I have worked with a fabulous single mom in the Operating Room before, when I was still working in a hospital as a Nurse. One thing I never forget about what she said as a single parent is to be able teach her kid how to appreciate food by presenting it nicely. She believed in the idea that a dish doesn't always have to be expensive and luxurious to merit a good garnishing and presentation. There's one chef who also said, "You have to eat with your eyes first". They're both right. I swear thank God for learning so much things from people like them.
I imbibed the practice of preparing and serving food with style in our home, or even when I prepare for myself only. My dogma now as a person or as someone who intends to marry and have kids in the future is that a sumptuous food is satisfaction in taste, smell, sound, and sight put together as one.
Battles over food
With my 7 and 4 year- old nieces, whom I usually write about here in my blog, the battle over food is not a new challenge. They are picky- eaters like most kids are. With them, I know what it's like to battle with a child over eating. I have long since considered the way I deal with them when it happens and one thing I realized is that what they constantly refuse to eat are not the types of food parents would always dream their child to be eating, but those food that don't quite look edible (read: poorly presented). I think even adults do the same skepticism on food somehow or other.
With all these things in mind, I want to get off something healthy but well- presented meals for my nieces. Something that will be appealing to their eyes and palate. And a bento lunchbox is one excellent way to do it. It's also high time to talk about it now that it's nutrition month.
How Bento Solves Food Battles
Bento originates from the home- packed meals that are common with the Japanese. Traditional bento includes rice, fish or meat, with pickled vegetables placed in box- shaped container. It is elaborately styled into "kyaraben", the ones decorated to look like the characters in Japanese anime, or "oekakiben" or "picture bento", those styled to look like people, structures, art, and flowers. My preference on bento style is the latter.
Many countries have locally adapted the idea on bento-- the Philippines included. The time and efforts invested in making bento lunchboxes are equalled with the fact that your family gets the nutrition they need at the same time appreciate creative food plating and presentation. Other benefits I see with bento is that it can create a fun and positive mood, and will turn out as a great way to bond with every member of the family, as well.
Kids, like my nieces, with tiny appetites will also be encouraged to eat enough since the concept of bento doesn't make the food look excessive to eat.
Ways to Bento Making
One prerequisite of bento making is to do it with fun and love. Don't worry! You don't need expensive stuffs to get started with it.
You'll only basically need to have:
1. A box to put your food in. Choose those that don't look too small or large, about 4 x 6 inches, and can be packed tightly.
2. Baking cups, preferably silicon baking cups which are great for keeping wet things and add color to the presentation.
3. A regular kitchen knife for cutting food items into strips or shapes.
4. Cookie cutters those that cuts food into basic shapes like circle, star, crescent, and heart. Investing on a few of these will add variety to your style.
You'll need to make it:
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| I like this neat and cute Phineas and Ferb bento |
1. Colorful, take advantage of the natural colors of the vegetables, fruits, and other food items you include in the box. The silicon baking cups will also add details to it.
2. Neat and tidy, segregate or line up food items and stash it in the lunchbox in order. Plan your style and gather your ingredients ahead so you can easily go about the process. Wipe off excess food or spills of liquid sauce, if any. Remember that you have to appeal the eyes first!
3. Play on different shapEs and texture, it's what the cookie cutters are for. You can also add small items like nip candies, or healthier ones like raisins which can be used to make for eyes, buttons, and the likes. Play with the palate by including food of different textures like oranges, wheat bread, and salmon fish.
4. Do roll- ups, slice meat or chicken meat in thin strips that are as wide as your bento box is deep, layer it with a slice of cheese, and roll them up the way you make cordon bleu or monte cristo rolls.
5. For side dish, use food items that are excellent source of protein such as meat, eggs, fish, and chicken which you can cook in variety-- fried, steamed, or breaded.
6. Pack food tightly to avoid them from shifting inside the box. Use fillers like cucumber, apples, or lettuce leaves.
7. Maintain a healthy amount, to balance weight and nutrition.
8. Insert thoughtful notes, which you can either stick outside the lunchbox or wrap around toothpicks like when you make custom- made flags to send your kids a sweet message.
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| Pretty bento lunchbox printable notes! |
How about this bento for your movie date with your husband? [smiles*]
I hope this post inspired you to prepare meals for your kids and family as healthy and creative as possible. God bless!
Reference:
Meaning of bento- wikipedia (dot) org
Photo Credits:
pineterest (dot) com
thislunchrox (dot) com
wendolonia (dot) com
