Chicken Shu Mai and Blistered Tomatoes - 230 calorie Bento

I love tiny food - hence my bento appreciation. I love all types of things in a different plate. I love color. Except for my clothing (I love black and all shades of it - hahaha), I don't live a monochromatic life. My artwork on my walls is very colorful. That usually applies to my food too. I remember that once I ended up cooking steamed cauliflower, chicken and mashed potatoes. I put it on my plate and was horrified! How on earth did I come up with an all-white dinner? Well, I ran for the kitchen and got some mustard and ketchup and some salad greens. There's color for ya! Thanks for putting up with my rambling! Kinda hyper today!!!

Bento Content:

• Chicken Shu Mai (173)
• Blistered Tomatoes with Herbs de Provence (42)
• Celery (15)

Total Bento: 230 calories

Salmon Salad Sandwich & Apples: 301 calorie Bento

I made my go-to homemade salad - salmon salad. Everytime I make it different - this time I added low calorie mayo, dill weed, tomato, onion, parsley, yellow peppers and celery, plus a can of wild salmon packed in water. I put tons of the veggie in it to fill me up.

Notice the tea bags - the funniest tea story ever. Every time I go to my favorite chinese restaurant I have their tea. After years of wondering, I asked the owner for the brand of tea they use. He said "Hum - I don't really know the name. I just ask our supplier for restaurant tea". That struck me as odd and thought that maybe he wasn't willing to share. Oh well. A few weeks later I ventured into an Asian market and walked down the tea aisle. There were dozens and dozens of different teas and lo and behold, what do I spot? CHINESE RESTAURANT TEA! Can you believe it? That is exactly how it is called! And here I was thinking my guy in the restaurant was unwilling to share! And guess what...it tastes exactly like his! Live and learn...

Bento Content:

• Salmon Salad Sandwich (231)
• Mini Apples (70)
• Tea bags (0)

Total Bento : 301 calories

Balsamic Chicken - 252 Calorie Bento

I haven't been bento-ing much lately and when I have, I haven't been taking pics. And guess what...it shows! I truly believe that taking pics and keeping count definitely helps the battle of the bulge. I'm going to try my best to get back into the groove, eventhough it means getting up earlier than than regular 5:40am to do my thing. Fingers crossed, here I go!!!!

Bento Content:

• Balsamic chicken with Snow Peas and Red Peppers (200)
• Grape Tomatoes (42)
• Yellow Pepper Strips (10)

Total Bento: 252 calories

Salmon Salad & Lentil-Potato Curls - 292 calorie Bento

I have found some crunchy thingies at T.J.'s - Lentil and Potato Curls. There are not greasy nor salty at all and a serving is 31 curls! Say what? 31? Yup, 31! And they are made out of Lentils and Potatoes - what more can I ask for? (Another bag, maybe?!?)

Bento Content:

• Chopped Carrots (9)
• Chopped Celery (9)
• Mini Challah (so cute!) (56)
• Salmon Salad (without mayo) (50)
• Lentil and Potato Curls (58)

Total Bento: 292 calories

Beans So Green & Chicken - 317 calorie Bento

Ok, I usually don't purchase anything that comes with some kind of butter sauce on it, but I saw this frozen bag called Beans so Green at Trader Joe's (I practically live in that place!) and couldn't resist the temptation.

It has String Beans, Romanescu, Cauliflower, Broccoli and Peas in a light Butter Garlic sauce. Let me tell you - it is super yummy plus not that high in sodium (my nemesis) and in fat (my nemesis's sidekick). Wonderful!

Bento Content:

• Beans so Green mix (180)
• Grilled skinless & boneless chicken breast (92)
• Grape Tomatoes (21)
• Black Olives (24)

Total Bento: 317 calories

Turkey Meatballs & Cauliflower Bake - 273 calorie Bento

An yet another unposted bento...

Bento Content:

• Butternut Squash Baked 'Fries' (18)
• Cauliflower Bake (86)
• Roasted Batata (100)
• Turkey Meatballs in Light Tomato Sauce (69)

Total Bento: 273 calories

Chicken & Potatoes & Israeli Couscous - 231 calorie Bento

Another unposted bento....

Bento Content:

• Roasted Chicken Breast (110)
• Herbed Roasted Potato (43)
• Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes (10)
• Israeli Couscous w/Mixed Veggies (68)

Total Bento: 231 calories

Chicken w/Red Bell Pepper & Onion - 236 calorie Bento

I have been on a Batata & Butternut Squash kick lately. Making them all kinds of ways - but I'm loving the roasting of the two. Hubbie agrees!

Bento Content:

• Chicken with Red Bell Pepper & Onion Stirfry (120)
• Roasted Batata & Butternut Squash (55)
• Sweet Lime (61)

Total Bento: 236 calories

Salmon & Asparagus & Butterbean - 243 calorie Bento

This turned out to be a pretty good combination - I love asparagus and salmon together, but adding a creamy side of Butterbeans? Gotta love the mouth feel on this!

Bento Content:

• Roasted Asparagus (45)
• Baked Salmon (125)
• Butterbeans in light Tomato Sauce (63)
• Romainne Lettuce & Grape Tomato Salad (10)

Total Bento: 243 calories

Chile Lime Chicken Sammie - 307 calorie Bento

I have a bunch of lunches that I took photos but did not post, so here we go....

Bento Content:

• Sandwich (Arnold's Multigrain Thins+Trader Joe's Chile Lime Chicken+Shredded Romaine+Red Bell Pepper+Cucumber) (261)
• Classic Mixed Veggies (22)
• Grapes & Blackberies (24)

Total Bento: 307 calories

Hot & Spicy Baked Chicken & Veggies-244 calorie Bento

Hello! I have been gone for a while - bentos, but no pictures! Bad Zetty! Well, I need to get back into the groove (resolutions and all...). So, here is the first of the year!

Bento Content:

• Steamed Tayota or Chayote (50)
• Steamed Carrots (18)
• Salad with a pinch of Bacos (16)
• Baked Hot & Spicy Chicken Breast (160)

Total Bento: 244 calories