Step Away From the PBJ #9: Keeping It Simple Smarty

I'm a big fan of the K.I.S.S. Principle (Keep It Simple Smarty).  If a project or task is too complicated or difficult I won't keep doing it.  I've also been straying from my planned meals list and trying to incorporate more leftovers in lunches.  (I'm doing what I can to cut back in our food budget so I can afford more organic and whole foods.)

Here's the bento I made today with leftover salad from last night, where I separated the components to keep it the nicest for lunch.  (If you're curious about the salad it's the Asian Wonton Salad at Our Best Bites.  The wontons are fried - but you only need a few strips for crunch.  I may experiment some day with baking them instead.)

[caption id="attachment_555" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="4/25 - Asian Wonton Salad (Chicken, a few fried wontons for crunch - separated from chicken with a little plastic wrap, tomato, cucumber, red onion, romaine lettuce and dressing)"][/caption]

Other simple tips for bentos:

• Use things you always have on hand in bentos.


• Use as many fresh fruits and veggies as possible - to save time on cooking.


• Cook a little bit extra of any meats or protein items when cooking the evening meal so you have them on hand.  Freeze them if you don't use them the next day.


• Don't be afraid to use a food more than once in bentos during the week.

What are your K.I.S.S principle bento tips?

Sashiko Supplies Have Arrived!

Sashiko ("little stabs") is a quilting and embroidery technique that uses a running stitch. It originated to reinforce and mend. Now it's mainly used as decoration.  I love the traditional patterns.  Though there are many new modern patterns coming out too.  I'm carrying both styles.  The image below is a sample of the products offered in our Ojamiya Shop and Ojami on Etsy Shop.

[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Sashiko Thread, Needles, Thimble and Preprinted (Wash Out) Traditional Design"][/caption]

Coming soon: Sashiko Supplies!

(Sashiko is a Japanese style embroidery/quilting.) Here's an example and the project I'm currently working on.  Sashiko is very addicting!  I'll let y'all know when the supplies arrive. ;)

[caption id="attachment_538" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Koi in Pond - Sashiko Embroidery Project"][/caption]

Earth Day Events and a Sale!

There's so many things going on this week in celebration of Earth Day! (Earth Day is 4/22.)

Team Eco Etsy is having a Handmade for Earth Day Auction. All proceeds, after shipping costs, will be donated to World Wildlife Fund. (Voted by Team EcoEtsy.)  One of my wool lunch bags is in the Home category.

The Etsy Twitter Team is having giveaways with lovely prizes and sharing eco-friendly tips this week. Check out the team name link for more details.

Sale! 10% off your order. I'm celebrating with a sale from 4/15-422 in both my Etsy shop and my Bento shop. Put ETTGREEN in the message to seller and I'll refund you the sale discount via paypal.

Are you celebrating Earth Day?  If so, how?

New Bag Style Available in Our Etsy Shop

We have a new style of lunch bag in our Etsy Shop.  It's styled after a paper lunch bag, but beatsout a paper bag anyday because:

• It's reusable and washable - so you're being green as you take your lunch.


• Has a velcro flap to help keep your lunch in it.


• It's stylish and doesn't crinkle noisily.


• It folds down flat for storage.

[caption id="attachment_523" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Brown Bag Style Lunch Bag with Bento Box, Onigiri Case and Chopsticks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_524" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Brown Bag Style Lunch Bag - Side View"][/caption]