Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento

New #bentobox tag on Twitter

2009-05-11T19:07:45Z

For Twitter users, I’ve created a #bentobox hashtag in Twitter for tweets relating to bento-style lunches. If you use Twitter, just include the word #bentobox (complete with the # sign) in any of your bento-related tweets so that we can easily find relevant info. It should help us find bento-related info (not Filemaker Bento software info!) more quickly and drive traffic to your Twitter feeds and bento blogs. I’m Biggie on Twitter if you want to see how I’m using the #bentobox tag for related tweets.

Bento bloggers: Know your worth!

2009-05-08T22:57:01Z

Bento bloggers: Know your worth!

For a post on Lunch in a Box about protecting your online rights and knowing your worth in commercial negotiations for your bento work.

Rooster sausage bento from A to Z

2009-05-01T18:52:47Z

Rooster sausage bento lunch for preschooler

Morning prep time: 6 minutes. These sausages are special: I helped butcher the roosters they're made from, and Hank Shaw of the Hunter Angler Gardener Cook blog made them. Full details on the bento and my rooster excursion with Hank, Elise of Simply Recipes, and Garrett from Vanilla Garlic are here at Lunch in a Box.

Poll: How long does it take you to pack a lunch?

2009-04-27T21:02:57Z

New poll on Lunch in a Box: how long does it take you to prep and pack a single bento lunch? Let us know if you make speed bentos or time-consuming food art.

Giveaway winner & Sacramento Bee bento article

2009-04-03T09:43:11Z

Kids Konserve giveaway winner

I've drawn a winner in the Kids Konserve metal lunch kit giveaway, and linked to a Sacramento Bee article and video about speedy bento lunches. Details here at Lunch in a Box.

California hanami picnic

2009-04-01T07:20:53Z

Hanami picnic spread

Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnic in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Full details with reviews of different picnic containers here at Lunch in a Box.

Giveaway: Kids Konserve metal lunch kit

2009-03-27T19:08:32Z

Kids Konserve Lunch Kit: Butterfly

I'm running a giveaway of a free Kids Konserve metal lunch kit (green, butterfly, or caterpillar design) and metal condiment container. Deadline for entries is April 2, 2009. My full review of the metal lunch set is here, giveaway details are here at Lunch in a Box.

Review: Kids Konserve metal lunch set

2009-03-26T22:03:29Z

Kids Konserve metal lunch set

A full review of the metal lunch set and a sample lunch packed inside are here at Lunch in a Box. Use coupon code lunchbox at the Kids Konserve online store for 10% off until 9/30/09.

Forum highlights: Low-cost Bento of the Month Contest

2009-03-13T06:41:32Z

Windax Sweet Bunnies Picnic Bento
Originally uploaded by Laura Bento

The March Bento of the Month Contest theme is "Cost: How Low Can You Go?" The winner will receive the three-tier Windax picnic bento box pictured here. Contest and prize details here at Lunch in a Box.

Other forum highlights include a cheese character tutorial by PikaMama:

Pasta & pork stew bento lunches

2009-03-10T21:07:47Z

Morning prep time: 5 minutes each. Details here at Lunch in a Box.

Poll: What containers do you pack lunches in?

2009-02-28T11:44:17Z

What kind of container do you usually pack lunch in? Weigh in at the poll on Lunch in a Box.

Lunch in a Box to speak at BlogHer '09 Conference

2009-02-25T20:31:56Z

So my news is that I'm going to be speaking at this year's BlogHer '09 Conference on the food blogging panel, "Identity/Passions: FoodBlogging in the Time of Recession". This year's annual BlogHer Conference will be held July 23-24, 2009 in Chicago, and is the largest conference of women bloggers in the world.

Lunch in a Box was also cited in a recent article in the Hong Kong Trader, about how Americans are increasingly packing up their food leftovers due to the economy. Full details about both are here at Lunch in a Box.

Valentine's Day bento

2009-02-23T21:01:03Z

Valentine's Day bento for Bug

Morning prep time: 30 minutes & 10 minutes. Full lunch details and reviews of the uncooked roti-chapati, mamenori soy wrappers, and nori punches are here at Lunch in a Box.

Today (Monday Feb. 23, 2009) is also the last day to enter the Valentine-themed Bento of the Month contest on the Lunch in a Box forum, with a chance of winning a bento box set.

It took me a while to post this as Bug & I were in a car accident last week where we were badly rear-ended, and I’ve been a little discombobulated and tied up with all the post-crash red tape. Thankfully both Bug and I were able to walk away from the wreck, but our car is totaled. If you’d like to see a photo of our smashed-up car, I posted one on the forum with some details.

Silicone bento accessories

2009-02-22T12:56:12Z

Reusable silicone bento accessories (food dividers and shaped food cups) are waste-free and heat-resistant. Full review here at Lunch in a Box.

Real Valentine bentos at preschool

2009-02-15T13:41:01Z

These are real-life Valentine's Day bento lunches at my son's Japanese immersion preschool, made by other moms. I was reassured that although there were some Valentine-themed bentos, most looked like the regular speed bentos that I usually make. The full write-up with information about bento boxes at Disney Stores across the U.S. is here at Lunch in a Box.

USB bento warming bag

2009-02-14T14:08:08Z

USB hot lunch bag

Thanko Co. has put out a USB-powered bag that warms bento lunches at your desk. I translated product details and availability information here at Lunch in a Box.

Daiso online store & Valentine bento contest

2009-02-10T21:47:06Z

Bento prize for Valentine's Day bento contest

1) Daiso discount store now has an online store for discounted bulk sales, and

2) A green Putifresh bento box set will be the prize for the winner of the February Bento of the Month Contest on the Lunch in a Box forum (prize donated by Lethargic). The theme is "My Valentine" and the deadline for entries is Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 -- come back to vote in the poll for the winner. Full details here on Lunch in a Box.

Speed tip: Keep acidulated water for cut fruit

2009-02-04T02:11:44Z

Storing lemon water for dipping fruit

Speed up morning prep when packing cut fruit in a lunch by keeping acidulated water on hand in the refrigerator for quick dunking or spraying. Full details here at Lunch in a Box.

Poll: Where are your bentos usually eaten?

2009-01-30T20:12:03Z

Where do your bento lunches usually get eaten? Weigh in at the poll on Lunch in a Box.

Burger bentos two ways

2009-01-29T22:40:36Z

Mini burger bento lunch for preschooler

Morning prep time: 5 & 8 minutes. Details here at Lunch in a Box.

Food Blog Award & newspaper cover for Lunch in a Box

2009-01-26T17:55:12Z

Nichi Bei Times, Jan. 22-28, 2009 issue

Lunch in a Box won a 2008 Food Blog Award for Best Theme, and appeared on the cover of the Nichi Bei Times newspaper. What a great start to the Chinese New Year! Details here.

URGENT: Last day to vote in the Food Blog Awards

2009-01-24T17:59:16Z

A reminder that today is the last day to vote in the Food Blog Awards. Thanks to everyone who’s already voted!

Lunch in a Box is in the running for Best Theme (representing bento blogs) in the most voted-in category of the entire awards. I've been neck-and-neck with a popular gluten-free blog, but they pulled into first place today. Please cast your vote for packed lunches in this close race, the polls are open until Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 at 8pm Eastern. Your vote for bento could make the difference!

Winner of the Bento Blog Search logo contest

2009-01-23T10:34:11Z

Bento Blog Search logo

I'm pleased to present the winning logo for the new Bento Blog Search engine, designed by Robyn Klopp. Congratulations Robyn, and a sincere thank you to everyone who worked on such impressive submissions! Full details are here at Lunch in a Box.

Thanks also to everyone who’s already voted in the Food Blog Awards! Lunch in a Box is nominated for Best Theme, but is currently in second place behind a popular gluten-free blog. If you’d like to cast your vote in this close race, the polls are open until Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 at 8pm EST. Your vote for bento lunches could make the difference!

Tamagoyaki and meatball bento lunches

2009-01-22T22:37:34Z

Potsticker and egg bento lunch for preschooler

Morning prep time: 13 & 10 minutes. Full details with a review of the Disney Cars nesting/stacking bento boxes are here at Lunch in a Box.

If you haven't already cast your vote for Best Theme in the Food Blog Awards (Lunch in a Box is nominated, but in second place), the polls are open until Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009.

Vote for Lunch in a Box in the Food Blog Awards '08?

2009-01-20T07:36:35Z

I'm floored -- Lunch in a Box is a finalist in the 2008 Food Blog Awards, Best Theme category! If you have a moment, could I ask you to vote in the poll by Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009? http://wellfed.net/2009/01/20/best-food-blog-theme-3/

Thank you!