Bento

Yup, I jumped on that bandwagon FAST. As soon as Gigi was old enough, I started to bento her lunches.

I gained inspiration from AVM over at Bento Madness, where she blogs about the fun bentos she prepares for her family. In fact, I sent her a photo of one of Gigi’s first bentos, and she graciously mentioned it on her blog. Check out that post here.

And, if you haven’t already checked out the rest of Bento Madness, I urge you to do so. Not only are there great pictures, you can also find AVM’s favorite online shops for ordering bentos and bentoing accessories. I promise - you’re going to want to start bentoing, too.

Gigi’s bentos are still on the simpler side. Here’s a shot of one of her first ones – packed in a Beaba Multiportions babyfood container, which I originally used on occasion to freeze Gigi’s purees when she was on solids (I mostly used ice cube trays). Once she moved on to finger foods, I used the container as a bento. Genius, right? Thanks for the idea, AVM!

{Clockwise, starting with cheerios, then green bean casserole, cut up chicken tenders, blueberries, cut up clementine, cut up red seedless grapes, and in the middle, homemade mac 'n cheese}

And, here are a couple of more recent pics of Gigi’s new and more grown-up bento – also by Beaba, this one is appropriately called The Lunch Box.

{Gigi was getting over a little stomach bug when I prepared her bento. So, I didn't pack any fruit for her - just some cavatelli mixed with a cube of pureed peas and some grated parm, some cut-up pumpkin pancake leftover from breakfast, plain cheerios, a pack of mum mums, and half of a cut-up grilled cheese on wheat.}


Fun, right?

Even Tony has gotten in on the action. Here is the one I ordered for him on Amazon. It’s another form of bentoing, but the idea is the same.

Hard to believe, but I have yet to get my own bento. I just can’t seem to decide on which of these is my favorite.

Vivo Square Bento Box

Laptop Lunch B620-Purple Bento Set

Zojirushi SL-NCE09 Ms. Bento Stainless-Steel Vacuum Lunch Jar

Microwavable Lock & Lock Bento Lunch Box Set

Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box

The possibilities are endless.

The art of Bento - packing and presenting healthy balanced meals in a beautiful way - originated in Japan and is still common practice there. The catastrophic tsunami that hit Japan is not at all lost on me. I am fully aware that my own meager little blog means nothing in comparison to the immense devastation that has taken place in Japan. Please consider giving to the relief effort. The Red Cross is accepting donations. Other ways to help are found here.


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In other news, Gigi attended her first Sunday Mass this past weekend. She did great! Phew..

40 Days & 40 Nights

For the last 10 or so years, instead of giving something up for Lent, I’ve been making a promise to myself and to God – church every Sunday, prayers every night, move more, eat less, etc. I’m ashamed to say, I never really made it through those 40 days and nights.

Well, this past January, I joined Weight Watchers. Not many people know this – until now, of course. I did pretty well the first four weeks. Lost a smidge over 8lbs. The last four weeks, however, have been rough. My head has just not been in it. So, for Lent this year, I’m promising to track every single item I eat and drink, resume going to my weekly meetings, and committing to at least four days of exercise during the week. With that, I promise to drink more water; less coffee (can’t possibly give that up entirely), and be religious about taking my multi-vitamin every night before bed.

Oh, and I’m committed to going to church every Sunday. I’m curious to see how Gigi responds to this new Sunday morning activity – and hoping all goes well. Should be interesting.

Here she is with her papa - my other favorite person in the world.


I’ll be sure to report back, because my other commitment for Lent this year is to return to blogging. This sad little blog has been neglected long enough and way too many times at that, and not for any lack of subject matter. We’re chock full of that these days. We have a walking and running little person filling our time with the sweetest of sweetness, big bear hugs, and lots of laughs.

Here’s the little strawberry on the morning of her 1st birthday.


She’s 16 months now – and getting bigger and funnier every day. Here she is chugging her sippy of milk like a champ – and with flair!


And, here she is being busy and important reading her magazine – upside down.


Ha! I can talk and gush about her for days.

When all is said and done, these promises to me and to God are really all for her. She makes me want to be better, healthier, and happier. And, she is more than worth it.