Turkey Wrap up

Food items: turkey wrap (leftovers), grapes, walnut, cucumber slices, ranch dressing
Tools: small cup for dressing
Time spent: 10 minutes, maybe
Notes: This looks delicious and cute and it was very tasty

Flower power!

Food items: Fried Rice (leftovers), chicken tossed in Thai seasoning, cucumber slices, ranch dressing
Tools: small cup for dressing
Time spent: 10 minutes, maybe
Notes:I didn't even mean for this to happen, but once I noticed I made a flower for the snack, I had to snap a pic. Also started a bunch more bentos this week so I'll have some blogging material!

Popeye would love this

Food items: Spinach, oil & vinegar dressing, cheese, kielbasa. Not Pictured: cottage cheese, apple slices
Tools: fish cookie cutter
Time spent: 10 minutes
Notes:Just got some supplies in so I was eager to use them. The cheese cutter works awesome and the silicone cups do the job for dressing, but I wish they were larger. They can be used for dips or dividers, but are too small of a serving size for most foods.

Sandwich Lessons

Food items: Salami Sandwich, orange slices (Clementines), pickles. Not pictured: Apples and peanut butter for a side.
Tools: nothing special
Time spent: 25 minutes for two lunches
Notes:  Learned a few things with this bento. 1) Hard salami is not easy to cut without tearing bread 2) Red onions taste delicious but also make sand cutting and organizing difficult

Fancy Dinner means fancy lunch

Food items: steak, mac & cheese,mandarin oranges, apples and cucumbers on the side (not photoed) 
Tools: nothing special
Time spent: 20 minutes for two lunches
Notes: Last night's leftovers turn into a lunch for co-workers to be jealous of. The Mac and Cheese is super gourmet with three cheeses and truffle oil, making the smaller serving size just right.

My first bento...again

For the past five years, I've attended Anime Weekend Atlanta and the past two times, I have attended bento box panels hosted by BENTO ANARCHY. I always leave inspired to be a bento making machine. Last year, I tried making large, elaborate and cute bentos because that was all. My efforts quickly failed. I lacked the time, skill, and tools which lead only to frustration.

This year, I am determined to take up my bento torch again and share my journey with others in hopes that it pushes me to stay true.

Unlike the character bentos that you see everywhere, these will be designed for an adult, may not always follow the bento color rules, and will be more practical than pretty.

Let the adventure begin!