Bento Break

It's Spring Break here in my part of the world! And I'm experimenting.... as much as I believe in the whole bento thing, I'm taking the week off. I'm pretty much home this week anyhow so this is a good opportunity to see what happens when I'm not all pre-packed and ready to go.

I also have been struggling with some tummy issues (yay for DGL... magic pills for gastritis, I tell you), and have been avoiding food because I wasn't sure what exactly was causing the upset. So, I have 8 boxes sitting in my fridge that I need to dump and put in the dishtub for the dish boy to clean. He's going to LOVE me. I can only imagine the commentary this evening...

Thus, no packed meals this week. No post. Just an acknowledgement that sometimes we all need to take a break- from whatever is working for you- in order for it to keep working in the future.

Oh, and I just read Trim Healthy Mama and I'm excited to incorporate some of those recipes into my current way of eating. The meals are very similar, but THM has more leeway and more interesting recipes than what I've been doing. I'd love to eventually quit paying for the Vemma products, but they are working for now so I will continue.

Are you taking a break from something? 

Related articles

• Eating on Autopilot
• Vemma Bode Bento (Week 1)
• Vemma Bode Bento (Week 2)
• Vemma Bode Bento (Week 3)
• Vemma Bode Bento (Week 4)
• Bento on a Budget
• Not One Way: My Way is Not Your Way

Vemma Bode Bento (Week 4)

This week, I had to force myself to make food. I wish I understood why I tend to avoid doing things that I know need to get done... and that I know are best for me. It wasn't a big deal once I got in the kitchen (after one false start at lunchtime when my family all converged to eat and mess up my prep space... so I vacated). I just put on an episode of Freaks and Geeks and got to work. I  also ran out of some my Vemma Bode Burn towards the end of the week, and I didn't realize how much I had come to rely on the stuff. It's a way I can easily get some protein down in the afternoon consistently.

burn & cheese 

burn & pistachios

burn & sesame chips

burn & olives

ham & cream cheese

cottage cheese & pb

chicken & bbq sauce

blackened salmon

chocolate

vanilla

turkey mcmuffin

sparkling water

Bento on a Budget

I'm a big fan of the whole bento box thing. I think it makes lunches more fun for all ages. When I started researching this, I found many options for boxes- including some amazing ones from PlanetBox that are very cool. (If you are a night-before/morning-of lunch packer, your kiddo may like on of these.) However, they are very cost prohibitive for a family of 6.

ziploc divided, ziploc short round, glad mini-round

toothpicks, silicone baking cups, mini-dippers, salt shaker

easy lunchboxes coolers and slim ice packs

sharpie

I was looking for something I could pack in advance, so I knew I needed 20-30 boxes at any given time. I also wanted other 'support' lunch supplies. Here is what we use to keep our 'bento on a budget'.

• Ziploc Divided Container Rectangle (~$3 for a 2-pack at most regular stores)
• Easy Lunchboxes mini-dippers ($8 for 8)
• Easy Lunchboxes cooler ($8)
• Fit & Fresh Slim Ice Packs ($8 for 4)
• Wilton Silicone Muffin Cups ($8 for 12)
• Coleman Salt & Pepper Shaker ($1.27 at Walmart.com)
• Light My Fire Spork ($10 for 4)
• Ziploc Short Round ($4 for 5)
• Glad Mini-round ($4 for 8)
• Colorful toothpicks (~$2 at most stores)
• Seasonal napkins (varies)
• Seasonal toothpicks (varies)
• Seasonal muffin cups (varies)
• Printable lunch notes (free- see my bento on a budget board below)
• Black sharpie (wipes off the lunch containers with a tiny bit of oil- oily fingers work!)

There ya go... the least expensive route I could find to pack tons of these little guys. I'm really thankful that I can just pick up another bento when my son crushes one to death in his backpack. For more interesting ideas, you can follow my "Bento on a Budget" Pinterest Board below.

Do you know of any inexpensive tools I should put in my lunchkits? 

Follow Julie Cunningham's board Bento on a Budget on Pinterest.

Vemma Bode Bento (Week 3)

Since I was out of town all day Friday, I had to shop/prep/cook today. With that in mind, I chose pretty simple meal options. I learned last week that I avoided packing the meals that required heating, so no more of that. I also threw out about 5 meals from last week because the veggies didn't stay good all week or I just didn't like it. This is a journey. I'm doing well with hopping right back on plan after I choose to get off for a social occasion or unplanned meal out... which is a huge victory for me! That's a lifestyle and mentality shift that makes me proud of myself. Go Jules! :)

Recap:

• BEST: ham, cream cheese, veggies (note the repeat- AGAIN!)
• WORST: gumbo and chili (reheating was a total fail)

Prep:

• Wash and cut up all veggies after soaking in vinegar water. 
• Figure out how to add carbs to more meals for 'high carb week'.

cottage cheese, pb, veggies

ham, crackers

turkey/bacon tortilla

roast chix, mango lime dip

sparkling water

illy caffe

cherry cola zevia

turkey egg mcmuffin

chocolate

vanilla

burn & pistachios

burn and cheese

Now I have a bunch of to-go meals ready for the week! I also prepped my weekly family meals... but I'll post that here in a sec. Happy Julie shelf in the fridge- full of yumminess.

Vemma Bode Bento (Week 2)

I had some leftovers this week because my new, lighter life schedule meant I wasn't as organized in the morning so I didn't prep as many today. I forgot to grab upcoming meals on the way out the door, which meant I ate off plan or just missed. This week, I will pack my lunch cooler daily and set it on the counter so I am prepared whether I am at home or on the go. I timed myself this 'packing round'. It took me about 40 minutes total to pack the meals and take all the pics for this post and an upcoming post. Without the photography, it easily was under 30 minutes. I'd say it's a huge return on a small time investment.

Recap:

• BEST: ham, cream cheese, veggies (note the repeat)
• WORST: shrimp and veggies (threw these away- gag)

Prep:

• See Friday Food Fest - Episode I
• Raw broccoli > steamed broccoli
• Frozen shrimp > gumbo

On to the food... you will notice that some of the food is in 1 cup mason jars because it needs heated and I don't nuke the plastic bento boxes. There are 2-3 of each bento box.

chocolate

vanilla

chili, cheese & broccoli

gumbo & spinach salad

ham & cream cheese

turkey wraps

turkey egg mcmuffin

metromint

sparkling water

illy caffe

burn & pistachios

burn & veggie straws

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