Whether your kids are only a few months old and just starting to explore solid foods, or a few years old and learning to try new and different foods, there are so many ideologies of feeding and tools to help. To be honest, I haven’t researched enough myself to know exactly what our plan is for starting to introduce solids to our own child. I know the basics from my background as a dietitian, and a feeling of what I’ll be doing from French and Nordic child-rearing books… but the reality is a whole different story.

I think all of us want the same things when it comes to child feeding: give nutritious options they’ll actually eat, whether it’s at home or on the go (non-COVID times that is). While you could look at this process as frustrating and time-consuming, I encourage you to think of it as a bit fun. For us, we’ve never had the pleasure of making fun food shapes and cute animals out of produce (except for work photoshoots). Will we be doing this every day? Absolutely not. Will we make food art a special once a week thing? Yes!

Here’s what I’ll be using to make the process easier.

1. ZipTop Animal Bags

They’re adorable, but more importantly, they’re easy for small hands to use. The animal ears help kids hold the bags and open the tops. Unlike other bags, these actually stay open for reaching into. The sizing makes them just right for cup holders in car seats or strollers. And yes, even your kids can easily close the bags themselves.

They’re dishwasher safe (the bags, not the kids) and can be microwaved or frozen. If you’re not on the go right now, stock your pantry or fridge with these to create a ‘snack station’ that’s parent-approved. This gives your kids a place where they can go for you-approved snacks giving you time to actually finish your work-from-home conference call.

2. Stackable, Small, Non-Breakable Dishware

My personal feeling on kid dishes is a hard pass on anything ‘character’ based. I’m not anti-fun, I just don’t want visual clutter when colorful food is fun enough (but also I honestly don’t want that visual clutter in my own kitchen space).

These pieces are super stackable and come in lots of colors and sizes so you can opt for adult versions for picnics and outdoor eating too! There’s no need to worry about breaking them and they’re dishwasher safe while being BPA and melamine free.

3. Washable To-Go Insulated Bag

As someone who has never really understood why diaper bags are a thing (Why not use a bag that you can use after the newborn phase?), this incredibly good-looking insulated bag is great for food on the go. The Kraft Paper exterior is hand washable which gives me packed lunch vibes from my childhood but in a reusable way.

Don’t worry, there’s also an easy to clean removable insert plus a detachable messenger strap to keep you hands-free and a back pocket for utensils, notes, or anything you need quickly.

4. Suction Cup Base Plate

This plate has a suction cup base that makes it easy for kids who are learning to self-feed. No dishes on the floor. No dishes sliding around. With a straight edge, it makes it easy for kids to get close and with less mess.

Made from silicone, it’s naturally bacteria, mold, and fungus resistant while being dishwasher, microwave, oven (up to 375 F), and freezer safe. You can also get a silicone stretch lid to save leftovers for later.

5. Self-Feeding Starter Spoons

Gentle on gums, the double-sided spoon makes it ideal for dipping into purees to learn how to use utensils while the other side allows for more advanced scooping. Since they come in a set of three there’s no spoon power struggle happening during meals.

Most importantly, make mealtimes enjoyable, fun, learning experiences for the whole family. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but I encourage you to not let perfection get in the way of family time.

The post Simplify Feeding Time with These Kid-Friendly Mealtime Products appeared first on The Inspired Home.

I bet you’re the same! You remember teaching your babies that throwing their food is not a good way to communicate. But instead “using their words” is how you express what you want or need. Or maybe you’re in that toddler stage right now and your little one insists on not wearing pants anywhere! Your mother instincts know you must guide them and lead them to the behavior that will save both you and them from embarrassment.

My kids are older now so as they’ve grown, manners and expectations have also grown. Their table manners are now more established. We aren’t worried about throwing food as much as we are about having devices at the table or coming to the table with a good attitude.

8 Tips for Good (Children’s) Manners This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is coming up so it’s a great time to remind your kids of some of the simple ground rules of being good dinner guests. You can practice these at home and role play at dinner time.

1. Practice patience.

Remind your children that you should always wait until everyone has received their food before they can start eating. Usually, someone will pray a blessing over the food, or the host will make an announcement or say thank you to the guests.

2. Be present.

Leave your devices, hats and other distractions at the door. Nothing is worse than a guest who has a phone or iPad or something at the table while everyone else is trying to hold a conversation.

3. Don’t slouch.

Always sit up straight. This one is personal to me, but a slouchy eater just looks like they don’t care to be there.

4. Ask politely.

Teach your kids to ask for something they might want or need instead of reaching across the table. “Can you please pass the salt, David?”

5. Pass politely.

Never comment on the food unless it’s a compliment. This is especially for young children who don’t yet have a kindness filter. They might say something like “I hate anything with peas in it,” just because they are being honest but remind them that there is a more appropriate way to handle food that they are not fond of. Like saying “No thank you,” or “ That looks delicious, but I’m going to pass for now.”

6. Napkins are necessary.

When it comes to napkins have your kids practice placing it on their lap at the start of the meal. If they are a bit younger a napkin tucked in their shirt is still perfectly okay!

7. Food is not a toy.

Playing with your food in any way is not ok! If you are hosting have a kid table that has things like chalkboard placemats so fidgety kids can doodle while they wait to be served or after dinner!

8. Dinner isn’t done until the table has been cleared.

Clean up after themselves or ask to help with any cleanup tasks. This is just going the extra mile to help relay to the host that they are thankful for the invite. It’s also an act of kindness when you can offer the host help. Even if she declines the thought is much appreciated!

Having good manners is a great confidence builder and life skill they will use over and over. Instead of correcting our kids in front of friends, we try to best prepare them for the situation! Even if they don’t always “nail it” we know just like us adults they appreciate being prepared!

Even More Helpful Tips for You and Your Kids:

Cooking with Kids: The Basic Kitchen Skills Your Junior Chef Needs to Get Started

You Need to Make Family Game Night a Tradition

The Only Way to Travel with Children: Be Prepared

The post 8 Table Manners for Kids Just in Time for Thanksgiving appeared first on The Inspired Home.

8 years ago, you would have found me each day in the kitchen making my babies breakfast every morning, and now my kids are in the kitchen each morning making themselves something to eat to get the day started so I can get that extra 10 minutes of extra sleep!

Now that the kids can make their own breakfast with no or little supervision, I have given them a few options to make things easier!

Use Personal Blenders for an Easy Kids Breakfast

There are so many personal blenders out on the market these days and it’s no wonder, personal blenders are a lifesaver! Before personal blenders you would need to make an entire smoothie in a large container and transfer it into a cup or glass. Now you can mix all your ingredients for healthy smoothies in one container and add a top so it becomes a to-go cup.

My boys are in middle school, so not only do they love the look of this Spider-Man blender, but this is a great option for those mornings when they are SLOW moving and don’t want to get out of bed. A handful of fresh or frozen fruit and milk an you got yourself a quick morning smoothie!

Fun Waffle Makers for Marvel Lovers

My boys are so into all the Marvel movies. So when I brought this waffle maker home they went crazy. Not only because they love the movies (hell, End Game) but waffles are a staple in our house for breakfast. My 11 and 12 year old boys can easily mix a small amount of batter (usually one the requires just water) and can carefully pour the mix into the waffle maker.

Omelette Maker

I don’t love for the boys to turn on the stove top or oven when I’m not in the kitchen so this omelette maker is a great option. They can crack some eggs in a bowl ( one of the first kitchen skills they learned) add some veggies and cheese and make a wholesome omelette for themselves. It’s so much better than a bowl of sugary cereal ( even though some morning do call for that..ha!) This omelette maker from Dash will make an omelette in about 5 minutes. That’s more than enough time even on a busy morning. The clean up is a breeze too because of the non stick surface.

Hot Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great breakfast that warms you up during those cold winter months. I use to make oatmeal for the kids in the morning using the microwave or a big batch on the stove. With this kettle the kids can make it themselves. Just turn it on and watch it boil! Then the kids can pour the hot water over the oatmeal.

They can let it sit while they come talk to us, put their shoes on, get their backpacks, etc. After a few minutes the oats are puffed up and ready to eat! My kids like to mix in cinnamon and sugar and even a little milk to make it creamer. Either way it’s a great way to have a healthy breakfast when mom and dad are still waking up!

It’s so great to know your kids are growing up and doing things on their own. Independence is bittersweet as a mother. On one hand, your kids start to need you less and less. On the other, you are PROUD that they are building a foundation of responsibility!

The post 4 Tools Your Kids Can Use to Make Their Own Breakfast appeared first on The Inspired Home.

This can be particularly true when it comes to food and introducing new variety. Many parents and caregivers fear their toddler isn’t getting enough, and are desperate to overcome this picky eating hurdle. I want to help. But before we get into the how it’s important to know the why.

Simply put, children are naturally programmed to fear new foods. It’s a survival mechanism called neophobia, and it can sometimes take a child up to 20 introductions of a new-to-them food before they begin to feel comfortable trying it. That can be a bit disheartening to hear especially if you’re thinking, “You mean I have to introduce salmon 20 different times before my kid will even put it to their mouth?!”. Well, maybe yes and maybe no. Each child is different.

Instead, I hope this factoid provides some validation in your efforts, and some comfort to know it can happen. This really just means that eventually, with enough repetition, you too can successfully introduce a new food to your stubborn child. Repeated exposure is key, and I hope you will consider these three tips to get you there!

1. Get your toddler involved!

My toddler just turned 3 years old and we are in the thick of the “threenager” experience. Despite how difficult it can feel to constantly battle “her way”, I know that her desire for routine ultimately works to my benefit at meal times. The trick is to consistently get your toddler involved in the full meal planning routine. From grocery shopping and preparation, to serving and clean up. They come to expect their roles and enjoy helping you, too!

Here are a few examples of how this works in our household. At the grocery store, we identify each item (even if just briefly) as we put it into our cart. I let my toddler help me pluck items from the shelf and even let her “pay” at the register. This experience is educational, helps increase exposure to the food we bring into our home, and empowers her, too.

When it comes time to prepare the food, I let my toddler get involved as much as possible. She is not quite old enough to read and follow a recipe, so instead I hand her a small bowl of something like dried beans, a measuring spoon, and a larger bowl for her to play and explore while I cook alongside. Other times, I will give her a task like chopping a banana, peeling a carrot, cracking an egg or pouring milk. Each of these experiences increases exposure and normalizes the food that you are trying to introduce. Not to mention, it’s fun for kids to experiment and play in the kitchen!

Our newest obsession is the Opinel kid chef set. They have knife safety holds built into the peeler and the knife, and provide a finger guard for cutting. Teaching proper knife skills at a young age is a good idea, and this set provides a safe way to get started.

I do want to note that 3 is young for a sharp knife like the one included in this kit, however, my toddler has been helping and showing interest for a very long time. If this is a new concept to your young toddler, start with a plastic knife and then move into the proper tools once they’ve displayed safety competency.

2. Play with your food!

Chances are you were told NOT to do this as a child. However, the more you can play with food, the more fun meal and snack times become, and the more enjoyable it is for everyone. If your child struggles with picky eating, you may find a big benefit in demystifying food through this method.

Some ideas are to create a storyline involving all the items on the plate. Makeup rhymes. Sing a song. Create art. You’ll likely find your child is more willing to eat, or at least try, the variety of food in front of them if they feel excited about it (hello, broccoli is so much more fun when it becomes a fairy forest). One of my new favorite items for the kids is the Constructive Eating cutlery set. What better way to get a child to stay engaged than by making their flatware an imaginative playset. Genius!

Another love item is the set of rainbow silicone straws. They add color and fun to meal and drink time, increasing the chances of getting my toddler to be a willing participant. All I have to say is pick a color and she happily drinks using her colorful choice. Whatever you end up doing, make it creative and exciting.

3. Group the food for your toddler & offer a “No Thank
You Bite Bowl”

Gone are the days of tricking our kids by disguising or hiding the food we serve, the strict “you have to eat all of x”, or the “finish your plate before you get y”. Those methods backfire because it usually puts certain foods on a pedestal (like a dessert or the reward) while further tarnishing their relationship with the food you actually want them to eat and enjoy. Ultimately, it can teach the child to ignore their own innate intuitive eating.

Instead, when offering new or uncertain food to your child, make sure it’s amongst an abundance of clearly laid out options they already know, and a few that they LOVE. A trick to do this is to use plates with many compartments. Kids don’t always love their food touching, and this presentation helps them navigate the food on the plate. Dividing it keeps the plate aesthetically interesting, and gives you an opportunity to put one new food on their plate without risking a meltdown. Bento boxes, OXO toddler plates, or a simple muffin tin can do the job!

Another extremely useful trick is the “no thank you bite bowl”, this means you place an empty side bowl next to their plate. In my house, we are working on tomatoes with my toddler. At each meal that I offer tomatoes, she knows she doesn’t have to eat them, but she must take a no thank you bite. If she is still uninterested after the bite, she can move the tomatoes (or any newly introduced food) into her no thank you bowl.

This designated spot creates a safe space for your child to explore freely and follow their preferences at any given meal. It also keeps the food in front of them for exposure, and for the potential of any additional curiosity bites. Ultimately, it saves you the dreaded mealtime food-fights.

4. Bonus Tip! Make it easy on YOU.

Okay, caretakers, we’ve talked all about the different tricks to help your child, but what about making it easier on YOU. Yes, of course, removing the food-fights from mealtime will absolutely help you, it doesn’t make all the prep any easier. I recently discovered the Rapid Slicer, created by a husband and wife that wanted to make meal prep a little bit less painful — literally and figuratively.

This tool is perfect for slicing choking hazard foods, like grapes and tomatoes, in one fell swoop. Or, for safe handling raw chicken (you know, while you’re multitasking meal prep with children watching, and you need a clean and freehand ASAP!). Another perk is that the rapid slicer can help safely guide a child who is learning to cut tricky foods like round or slippery items. This tool is a must-have for caregivers!

I want to hear from YOU. What here resonates with you? What are some other tricks that work well for your family? Join the conversation over on Instagram and make sure to tag me, @jennifahbravo so I can see what you have to say! Enjoy and remember, stop the food fight!

Be Inspired to Get Creative with your Kids:

• Cooking With Kids: The Basic Kitchen Skills Your Junior Chef Needs to Get Started
• A Genius Gardening Project You (And Your Kids) Will Love
• 5 First Time Chores for Little Kids

The post 3 Tips for Picky Eating Toddlers appeared first on The Inspired Home.

So, as the fall season starts, I thought she and I could take some time to make homemade donuts and apple cider one afternoon. Cinnamon sugar rolled donuts served warm is a love language for both of us and what better way to ring in the fall season than with apple cider tea!

How to make cinnamon sugar rolled donuts

Have you ever made homemade donuts? Well, if not, you’re in for a treat and some fun! Grab a kid or two and invite them into the kitchen to help you with the rolling and dipping! This has some extra steps but the results are well worth it. If you’re looking to cut a corner or two or simplify the donut recipe, instead of using homemade dough, you can use canned biscuits.

Print

Cinnamon Sugar Rolled Donuts

Course Desserts

Keyword Baking, Cakes and cupcakes, Desserts, Homemade

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

How to make apple cider iced tea

You can use cold or hot tea, but this recipe calls for a cold brewed tea! I used this cold coffee brewer by Primula and instead of using ground coffee, I used tea in the middle filter which filters out particles that cause bad flavor and brewed it all night in the refrigerator. I love products that make your life easier and this is definitely one of them! This is now a staple in my house for brewed coffee and tea!

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Apple Cider Iced Tea

Course Drinks & Cocktails

Keyword Drinks, Fall

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

This will be so fun with you this fall! Take some time out this weekend and enjoy this treat with someone special!

The post This Donut and Apple Cider Tea Date Makes for the Perfect Fall Afternoon appeared first on The Inspired Home.

The key to perfect lunchbox ramen is definitely in the packing. To ensure the noodles are perfectly cooked at lunchtime, start by placing uncooked ramen in an insulated soup cup and pour boiling broth over them. They will cook in the cup throughout the morning and maintain their texture until lunch.

Of course, ramen isn’t much of a meal without great toppings. My kids like to top their noodles with shelled edamame, shredded carrots, roasted seaweed and diced avocado. To keep veggie toppings crunchy and fresh, I pack them separately. Things like shredded carrots and diced green onion can be added just before eating to ensure they maintain ideal texture.

Not all ramen noodle soups are created equal of course. Really great ramen broths often require many hours of simmering to achieve optimum flavor. To make this version lunchbox worthy, I’ve taken a few shortcuts. My broth recipe is quick and easy while still managing to avoid the dreaded ramen “flavor packet.” Instead I start with store-bought chicken broth and use real ginger, garlic and dried shiitake mushrooms to build flavor. It’s simple enough to whip up in the morning before school or work. If that still seems intimidating, many grocery stores now offer Asian-inspired broths with flavors like miso-ginger or shitake. Look for them in the Asian foods section or near the chicken broth.

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Lunchbox Ramen Noodles

Homemade ramen noodle soup is hands down one of the best dinners so now it is even better in lunchbox form!

Course Lunch & Dinner Recipes

Keyword Kids, Lunch

Skill intermediate

Servings 4

Calories 105kcal

Ingredients

• 1 recipe 10-minute Miso-Ginger Broth
• 2 packages/bricks dried ramen noodles (do not use seasoning packet if included)
• Optional Toppings: shredded carrots, steamed shelled edamame, sliced avocado, sliced cooked chicken or bbq pork, roasted seaweed snacks, toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

• Prepare broth according to recipe.
• Break up ramen noodles and place half of each “brick” in a thermal soup cup. Top noodles with boiling hot broth and secure lid.
• Pack toppings in separate containers.
• At lunchtime, add toppings and enjoy immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 3.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 600mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1.5g

The post Lunchbox Ramen is the Perfect Winter Warmup appeared first on The Inspired Home.

We placed our gingerbread cake on a pretty rimmed baking sheet sprinkled with coconut flakes to resemble a bed of snow. Then we piped the cake using traditional royal icing and added all sorts of festive candy decorations. For food safety reasons, we made our icing using meringue powder since I knew the kids would be doing plenty of “sampling” but pasteurized egg whites are an easy and safe choice as well.

The kids absolutely loved adding all of the decorative candy toppings. To complete the festive fairytale look we added peppermint stick signs and small wooden trees around the house. They enjoyed making up fun stories about the family that lives in this magical house.

Of course, the best part about making a gingerbread cake is tasting it!

Unlike traditional gingerbread, which can become stale and requires an enormous amount of icing to hold it all together, this adorable cake is moist and flavorful. It would make an absolutely delicious and impressive dessert after Christmas dinner. One the kids will be proud of too!

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Gingerbread House Cake

This year, skip the stale, store-bought cookie kits and instead bake a moist, delicious and (most important) easy-to-make gingerbread cake using a festive house-shaped cake pan.

Course Desserts

Keyword Christmas, Desserts, Holidays, Kids

Skill intermediate

Servings 10

Calories 726kcal

Ingredients

• For the Gingerbread Cake:
• 2.75 cups cake flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• .25 tsp ground cloves
• .25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cups butter softened
• 1 cups sugar
• .67 cups packed brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.25 cups milk
• Melted butter and flour for greasing cake pan
• For the Royal Icing:
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• .5 tsp cream of tartar

Instructions

• For the Gingerbread Cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Brush the inside of cake pan with melted butter and dust lightly with flour, being sure to get in every crevice. Set pan aside.
• Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl until completely blended. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and both kinds of sugar. Beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes, scraping bowl often, until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in vanilla.
• Reduce mixer speed and add 1/3 of flour mixture, followed by 1/3 of the milk. Continue alternating flour and milk until completely blended.
• Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading slightly up onto edges of the pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 55 - 66 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cook cake upright in pan for 10 minutes then carefully loosen edges of cake before inverting onto a serving platter to finish cooling. When cake is cooled, decorate as desired.
• For the Royal Icing: Combine the egg whites or reconstituted meringue powder, powdered sugar and cream of tartar in a large, clean, dry bowl. Using a whisk attachment, begin beating ingredients on low speed until combined.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl then restart mixer on medium speed and beat until the icing is very thick, shiny and white, about 7-10 minutes.
• Transfer the icing to a bowl and cover immediately with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic wrap is touching the icing to prevent drying. If using with a pastry bag, transfer icing to bag, twist bag tightly to close and cover tip with a wet paper towel to prevent drying.
• When used, royal icing will dry to a very hard finish in about 15 minutes. Do not refrigerate finished items, as icing will become soft and sticky.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 726kcal | Carbohydrates: 126.6g | Protein: 8.4g | Fat: 21.4g | Saturated Fat: 12.7g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 292mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 31.2g

The post With This Pan, Making a Gingerbread House with the Kids Is a Piece of Cake appeared first on The Inspired Home.

The secret to this meal’s simplicity is to bake your potatoes in your slow cooker. I didn’t even realize that was a thing until a couple of years ago, but man has it been a lifesaver. Baking potatoes in the oven can take more than an hour and using a microwave can result in rubbery, sad potatoes. Ew. The slow cooker changes everything. Start the slow cooked baked potatoes in the morning and let them cook for up to 10 hours. When dinnertime arrives, your potatoes will be soft, fluffy and delicious.

Like your baked potatoes with crispy skin? No problem. Simply unwrap your potatoes and toss them in the oven on a baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving. The skins crisp up beautifully while keeping that same gorgeous fluffy texture inside.

While the potatoes are getting crisp, it’s time to think about toppings. Let your imagination, your family’s preferences, and the contents of your refrigerator be your guide when creating your baked potato bar. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the traditional broccoli and bacon, but don’t let your creativity stop there.

Have some leftover chili and half a jar of salsa in the fridge? Great news! Even pulled pork or shredded rotisserie chicken can make tasty baked potato bar toppings. Now check your crisper for veggie options. Green onions, roasted kale, even a stray ear of corn or a random jalapeño can be amazing on a baked potato. Of course, we can’t forget the cheese and sour cream. Put everything in little bowls or on a big platter so that each diner can help themselves and create their own perfect potato. Picky eaters absolutely love having this kind of control over dinner. Plus… everybody loves baked potatoes.

Print

Perfect Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

The post A Kid-Friendly Baked Potato Bar with Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Fifty-two dollars and fifty-two minutes later, I was standing in the kitchen… frazzled. Looking at a list of bento ideas on Pinterest was so easy. Putting actual bento lunches together was exhausting and expensive. By the time items were rounded up, cooked, shaped, and styled, house had past and then kitchen was a mess. And the mommy was done.

Unfazed, I figured I could just shortcut the bento. Bought ready-to-go frozen finger foods, zapped them in the microwave. Picked up boxes of tiny nibbles, cookies, crackers. Tucked and tidied it all together until I realized, the whole bento was a stash of unhealthy, processed eats.

So there had to be a happy alternative. An easy-to-put-together lunch of healthy, low-cost options that I could pack (or better yet, that the kids could pack) in 10 minutes or less.

Time-Saving Lunch Ideas

There are plenty of quick and simple ideas for healthy, kid-friendly bento boxes. Food that parents will love, food that kids will actually eat. The trick was to gather a quick-list of go-to ideas. Stuff I could add to our weekly shopping list, foods that don’t require much prep or which can be prepped in bulk and enjoyed all week long.

We took that list and turned our most favorite items into 3 easy-to-pack bento boxes — the Pasta Bento Box, the Veggie Bento Box and the Breakfast Bento Box. Feel free to mix and match the items in the boxes below to suit your taste.

My kids have given every item in these boxes a thumbs up. In fact, after packing these 3 boxes you see in the photos, my tween arrived home from school and said, “Oh, yeah! Can I take all of this stuff to school all week?”

Beautiful Bentos

When packing a proper bento, you need a versatile container which can hold enough food to fill a hungry kiddo up. The box should be tightly sealed and sturdy, assuming it will be tucked in a backpack or lunch bag (like this adorable llama tote bag), keeping the food cool and properly packed until it’s pulled out to enjoy.

The Takenaka Double Bento is my current bento box obsession. A double-layered bento made of microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe durable plastic. You can pack both tiers at once, or use just one, depending on what you pack for lunch. Each set comes with a plastic fork which snaps cleanly into the lid, so your kids will never forget their utensils. And the larger tier has a removable partition which makes it easy to pack a variety of foods without them touching each other (because “carrots can’t touch yogurt, mom” says my youngest).

And while all of these perks are nice perks, perhaps the best is the 15 stunning color options. So each kid can pick a favorite color, and no one in the house ever has to fight over whether brother touched sister’s bento box. Not that this a thing in my house. (Note: it is totally a thing.) Current colors in our pantry: Peppermint, Pistachio Green, and Serenity Blue. Words so pretty, I’m thinking of changing my children’s names to match their bentos.

Pack A Sack

While we’re chatting packing, if your school allows for snack time, you simply most check out the reusable Hootenanny Snack Bags from Now Designs. For starters: cutest lil’ snack bags ever. Added bonus: reusable. So you can be the eco-friendly parent you’ve always wanted to be. No more tossing plastic bags. Just tuck favorite snacks in these zip-top bags. Then wipe clean and dry before packing again and again. Love!

And of course, lunch wouldn’t be complete without a drink. Send your kids off to school in style (and properly hydrated) with their own S’ip by S’well bottles.

It’s Lunch Time!

With all the right gear, it’s time to pack some yummy bentos. Whether you prep lunchboxes after dinner or before school, all three of these boxes can be made in 20 minutes flat. Most of the items are purchased pre-cut or simply need to be diced or zapped in the microwave. For extra quick packing, prep a big batch of pasta, dice a pound or two of cheese, use the first week as a get-ready day, then store ingredients in airtight containers so they can be quickly pulled from the fridge and popped into bento boxes.

First up, Green Lentil Pasta and other Italian flavors, packed together in one delicious bento.

Print

Pasta Bento Box

Keyword Back to school, Lunch

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

Second, vegetarian favorites that kids love to eat!

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Veggie Bento Box

Keyword Back to school, Lunch

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

Last but not least: waffles and berries and sausage… oh my!

Print

Breakfast Bento Box

Keyword Back to school, Lunch

Skill intermediate

Servings 1

Notes

Toast waffle sticks. Microwave mini sausages until warm. Allow to cool. Pack with remaining ingredients. Spoon yogurt into a silicone muffin cup. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with nuts or granola.

The post 3 Bento Lunch Box Ideas For Your Best Lunch Ever appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Sushi was high on everyone’s list to learn how to make. I have rolled my own a few times but took the opportunity to upgrade the equipment and brush up on technique. I love sushi because it involves minimal cooking (perfect for summer) and lots of chopping (which I find meditative), plus it’s just plain fun to make. It doesn’t have to contain raw fish, if your family’s not into that. Mine was full of veggies and some cooked crab— our version of a California roll—but you could throw almost anything in that seaweed/rice blanket and call it dinner.

True story: When I first moved to LA I had never tried sushi and I spent about 6 months ordering the “Chicken Teriyaki Roll” at our neighborhood joint before I finally braved my first spicy tuna roll. But I digress…

​Here’s a walkthrough of how I got my roll on.

Storage is key when it comes to keeping rice fresh (and pest-free) in your pantry. These containers from Rosti Mepal stack neat and tidy. The lids are all the same size — meaning that they’re effortlessly stackable no matter the capacity.

Rinsing the rice is key to getting that perfect sticky consistency. It’s a step I always used to skip, but never again— it makes a huge difference. This strainer from Harold Imports is especially designed to swirl your rice around and drain it easily.

It’s great to get all your fillings ready in advance, so you can assemble those rolls quickly (because sushi making can make you hungry!). I’ve sliced some avocado, and julienned some cucumber and carrots. I also mixed some mayo and sriracha to make a spicy sauce. Not seen, the cooked crab claws I shelled. Yum.

Sticky rice is a must for any sushi-making project — after all, the word “sushi” itself refers to the vinegar-ed, or sour-tasting, rice that’s paired with fish or one of the other ingredients mentioned above. This Staub Petite Round Oven is perfect for making amazing rice lo-tech style, thanks to the raised surface on the inside of the lid (call a “chistera” pattern), which is designed to return moisture to dishes as they cook.

I’ve had versions of this rice cooker for decades, and I swear it’s smarter than I am. If you’re looking for something more precise and gadget-y to cook your rice, I recommend the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker. It’s advanced smart technology automatically makes fine adjustments to temperature and heating time, guaranteeing you’ll cook perfect rice every time. It’s great for oatmeal, other kinds of rice, and quinoa too.

Once your rice is made, it’s time to season it. Rice vinegar is a must, but a little salt and sugar give that sweet/salty restaurant-style taste. This lightweight non-stick bamboo paddle is perfect for handing the rice once it’s cooked (it’s sticky!)

OK we’re at the fun part! This Cuisivin Easy Sushi contraption makes it a cinch to get tight, beautiful rolls— I will not make sushi without it from here on out! Lay a nori sheet on top of the plastic map, then use your paddle to scoop some rice on top, which you’ll press into each chamber of the Cuisivin. Then load your fillings into the middle.

Then close the cover, pull the mat out slowly, and watch as you get tight, restaurant-quality maki rolls without even trying!

Yoku yatta! (That means GOOD JOB!).

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