Bento for 2 - Lime Chicken Sandwiches & Dolmas - 458 calorie per person

This was a bento for 2 people. It contained both lunch & snack. For the sandwiches I used Ciabatta rolls and Chile Lime Chicken Burgers from Trader Joe's. The cheese was Lite Mild Cheddar cheese sticks from TJ's cut up into squares. The dolmas were pre-made - I didn't do these from scratch!

Bento Content:

For Lunch:

• Sandwich (265)
• Tomatoes (8)
• Frozen Grapes (10)

For Snack:

• Dolmas - Stuffed Grape Leaves (105)
• Cheese Stick (70)

Total Lunch : 283 calories

Total Snack: 175 calories

Total Bento: 458 calories

Campanelle Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes & Peas - 272 calorie Bento

Hubbie wanted pasta, so I had made a bit more so I could have some for my bento. The basil is from my terrace 'farm'. I have so much basil that I think I'm going to zap some in the magic bullet and freeze it to be used in cooked foods.

Bento Content:

• Campanelle Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes. Peas and Fresh Basil (250)
• Grapes (22)

Total Bento : 272 calories

Chicken Shu Mai & Veggies - 198 calorie Bento

You know how you see things in the supermarket and you never decide to pick it up? Well, I made a discovery in Trader Joe's - Chicken Shu Mai. I am very happy that I took a chance and bought some. Very yummy! One of these days I am going to try to make them from scratch, but for now... frozen ones!

Bento Content:

• Trader Joe's Chicken Shu Mai - without sauce (160)
• Classic Mixed Vegetables (30)
• Grape Tomatoes (8)

Total Bento : 198 calories

Egg White & 3-cheese Pinwheels - 262 calorie Bento

This was a very easy bento and surprisingly filling! I found these Tomato Wraps which taste yummy and filled one up with egg white omelette, Mrs. Dash Chipotle seasoning plus a bit of Trader Joe's lite 3-cheese blend. I sprinkled the cheese on the omelette while it was still hot, so the cheese would slightly melt - a little trick that helps with the rolling...the melting cheese acts like a binder in the wrap!

Bento Content:

• Pinwheels (242)
• Carrots (13)
• Strawberry (7)

Total Bento : 262 calories

Tomato Couscous & Riblets - 229 calorie Bento

I used to like the Gardenburger BBQ Riblets and they disappeared. Can not find them anywhere. Then in the supermarket I see Morningstar Hickory BBQ Riblets. I gave them a try and they tasted very, very close to the Gardenburger brand. I have found a substitute! Love when that happens!

Bento Content:

• Tomato Couscous with Corn Niblets (93)
• 1/2 Morningstar Riblets cut into small pieces (110)
• Cantaloupe (14)
• Salad (12)

Total Bento : 229 calories

Spicy Mini Turkey Meatballs & Baby Lima Beans - 271 calorie Bento

During the weekend I made a few things to freeze for when I didn't have anything handy. One of these things were the Spicy Mini Turkey Meatballs. I froze them then I nuked them before putting them in the bento (I let them cool, because then my spinach would have wilted!).

The baby lima beans were from a frozen bag. I simply took the frozen baby lima beans, put in one of those microwave bags, added a cup of tomato sauce and a pinch of Pizza Seasoning. Nuked it and that was that! Very tasty!

Bento Content:

• Baby Lima Beans in Tomato Sauce (117)
• Spicy Mini Turkey Meatballs (138)
• Campari Tomatoes (11)
• Baby Spinach (5)

Total Bento : 271 calories

Cauliflower Bake & Vaggies (192 calorie bento)

I found a perfect baking pan - exactly the right size to fit in one of my bentos. This time I made a Cauiliflower bake.

Really easy to make: Steam cauliflower, with a fork make it into crumbles. Make a mixture of eggs & egg whites, season to taste (I switch from different Mrs. Dash combinations plus a pinch of salt). Combine egg mixture with cauliflower crumbles and bake until set.

Bento Content:

• Cauliflower Bake (76)
• Olives (48)
• Taboule (56)
• Carrots (13)

Total Bento : 193 calories

Molded Egg & Wasabi Peas - 249 calorie bento

I didn't have leftovers last night and I had run out of bento fillers in the freezer, so I put something simple in a flash. I have a few molds for eggs - this one was a star. I love wasabi peas - they help me with the water intake!

Tonight I definitely need to go out food shopping!

Bento Content:

• Molded Egg (77)
• Cantaloupe (27)
• Wasabi Peas (120)
• Tomatoes (25)

Total Bento : 249 calories

Flax Seed Pinwheels w/Avocado, Bean Dip & Alfalfa Sprouts - 274 calories bento

Today's bento was easy to do. I just smashed up some Avocado with a little lime juice. Then I spread Trader Joe's Balck Bean Dip on the the Flax Seed rollup, sprinkled Alfafa Sprouts and put the avocado mash on top of the sprouts. Then I cut into 6 pieces and stuffed my bento.

The blistered tomatoes are just grape tomatoes with Herbs de Provence, olive oil spray and a pinch of salt. Cooked on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes. Very easy, very tasty!

Bento Content:

• Pinwheels (226)
• Blueberries (20)
• Blistered Grape Tomatoes with Herbs de Provence (28)

Total Bento: 274 calories

Toasted Mini Ravioli - 206 calorie Bento

This bento was a twist on leftovers. I had made Mini Cheese Ravioli that come dry in a bag from Trader Joe's. So, I just spread them in a single layer on an oven-safe pan and stuck them in the toaster oven until crispy. For dipping, a bit of marinara sauce in the little red container.

Bento Content:

• Toasted Mini Cheese Ravioli (120)
• Marinara Sauce (14)
• Cherries (24)
• Pitted Black Olives (48)

Total Bento : 206 calories

Morningstar Buffalo Veggie Wings - 239 calorie bento

I had used these Veggie Buffalo wings a long time ago, and I found some in my freezer. I decided to make some for lunch today. Good thing I inlcuded cool vegetables - I had forgotten how hot-spicy these were!

Bento Content:

• Morningstar Farms Veggie Buffalo Wings (200)
• Celery (10)
• Carrot strands (13)
• Tomatoes with Basil (16)

Total Bento : 239 calories

Plantain Squares & Cheese - 218 calorie Bento

I had made Mangu (mashed green plantains) and the leftovers I just made into squares. To make the squares I used the packaging where mashed garlic came when I bought them. I saved the plastic packaging and it has served me well for other things, like molding yucca mash, too.

Bento Content:

• Mashed Plantain squares (89)
• Pepper Jack Cheese stick cut into squares (90)
• Grape Tomatoes (19)
• Blueberries (20)

Total Bento : 218 calories

Mushroom Risotto & Mezlun Salad - 200 calorie Bento

I am growing a 'terrace farm' of sorts - it is on the 3rd floor of my apartment building. I am growing mezclun greens, among other things. This bento incorporates those mezclun greens!

Bento Content:

• Mushroom Risotto (180)
• Grape Tomatoes (12)
• Mini Peppers (3)
• Mezclun Greens (5)

Total Bento : 200 calories

Mushroom Tortellini & Veggies - 247 calorie Bento

These were leftovers and surprisingly, they tasted better today than they did last night. Go figure! The mushroom tortellini are from Trader Joe's - the ones that come dry in a bag. I added the Sundried Tomatoes and the Basil. It was less than a serving - couldn't fit more in this particular bento box - great for my portion control!

Bento Content:

• Mushroom Tortellini with Sundried Tomatoes and Basil (195)
• Mixed Veggies (50)
• Lettuce (2)

Total Bento : 247 calories

Pita Sandwiches - 364 calorie Bento

I didn't feel like cooking much for this bento - so deli fillings to the rescue! It was quite satisfying and not much need for utensils either!

Bento Content:

• Pita with Turkey 'Ham', Lite Havarti Cheese and Green leaf Lettuce (302)
• Grape Tomatoes (42)
• Blueberries (20)

Total Bento : 364 calories

Fruit, Veggies & Cheese - 233 calorie Bento

It has been very muggy around here lately, so I decided to make a refreshing bento with fruit, veggies & cheese wedges. Regarding the watermelon: I call it Reject Watermelon. This is why...hubbie doesn't like the watermelon bits that are close to the white part of the rind. I happen to love it - I find it juicy, a little tart and very refreshing. I never used to use the watermelon baller but for watermelon rescue, it is handy indeed!

Bento Content:

• Fruit Mix (110)
• Alps Cheese Wedges (114)
• Celery (5)
• Mini Peppers (4)

Total Bento : 233 calories

Chicken Roulade - 193 calorie Bento

I found an Asian supermarket that has chicken breast sliced paper thin. Perfect for Roulades! These are stuffed with carrots sliced thin and scallions. A sprinkle of Mrs. Dash, some Worcestershire sauce and trip to the oven until cooked. Very tasty!

Bento Content:

• Chicken Roulade (137)
• Mini Peppers (14)
• Corn on the Cob (42)

Total Bento : 193 calories

Balsamic Chicken Summer Rolls & Crudites - 242 calorie bento

During the summer time, I like cool-ish foods a whole lot - like summer rolls. These I made with balsamic grilled chicken, snow peas, red bell peppers, onions & raw spinach. They are perfect for bentos - so portable! You'll be seeing them quite often here!

Bento Content:

• Balsamic Chicken Summer Rolls (200)
• Crudites (11)
• Small container with 1 Tbsp. Homemade Plum Sauce for summer roll dipping (19)
• Small container with 1 Tbsp. Ken's Steak House Fat-Free Italian Dressing for veggie dipping (12)

Total Bento : 242 calories

Simple Focaccia Sandwich - 255 calorie Bento

This was an extremely fast & easy bento to put together. This sandwich is simple, but not boring! I found a 50% less fat and 33% less caloric Havarti Cheese! And it tastes like the original all calorie-high fat version. I love when that happens! The brand is called DOFINO LIGHT HAVARTI.

Bento Content:

• Sandwich (Focaccia Bread, Light Havarti Cheese, Thinly sliced Apple & Horseradish Sauce) (252 calories)
• Celery (3)

Total Bento : 255 calories

Another Bento for 2 - 299 calorie Bento

Summer weather approaches and it is time for cool-ish food! This is another bento for two - I decided to make the ultimate portable food - Summer Rolls!

Bento Content:

Summer Rolls filled with roasted chicken, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, lettuce and mint (125)

Blueberries (16)

Cherries (18)

Plum (30)

Banana - not shown (110)

Total Bento per person : 299 calories - including the banana!