Bunni...wich

Bunni...wich, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Quick bento today
Nothing is worse than running late in the morning when you have a cute bento plan in mind.  Today we improvised and threw together bunny sandwichs, organic bunny crackers, tiny tangerines, grapes, strawberry, peas and carrots. 

Bunny Musubi

Bunny Musubi, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.
Spring bento contest entry
Turkey spam musubi
Potato Salad....Texas style
Broccoli
Cauliflour
Plum
Stawberry
Apple bunnies
Tiny little tangerines
I had fun putting this together and it was a hit at lunch the number one goal.  There are so many tv specials on right now about the obesity rate of children and it is heartbreaking seeing these children struggle with weight at such a young age.  Everyone seems so confused on what the cause is.  If they would open their eyes and see the processed high fat junk they call a healthy school lunch they could stop this cycle.  Sorry to step on my soap box.

Bunnies!

Bunnies!, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

My new favorite is falafel made it for the first time and so glad I made a double batch. 

Spring is coming!

Spring is coming!, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Kids have been asking for very unphotogenic soups for a while now so glad to pack something a little more pleasing to the eye. Tarragon chicken salad, croutons, baby carrots, baby potatoes, broccoli and orange cauliflour, baby clementine, grapes, strawberry and blackberries.

Tarragon Chicken Salad
- serves 6 -

Ingredients
3 pounds boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 celery ribs, cut into 1 inch long pencil strips
1/2 cup shelled walnuts (optional)
3 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, or 1 tablespoon dried
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cover with 1 cup of the yogurt in a snug roasting dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

2. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Shred cooked chicken or cut into cubes and mix into the dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Target has been really good to the bento addict in me lately.  In the easter section they have these adorable Mickey mouse easter eggs that are perfect for holding ketchup and sauce.  And in the freezer section they have organic chicken breast mickey nuggets. 

March in like a Lion....

March in like a Lion...., originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Well true to form March had come in like a Lion we have storms today. Lion is made of rice and quail egg, sauteed cabbage, brussel sprouts, snow peas, strawberries, grapes, and chicken breast nuggets.

Duckies

Duckies, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Froggies

Froggies, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.
Soup not pictured.  Prince frog marshmallow, carrots, strawberry, pear and broccoli with a thermas of chicken noodle soup.

Piggies

Piggies, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Ham and cheese sandwiches, pear, clementine, strawberries, broccoli, carrots and quail egg piggie.

Panda madness!

Panda madness!, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Panda overload!!!  Panda onigiri, chicken bites, green beans, carrots, strawberries, grapes, clementine, and the cutest panta cookie.  My preschooler had the wonderful idea to put her panda stuffy in the picture.

Veggie tales Preschooler lunch

Veggie tales Preschooler lunch, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

While out grocery shopping with my preschooler this morning we wondered into the wonderful easter aisle where the bento possibilities are endless!  We found these wonderful Veggie Tales gummies and chocolates and my preschooler shreiked!!!  Mommy can you make me a Veggie Tale bento for lunch!!!!  This is the result.  They also have a wonderful selection of unique easter eggs that would be great in bento's or to add a washcloth to the lunch bag.  Check back to see us use the clue eggs in upcoming bentos.

Chicks

Chicks, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

New chick onigiri nesting set that I just love love love!  Under the chick made of cheese is my daughters current favorite peanut butter and jelly.  The required fruit selection and veggie section.  I think this set is going to be an all around favorite with many packing possibilities.

Batman

Batman, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.
Leftover bowtie pasta with edemame beans, crab, garlic pepper, and parmesian cheese.  Strawberries, grapes, broccoli, carrots, cheese bat and ranch dressing in the repurposed batman easter egg. 

Batman comfort food lunch

Batman comfort food lunch, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Comfort food today!

Taco soup/stew, broccoli, clementine, strawberries, grapes.  The thermal jar is a really awesome dark knight design recently received in a swap. 

Valentine

Valentine, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Heart shaped onigiri made with very pink rice, with cheese and cupid nori punch accents, broccoli, carrots, grapes, blueberries, strawberry and chicken breast nuggets.  Continuing with the valentine theme. 

I heart you bear onigiri bento

, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

At the beginning of the week I thought I would be resourceful and make a big batch of pink rice knowing I would be doing a week full of fun valentine theme lunches.  Hope hubby doesn't mind a pink bear in his lunch today.  I normally keep his lunch cuteness to a minimum but figured I would give him a special valentine theme lunch as well.   In this bento there is of course a very pink bear onigiri holding a heart shaped boiled egg, baked garlic pepper chicken, broccoli with cheese I love you, strawberry and clemintine.  On the heart pick I cut string cheese and decorated it with nori and folded turkey pepperoni to add some interest.

Valentine

Valentine, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Valentine

Valentine , originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

Heart shaped onigiri with dill mayo chicken salad stuffed inside, broccoli, carrots, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and a kiss of chocolate.

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

It's a cold rainy day in Texas today so I sent a little warmth to school today.  Kids love ravioli which is very filling and includes a full serving of vegetables so I added a small side car of fresh fruit and carrots.  The little kitten is an adorable marshmallow we found in the valentine section of the grocery store.  (The boys have the same lunch with a frog prince marshmallow)  My daughter has decided that everything should be dipped into peanut butter, carrots, strawberries, grapes the works so the pink heart container contains a dab of peanut butter. 

Hearts

Hearts, originally uploaded by texasmomof4.

With so many possibilities for Valentine theme lunches I thought I better get an early start.  Today I took classic brought lunch food fodder and ramped it up a bit with some valentine style.  We have the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Carrot and celery sticks with peanut butter to dip them in (I like you heart)  A boiled egg in a heart shape and cherry tomatoes.  And of course the fruit assortment in the side car.  The adorable hand crafted heart bag on the right is from a fabulous swap with Jewelmaker.