Lunchbox

My new lunchbox. After months of using a reusable Kenneth Cole shopping bag for a lunchbag I finally got myself a real lunchbox. A small 700ml grey Lock & Lock obento. It contains:

• Insulated grey bag
  
• 350 ml plastic container w/ 3 divided sections (goes on top)
  
• 350 ml plastic container (goes on bottom)
  
• Plastic utensils
  

Unlike a typical bento I have salad in place of rice. Speaking of bento, googling Lock & Lock images revealed a whole load of bento images.

Bentos are a big deal apparently. The past couple of days found me soaking in all sorts of bento making tips. Did you know that a bento's weight in millimeter is an approximate equivalent of calories consumed? That's why when you browse online for bento boxes, one of the specifications given is it's weight in ml. Asian women's calorie requirement is around 630ml so the 700ml lunchbox I have is perfect. Why? Since I pack salad & bread instead of rice the extra 70ml makes up for calorie difference. I speak only of lunch of course.

I'm not such a stickler when it comes to calorie counting. I do check the nutrition labels on the prepacked food I eat and for produce & meat products that don't have labels I do a cursory calorie check online.

Last time I spoke of motivators for eating healthily. Mine is the pleasure of accomplishing my daily goals. Since last week I've discovered another. The love of creating a colorful bento.

Above is my lunch from yesterday. Top container: sliced red bell peppers, gruyere sticks & butterfly-cut wheat bread, sliced kiwi. Bottom container: mixed greens with red onion slices, cherry tomatoes and tuna flakes in calamansi.

Go online and search for bentos and you'll see a whole world of colorful lunchboxes filled with healthy, sometimes funny food stuff. Rice balls that look like sumo wrestlers, bunny-shaped eggs, smiley fruits.

I keep mine simple. Though in my excitement I did get myself a set of cookie cutters and reusable plastic picks, like the green swirl stick you see above.

I don't know how far this new love will take me. I'm just along for the ride.

Looking at my food log makes me realize I'm not doing enough to reign in my sugar intake. >_< I'll have to improve on that.

FOOD LOG

TUESDAY (Aug 24)

BF:: Sardines + feta pandesal, large black coffee

LN:: Fiesta Adobo (Binalot)

SN:: 1 scoop chocolate ice cream

DN:: Fiesta Adobo

WEDNESDAY (Aug 25)

BF:: Chef's Tuna sandwich, large hot mocha (Coffeebean & Tea Leaf)

SN:: cup of plain yogurt

LN:: Salad

SN: teacup of hot chocolate

DN: a third of Cheddar Ruffles potato chips :(

 

THURSDAY (Aug 24)

BF:: pan-fried chicken thigh + black coffee

SN:: cup of plain yogurt + dash of cinnamon

LN:: homemade tuna salad

SN:: 7 pieces M&Ms + cup of plain yogurt

DN:: homemade pesto pasta

FRIDAY

BF:: pan-fried chicken thigh + black coffee

SN:: cup of plain yogurt

LN:: homemade tuna salad

SN:: cup of plain yogurt + handful of walnuts

DN:: Philadelphia fish & chips (Fish & Co.)

SATURDAY

BF:: 3 homemade sausages + 1 slice wheat bread

SN:: walnuts + cherry tomatoes

LN:: 1 slice wheat bread + cheese

SN:: medium hot mocha (Coffeebean)

DN:: Banana

SUNDAY

BF:: Qoola yogurt + chocolate toppings

LN:: half of bacon-wrapped hotdog & egg sandwich

SN:: Jalapeno Cheetos

DN:: 9 cookies + coffee

MONDAY

BF:: Banana + large black coffee

LN:: lasagna + wheat bread

SN:: walnuts + cherry tomatoes

DN:: cup of plain yogurt + 2 cookies

TUESDAY (Sep 1)

BF:: Sardines + feta pandesal, large black coffee

SN:: cup of plain yogurt

LN:: salad + wheat bread

SN:: walnuts + plain yogurt

DN:: 1 cup chili + 1 cookie

WEDNESDAY

BF:: pan-fried chicken thigh + large black coffee

SN:: kiwi + red bell pepper + plain yogurt

LN:: Salad + cheese & bacon pandesal

SN:: 1 small pack of chocolate Pillows + gruyere sticks & butterfly wheatbread

DN:: 1 cup chili + 1/2 bacon slice