All-Around Pinay Mama

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REVIEW: Everyday Bento- 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go by Wendy Thorpe Copley

September 24, 2016

My heart is filled with delight whenever I see Bento (the Japanese word for a well-balanced meals with a blend of flavors, textures, and colors that are packed into boxes and eaten on the go) photos on Instagram. I am into arts and crafts but I am so hesitant to prepare Bento lunches and snacks for my kids. Honestly, I don’t even know how to start right despite the available online resources and tutorials.

As the saying goes, “Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, maraming dahilan.” Yes, it’s true but in my case, I really love to learn about Bento but my hands are always tied due to my concerns about work and family. Aside from being very busy, Bunso doesn't like the sound of videos that he is not interested with due to sensory overload (He has Mild Autism, by the way.) and gets addicted to YouTube so watching tutorials there is not an option.

I purchased Bento tools from my dear blogger friend, Krisna Mesa of Stuffify PH after she sent me a gift pack of basic bento tools. She was the one who motivated me to try doing it because creating Bento lunches and snacks for kids as she said, could make our kids feel very special whenever they open their Bento boxes. This could also encourage them to gobble something that they wouldn’t want to eat like veggies and fruits for instance, when not prepared beautifully.

After receiving the bento tools from her that she curated for me as well, I tried doing it at last. But my eagerness lasted for a week only due to lack of ideas and knowledge perhaps. When Mommy Bloggers Philippines collaborated with Frabelle Foods Corporation to host a Basic Bento Workshop, Kuya and I attended. That workshop made me realize that Bento wasn’t that difficult and there were so many ways and means to do it. The first thing that stuck to my head was never be afraid of exploring the art until I’d get a hang of it.

Receiving a copy of Everyday Bento- 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go by Wendy Thorpe Copley from Tuttle Publishing keeps the momentum going…

I really, really love this book so much! Here are the reasons why:

1 The benefits of Bento box making; basic techniques, equipment, tools; Bento box idea list; and recommended Bento foods by color are being discussed and being accompanied by pretty snapshots.

2 There are 50 cute and yummy Bento box ideas categorized into four groups that are easy to prepare, photographed step by step that gives moms a perspective on what can go into each Bento box:

---Bentos for Busy Mornings- quick and simple bento boxes that fit busy lifestyle

---Extra-Special Bentos- themed bento boxes based on the kids interests and hobbies

---Bentos for All Seasons- bento boxes for different occasions like Christmas, Halloween, etc.

---Bentos for Grown-ups- shows that bento is good and fun not just for the young ones but the old ones too

3 The instructions are very simple and clear that encourage kids to prepare their own Bento and mix them with their own techniques too.

4 The colorful and enticing Bento lunches can entice even the pickiest eater to munch the fruits and veggies blissfully. Each Bento box idea is a feast to the different senses.

5 The Bento boxes in the book use some Japanese packing techniques but the ingredients are affordable, common in our diet, and available in the local grocery stores and supermarkets. There are also an available templates for particular Bento box ideas.

6 Creating Bento boxes can never this easy and fun! I am so grateful that I got this book. Aside from the wide array of Bento ideas to be learned, it’s made of good printing materials too.

If you wish to have a copy, it can be purchased here in the Philippines via National Book Store (SM Mega Mall, SM North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, and Robinsons Galleria), Fully Booked The Fort, and Fully Booked Rockwell or directly at www.tuttlepublishing.com. It offers free shipping for items worth $35.00 (USD) and above. It's worth your money, promise!

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