Just For Fun - "Spring into Mad Science" Contest

Spring is in the air here, FINALLY!   Whimsy and frivolity are begging with big puppy eyes to have more of a place in life again.  Let's put some fun into lunch!

Ojamiya's "Spring into Mad Science" Contest

Name an element, or math and science related idea you'd like to see on my totes - leave the comment here or on my Facebook page. (See! Seriously simple!)

One entry per person. Contest starts now and entries can be received through 4/30 midnight CDT.  After that, I'll use a random generator to pick the winner from the voted favorites and mail the bag off to you.  Contest open worldwide - though I reserve the right to ship via "the slow boat".

Prize

The Batik Hydrogen Element Bento Tote (in the image above) from my Chemical Element Symbol Irony Lunch Bag Series.

Additional entries (1 each per person):

• Fan Ojamiya on Facebook and post it under the contest thread that you're a new fan or are already a fan!


• Tweet about it and provide the link to the tweet here or on my Facebook page. (Click on the timestamp of your tweet to get the url for that tweet.)


• Blog about this contest and post the link to your blog post in a comment here or on my Facebook page.

Another Contest?

While you're at it - vote in the Spring 2010 Bento Contest at Just Bento too! (Ends 4/11.)

Link Roundup: Curveball Edition

The curve ball of life is hitting my family lately with fevers, school medicine policies vs. occasional asthma attacks, and homework organizational issues.  So I'm running behind in the blog.  Sorry, I'll get back here in a bit.

In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoy these links I stumbled across this week.

"Take the Brain Damage Out of Packing Your Child's Lunch"  The video is great and I was nodding like a bobble-head dog in agreement almost the whole time she talked on food. (Does her list advice sound familiar? Like maybe the rotating meals list here...)  These ideas for kids can also be applied to adult lunches.  I'll Just skip the chips...whole grain or not.  Laptop lunches are a really good option, but lunch box preference varies from person to person.  I prefer Japanese style boxes because I feel they better help with realistic portion sizes and less food waste.

I'm not a big TV fan, most days I prefer to be entertained with a project.  But I saw the preview for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution USA and am looking forward to seeing it.  Yes, there will soapy drama.  But what draws me is that he actually cares about helping people learn to cook and eat better!  He's also got a petition for "better food in schools and better health prospects".  I signed it, and I hope you'll consider signing it too!

The Coolest Bag Yet, Even More Bentos, and a Contest?

I wanted to share with you the spiffiest bag I've made to date! Just finished it today.

[caption id="attachment_387" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="Bento Bag with Hand Stamped and Embroidered Kanji"][/caption]

The bag is available for sale in my Etsy shop.

In other news we'll be receiving red Urara bento boxes (with the little bunny on them). I've been carrying the blue ones and they are quite popular. The red will go best with several bags I have listed and in the works. And who can resist cute bunnies?



How would a contest sound to you all? The details are simmering in my head right now, but more will be posted soon!

Sneak Peek of the Bentos We're Stocking

Just to whet your appetite, a little peek at the bentos that are being listed as quickly as I can get them photographed and described!

Step Away From the PBJ #8: Space Fillers

Thought I'd share my favorite space fillers for bentos.  Many of these are leftovers or staples that are always in my fridge.

• Muffins - When I make any kind of muffin, I snitch a few and tuck them away for future lunches.  Corn muffins are like gold.  I half them to fit into bento boxes.


• Cheese - There is ALWAYS cheese in my fridge.  Cream cheese, neufchatel, montery jack, mozzarella, swiss - there will be at least one of these.


• Grape tomatoes - This is one of the more "pricey" staples at our house.  It's nigh impossible to find good tomatoes here in the winter time.  But I can usually count on grape tomatoes any time of year.


• Crackers - Wheat Thins are a favorite.  If there's not a good sale, I'll buy the store brand.  Rice crackers are popular here too.


• Rice - When I make rice, I stash a bit into the freezer for future lunches.  I haven't tried doing this with noodles - but it might work.   Has anyone tried it?


• Raisins - Both my kids like them, so hey!


• Nuts and Sunflower Seeds - I try to keep proteins around for little growing bodies.  Nuts pack a good boost of energy and I don't have to keep them cool like meats and cheeses.  Servings for nuts are usually about 1/4 cup.  I don't usually put in a full serving of them.  A large can of cashews lasts a month in our house, but it's all used up!


• Leftover ham - I try to get hams on a good sale and that usually means getting a big one.  I'll slice up the leftovers into small portions for tossing into lunches or suppers like ham hash, omelets, etc.


• Spinach - When it's on sale that week, fresh spinach with a tiny cup of salad dressing to dip it in is (gasp) finger food in our house.  It takes very little dressing to dip, yet it's what keeps my kids eating spinach.


• Carrots - If there's not a carrot in my fridge, then the end of the world has come.  My son thinks carrots really should be the only veggie.


• Eggs - My kids LOVE boiled eggs.  I usually boil eggs the day before at lunch time.


• Potatoes - For me, a potato of any kind is a feast!  Again, keep your leftovers.  Or microwave one in a dish.  Use it as a main course with a few toppings or just use a bit as the carb for the meal.  (I wish my kids liked potatoes!  Unfortunately, I can only use them in lunches for me or hubby.  How can MY kids not like potatoes and still be my kids?)


• Homemade bread - If I've baked some recently, I'll tuck some in that's cut into thin finger sized slices with a bit of butter.


• A teaspoon of candy - Yes I said that...  But SMALL amounts for a dessert.  Say 1t of chocolate chips or a Hershey's kiss from Valentine's day.  This is a rare treat in bentos.  But this also teaches them that occasional treats are ok.  We work hard to keep the idea of dessert to a treat and small amounts.  I've blown it around holidays and get togethers.  But I think we do well otherwise.

What are your favorite space fillers?