#Bentomommas | LUNCH KITS WE LOVE!

At BentoMommas, we get asked a lot about lunchboxes. True enough, we've tried a lot in the years we've been bento-making. There isn't a fast rule in choosing a box, except maybe making sure it is spill-proof, as you wouldn't want your child to get to school with a spilled lunch. Through the years, however, we've come up with a few tips in choosing the perfect lunchbox, and these are as follows:

CHOOSING THE PERFECT LUNCHBOX

1. CHOOSE A BOX THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE SIZE OF YOUR CHILD'S APPETITE. If your child is a preschooler, it makes no sense to have him bring a huge box. Some moms like to send a lot of food (I am guilty here), but when you realize that recess or lunch is just 30 minutes long, the extra food might go untouched. So send something you're sure your child will eat and finish. Then pack a few snacks on the side as extra grub.

2. CHOOSE A BOX THAT YOU CAN FILL TO THE BRIM. In Bento-making, it is important to pack the box full. So make sure you have a box that you can actually fill. Why? Well, you want whatever design or character you make to stay intact until lunch. A lot of moms tell us that they end up taking a photo of their work in the morning to show their kids, because they are sure their little ones won't see the outcome of their bento-making when they get to school. Turns out, their boxes aren't full. So in order for your Olaf, Pooh, Mickey, etc to make it to school intact, make sure you pack your box well. So choose a box that will be easier for you to fill. You can always pack a second box without the deco for extras.

3. LEAK-RESISTANT VS LEAK-PROOF. There are a number of leak-resistant boxes, but they aren't exactly leak-proof. Leak-resistant means it has a system in place that makes it resistant to leaks but can eventually leak when its locking system is compromised. To test for leak-resistance, fill a box with water then seal. Take the box, invert it. If it doesn't leak, then it is leak-resistant. Now, shake the box. If water starts to leak out, then your box isn't leak proof. A leak-resistant box, however, will still work well for older kids who can be a little more careful when it comes to carrying their things. We prefer a leak-proof box with locks for the younger kids, especially since preschoolers love swinging their lunchboxes. My son RL is now in 1st grade, and can be a little more responsible with his lunch box. So I've started packing his lunch in fancier boxes, sans the locks, as these boxes are also easier to open. Of course, I choose the leak-proof ones when packing food with soup or sauce. The preference is really up to you.

4. AIR-TIGHT! An air-tight box makes your food last longer. Check to see if the lids of your boxes are equipped with a silicone seal or rubber gasket. This seals in the food and prevents air from entering. It is the air that promotes bacteria to form. If you aren't sure about your box being air-tight, add an anti-bacterial sheet (available in most Japanese stores) for good measure.

5. BPA-FREE! Lastly, since there are a lot of plastic lunchboxes in the market, make sure you choose a BPA-free box, especially if you intend to pack hot food. To be sure, purchase products marked as BPA-free. Also, avoid microwaving your food in your lunchboxes (even if it says it is microwaveable) as BPA is known to leak over time. You can also use alternatives instead - like glass, stainless steel and food-grade silicone.

We've also come up with our first-ever list of lunch kits we love! A few months ago, we got together to test out some boxes, and used them for bento. Here's a rundown of some of the best lunch kits in the market, in no particular order.  

BUILT BAG LUNCH BOX SET

The Built Bag Lunch Kit is so pretty, I want one for myself! It comes with a free Biokips Lunch Box that is leak-proof and dishwasher-safe. I love that it fits snugly inside the neoprene Built Bag, which keeps the food warm for four hours!

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| www.quirksmarketingph.com

| IG: @quirksph

GOODBYN BYNTO

The Goodbyn is perfect for the child who prefers a variety of snacks to the usual rice meal. I would pack sandwiches and fruits in this box, and yes, I love the fact that you can also pack a small juice box in it! 

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| www.babiestooddlers.com

| IG: @babiestotoddlers

LEX N GO SMALL SNACK BOX

Now, the Lex N Go we love because it is so far the only lunch box available in the market that is made out of food-grade silicone. I know there are other brands available, but you need to get them overseas. The main feature of this box that I love is that its height is perfect for the bulky charaben. Also, it is collapsible for easy storage.

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Kaye | @momma_makes_imbento

| IG: @lexngo

LOCK N LOCK LUNCH SET

Here's a trustworthy brand that has built its reputation and popularity with moms throughout the years. We love that they have come up with lunch kits, and that you can buy most on sale in time for each school year. They also have the new Hello Kitty boxes which makes me wish I still have a little girl!

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| FB: /LocknLockPhilippines

| IG: @lockandlockph

SKIPHOP ZOO LUNCH SET

I was actually surprised that these SkipHop products are pretty affordable. Available locally at all Mothercare stores, we are loving the animal-themed products! The boxes can be purchased with matching utensils, bibs, lunchbags and backpacks! 

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| FB: /MothercarePhils

| IG: @mothercareph

STENLOCK GREENKEEPS

I have been obsessed with everything stainless since coming home from a trip to Seoul a few years ago. So discovering Stenlock Greenkeeps was actaully a big thrill! The Greenkeeps is double-wall insulated and keeps the food warm. Also, stainless steel lasts longer than plastic, so you are making a great investment.

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| FB: /stenlockph

| IG: @stenlock_greenkeeps_ph

YUMBOX PANINO

The Yumbox is a current fave of most Bento Moms around the world. Its compartments make bento-making a breeze, and packing it is never a chore! We love the fact that it is also lightweight in spite of its size, and is available in different colors!

Photo and bento by BentoMomma Moneigh | @bentogehl.

| yumboxlunch.com

| IG: @yumboxlunch

So there you have it - some of our fave lunch kits. A lot of people ask us as well if they can bento without the box. Well, Mommas, in Japan, the word bento or obento means BOX. So technically, you can't really call it bento if you aren't using a box, right? Maybe you can call it plate art instead, hehe. But then bento-making has already evolved through the years, so we can't really limit it to just one thing. Besides, one's creativity and imagination goes a long way, so let it lead you instead - even if it takes you outside of the usual box.

Bento on, Bento Mommas!

Have a lunch box or lunch kit you want us to review? Email us at bentomommas@gmail.com, and we'll be happy to feature it for you.

#HoarderDiaries | A Lex N Go Bento Afternoon!

Right before the Easter holidays, I got a special invite from my good friend Janice to catch Kat Maderazo (also known to many Bento enthusiasts as @bentobykat) teach her very first Bento class. It was a special event for Lex N Go - Kat's bento box of choice. Being a BentoMomma myself, I was excited to see Kat and support her first endeavor in actually teaching the craft.

That Saturday, however, I was teaching a class as well at Global Culinary Academy. So after my portion of the class (thank you, Moneigh, for taking over!), I rushed to the Powerplant Mall to catch the Lex N Go event at Common Thread.

Kat was already teaching when I got there. Oops. But my dear friend Michelle sent me photos from earlier, and even briefed me through the steps I missed.

@bentobykat herself! I am such a fan! xx This Bento Mom has taken Bento-making to a whole new level!

My seatmates - Em and Rowena... Thank you, Row, for sharing your scraps with me! 

Each participant was given a Lex N Go Snack Box and a pack of Lexliving Silicone Cake cups. The goal was to fill the box with rice and a viand, then decorate it with sides of veggies and fruit.

This small Lex N Go Snack Box retails for P500.00 at Common Thread.

My Nori rice ball cat inside the Lex N Go silicone collapsible Snack Box!
Green! Perfect for RL!

Albeit coming late, I managed to catch up with the class. Hehe. I haven't tried using Lex N Go boxes before their official launch, but already, I am loving their boxes!

My fave feature of the Lex N Go, aside from it being BPA-free, is that it is flexible and collapsible. I love that I can shrink or expand the box to size. Yes! According to how big and bulging my bentos are! Take the cat I made for Kat's class as an example. I made it round and plump. There is no way that would fit in a regular bento box! But look, it fits perfectly inside the Lex N Go. No squishy mess!

Mish captures a photo of me - taking a photo of my work.
Using my old iPhone here, because the screen of my new one cracked the day before.

Lex N Go boxes come in different shapes, sizes, and functions. There is the Small Snack Box, the Medium Snack Box, the Lunch Box, the Sandwich Case, and the Cake Case. They also carry other collapsible silicone items such as the Silicone Mugs, the Espresso Cup, the Snack Pockets, and the Silicone Cake cups.

From Top Left, clockwise: Lex N Go Espresso Cup, Silicone Mug, Lunch Box (in the Gouache Lunch Bag), and a stack of Small Snack Boxes.

Lex N Go products are exclusively available at Common Thread Philippines - with branches at Greenbelt 5 and at the Powerplant Mall.

Common Thread also carries the classy Gouache Lunch Bag! Gouache Bags are made out of waxed canvas and are individually crafted by Marikina Bag Makers! Yes, proudly Philippine-made! The Lunch Bags are water-repellent, and are available in asphalt grey, olive green, navy blue and aqua. I love how this is a sling bag, too!

I am loving my new Gouache Navy Blue Lunch Bag! The Lex N Go Snack Box fits perfectly!
The Gouache Lunch Bag retails for P750.

Kat, distributor of Lex N Go products, details the features of the box.

We take a photo with adorable little Maximus! (L-R) With Rowena, Mish and Em!

Mish and I with the two Kats who made this event happen!

| instagram.com/lexngoph/
| instagram.com/gouachebags/
| instagram.com/commonthreadph/

I Went To London To Visit The Queen!

Hardly true. But I did make 60 detailed bento boxes for a London-themed party over the weekend!

Took me the whole evening to get all these bread done! But it was worth all the hard work. My client was pleased. Love how she took time to text me about my apple carving. Yes, I love carving apples. It relaxes me - haha, even if I have to carve 60+ slices (I actually did over 80 because I had another order before this one)!

Anyway, here's a closer look for your viewing pleasure. Each bento comes with my best-selling tri-noodle spaghetti, chicken nuggets, bread deco, and an apple treat.

And yes, this is why I am extra tired, and why I have been absent from the blog. But it pays for A's tuition and gives us extra savings for that rainy day. So I am not complaining. But I do hope to find time (and make time) for blogging. Lord, please give me strength.

Interested in Bento Catering? Send us an email today at bentomommas@gmail.com!

| facebook.com/bentomommas

Bento 101: Charaben

From Wikipedia: 
Kyaraben or charaben, a shortened form of character bento is a style of elaborately arranged bento (Japanese boxed lunch) which features food decorated to look like people, characters from popular media, animals, and plants. Japanese homemakers often spend time devising their families' meals, including their boxed lunches. 

Originally, a decorated bento was intended to interest children in their food and to encourage a wider range of eating habits. It has now evolved to the point where national contests are held.


With all these bento photos that I've been uploading both here on the blog and on Instagram, I've received many requests to do tutorials on how charabens or decobens are made. These are very popular in Japan, and I suppose it is the same way here, with bento-making on the uptrend.

Recently, I've had the chance to teach Michelle (Momma N' Manila) and Mia (my soaperstarmama friend and stalker) how to make owl charaben, and I think I've pretty much mastered (well, sort of) the art of molding onigiri without the mold. In fact, the girls were thinking it would be easier to mold with just their hands, but I guess this bento momma proved them otherwise (didn't I?), hehe.

So anyway, here's what we made that day.

From left to right: Mia's, Mine and Michelle's. Hoot! Hoot!

I shall save the retelling on what went on during our mini-workshop for another post. Today's all about making charabens, and I will teach you how to make a bear-y simple one. Haha, get it? Bear-y easy bear charaben. This will be a photo blog, as there are a lot of photos to help you with the step-by-step procedure on how to put this one together.

BEAR-Y EASY BEAR CHARABEN

Ingredients:
Rice
Main Dish
Vegetable Dish
Side Dish of Fruit or Vegetable
Cheese
Nori/ Dried Seaweed
Bread
A stick of Uncooked Spaghetti

We had pork adobo leftovers, and that basically influenced my choice of which charaben to make. I was thinking I could use the sauce to make brown-colored rice, and it would make a nice bear. Charabens need not be complicated. You can use leftovers! I always do.

Here's how I made my bear-y easy bear...

I took some sauce and mixed it with my rice.

You don't need adobo to make this. Use brown rice or seasoning mixed with white rice.

Scoop enough rice in a food-grade bag to mold the bear's head.
Make sure rice is packed such that it doesn't break when taken out of the bag.

Place directly in your box or in a large, round silicone cup.

For ears, scoop about a teaspoon of rice into the bag and mold.

You will need two. Break off about an inch of uncooked spaghetti noodles.
Dip ends in mayonnaise or sauce to make it stick to your rice balls.

Push your noodle halfway through the small balls to make ears.

Attach ears to head like so.

Using a bear cookie cutter, punch out some cheese.

Once you get the bear punched out, reverse the cutter and punch again.

You will then have an oval for the bear's face, and ears for the bear's... uh... ears. Hehe.

Attach to rice like so.

Take a piece of bread and flatten it with a rolling pin or glass jar.
You don't need the whole slice, just a tiny piece. But my kids love eating bread scraps. Hehe.

Using a small circle cookie cutter, punch out two circles for eyes.

Attach to the bear's head like so.

Punch out two nori circles using a single hole puncher.
Attach to the bread circles using mayo and tweezers.

Using the HapuMogu face nori puncher #9 (available at Saizen), punch out a couple of half moons.

If you don't have this puncher, just use scissors to cut out those shapes.
The nori puncher just helps with precise shapes.

Attach those half moons to the ears like so.

Using a smaller single hole puncher and a HapiMogu face nori puncher #8, punch out more nori circles.
Apply to face to add details to the bear's cheeks.

Using the nori I used to punch out the half moons, I took a pair of scissors and cut out the bear's mouth.
I followed the shape of the half moon to help me get the right curve.

I wanted to serve vegetables and a side of cherry tomatoes with the pork adobo,
so I used three mini oval silicone cups.

Voila! My bear-y easy bear charaben! Nothing to it, right?
Served my bear-y serious bear with pork adobo, fried zucchini slices and some cherry tomatoes.

I used the following bento tools to make this charaben.

These tools are available at Saizen!
Rolling Pin, Hapi Mogu Nori Punchers, Single Hole Punchers, Silicone Cups, Cookie Cutters, Picks and Tweezers.

Because I hardly get to make my not-so-little girl bentos anymore, she got this bear-y cute bento for lunch today.

Pleased with her bento, although I doubt it filled her tummy. This is RL's small bento box after all!

For more bento fun, follow me on instagram!

http://instagram.com/momma_makes_imbento

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Have you submitted your photo entries for Saizen's Create Your Own Bento Photo Contest? You have three more days to make them and beat their September 30 deadline! Hurry! Make those bentos and send in your photo today. You can win upto P3,000 worth of Saizen Gift Certificates!

To those asking, the photo entry should contain three elements: 
1) Your finished bento, 
2) The Saizen tools you used to make your bento, and 
3) A photo of you making your bento.

Edit these photos together to make one photo like so...

Pretend A made this bento and that photo is of her making it.

For detailed mechanics, check out Saizen on social media:

| facebook.com/saizenph
| twitter.com/SaizenbyDaiso
| instagram.com/saizenph