Friday 6 September 2013

Bento Lunches and a giveaway

Just in time for back to school, we were sent the Click Lock Bento lunchbox by Munchkin to try out.    

Originally from Japan, the Bento craze is sweeping the nation, and I wanted in on the action.  Any clever ways to get my daughter trying out new foods has got to be good.

The Click Lock box is perfect for this type of lunch.  It has 3 separate, lidded sections with cutlery that clips in securely to the underside of the lid - no more lost yogurt spoons!  Hopefully.



It's BPA free and dishwasher safe, and with the smaller sections being fully removable, it's really easy to keep clean.  The secure clip locks at the side keep the lid on tight, meaning the food stays fresh, but they are easy for little hands to manage.

At around £7 it's quite pricey for a lunchbox, but it has really inspired me as a mum to be more adventurous packing up lunches, and so far has encouraged Ruby to eat up all her lunch and try new things - the small portions really help when something's never been tried before.

I do have to say, it's not that big overall, but maybe I just feed my child too much!  There's no room for a drink, so I pop it inside her named lunch bag with a carton of juice or a bottle of water and her break-time snack.  I guess though it's a perfect size for pre-schoolers.

The Munchkin bento boxes are available in supermarkets and department stores nationwide, or there's an Amazon link below (this is an affiliate link).  They come in pink; blue and green colours.

So, what exciting lunches have we come up with so far?

On day one back to school, we had a ladybird theme, all black and red, with a little chocolate ladybird treat.


Included was:
  • Flower shaped ham sandwiches
  • Chorizo slices and black olives
  • Babybel cheese
  • Strawberries and blackberries
  • Raspberry fromage frais
  • Chocolate treat (don't tell Daddy)

This new style of lunchbox was a total surprise for Ruby and she knew nothing about it until she opened up her bag at the school dining table.  She was thrilled with it and ate every last item, and asked what could we do the next day?

So, for today, I made her a star themed lunchbox, with a little note inside.


Today we have:
  • Star shaped cream cheese sandwiches
  • Star shaped crisps
  • Homemade blackberry jelly with star confetti
  • Watermelon and mango shapes with grapes

Boy my cookie cutters have had a work out! I wonder what she'll make of it today?  Do you think I'm capable of keeping this up every day?

If you're looking for more inspiration, check out the Ana Mum Diary's review and you HAVE to check out the amazing creations Capture by Lucy comes up with in her Bento Babies series.

Keep reading below for your chance to win your own box...

Disclosure: We were sent this product for the purposes of this review.  All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.....
                                         

You can win your very own bento clip lock box, by entering this giveaway.  Follow the instructions on the rafflecopter.  Closes on 20th September 2013 at 12pm.  UK entries only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

50 comments:

  1. School starts for us next week and I'm already panicking about packed lunches - Isla is a fussy eater and very suspicious of new things - impressed that Ruby eats Chorizo and olives! The box looks great, wonder if it would help Isla be more adventurous.

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    1. Oh I think this would be perfect to help her.

      Ruby already loves chorizo and olives, so that wasn't too much of a challenge for her. Now, if I can only get her to eat tomatoes...

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  2. Fab! Thanks for the mention. Love these ideas - will pin to the Bento Babies board! xxx

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    1. Thanks Lucy - I shall be stalking your boards for inspiration!

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  3. Fab giveaway! I've just posted about Bento Boxes, love them! x

    Emma
    Handbags To Change Bags - Mummy & Lifestyle Blog

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  4. I've seen an under the sea one before that was good. Must make more effort with my boys lunch!

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    1. Underwater theme sounds great! She's asked for 'pirate' next.

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  5. I could go crazy for these! I love the idea of having a themed lunch for kids.Not only does the child look forward to eating but the parent doesn't bored of making them.

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  6. I love these Bento Lunches...Freddy would like Pirates or Dinosaurs. I love using shaped cookie cutters for his sandwiches :)

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  7. Experimenting with different breads is a great way to update the lunchbox sandwich

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  8. Another one for my ever-growing collection :) Just starting to do lunchboxes in a couple of weeks for TC's pre-school, hope she likes them & hope the other parents do something similar or I'm going to look like a show-off haha!!

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  9. I've been cutting his Babybel wax into different shapes this week; pirate, shark, etc.

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  10. Dinosaur Theme would be hit in our house

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  11. Maybe different shapes would be good, cubes of cheese, cutting fruit and veg into triangles/hexagons etc, depending on the age I suppose if the child is learning shape names it would be fun for them

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  12. Making food into faces is a great theme - works well for tea, but I'm sure could be adapted for lunchbox food.

    @rachiegr

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  13. Pirates?? I may just have bought a lunchbox too :-)

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  14. OMG you are like the best mummy ever!
    I am loving how much effort you are putting into those lunches! And the balance of healthy and a treat too!

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  15. I'd love to see and Under The Sea theme

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  16. my son loves space things - rockets, stars & moons :)

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  17. My little man would probably not eat chorizo and olives, but he loves prosciutto and blue cheese, lol. He is a big Babybel fan too.

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  18. Here are some examples http://www.theminimesandme.com/2012/07/lunchbox-love.html i do them regularly x Emma Louise Garratt

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  19. My son would love this!! Dinosaur themed :)

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  20. Gruffalo , alien live underpants midnight man

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  21. Candy crush - but without candy :-)

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  22. bee hive, weetabix bees and lots of fruit and hive shaped sandwiches

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  23. A animal themed one would be lovely

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  24. At Christmas time, a Christmas theme is great fun. Cut the sandwiches in fun shapes using Christmas cookie cutters.

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  25. I found that Baby Led Weaning contributes to your child being not fussy and eating whatever you give him/her.

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  26. My little boy would love this what a wonderful idea

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  27. Princess theme, with sparkles :-)

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  28. Great box, I've never done one of these but was over at Lucy's looking yesterday and they are fab. Inspiration - hmmmm - I would probably do the girls some lunchboxes themed around kids fairtales like a Goldilocks one, with cheese string for the blond hair and gummy bears. Lol am I naff?

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  29. My daughter would love a hearts themed lunch.

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  30. I saw a cool Kung Fu Panda one!

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  31. I did one with the rice and vegetable. Thanks for commenting on my bento babies post.

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  32. Liz, seriously. You are just too clever for words. Can you come and make my lunches please?

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  33. I'd love to do a space/out of this world theme!

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  34. A halloween theme would be pretty cool

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  35. Joanna Coleshill19 September, 2013 09:34

    A zebra theme :)

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  36. Mine would like a Lego theme

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  37. My little boy loves Lord of the Rings so I would give him Hobbit food in his lunch box

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  38. never thought of having a themed lunch before. a shapes theme would be good as my girls could be learning at the same time as eating :)

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  39. Football, or you could try different sporting themes.

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  40. I love your content! you include all the important pieces of information.I love all the bentos you make because it fit for kids.

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