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Recipe: Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

November 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A lunchbox-sized sweet and tangy fruit pasta salad

I am on the quest for healthy lunches that my kids will eat. Princess likes fruit and pasta, so I came up with this recipe.

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Grate about 1/2 tsp of lemon peel. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir these together. (You can lessen these amounts to make it a little less tart.)

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Cut about 1/3 of an apple into small pieces. Stir the lemon mixture and the apples together well, to prevent browning. Add in 1/2 tablespoon of honey. Mix well.

Add cubed cheese and raisins to the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add cubed cheese and raisins to the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add the contents of a mini box of raisins and some cubed cheddar cheese. Use portions that fit your child’s taste. Stir well. Add a little more honey to the mixture and stir well (again, add to your child’s taste).

Finished Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Finished Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add in about 1/2 a cup of mini pasta wheels. Stir the entire mixture well. Taste it and add further lemon juice or honey as desired. Be careful to not make the mixture too juicy though.

This makes enough to fill a small lunchbox-sized container. I made mine the morning I was packing the lunch. I’m not sure how well it would last overnight.

Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad packed in a bento lunch

Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad packed in a bento lunch

I think other fruits would work well in this salad also. I might try adding some carrots or other vegetable next time. I thought it was pretty tasty!

**Remember not to feed honey to infants under the age of 12 months.

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Today’s picture and more on the Yubo lunchbox

November 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A Bento Box with a Sandwich

Today marks the first day of a sandwich in the bento-style lunchbox.

Bento-style lunchbox with a sandwich

Bento-style lunchbox with a sandwich

I found these cute mini-sub rolls–the sweet, hawaiian-style ones. I layered Boars Head turkey, Boars Head sweet-slice ham, Boars Head baby swiss, mayo, and honey mustard. The rolls fit perfectly in the oblong container. I also added in a sliced, molded bunny egg; raspberries; and a juice box.

Today, I also added in some ice-cube type ice packs. I cut them into cubes and I added them in between the sandwich and the egg/raspberries. They were in addition to the previously included ice pack. I am curious how they work out. I thought the sandwich needed some extra coldness. I hope they didn’t leak out of the package–I think you can cut them into cubes, but not 100% sure.

I am also considering trying a different type of bento container or lunchbox. I am finding that I can’t really do all that bento has to offer in this lunchbox. The way you pack the food flat, but then carry and store it on its side doesn’t really lend itself to true bento. I can’t make any cute foods, because it will all shift.

I am really liking the Yubo lunchbox, except for the aforementioned feature. It washes well, packs well, and I get millions of compliments. The only complaint I have about the lunchbox itself is the condensation from the ice pack. I think that is probably just a fact that can’t be avoided. The condensation probably occurs in other lunch boxes that aren’t insulated and my Florida climate probably doesn’t help either.

Here’s a link to another bento post.

Any suggestions on another type of bento lunchbox to try?

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Bento Day 3

November 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Oh, the adventure of Bento!

Bento Day 3 consisted of cut-up grape tomatoes, strawberry applesauce, juice box, and cheese quesadillas. I am really proud of the quesadillas because they have pureed butternut squash in them. I put tiny sheets of waxed paper between them so they wouldn’t be soggy.

Bento Day 3

Bento Day 3

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Bento Day 1

November 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A little closer to the bento lifestyle.

I’m not sure how bento this is, but today I used the new bento-style lunchbox I bought for Princess for the first time today. The lunchbox I chose was the Yubo. It’s pink, of course, and has the fairy princess graphics.

I researched a lot of these lunch boxes. I was originally going to choose the laptop style one, but was afraid it might be a little large for her and the daycare storage space. I liked how every part of the Yubo lunchbox is washable. What sold me on it, though, is the built-in icepack.

Overall, the lunch box packed well and looked beautiful. The one problem I found so far was that the ice pack was already creating condensation on the outside of the lunchbox when I dropped her off at school. Perhaps this is our climate or just because of first use. I’ll see how that works out and keep you posted.

Today, I packed her a juice box (one of those vegetable/fruit blends), cheese stick, diced papaya, cut up grape tomatoes, and peanut butter and jelly muffins. I hope to branch into more creative display and use the egg molds I bought. The picks that people use are also appealing to me, but I wasn’t sure if her school allowed them. I’ve shared some photos below of today’s lunch.

Bento day 1 picture of lunch

Peanut butter and jelly muffins, diced papaya, grape tomatoes, cheese stick, juice box

Interior of bento day 1

Interior of bento day 1

Bento day 1 icepack

Bento day 1 icepack

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