Nutritiously Delicious Bento Lunch

This Week's Bento Lunch

Hummus is a great double-duty dip that is both nutritious and delicious. We added sundried tomatoes to our hummus to give it an extra burst of flavor and brought along carrot sticks and pita chips for dipping. Energy- packed trail mix and a sweet pluot rounded out this meal which left us feeling energized enough to tackle the rest of our day.

Click here to view this week's full menu.

Middle Eastern Lunch Box Feast

Today's Lunch Menu:

A meze is a combination of palate pleasing foods often served as appetizers at Middle Eastern gatherings. Like much of the region’s cuisine, the meze often features dishes made of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes with a variety of spices. After having our own Middle Eastern feast for dinner last night, we decided to create a personal sized meze to enjoy today for lunch.

Menu

• Falafel Balls
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Baba Ghanoush
• Tabbouleh
• Whole Wheat Pita

Preparation Notes

Use leftovers or make the night before:

Use your favorite falafel mix and either bake or fry balls. Once cool, put into one of your large containers.

Add a handful of cherry tomatoes to the large container with your falafel balls.

Prepare the baba ghanoush and put into your medium lidded container. Following is the recipe we used:http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/baba-ghanoush-2/Detail.aspx.

Prepare the tabbouleh: http://veganconnection.com/recipes/tabouli.htm and put into your other medium container.

Cut up a whole wheat pita and place into your remaining large container.

Almond Butter and Bananas

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If you're facing a stressful day at school or work, this is the lunch for you. Bananas play a starring role in this meal and their unique make up will help boost your energy, reduce your stress level and lighten your mood. All that and you get lemon cookies for dessert! How could your day not turn out great?

Menu

Almond Butter and Banana Sandwich
Steamed Broccoli

Ranch Dressing
Lemon Cookies

Preparation Notes

Spread almond butter on both halves of a whole wheat English muffin. Thinly slice half a banana up and add to the muffin. Put your sandwich and the second half of the banana in your extra large container.

Steam broccoli crowns and add to one of the medium containers.

Fill the dip container with ranch dressing and add it to the extra large container to enjoy your broccoli with.

Fill your other medium container with your favorite lemon cookies.

Four Cheese Ravioli

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Ravioli are easy to prepare and, with the seemingly endless combination of fillings and toppings, are sure to be a hit amongst the entire family. We served our four-cheese ravioli with a fresh green salad, oranges and chocolate squares for dessert which made for quite the lunch time treat.

Menu

•Four Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce
•Green Salad
•Tuscan Salad Dressing
•Orange Slices
•Dark Chocolate Squares

Preparation Notes

Cook the ravioli and put into your large container. Top with marinara sauce and fresh basil.

Toss your favorite greens with dried cranberries and walnuts to put into your other large container.

Fill the dip container with Tuscan dressing to drizzle over your salad.

Fill one bento divider with dark chocolate squares. Store chocolate and Tuscan dressing in your medium container.

Slice oranges to put into your other medium container.

Holiday Lunch Menu #6 & FREE Shipping

Just a quick reminder about our free shipping through Dec 31st. We're also offering same-day shipping on all orders placed before noon M-F.



Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity at http://www.laptoplunches.com.

Holiday Lunch Menu #2 & FREE Shipping

This is the second of seven holiday bento lunch photos that we're posting this holiday season. We hope you like it -- and the FREE shipping too!

Creative Holiday Menu & FREE shipping

We've created several holiday menus to share with you this holiday season. Check back over the next few weeks to see what we're having for lunch!

Flavors of Fall

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The sweet, nutty flavor of butternut squash makes it an ideal vegetable for soups that can be enjoyed either warm or cold. Coconut brown rice, almonds, and crackers round out this lunch making it the perfect accompaniment to a beautiful fall day.

Menu

•Butternut Squash Soup with Sour Cream
•Coconut Brown Rice
•Tamari Roasted Almonds
•Whole Grain Crackers
•Kiwi Slices

Preparation Notes

Make butternut squash soup using the following recipe or one of your own: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/367/Cold-Butternut-Squash-Soup88686.shtml. Let cool before adding to your large lidded container and topping with a dollop of sour cream.

Prepare the coconut brown rice. We liked the following recipe: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Coconut-Brown-Rice. Let cool before adding to your medium lidded container.

Use your favorite whole grain crackers to fill up 1/2 of your large unlidded container.

Make Tamari Roasted Almonds: Let 1/4 cup Tamari Sauce and 6oz of almonds marinate for about 30 minutes. Drain and bake at 350 degress for 6-8 minutes. Let almonds cool before using to fill up your bento divider with and add to your large container with the crackers.

Cut and peel a kiwi fruit for your medium unlidded container.

Asian Combination

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Sweet, crisp Asian pears were the starting point for this week's lunch menu. The combination of flavors and textures we put together were so dynamic that even our pickiest eaters finished everything... including their spinach!

Menu

•Soba Noodles
•Sesame Peanut Sauce
•Steamed Spinach
•Zen Party Mix
•Asian Pear

Preparation Notes

Boil soba noodles according to package instructions. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and use to fill one of your large containers.

Fill the dip container with home made or store bought peanut sauce of your choice. You can find an easy recipe through the following link: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/best-peanut-sauce/Detail.aspx.

Steam spinach, let cool and put into one of your medium containers.

Add your favorite zen party mix to the other medium container.

Slice an Asian pear for your other large container.

Fall Fill You Up Lunch

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When the chilly days of fall leave you craving comfort food, this lunch is the way to go. The protein provided in the tofu along with the nutrient dense baked potato and butternut squash will leave you feeling satisfied without weighing you down. A sliced kiwi brings a sweet end to this meal while offering a healthy dosage of vitamin C.

Menu

•Baked Tofu
•Baked Potato
•Gravy
•Butternut Squash
•Sliced Kiwi

Preparation Notes

Prepare the night before:

Make baked tofu according to the following recipe: http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-recipes/baked-tofu-recipe.php. Let cool and place into one of your large containers.

Clean potato and pierce several times. Wrap potato in foil, drizzle with olive oil and bake in 350 degree oven for about 1 hour. Let cool and place into your other large container.

Prepare your favorite gravy recipe to enjoy with your baked potato.

Peel and cut butternut squash into 1" cubes. Steam until squash is tender, about 8 minutes. Use to fill up one of your medium containers.

Peel and slice a kiwi for your other medium container.

Bento Lunchbox: Baby Spinach Salad

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Menu

* Baby Spinach Salad with Pecan Halves
* Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
* Lowfat Cottage Cheese
* Berry Medley


Preparation Notes

Baby spinach is not only delicious, but it's packed with nutrients too. Prepare a simple salad with just a few ingredients, or go all out and make it fancy. Some of our favorite toppings include: avocado, red onion, cherry tomatoes, pears, pecans, radishes, crumbled goat cheese, and cucumbers. The raspberry vinaigrette tastes great on spinach and complements the berries packed on the side.

Create a spinach salad.

Prepare the salad dressing or include one of your store-bought favorites.

Add a few scoops of lowfat cottage cheese.

Drop a mix of berries into one of the medium containers.

How to Make a Bento Box

Looking for some lunch box inspiration this back to school season? Check out this very informative video. Love it!

Summer Grab N Go

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Menu

* Fresh Papaya
* Steamed Corn-on-the-Cob
* Trail Mix
* Steamed Soy Beans (Edamame)

Preparation Notes

Nothing says "summer" like corn on the cob! Pack your dinner leftovers, or steam it fresh in the morning. Add some juicy fruits and vegetables for a refreshing lunch on a hot summer day.

Cut up the papaya. (Sprinkle with a bit of lime juice if desirable.)

Steam the corn and cut in half.

Add a scoop of trail mix.

Steam the edamame and salt lightly to taste.

Tuesday's 2010 Bento Lunchbox Treat

We're so excited about launching this very cool new tire tread plaid bento kit this Friday, July 23rd. What do you think?

• Cool new tire tread plaid pattern.



• Striking black and red bento set 2.0 made with 10% recycled content.



• Tote made with 100% post-consumer recycled fabric.



• Printed with soy ink.



• Expandable front pocket holds additional items.



• Drink holder in zippered side pouch.



• All-stainless fork and spoon.

July Travel Bento

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Menu

* Hard-boiled Eggs
* Fresh Strawberries
* Pretzel Sticks
* Steamed Green Beans


Preparation Notes

Traveling this summer? Remember to pack a bento so you won't have to settle for fast food or overpriced on-the-go meals. Here's one example for keeping it simple, delicious, and fun. And don't forget to use your bento box as a reusable take-out or "doggy bag" container when you're out seeing the world!

Slice two hard-boiled eggs in half.

Cut some fresh strawberries.

Add a handful of pretzel sticks.

Steam and cut some fresh green beans.

From: July Travel Bento Lunchbox

New Bento Lunchbox Dividers Now Available!

If you haven't had a chance to check out our cool new bento dividers, please do.

These bright little cups are perfect for creating and organizing space inside your bento box. They're great for berries, olives, cookies, crackers, beans, nuts, and much, much more. You can even use them to bake muffins or cupcakes!

Includes 2 bento dividers, one lime and one teal.

More information can be found at http://secure.laptoplunches.com/AMAZING/itemdesc.asp?ic=T130-SET2&eq=&Tp=.

Planning to travel this summer? Don't forget your Laptop Lunches!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Laptop Lunches Keeps Nutrition Intact During Summer Travel

American-style bento boxes are fun, eco-friendly, and only $39.99 at www.laptoplunches.com.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – May 24, 2010 – Road trips, long flights, local getaways – these all lead to one thing: junk food! Travelers can avoid nutrition breakdown this summer with American-style bento boxes from Laptop Lunches. This Bento-ware for Everywhere is ideal for packing wholesome, earth-friendly, on-the-go meals.

The Laptop Lunches Bento System (only $39.99 at www.laptoplunches.com) includes five inner containers that rest in a tray, a set of stainless-steel utensils, and a water bottle, all of which zip into an insulated mini-laptop case, appropriate for both kids and adults. The brightly colored inner containers accommodate everything from carrot sticks to miso soup.

Each system comes with a handy little guide, which takes the guesswork out of what to pack. It includes creative lunch ideas, travel-friendly menus, and recipes for fun, nutritious meals. And while the Bento System eliminates the need for plastic baggies, the guide gives other tips for reducing waste, as well.

About Laptop Lunches

Obentec, Inc. was founded in 2001 by two California moms, with the mission of helping families improve lunchtime nutrition while reducing waste. Laptop Lunches are affordable, high quality, made-in-the-USA meal containers designed for people on the go, and are perfect for school, work, and travel. The founders of Obentec, Inc. believe that healthy kids come from healthy communities; thus Obentec is committed to giving back to schools and environmental organizations. Learn more at www.laptoplunches.com.
For additional information, please contact Alecia J. Wachtstetter at aleciaw(at)lotus823(dot)com.

http://www.laptoplunches.com/LaptopLunches_travel_2010_lunchbox_PressRelease5-24-2010.html

Discounted Alien Bento Carriers

We're selling some soft-sided bento carriers with slight imperfections for only $9.99 (regularly $19.99).

Check them out at http://secure.laptoplunches.com/AMAZING/itemDesc.asp?ic=ALIEN_DISCOUNT.

We also have a handful of imperfect bento carriers in pink, purple, flower, and blue, but only the alien print is available online. If you're interested in one of the other colors, please call us at 831-457-0301. Available while supplies last!