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First I'll brag about my
cool husband this week...
While in SoCal on business
he stopped at Ichiban Kan
and did a bit of shopping
for me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAx1ZdHyit-VtlF8pitds8FNjyPR1C35kVFweyVuD0aRVLu954dN0tcRCyrYXqvIxApoI1CVBPtN8VLw_QZ92fd38q8S_kMgpVazSsjdEaGzfSXGuuRL-ziwHAx7qtz5rG1G1PqOh8PYn/s200/CIMG0301.JPG)
I sent him with a printout
of my online shopping cart,
but much of what is online
is not stocked at their
smaller retail stores
apparently.
But that didn't stop him!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ2GrZTtN_P0mNCdw-KhN-KsB-2XvhmxVj_deOjjcj_lATV96zHa_XUkc4Rm2ttWJ5_X3_XZ0MpNDzpWQn8AmDdKZdqd2CHsBK5cr0exROY6z8k4wZi6kdjmm67hA13ngKWCU1iJIsVLc/s200/CIMG0302.JPG)
He thought everything
looked too cute to pass
up (most items are only
$1.50) so he kind of
went nuts. His suitcase
was jam packed for his
flight home
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If you're in the U.S., you can
buy most everything here at
Ichiban Kan online.
Now I have to go clear out
another kitchen cabinet to
devote to bento gear. Oy.
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While my husband was
enjoying the warm CA
weather, we were hit with
a few feet of snow & sub-
zero temps.
Ryan tried to help Nate
outside to play, but it
was just too deep.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIPRaeFxK5aOumh3EzDeJSyC-DGoYDJJ7EHd2YmIPHZl_wD_Ayv0d5PXdQJAk3yfVByzS5sb_ac_0kPOsyF5yxob7U-O56dIxgubmBapTRNzyqkDB5EomwSOfGoMfkybA5JkcfYN-gnBc/s200/CIMG0310.JPG)
He took off his mittens
and finally sat down,
stuck, and had to be
rescued. I eventually made
a few paths, but he had
had enough.
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Since my husband was
away for most of the week
in CA & IN, I thought it
would be an opportune time
to discuss bento shortcuts!
I do not employ outside
help to care for our kids,
so I have to be prepared
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1CcwFYpv4KgzsRq84qiVuiREQmApYbZzyrkMy859JRhRqQXJE9bEBodRW-2T78fKwzbMmudzyz2gC7atFDWYh_Qy6xxV0lFQBmYSFCZSv7BGrlN8As31xj8lIU8u2WYIW6hVD7wUwPFs/s200/CIMG0313.JPG)
to put together healthy
lunches regardless of my
often solo parenting status,
the weather, or a crabby
baby.
Places like Whole Foods with
their antipasto, salad, & hot
bars are invaluable. I don't
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH6MaRdKWEuSq5Fs6HkEOQiFbFH3qLrJdZSHu0LQam6hXrbDWzhkLafXR6i0xuz9Av_cOi-V5tb2ZeJpa7UQRuUKvl6qEmz4D8xGSXM4Yl4BRyAr6_5RE-gdLbyV4ISeEm7rqWCRH9HVp/s200/CIMG0314.JPG)
buy a lot of anything, but
instead choose a few of the
smallest containers and add
just a few bites of this & that.
Sesame tofu & various pre-
made salads are the boys'
favourites. Easy peasy!
Tuesday:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugErUs4-g0AQUqKX-HBzZsbkp_r4GT6IVqsZDsSVBs6tfwdjwXSYyV86rK9RwtaxXf2ycFriL0HkbiAl4TqQQBuh36YjM4nWKe69x-fW6qTxHGBmyGIVuXw9OR5LBaQqoGkmJ1B3t1bAx/s320/CIMG0318.JPG)
Ryan's school rescheduled lunchtime and broadcast the Presidential inauguration in the classrooms.
Ryan's lunch: orzo w/pinenuts & herbs (& "Obama" written in nori); edamame; bell pepper strips; cherry tomatoes; black olives; grapes; blueberries; vegetable dumplings w/a bottle of soy sauce; green beans; sesame tofu.
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Nate's lunch: bell pepper
strips; cherry tomatoes;
black olives; grapes; blue-
berries; edamame; green
beans; sesame tofu.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DQgLVYeqBfIeYdGTRpOQw73hNNU3mHosbZBqAZpKBmowSdT_zocyAp6z5y9YCyQBMVi-oc40pisn3fyJLCYzTVBvgEnwumY2s1S9kng9mAmJMdA9x51-SpwdquU0BOp92sBV0r9H3zZe/s200/CIMG0324.JPG)
AJ's snack: edamame;
green beans; grapes;
sesame tofu.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglthMHtNpfWI2Z67XK4hudI8fQFzpPMwgXjeLGWdR851C9FHM2cg0hAlXC1XhpYsAlA3Its0gnAGWIIumHOi00h77Kzz6l0umeINqb_-inMHbh1ZyfMkUIoGkxKrUfvBb9JQJgmI-Ee3vu/s200/CIMG0328.JPG)
Let's play "Spy the Baby"!
Maia has been on the move
lately. She was on the
pillow when I left to
start water boiling in the
kitchen...but 2 minutes
later she was playing with
her brothers' Lego manuals
across the room.
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Oooh, my husband was
home 2 days this week...
husband's lunch: two
clementines; grapes &
blueberries; salad w/
chicken-free nugget
pieces & roasted red
pepper vinaigrette.
Wednesday:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1YLkguV90NjIq2NdVpoeHlujK25EcMGidvrOrK0yDrsg24nMcTVHzUQWz1e48X-Emgxrrv8MLgEVTAT7GHTL0Xe0Xw2la-U3e42M8QVy6nGRMolDq08W-alAxWJRS28yu7jQBeOz25Mw/s320/CIMG0343.JPG)
My first attempt at a penguin didn't go so well...but by the second one below I had figured it out. Tip: use a piece of raw angel hair pasta to hold the hot dog piece onto the rice ball.
Ryan's lunch: cucumber "fish" shapes; rice ball penguin; cinnamon letter cookies; a pickle; carrots; grapes; sesame tofu.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4l2V3i9UzvbjP4x6XKvOGqJbTA0Snk-K-OftI_9F2McrHGNwhld9nNu3lZrZS_KzsK-XEokVszndFcGnYYNIOpgT0zlOHsUwJpD6ugvbowh-JLyQNpflYfebjvhPvJYcCzPHKifF8foC/s200/CIMG0344.JPG)
AJ's snack: rice ball
penguin; a pickle; a
carrot; a grape; sesame
tofu; a cucumber "fish".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTYNO9wjbjFOiVYeyRujgi233J2CLF_4aTui3TUqTjdW_1fl5wk291VAnGVgW3ATqe6grqamRbKP7p15XApm9afh05bhF6k3SeHnv0VuDMnTTN-5u6jqxMgYb_LtlidakoyL1KPAYW77W/s200/CIMG0348.JPG)
I had to post this dinner
because the boys and
my husband all raved
about it and went back
for seconds...
Quick Chili Mac & Chreez1 lb. box pasta
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdX4quauZapBjDuKsfL8ujwLAwR_gQwQ6NU3Ode8ecBwV1bnYRwYhUGNqDhGiyCACMaymsMz0hctjEdTjqgJCSK3_bjrnfDterdY_Dl7N-Qo86Kx2b7uMLyRztqqtpDAe7JN-uVrmtOtG/s200/CIMG0352.JPG)
1 recipe chili chreez sauce
(below)
1 can chili (I used Amy's
medium, or make your own)
1 medium can diced tomatoes
(drained--I save the liquid
to use in soup later)
1 medium can beans (kidney,
pinto, or black beans)
1/2 cup grated soy cheese (optional)
1/2 cup fried onions
Cook pasta al dente and drain. While pasta is cooking, make chreez sauce. Mix cooked pasta with chreez sauce. Spread into casserole dish (I use a 9"x13" glass baking dish).
In a large bowl mix chili, beans, & tomatoes. Layer on top of pasta.
Add shredded soy cheese (if using).
Cover and bake in a 350F oven for 25 minutes.
Uncover, add fried onions, bake another 5 minutes.
Chili Chreez Sauce1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup flour
1 T. cornstarch
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups water
1 tsp. mustard
1-2 tsp. chili oil
In a saucepan, mix first 6 (dry) ingredients. Add water and cook over med-high heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.
Remove from heat and add mustard & chili oil.
This sauce is also GREAT with nachos!
Thursday:
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Ryan's lunch: Italian pasta salad (recipe in index); cucumber slices; grapes; chicken-free nuggets; "2 of hearts" creme cheez & raspberry jam sandwich.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q-_09NdOS6XJkFl002ydjBZfNEoA6bJ2MegClhRQKBPedzSszP_nhGiR-HiMtAHo2rXn4C0mqXK_D3moISG6YSJq0F7CIT_Cu-w-CPBLVIyywgC_I_r00iSq6CKAkq9HSFpYXMkHuhdn/s200/CIMG0354.JPG)
AJ & Nate had
smaller versions of
what Ryan had.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWCogEzC9o19_HhzO3O4Eq9hnCQblP7WRvYVtvGltGJIHuua5G9P1_hlH7n2eXhtrVQbKEhUL3lQODJJiBdlWMFjM3Pb0fuHGCPj-QILlvrNjyi_dYPsxQgd7au_RxT12VxQu8zCVD0KN/s200/CIMG0356.JPG)
Maia is trying a few more
foods--avocado, grapes,
oatmeal w/coconut milk &
rice milk--but her favourite
is still chewing off bits of a
banana.
Friday:
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I've seen people draw all sorts of things on clementines on Japanese bento websites. I thought Ryan would enjoy this one...
Ryan's lunch: a "Pikachu" clementine; blanched spinach; smoked Tofurky & soy cheese rolls; mini pumpkin muffin; a pickle; onigiri triangle; grapes.