Most days we send our (6-year-old) daughter to school with a Zojirushi Ms. Bento lunch box. It keeps hot food hot and cold food cold. There are 3 containers and a spork in an insulated carrying bag. A typical lunch contains:

1. In the bottom container, which is insulated and leak-proof, we often put miso soup
2. In the middle container, which is also insulated, she gets some sort of rice and meat/veg entree item
3. In the top, which tends to stay cool-room-temp, she gets fruit/veg and/or some other side item

There are a few other options available from Amazon, just search for “Zojirushi Lunch Jars“.

With tougher economic times, people are trying to eat more meals at home instead of eating out. I can only hope that this will inspire people to not just cook, but to learn to cook well, or try new things. Home cooks shouldn’t be so afraid to make the things they used to only get at restaurants. Also, I hope that people start to pay attention to what their food looks like. I know that I’ve made a lot of food that was delicious, but unattractive on the plate. When you take an extra minute to plate your meals with an eye for presentation, it really does transform it somehow into something more special.

Inspired by Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune article A recipe for recession savings? Eating at home

What does a vegan zombie eat? graaaains

Courtesy of the woot! blog