Bento :: Getting started

I had a great question from Helena today...

I have been looking at bento for awhile, but I've been discouraged because most of the bento sites are a little too complicated for me. I don't do Japanese very well and I haven't found great directions for it. Do you have any suggestions on how to get started? Thanks so much!

And I do have some suggestions! :)
I don't do Japanese very well either {I eat a Pescetarian/vegetarian diet} - and my granddaughter is a VERY picky eater.
I have a very limited "spend on fun stuff" budget by choice so I often make due with what I have or can get inexpensively. And, since I like cute, the bento gadgets spending spree could easily get out of hand if I'm not careful and thoughtful about it. :)

So... how to get started then? While it's true there are many sites that cater to the Kyaraben {character} bento designs there are many that are a bit more subdued and realistic for many of us. One great trick is to invest in some cute picks {depending on the age & version - boy/girl - of your child, or your own interests} and cute the lunch up that way. As you can see in the previous post the Bento I made for PWT was just left-overs presented in a way that was unique for her. I imagine as she gets used to this I'll have to up my game a bit but for now it seems to be working.

The only Bento gear I currently have is shown below:

For DH {Although I frequently give him some of the cute items too lol}:
Lunchbot - won in a giveaway
Lock & Lock container - Walmart, Amazon, + a less sturdy version from Dollar Tree. These come in various sizes + their lunchkits are cool.
Insulated bag - promo item from Yoplait {forgot to put in pic}

Cute:
Heart containers - Dollar Tree {pkg of 6 - maybe more. I forget}
Mini cookie cutters - had forever {star, butterfly}
Princess Crown cookie cutter - Amazon
Animal Picks - Amazon
Critter containers - Dollar Tree {2 in a pkg. - baby stuff aisle. Also have Panda + Hippo + they come w/ a spoon! lol}
Dora sandwich box - Dollar General years ago
HK sandwich box - Sanrio store about 20 years ago - seriously!
Small boxes - Dollar Tree {12?/pkg}
Magic Washcloths make great Oshibori - Dollar Tree
Muffin silicone cup - Amazon
Sandwich cutters dolphin + heart - Walmart or Amazon

You can also use craft punches for nori {seaweed} and the end of a straw {or end of a cake decorating tip} for cutting small circles from cheese/lunchmeat. Use an Xacto knife for cutting apples and other things into cute. Cookie cutters will cut bread, cheese, etc. and leave an imprint on harder foods so you have a guide for finishing the shape with a knife. If your lunch includes rice you can also use a cookie cutter to mold it into a cute shape then place in a silicone muffin cup.
Many tools can be found in the cake decorating sections of craft stores {you know the ones with 40% coupons! - which we don't have. boo} - fondant shape cutters are great for veggies!

I'm told that Dollar Tree even has seasonal tins {like in the shape of a bunny or butterfly for instance} that make great boxes for Bento! So getting a stash of stuff doesn't have to be costly. You probably have some of these things already lurking in your kitchen.

And here are a few blogs to get you started thinking about what to put inside your bento!

Bento Central - LOVE the toadstools and snail lunch. Includes recipes.
What's for lunch at our House - has a linky on Wednesdays where you can find more blogs! Uses regular ingredients - boy & girl bentos.
BentoTV - Lots of good info.
Mothering Corner - more elaborate but can be simplified; good ideas.
Cute Food for Kids - Love this site!
Bento Fabulous - cute ideas and not over the top time consuming. Love her monster strawberry + shroomies!
And of course BentoBloggy who I linked to in a previous post.

That should keep you busy for a bit. :) And now I have a sink full of dishes yelling at me so... happy bento surfing!

Disclaimer: This post contains to links that will result in me receiving a tiny kick back from Amazon if someone were to purchase something through said links. If someone was to do such a thing I'd be very appreciative. :)