Bento (Japanese style) packed, vegan meals

[pavotrouge]

there are matching lids for some of the containers and it shuts really tight and nicely :)

[jamboxrock]

Yeah, the purple container the stew is in has a lid, and the little red one the dressing is in does too. Also, I carry it flat as much as possible and lay it in the fridge flat. Although, when my coworker grabbed it for me today she flipped it upright, and it was unharmed. The lid closes tightly, and if it's packed in well there should be minimal shifting.

[jamboxrock]

For tomorrow: more lentil/veggie/alphabet/tomato stew, veggies, steamed brussel sprouts w/ grill seasoning, roasted red pepper hummus, dried apples and half a dried pineapple ring. I particularly like the colors in this one.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-7-08.jpg

[sponge]

That looks very healthy. :)

[pavotrouge]

Thursday's bento, very lazy :D

Spinach noodles, pickled chilli, green olives, cherry tomatoes and a wrapped chocolate muffin.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2254021331_bfaab67e63.jpg

[jamboxrock]

That looks very healthy. :)

It was, unfortunately I wasn't feeling very well that day. I picked around what I brought, then bought french fries and diet soda from the cafeteria. I needed hot food!

[Roxy]

I agree jambox - your lunches look so varied and healthy!

Hope you're feeling better now :)

[jamboxrock]

I am feeling better, thanks Roxy. I went camping this weekend and am exhausted, so packed tomorrow's lunch from what was dying in the fridge: snack mix & trail mix left from camping, steamed cauliflower w/ grill seasoning, last of the stew, baby carrots w/ dilly ranch, broccoli & grapes on the side.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-11-08.jpg

[jamboxrock]

Tomorrow: leftovers (sesame tofu, brown rice, stir-fried green beans & nappa cabbage), half a tangerine and a pb oatmeal cookie.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-13-08.jpg

[jamboxrock]

Tomorrow: sesame tofu w/ brown rice underneath, stir-fried green beans & nappa cabbage, broccoli w/ goddess dressing, snack mix, celery sticks, pb oatmeal cookie on the side.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-14-08.jpg

[Est]

Pavotrouge and Jamboxrocks, your bento lunches are inspiring :)
I'm going to try this in the next few weeks and will report back with photos!

[jamboxrock]

Today: cajun-style red beans & orzo, roasted brussel sprouts, chopped avocado to go on the orzo, pickled mushrooms, beets & gherkins, pb oatmeal cookie.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-15-08.jpg

[applepie]

@jamboxrock: how do you cook the roasted brussels sprouts? i'm always scared of cooking them any other way than steamed, i think they might dry out, but yours look delicious!

[ellaminnowpea]

jambo, your bento looks so good! especially that cajun red beans and orzo.;)

[pavotrouge]

@applepie: I love oven-roasted brussels sprouts. In fact, it's the only way I really like them. Just coat them with some olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper and bake for 20 mins.

[jamboxrock]

Pretty much what pavo said. Put the oven around 400/425 F, coat the brussels with olive oil, salt, pepper, whatever else you want, cook for 20-25 minutes till they're getting brown & crispy on the outside. Shake em around after 10-15 minutes to get even browning. I tried them halved this time, but they dried out a bit. I prefer them whole.

[pavotrouge]

*lol* Jambox, those are the secrects of the PPK :D

[jamboxrock]

Yep, I think everyone should love brussels. They're so good.

Tomorrow: eggless salad w/ mixed greens hiding underneath, celery, carrot & pepper strips, tamari sesame crackers, strawberries, pb oatmeal cookie on the side (the last one, finally!)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-19-08.jpg

[Roxy]

Jambox...you are such an inspiration to me to start eating healthier lunches!!

[jamboxrock]

Thanks Roxy! In that case, I will keep on posting them :)

Tomorrow: eggless salad over mixed greens, snap peas & celery, tamari sesame crackers, half a pear. And I made limeade to drink, yay.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/jamboxrock/lunches/2-20-08.jpg

[Roxy]

Yummy! Well I want to get one of these Bento things now. But you did encourage me to chop up a fruit salad to take for my lunch tomorrow. :)

[veggiemaya]

jambox....those pictures are making me hungry!! everything looks so good!!!

[Marrers]

All very impressive guys!
Doesn't the chopped fruit and veg dry out before you eat it? I've noticed some of you pre chop avocado - doesn't it go brown?
And does it lose any nutrients from being chopped in advance?

[Est]

At last! My bento box (laptop lunch box actually!) arrived. Unfortunately I stayed late at a friend's house yesterday so didn't have time to prepare anything for it in the evening. I'd also bought some yummy stuff to put in it (first one, and all that) only to get home at just past midnight and find that I'd left it all in her fridge :o So it was made up of whatever I could dig out of the fridge/cupboards and did not end up as impressive as planned :rolleyes:
Anyway here it is:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/gpc1000/Bento/Day1.jpg

From top left:

1. Sliced yellow pepper (top) and sprouting salad plus mixed alfalfa/broccoli sprouts with a balsamic and garlic dressing (underneath).

2. Baby carrots and pomodorino tomatoes.

3. Kiwi and 2 squares Montezuma dark chocolate

4. Rice/quinoa/amaranth crackers plus a roasted red pepper hummous dip

The bag at the side is my granola for breakfast :D

Marrers - the sliced yellow pepper stayed fine but it was in a box with a lid which probably helped. Having said that, the whole lunch box seals quite tightly so it might have been ok in another compartment :)

[prawnsize]

Looks soooooooooo YUMMY! Thank you Pavotrouge for some great ideas! :-)