A Rose By Any Other Name

Being a huge fan of Shakespeare I made this bento with strawberry roses (first time making them! I learned how with this video but I only did 2 layers. I think I could have done another but I was afraid of messing them up! I bet Brandon (my culinary inclined and skilled boyfriend) could make way better ones! He bought us some fresh fruit when we went shopping today. I hope he gets to eat some more of it. He doesn't have a day off until Saturday and we don't live together yet. Also in this bento are some fresh blackberries, pistachios in Garlic and Onion as well as Chili Lime flavors and some edamame. I love edamame and pistachios. People always ask vegetarians and especially vegans "Where do you get your protein?", well nuts and soybeans are great sources! Edamame and soybeans in general are a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids! So eat up plain or with a little sea salt or other seasoning!

Strawberry roses, blackberries, flavored pistachios and edamame

Bento Supplies Haul

I found these cute bento supplies at the Dollar Tree. I will keep an eye out for more. I am starting my collection. I also will borrow things in my kitchen of my mom's if they will work for bento. I think this will be a fun new thing to cheer me up. What could make you happier than a cute lunch? Well I suppose a hug and a smooch from the bf who bought me these lovely things!

This first photo (above) shows some Halloween ice trays found in the holiday section of the store. Be sure to check all sections of the store that may have bento items. I wasn't even planning to look in this area but I am glad I did because I LOVE HALLOWEEN! I will try to make mini onigiri with these. The pumpkins are great for fall. The other tray is fingers and bones. The bones can be used year round in a dog themed bento! Also shown in this photo are 3 sandwich cutters which can also be used for pancakes, baked tofu or other larger flat items. I have a square/diamond/triangle one, a star one and a butterfly one which could also make clouds I think.

This next photo above shows some snack cups for small items or wetter items. I seen these on another blog before but I can't remember who it was for sure. I found them in the baby section. As you can see you get 2 containers and 1 spoon per set. I chose the purple hippo, and the clear bear. They also had tigers and monkeys. I will probably get the other two eventually. These were the last one of each. Purple is also my favorite color!

I hope that my new supplies will inspire adorable bentos! I hope you will all check your local dollar stores and bargain stores for great finds.

Check all likely sections for items to bento in or with.

Kitchen/cooking for baking cups, sandwich and cookie cutters
Baby for small containers and eating utensils
Storage for bento containers or organization materials
Party supplies for decorations, food picks and cocktail sticks to poke into foods
Craft supplies for punches to use on nori

I seen craft punches but I didn't get them because I didn't care for the designs that much. They may have others at your local store though so check! I hope to try other stores soon.

My Bento Creations So Far:

I thought I would share my attempts so far. Suggestions would be fine but please be nice. I am new to this!

This is my first bento attempt made in an old Tupperware container. I like the shape of this container and it was a nice size. I made a roll up with a whole wheat tortilla, peanut butter, dried cranberries and chopped almonds. I cut it like sushi and put it in the container with some apple sticks and some vegan vanilla yogurt for dipping. I didn't have any lemon juice or anything else to prevent the apple from browning.

This next one was made today. It includes garlic ready rice with quinoa, lime juice and fresh cilantro along with hummus, fat free vegan refried beans and some vegetable crackers. I used baby carrots to separate, add color and to dip.


I hope you liked my beginner bentos. I don't have an official bento box yet or any accessories but I am on the lookout. If anyone finds anything cool in a store please share your finds. :)

I want to experiment with cookie cutters to cut bread, veggies and vegan cheeses and deli slices. I am excited to get creative!

Hello everyone!

I am interested in starting bento-making. I love looking at pictures of bento meals on the web. I have decided I am going to try making my own. I am American. I live in Western Massachusetts. I am 26. I have an amazing boyfriend and 3 cats. I will post links to my other sites on the web and my couple vlog on YouTube if anyone is interested. I love Asian food in general and really like vegetable sushi (maki etc) and other Japanese food. My bentos will likely not always be traditional but I want to do this for fun. I am vegan. I am trying to lose weight and I am a former art student. This is a good way for me to be creative again!

I plan on submitting some of my pictures to the 1000 Happy Bento Project so if you bento too you should check it out!