Bento boxes
Sometimes I wonder what I've been doing the last 30 years--oh, yeah, raising a family (with my husband) and working full time. Having gotten to a relatively advanced age before computers were a common concept for "regular" people and the Internet was not even a twinkle in anyone's eye, I have not surfed the Net much in the past despite using computers a great deal in my work (geez, I even maintain a website). The amount of information available on the Internet is so staggering that I am easily overwhelmed.
All that being said, I love all the new stuff I'm learning right here at VegWeb. In another thread, idioglossia mentioned Bento boxes and the Laptop Lunchbox System. The former concept was just a vague one I had encountered somewhere in my past but not as something that might relate to me; and the latter was totally new to me so I went to their website and was intrigued. After that I went to jennifershmoo's blog and became adicted to it, too. I think MDvegan mentioned that she had just gotten a Laptop Lunchbox and was enjoying using it.
Does anyone have anything to add about either? I have looked around online but would like some input from folks (ones I "know") who've had real experience with either of them. Or does someone have something else to suggest or recommend? I really like the idea since I take my lunch to work every day.
Hey Bookmama. I have no personal experience with either the laptop lunchbox or the bento box, but I do pack my kid's lunch most days. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased a box-full of storage containers (can't remember the name, but they are clear and have lids that lock down on all four sides). They came in a variety of sizes (one perfect for a sandwich) that fit easily in an insulated lunchbox that I bought at the same time. I'm quite happy with my system, because I had read mixed reviews while researching the LL. I, too, saw the Vegan Lunchbox blog and adored the idea. I've been able to send a wide variety of foods with my kid, and have never had any leaks (except for the time that she failed to put the lid back on the pasta salad container after lunch!) Of course, I just threw the whole mess into hot, soapy dishwater and it cleaned up great. Hope that helps.
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail
These look nearly identical to the containers I purchased. I looked on the store's website, but couldn't find them.
I bought the Laptop Lunchbox over a year ago. While I love the concept, I have to say I was a little disappointed. The little salad dressing container has a lid that easily splits and breaks. It is not just me that experienced this, I have read online that many others have as well. Several people mentioned that they called the company who promptly sent out a whole bagful ofreplacement lids, but that sort of defeats the purpose of reusable lunchbox containers, at least to my mind. Maybe they have fixed the problem by now. Also, I would like a lid for more than just one container--this may not be a problem for some, but now that I have experienced it, I would like lids for at least one more of the containers.
I used the Laptop Lunch 5 days per week for an entire year. I'm an adult and treated my lunchbox with respect, but by the end of the year it was getting difficult to close properly (I had to use rubber bands to secure it and I still ended up with blueberry juice in my backpack).
I was getting frustrated enough that I bought a new lunchbox:
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-Bento-Stainless-Steel-lined-Silver/dp/B000246GSE/sr=8-1/qid=1166399234/ref=sr_1_1/002-3015230-1901661?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden
I like the Bento concept, but ultimately wasn't pleased with Laptop Lunchbox's excecution, so I swung for the pricey Mr. Bento system. I love it so far. The only downside is the soup lid can be a little difficult to open--but that is infinitely better than it leaking.
Tkitty's idea sounds neat too :) Good luck.
Hope this helps.
Elizabeth
I just looked at the link I posted and realized that Mr. Bento is $15 off what I paid for it three months ago on Amazon! The only thing that prevents me from recommending Mr Bento is the price tag...but now it is only slightly more expensive ($2) than a Laptop Lunch "system" (box + carrying case) with free shipping.
Also, check out this site, which ultimately convinced me to get a Mr Bento (not vegan, but still lots of ideas, beautiful pictures and discussions about Mr Bento, pros and cons):
http://www.flickr.com/groups/mrbento/
Elizabeth
I am a senior in a high school that offers no vegan lunch alternatives (not even a bloody apple!), so naturally I pack my lunch everyday. My school also offers no microwave or toaster oven to it's students--I only eat cold food during lunch.
The Laptop lunch system highly appealed to me when I came across it online one day. It's price sticker, some 40 dollars, is not as appealing however. Being a poor kid, I just use a method similar to one posted above. I pack my food into small tupperware containers and cram them into an insulated lunch box with an icepack. I carry around a re-used water bottle in my backpack until it becomes un-useable. This method works out well for me, and it's great if you already have a variety of tupperware containers.
Have a look at this site they have hot bento boxes that come in different shapes and sizes. I got one for my boyfrined the other week, he said its more warm than hot but i'm not sure how much he's heating it up before he puts it in. may need some expeimenting.
http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/lunchjars/lunchjars.html
i didn't looka the the price but i'd say it would be around $20
hope it helps
I just picked up the Laptop Lunchbox and the Mr. Bento for Xmas gifts. I'd have given the Mr. Bento to both people, but one of them is a "MUST-diswasher-wash-everything" person, and I don't think the Mr. Bento is dishwasher-approved.
Though I haven't used them, since they're presents-to-be, I am impressed with the quality of both. The size of the Mr. Bento seems very generous indeed-- lunch and a nice snack or two, by my reckoning. The Laptop Lunchbox is a nice size for lunch-- more capacious than an airline meal or fast food breakfast size. I ordered both with carrying cases (I think the Mr. Bento always has one).
Expect food to be lukewarm or warm, not hot, at lunchtime-- or cold, or tepid, depending on how you pack it. I like cold lunches just fine, so I don't pack a lot of hot things. However, a thermos is still great for soups on cold days.
You can enjoy a bento-style lunch in any kind of container, though. A deep-sided, easy-to-open-and-seal plastic airtight container and small foil or plastic cups (muffin cups, etc.) to separate your goodies works great. A divided container is even better. Just pack tidbits, and as much variety in color as you can-- it's a very satisfying approach.
A couple (non-vegetarian) bento blogs I often follow:
http://www.c4vct.com/kym/bento/photos.htm
http://www.cookingcute.com/index.htm
http://www.bentotv.com/ (video blog; seems not to be updating since Thanksgiving)
...and of course the wonderful vegan one:
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/
I had already been using a Coleman "hard" lunchbox with containers from an infomercial (the ones that have a little spinner to corral them all) which works well for just about everything. I do have access at work to a fridge and a microwave so that also helps with lunchtime variety. Perhaps I was just in the mood for something new, something to help make leftovers more exciting. I dunno. I think I'm making this a more important issue than it should be.
One of the things that appealed to me about the Laptop Lunchbox, however, was that when you open the lid, your lunch is all right there for you to see. Don't know why that seemed so novel and appealing but it did. Now I wonder. I'm not as concerned about leaking (jennifershmoo rubberbands plastic wrap around juicier meal selections) as I am about things (bready things, especially) drying out. And if you get lids for all the containers, you wouldn't be seeing your food when you lift the lid. Plus, I try to avoid plastic wrap and use wax paper and occasionally cellophane, neither of which is waterproof over the long haul. Plastic bags are a hassle to wash which I definitley do if I use them. That's why using containers for everything is an appealing concept and really a no-brainer. I could have always done this.
The Mr. Bento does look like it holds a lot of food but you have the same situation that I'm experiencing now--you wouldn't see everything as soon as you took off the lid. Still Mr. Bento is especially nice since everything fits together.
I'm a "container freak" so that could be part of my problem. I think I'll just continue to use what I'm using now and call it my "bento box." ;) Thanks for the input and websites. I'm working my way through the links.
I took another gander at the Laptop Lunchbox I picked up for a family member, and it's really very nice. I don't have advice to offer on how it holds up or anything, but it seems well made and beautiful (very appealing in just the way you describe).