but forgot to do so until after the pictures were taken. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
When it’s all put together, this is what my lunch for Monday looks like:
Bento Lunch and Other Snacks
Pretty tasty, dontcha think? So it’s not exactly a Bento in the style of Food Artistry. But I’m proud of it. Oh, I forgot to show you all the leftovers:
Bento Leftovers
After separating out what I want to keep for this entire week, Dot has an ample supply for her own lunches and snacks. It’s been nearly a year and a half that I haven’t been home to make snacks for her (yes, she’s in college, but she’s still my little girl, right?!), so this is a comfort to us both.
All of this wonderful food cost me less than $50. Which means, after you figure my five Bento lunches, her five lunch/snacks, and even more leftovers; my Bento lunch costs me just about $2.00.
I get to eat healthy and not spend time, gas, or money going to the local fast food place.
Now I call that Happy Eating!
Pinwheels
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes recently posted..I’ve Decided I’m Pretty Much The Worst Shopper In The World. Period.
Thanks! It’s not as great as yours, but you’ve been doing them longer!
I so wish I had a Walmart near me!!!
Really nice lunch, definitely going to try this! My son would like the Angry Birds theme : )
Ann recently posted..I ♥ Animation
Thanks, Ann. You should follow Rachel at FollowingInMyShoes.com. She has tons of great lunch ideas.
nom nom nom!
I actually really really really want one of those containers now!
Gotta love Wally World!
Larissa T. recently posted..DIY Recipe Box.
It was really yummy, and filling. Can’t wait to eat again tomorrow!
Ah, so that’s what it ends up as!
Yes! Very delicious!