OctoberBride...

npeacock

Your blog has inspired me. DS is starting a new preschool in just two weeks. I am just not sure which style box I should get. What do you suggest for a true novice? I liked the idea of the Easy Lunchboxes that you just got, but I think that the laptop lunchoxes would be more practical long term.

Thoughts?

OctoberBrideNYC

YAY!!!  The Laptop lunchbox is a good bet, but I find sometimes that it is way too much food for Ava.  If you want to start small, try the Easy Lunchboxes and if you like that, move on to the Laptop (which will always be handy for picnics, lunches when your son gets older, etc) or more traditional bentos.  The Easy Lunchboxes are not traditional bentos and it's hard to make them look like real bentos when you fill them, but they are a good start and if you feel that you can't commit to bento making (you know with shapes and whatnot), you can always just stick a sandwich and some snacks in there for lunch. 

 Let me know if you want some advice (and you're ready to commit!) about what are some good starter cutters and/or accessories!  

 Happy bento-ing!  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

npeacock

See? That's just it. I haven't had to worry about lunch making every day for DS before, and now I will. I think DD will start at the preschool when she turns 2, so I will be making for her too, and I don't know how much food I should start with for either of them. It's actually a little overwhelming.

DS has never been a kid who likes sandwiches, so I am thinking I will need to try wraps and the like. He loves veggies, so just about any kind I can put in there, I will. His latest fetish? Carrot slivers! He learned how to use a peeler, and loves to eat the slivers of the carrots he peels.

I really think DS would enjoy the laptop version because of the colors and shapes. We saw them at whole foods and he wanted to bring it home right away!

OctoberBrideNYC

Then go for the laptop one!  It's a great one!  And it'll last forever.  It's BPA-free - DW and microwave safe - and you can just pull one of the containers out that you need to heat.  I have a discount on my blog for them - and I know that they are discontinuing the first version, so they are all on sale on the website to begin with! 

 The reason I started bento-ing is because Ava wasn't eating any of her lunch.  Bentos forced me to find new and creative ways to present food to her that she'd enjoy.  She hated sandwiches too - but a sandwich in the shape of a heart?  Well, that she'd at least entertain.  She loves fruits and veggies too - so those weren't the challenge, but protein had always been an issue.  Bentos have improved her eating a lot.  And if you have to make them lunch anyway, then why not? 

 I can send you links for truck cut outs and stuff like that if you like!  Let me know!  Good luck!

npeacock

Thanks for the advice! Trucks and stuff would be right up DS's alley.

OctoberBrideNYC

Take a look at some of these!

 Truck cutters

Picks

Thomas

Monkey

Wizard of Oz

Train containers

Giraffe

Car
 

npeacock

You are a gem! Thanks for all the recs! Now I need to shop.