tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78961471115053867952024-03-14T01:49:21.635+10:00Neko MamaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-72027528375009858602015-01-14T21:22:00.003+10:002015-01-14T21:35:57.175+10:00Hairstyle File<style>.art-content .art-postcontent-0 .layout-item-0 { padding-right: 10px;padding-left: 10px; }
.ie7 .art-post .art-layout-cell {border:none !important; padding:0 !important; }
.ie6 .art-post .art-layout-cell {border:none !important; padding:0 !important; }
</style>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Getting ready for school can be a drag, so I came up with something to help speed things along. Introducing the Hairstyle File! A collection of hairstyles in a little laminated booklet for your child to choose in the morning. Simply print o</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">ut the PDF, cut into A5, laminate the pages back to back, pop in a hole punch then tie with some twine or ribbon. Presto!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDL2sQHXwHE/VLZUMooP8XI/AAAAAAAB1rA/Dv6g_smoGNs/s1600/20150114_105305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDL2sQHXwHE/VLZUMooP8XI/AAAAAAAB1rA/Dv6g_smoGNs/s1600/20150114_105305.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br />This is untested territory, but so far my daughter is very excited about having her favourite hairstyles in one place. This will hopefully help change up the boring daily ponytail and also alleviate the pressure of picking a style. I am hoping this gives my child more responsibility and also ownership on how she wants to present herself and be perceived. I think it is important that we allow our children self expression freedoms.<br /><br />I have included the little booklet I put together, however, it would not be tricky to put one together with hairstyles you are happy with. If my school allowed us to use hair products, I would love to put one together for my son, but I could imagine there are quite a number of hairstyles that would be suitable for children with shorter hair too! There are many possibilities to be had!<br />(I would have loved to have photos of my daughter with all these styles instead of web pics. Maybe that could be a project for the future?)<br /><br />I have also shared a picture of our hairstyle station, I have had this set up for 3 years now and works a charm! The wooden drawers were from Ikea (I don't think they make them anymore), and I just gave them a lick of paint. Looking a bit shabby now, might need to repaint in the near future! The labels are new this year though, as I am pushing more independence on my children, so I have made colourful labels with pictures. Pictures work really well for my children!<br /><br />So here is the link to the Hairstyle File -<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwpD2B0zKGN_NGRTLUdneVpnZHc/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwpD2B0zKGN_NGRTLUdneVpnZHc/view?usp=sharing</a><br /><br />What does your hairstyle station look like? Share a photo or comment below!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSAoCXFgtlw/VLZUMGVus3I/AAAAAAAB1q8/97hSRflU5OE/s1600/20150114_105323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSAoCXFgtlw/VLZUMGVus3I/AAAAAAAB1q8/97hSRflU5OE/s1600/20150114_105323.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="display: none;">
Created with Artisteer</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-33146837202523960782012-07-05T16:00:00.000+10:002012-07-05T16:00:03.702+10:00Pocket Sandwich and Sausage Rolls One of my favourite little tools I found in Japan was the pocket sandwich maker. I love this thing so very much, so keep an eye out for it in the future! What does it do? Removes the crust AND seals the edges to make this cool little pocket. It is easy, quick and makes filling sandwiches so much easier! For example, in Japan I purchased a Yakisoba pocket sandwich. Yakisoba is soba noodles stir fried. So in Aussie terms you could put spaghetti in this sandwich, and it will hold all the contents and be super delicious!<br/><br/>In Miss A's sandwich I put a little avocado and mayo concoction. Her kindy lunches are refrigerated so be careful with mayo in an uninsulated lunch box. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/7470751574" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7470751574_8b356501a4_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1341034944952.5574" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div> <a name='more'></a><br/><br/> The second part of this bento is the sausage roll. I'll share up my recipe. It uses very few ingredients and doesn't take long at all to cook up. These are great for lunches either hot or room temp.<br/><br/> So, just to clarify what's in Missy's bento today, avocado and mayo pocket sandwich, pork sausage roll, banana chips,cheese and carrot sticks. <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-48155512600448069172012-07-02T16:00:00.000+10:002015-01-14T21:37:54.309+10:00Brrrm Brrrm Home LunchOne thing I think we forget is bento isn't just for out and about, we can make fun lunches at home too! At home lunches are more fun, because you have more time to make it (well I find I do, rather than the 20 mins I have in the mornings). So for the school holidays I have tried to make lunches similar to those they take to school. Master D loves his cars so I made them both car themed lunches today. Did you know girls like cars too? Mine does ^__^ <br />
<br />
So here is what I put together.<br />
<br />
Pink milk, car shaped sandwiches, beans, snowpeas, rice cracker, mini marshmallow, carrot, grapes and kiwi fruit. A very colorful and healthy lunch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/7470748458" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7470748458_3445c62d4a_c.jpg" height="669" id="blogsy-1341034494354.2227" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Need some more inspiration? How about this wonderful lunch?<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<img src="webkit-fake-url://7BEDDD98-4E3B-42F4-B01D-DAF167E4848B/imagejpeg" /><br />
<blockquote>
For more see: http://www.funkylunch.com/gallery.htm</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<div id="blogsy_footer" style="font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" height="20" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-24297115968009850452012-06-28T22:46:00.000+10:002012-06-28T22:46:02.570+10:00Home full of sick...I'm sorry I have been very quiet recently. Life has been a whirlwind since we got back from Japan. I got sick on the airplane home, then my son split his head open (don't even ask about that!) and picked up a lovely virus from the hospital. It's now gone through everyone except me, and I am not looking forward to it. So I am sorry things have been slow. I am hoping to start putting up my previous lunches to catch up and also to share the new lunches I will make for term 3. I also have some bento goodies to sell soon! If you would like anything in particular let me know!<br />
<br />
Lots of love to all my wonderful readers! I appreciate the time you take to read my little part of the web.<br />
<br />
x Neko MamaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-62628556276279339202012-06-17T16:28:00.001+10:002015-01-14T21:37:21.591+10:00Neko Mama's Simple Apple PieApple pie would have to be the one thing I crave the most. I'm not a chocolate girl, I prefer juicy apples wrapped in pastry. Oh! And don't forget about the cinnamon! (sorry about the picture, we demolished half of it before remembering we needed to take a picture!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/7384454992/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7384454992_7ef35b4890.jpg" height="500" id="blogsy-1339914915795.3845" width="500" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Today is a good day for comfort food. Last night I was awake more than I'd hoped. My son has been sick, now my daughter and husband are sick. It made for a very sleepless night. For some reason the thought of having a hot apple pie kept me sane as I got out of bed for the umpteenth time at some ungodly hour. So I couldn't wait to get started! When I want a recipe I usually check out google first, then I have to scour through which ones I can make with limited ingredients. Today, I wasn't very lucky with any recipe I found, and decided to just "wing it". I had no eggs, was in no mood for a heavy apple and pear pie (which I can make by heart now), didn't like the look of not preboiling my apples like some traditional recipes, and also didn't have the time or patients to make my own dough. So, this is my frankenstein-esque apple pie, using lots of inspiration from several other recipes. I do have to admit, it turned out so much nicer than I thought and gave me that super juicy apple pie, which was light enough on the sugar and dough that the children were able to have a little bit. (stewed apples are a huge hit when they don't feel well).<br />
<br />
So enough talking about it, try it out yourself! And if you do make it, let me know if it worked as well for you as it did for me. ^__^<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nekomama.com.au/index.php/recipes/non-bento/53-neko-mamas-simple-apple-pie" target="_self" title="">Recipe is Here</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://nekomama.com.au/index.php/recipes/non-bento/53-neko-mamas-simple-apple-pie" target="_self" title="Neko Mama's Simple Apple Pie"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-69935271490789940472012-04-26T17:00:00.000+10:002012-04-26T17:00:01.173+10:00FreeNut Butter and Celery Bento While I'm still excited with it I thought I'd try something different! Here I out FreeNut butter in the bottom of a silicon cup and put in some celery sticks. This wasn't a bento I had planned on either, completely last minute have-to-make-lunch-in-10-minutes type of lunch. But hey! If you have your fridge and cupboard stocked you can while up this in no time!<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/7098234629" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7250/7098234629_7f1e011648_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1335261566022.4912" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div> Corn thins and babybel cheese, grapes, FreeNut butter and celery, mini wafers (a very special treat!)<br/><br/> As you can see, not the best bento I've made, but it's not rubbish either! This one came home empty! Hitting the right notes lately!<br/><br/>Take care!<br/><br/>x Nya! <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-1288776051251980652012-04-25T09:49:00.001+10:002012-04-25T10:03:01.022+10:00Anzac Day Today is Anzac Day, a day we remember those brave soldiers that fought for our country. <br/><br/>I would like to share this poem that brought a tear to my eye. I have relatives, like most Australians, that fought in the war. I had grandparents that served in hospitals and on the battlefield. I am weary of watching the news, as I can't bear watching the world at arms with each other. I fear for war again, fear for the safety of my family and friends. I hope if that day comes, I can stand strong and be brave. But for now, I will remember those who were lost, those who wept and those who returned without their companions.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>A Poem for Remembrance Day<br/><br/><img src="http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/tff/images/poppy.gif" id="blogsy-1335312165922.831" class="aligncenter" alt="poppy" width="163" height="161"> <br><p>"The inquisitive mind of a child" </p>Why are they selling poppies, Mummy? <br>Selling poppies in town today. <br>The poppies, child, are flowers of love. <br>For the men who marched away. <br>But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy? <br>Why not a beautiful rose? <br>Because my child, men fought and died <br>In the fields where the poppies grow. <br/><br/>But why are the poppies so red, Mummy? <br>Why are the poppies so red? <br>Red is the colour of blood, my child. <br>The blood that our soldiers shed. <br>The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy. <br>Why does it have to be black? <br>Black, my child, is the symbol of grief. <br>For the men who never came back. <br>But why, Mummy are you crying so? <br>Your tears are giving you pain. <br>My tears are my fears for you my child. <br>For the world is forgetting again. <br/><br/>Author Unknown <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-20404997147721826622012-04-24T19:59:00.001+10:002012-04-24T19:59:14.982+10:00Vegetable Pancakes! My daughter requested pancakes for dinner, to which I was willing to comply. I then had a fleeting thought midway making said pancakes, "what if I added carrot and zucchini?" I passed on my thoughts to Miss 4 and she said it was a good idea. So I had to last minute alter the recipe and pray that the vegetables didn't cause the batter to become too runny. Well, the result was amazing!! They were so yummy the kids ate them all up and asked for thirds! Even husband loved them! So I quickly wrote down the recipe to share. Please remember I was going to make normal sweet pancakes, so they do have sugar and a dash of maple syrup (subbed for the vanilla extract that's gone missing). Seeing as I was going to make them sweet, adding the veges made it healthier and OMG so much tastier! I will be doing these again! I have to make another batch though as there is nothing left! <br/><br/>Think of the bento opportunities with these also! A sweet but healthy snack in the lunch box. If you've packed not other sweet things than why feel guilty for the small amount of sugar in the pancakes? It looks like an odd recipe, but try it out! For bento I'd make them piklet sized to fit into the lunchbox. Because of the self raising flour they don't roll at all. If your clever and have some egg frying molds or even pancake molds you can make them in cute shapes!<br/><br/>Ok, so here is the recipe - http://nekomama.com.au/index.php/recipes/bento/52-vegetable-pancakes<br/><br/>Enjoy!!<br/><br/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-80917923155645024702012-04-23T17:00:00.000+10:002012-04-23T17:00:21.079+10:00Not-So-Peanut Butter Jelly Roll Bento Today's bento is a bit of an experiment! We aren't allowed nuts or eggs at kindy so I have found a wonderful product from Coles called FreeNut Butter. It's made from sunflower seeds. To me, it looks, tastes and smells the same! But I'm not fussed on peanut butter. I can't remember how much it was but it was about the same price as peanut butter anyway. So to test it out I made a scroll, which is crust less bread flattened with a rolling pin. Added the freenut butter and strawberry jam then rolled it into a scroll. Verdict? Miss A says, Delicious!<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/7098234171" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7195/7098234171_78a2458de2.jpg" id="blogsy-1334992372858.7393" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> What's inside? FreeNut butter and jelly scrolls, pork and tofu meatballs, grapes and strawberries, carrot, cucumber and a babybel cheese. <br/><br/>I have to admit, this one came home almost empty! With just a few extra bits of carrot and cucumber left over. It's a satisfying feeling when they've eaten it all! <br/><br/>Take care!<br/><br/>x Nya! <br/><br/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-71328649876521550512012-04-20T20:11:00.001+10:002012-04-20T20:11:25.012+10:00Website Update! Hi there lovely friends, I have been nutting away getting my website all sparkly and new! I have still been bento-ing and have lots to share very soon! www.nekomama.com.au is now integrated alongside my blog and if you look closely you'll see my store in the making! Please note everything is just testers, so unless you would like to send me donations, please don't use the cart system just yet!<br/><br/>Hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday! We enjoyed our time together as a family, and thankfully avoided the chocolate overload. Im ashamed to admit I am one of the very few women who doesn't love chocolate! We all enjoyed BBQ's and gummy lollies instead! I've also shared up a very yummy chocolate chip cheesecake that I made for my husbands birthday, so have a sneaky peek! I'll also have to back date Miss A's Pony Party and the fun food we made including jelly oranges and rainbow fruit kabobs. The pictures aren't overly wonderful, but they are documented non-the-less! Oh and I will have to share the marshmallow fondant I made for her birthday cake! First time making fondant and honestly, was so much easier than I had thought. I expected hours upon hours of work and mess, when in reality it was pretty simple!<br/><br/>So lots to look forward to, the future is always bright! Take care friends and you'll see me around soon!<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-10609885001505347352012-03-11T14:32:00.000+10:002012-03-11T14:32:00.070+10:00Little Bunny Foo Foo - Kawaii!!!<p> Ok I know the book is little rabbit foo foo but bunny is so much cuter! I am thoroughly enjoying my new bento tools and OMGoodness the rice ball molds are so much easier than plastic wrap in cookie cutters! Tis had to be one if the quickest thrown together pieces, and the cutest! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6794328859" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7173/6794328859_295bd40498.jpg" id="blogsy-1330749145260.6477" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><a name='more'></a><p> Can you tell I've got some new cutters too?? If you can afford to get them, do it! I am going to source some to sell in Aus so keep an eye out! Loving my bento tools!</p><p>So, we have rice bunnies with bows and nori faces (love my nori punches too!) cheese flavored sakatas, little cup of peas and corn (straight from a tin!), left over scraps of carrot, ham, cucumber and flower cheese. My daughter doesn't mind 'scrappy' bits under the 'pretty' bits. No wastage, and everyone is happy. Ahhh so cute!! </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6712559071" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1330749145268.0002" class="alignnone" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-73704013529141456092012-03-07T14:23:00.000+10:002012-03-07T14:23:00.118+10:00A Token of Love - Ginger and Soy Recipe<p> Doesn't have to be valentines day to show your love! I love sneaking little love notes or symbols into my hubbies lunchbox. It's fun, and he doesn't mind at all!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6794332369" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7175/6794332369_d25a69bd6c.jpg" id="blogsy-1330748605337.4163" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><a name='more'></a><p> In today's lunch we have rice with たまごふりかき (egg rice seasoning), tamogoyaki, ginger and soy beef and vegetables. </p><p>Here is a quick and easy way to make up any meat product for bento! </p><p>You will need:</p><p>1 x chicken breast OR 200-300g meat (beef, pork) </p><p> 1 tbs ginger (fresh or store bought, I have the jar kind)</p><p>3 tbs soy sauce (or more if you love soy sauce!)</p><p>Salt and pepper to taste</p><p>So, very, very basic recipe for very, very tasty meal! Simply cut up your meat the night before. In the morning pan fry using soy and ginger instead of any oils. I have pretty awesome non stick pans so maybe a tiny bit of peanut or sesame seed oil if you have some. Start with your pan on high heat until meat is seared, then turn down to cook the middle on the meat. Fry it until just cooked, you want juicy meat not dry! Keep adding soy sauce if it gets dried out. When meat is cooked, transfer to a wire cooling rack or even a cold plate to help cool it down. Don't pack into your bento box until it is almost completely cooled! You don't want to run risk of spooling your other foods. </p><p>Now just eat the meat with your rice and maybe accompanying vegetables for a very tasty treat! The rice should need no sauce or seasoning thanks to the super intense flavor of the meat!</p><p>If you just want vegetables or add vegetables use the same measurements. I love soy and ginger though, so play around with the proportions to suit your own taste! I can't get enough of soy and ginger. I put it on everything!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-43913873453177724532012-03-04T10:00:00.000+10:002012-03-04T10:00:02.620+10:00Happy Birthday to My Little Man! - Choo Choo!!!<p> It's that time of the year again, I have 3 birthdays within 2 months. My sons, then my daughters and then my husbands. My children are only 51 weeks apart so birthdays have always been joint, however, this year I decided they were old enough to have a separate birthday celebration. I put my sons a week ahead, and put my daughters a few days after her birthday so I had some breathing space! Thankfully they don't know it's early or late. Who knows what's going to happen when they are older! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6802050014" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7048/6802050014_15e445f00f.jpg" id="blogsy-1330751232448.3677" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="431"></a></div><a name='more'></a><p> </p><p>We had a small gathering of family and friends for Little D's birthday this year, nothing overly fancy. I felt a pang of guilt knowing it wasn't as extravagant as last year, but was comforted seeing him so happy and excited on the day. At this age they just want the smiles, the family, the attention and the love. I'm so glad he still felt loved even though I didn't go all out. </p><p>So here are a couple of happy snaps along with the first 'candy' oriented cake I've done. I had 3 hours to bang the thing together! I am quite pleased with the result! I'll share my favourite cake recipe as it makes beautiful molded cakes! Cream cheese and butter of all things!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6802050660" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7064/6802050660_ebcded0bd3.jpg" id="blogsy-1330751232423.0024" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Pound cake with store bought frosting!!!!! Now remember I only had a few hours to put this together the night before so no judging my store bought frosting! Cost more but saved me so much time!!</p><p>Lifesaver wheels, snakes cut in thin slices for the carriage definition, mini and large marshmallows for smoke stacks, chico babies for cable links and buffers, smarties for 'coal', Choc rocks as sprinkles on the island and lollipops for.... Well, general decoration? I haven't really used lollies for decoration before so I was somewhat surprised how well it all worked. I was at the shops for so long trying to find things to work with. I think I did ok first time around :) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6948158573" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7208/6948158573_751c2e2639.jpg" id="blogsy-1330751232387.555" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><br></div><p> My little critic seemed to love it all the same!</p><h2><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">Cream Cheese Pound Cake</font></h2><h3><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">Ingredients:</font></h3><ul><li>Butter (337.5 g / 1 1/2 cups)</li><li>Cream Cheese (225 g / 1 bar)</li><li>White Sugar (565 g / 3 cups)</li><li>Eggs (375 g / 6 pcs)</li><li>Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)</li><li>All-Purpose Flour (340 g / 3 cups)</li><li>Salt (1 tsp)</li><li>Rum (3 tbsps)</li></ul><h3><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4">Directions:</font></h3><p>1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line two 8″ round pans.</p><p>2. Cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth.</p><p>3. Add sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 mins)</p><p>4. Add eggs one at a time to creamed mixture, beating well until combined. Mix in vanilla.</p><p>5. Combine the flour and salt and sift together. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in two additions, mixing until just combined.</p><p>6. Pour into the prepared tins and bake until golden and tester comes out almost clean (just a few crumbs attached). This will take about an hour or more.</p><br>Sent from <a href="http://www.paprikaapp.com/">Paprika Recipe Manager</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6948158093" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7051/6948158093_e776f2a720.jpg" id="blogsy-1330751232399.3604" class="alignnone" alt="" width="460" height="500"></a></div><p> Hope you all had a lovely day! Next project, My Little Pony Party! Lots of rainbows to make!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6712559071" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1330751232399.1396" class="alignnone" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-61438228490430567462012-03-03T14:05:00.001+10:002012-03-03T14:05:28.223+10:00Princess and the Panda - Sandwich Bento<p> I have been trying to figure out the exact amount of food to send to kindy. At home she eats all the time, but I think she is so distracted at school that she doesn't eat as much. So today, nothing was left at all! I think I am getting the hang of little Miss's portion size!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6873451983" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7202/6873451983_64bc8e0e78.jpg" id="blogsy-1330747491461.8967" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><a name='more'></a><p> So today's lunch consists of, ham and cheese princess sandwich, babybel cheese with a stack of crackers underneath, homemade mini cupcake, a boiled egg and some wobbly jelly!</p><p>I regretfully cannot put anymore Baran into her lunchbox (the cute rabbit and panda) as it is considered a choking hazard to the children. There's always next year! I also cannot sent boiled eggs either, as there are anaphylactic children in her class. I feel terrible because I did not know this earlier. I have already sent her with eggs and Tamagoyaki in the past. Save it for home time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/Neko Mama/6712559071" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1330747491426.1177" class="alignnone" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-90468534141875036942012-02-17T17:41:00.001+10:002012-02-17T17:44:44.900+10:00Be my Valentine <3 Hubby BentoAn, valentines lunch for the husband. He does adore his lunches, even when they have hearts plastered everywhere. I try most days to send love in his lunch, but tried especially hard this morning to show how much I love him. <3 He really enjoyed his lunch and even sent me a pic of how the lunch had fared in the trip to work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873422747" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="374" id="blogsy-1329464425216.4116" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7038/6873422747_09cd41bd06.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">I try to keep use similar ingredients in both adult and child Bento's to both save me time, and it's easier to monitor the right balance. I have the same pinkish rice, eggs, and salads. Hubby gets more of a heartier protein and meat component now, seeing as he is still a growing man. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873420255" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="374" id="blogsy-1329464425247.1895" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7193/6873420255_f6e351e9e2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Bottom tier: Pink Rice, chicken and capsicum stir fry with a corny heart (hehehehe punny!) The chicken is tossed in ginger and soy sauce. Original recipe is from Maki's book Just Bento. (I love this book!!!)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873421467" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="373" id="blogsy-1329464425225.6125" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7037/6873421467_c2df1c64a3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Top tier: A Rose Garden Salad. Tomato roses, mixed green salad leaves, lovely eggs, carrots and baby beets carved into hearts (oh my this was a challenge and the photo doesn't even show them well!) <br />
<br />
Hope you have enjoyed my Valentine themed Bento's! 会いしています。<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="128" id="blogsy-1329464425227.8176" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-48390019624226274092012-02-14T13:37:00.001+10:002012-02-14T14:21:58.303+10:00Be my Valentine <3 Kindy Bento<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to separate all my super awesome valentine bentos into their own posts over the next few days! I think they deserve their own posts. I am also going to attempt my first video tutorial! Maybe, if I can get the iPad to record properly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, this is today's love filled bento for my gorgeous little girl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873425963" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="clearleft" height="373" id="blogsy-1329190738783.531" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7037/6873425963_3ebfe1a468.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="blogsyText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I experimented with a few things that both were successfull and not so successfull. Take for example my 'pink' rice that just looks a wee bit off, and the eggs I tried to dye. To obtain the 'dyed' rice you substitue your dye for water in preparing the rice,<span class="Apple-style-span"> I used beet root juice for pink. I also boiled eggs normally in water, then placed them in a bowl full of cold dyed water. Next time I will add more juice and less water when making the rice, and maybe I'll peel the egg before putting it into the dye. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873450623" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="373" id="blogsy-1329190738780.496" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7050/6873450623_8d03c930b2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Little hearts cut out of the wax of babybel cheese! I'll post a better step by step instruction if your keen on learning the easy way!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873449477" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="clearleft" height="500" id="blogsy-1329190738817.6172" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7177/6873449477_5aef8d95cc.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">My tomato roses! How cute are they!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">One new trick I learned was the rose Tomatos. I made these the night before, and they stayed pretty firm when handling this morning. I can't confirm they still look this good at school, but I am sure they're mostly still rose like. Thinking about it now, I could've used some dry spaghetti to skewer it from the bottom, or even a tooth pick, but I need all food to be edible and non-choking hazard. I've been getting in trouble at school for having picks and Baran :( </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually had to make the heart onigiri without a proper rice mold! I don't have one yet! *eeeeep*! I had to get creative so I used my good old' cookie cutters. Something I don't think I'll try again in a hurry as it was very time consuming in comparison to my rice molds. It's do-able, but painful. I used a bit of glad wrap over the cookie cutter, spooned in rice, covered the back of the mold with remaining glad wrap and somewhat pushed through the rice. I tried to make the back as flat as possible, but i didn't fret too much as it would be the underside of the rice ball. Looks great on top!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6873424333" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="clearleft" height="373" id="blogsy-1329190738833.678" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7208/6873424333_5a0f74658e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div class="blogsyText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So enough chattering, here's exactly what's in the bento. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tomato roses with some chopped up beet root, mini Choc cupcake, boiled heart egg, skates underneath a lovely babybel cheese and three heart shaped rice balls with I <3 U on top in carrot (if you look really hard you can see it!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope she felt the love today! I definitely put a lot of love in there! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="128" id="blogsy-1329190738834.3984" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-47551523916071789782012-02-07T11:44:00.001+10:002012-02-07T12:17:02.886+10:00Little Girls Sandwich Bento<p> This morning I wanted to try and be a bit more typical Aussie with my lunch and use the sandwich. I ask the Missy every morning sandwich or rice, and she chooses rice most mornings. But today, sandwich it was because shes not eating her rice lunches as much as the sandwich ones. She'll eat all her rice but leaves the rest. Which is unusual as she eats it at home! </p><p>So here it is, I can wholeheartedly admit I went a bit overboard. And that the whole thing will be a shambles when she went to school. I have to find a way to 'stick' everything down. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! </p><p>I added her name, as she is learning to write her own name, she even recognized and told me it was her name ^__^</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6833132381" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7158/6833132381_030f39c5d5.jpg" id="blogsy-1328580986552.72" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> </p><p> Chicken loaf and cheese sandwich. Devon, tomato, chicken loaf and cheese little girl. Cheese letters. All leftover cut out prices have been added on the left side. Pickles on the bottom. Peas and corn in a cup and a cherry tomato. </p><p>Now, what did I learn about today's Bento. Well, kyaraben takes a lot longer than I planned on. While its hot the cheese doesn't come out of the stencils as easily as they should. I had to punch so much cheese to get those letters to work! Let's hope she eats all her lunch today!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1328580986633.9167" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-13783013514112229952012-01-31T17:39:00.001+10:002012-02-01T15:26:26.473+10:00Monday Morning Madness - 3 Bento's in one Morning!<p> Monday is the only day that we are all out of the house. Mummy and daddy go to work, Missy goes to kindy, and Little Man goes to grandma and grandads house. We need to all be ready and out the door by 8am to get everyone dropped off at the right location. It requires a 6am start, short showers, lots of team work and a night of preparation. But once it is set in motion, we are becoming a well oiled machine! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794327259" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7005/6794327259_f63a73fc4c.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945883.0771" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><a name='more'></a><p>So it all starts with the night before, I plan out my Bento for adults and for Missy's (well try to but I can be honest enough to say I don't always prepare and this leads to chaos the next morning). I chop up as much as possible, set everything out and get to bed. Then in the morning, all I need to do is put on the rice cooker, get the bread out of the bread maker, fry up the veges and chicken and pack into boxes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794328101" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7175/6794328101_9d1fb182be.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945859.9094" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some Pre softened and cut out carrots! The specific vege cutters are just a dream!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794326183" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7152/6794326183_f26fd9e905.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945903.087" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Pre cut chicken thigh and capsicum, allowing the salt to draw out moisture from the cucumber and cabbage. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Today's bento recipe came from Maki's Just Bento book! It's actually the bento on the cover. </span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794330731" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7002/6794330731_5ec891c66b.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945827.2585" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794329933" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7155/6794329933_ab236eaa76.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945887.0308" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p>Ginger and soy chicken with capsicum, rice and pickled cucumber & cabbage. With a mini side salad. I used my new Zooney bento box my gorgeous friend in Japan sent! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6794331553" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7167/6794331553_aface3db57.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945923.0847" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p>Missy's kindy lunch is a teddy bear party! Ham and cheese teddies, phylli cream cheese and sakata crackers. Lettuce, carrot hearts, cheesy hearts, pickled cabbage and cucumber and 2 very happy party tomatoes. </p><p>Notice that there are the 'offcuts' of the carrot shapes too! Who said you needed you discard!? If you look super close to adult bentos there are off cuts of carrot that didn't form a full circle, so I tossed them in with the chicken and cucumber. You just have to be creative! As for bread off cuts, I ate them for breakfast! Can't go past fresh bread!</p><p> Don't forget to sign up to receive updates or check out my Facebook page. Keep an eye out too as this blog may be moving to its own domain! Hooray! I have the website in the works and am very excited! As always, いってrはい!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1328073945903.816" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> </span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-24994636679090568202012-01-25T19:37:00.001+10:002012-01-28T12:20:38.526+10:00First Day of Kindy Part 2<p>First day of kindy, the pressure was on to make an appetizing bento to make her feel special at her new school. I tried to keep it basic, but also fun! I was a complete and utter mess making this bento. Sobbing and tearing up along the way. I was positive to get the tears out of the way so I could be big, brave, mummy on the day. I think I did rather well. I kept it together on the morning! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757783499" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7003/6757783499_5a1941bf4d.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232562.6582" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="362"></a></div><p> </p><a name='more'></a><p> </p><p>Oh, I also need to mention the gorgeous lunch bag, snack bag and lunch box! As I posted previously I went with the Eco lunchbox, and Missy chose the oval one, as she didn't like the rectangular 2-tier one. (Daddy has that one now!) The lunch bag was made by Missy's Nanny and the snack bag was provided by the school, and decorated by Auntie M. So enough rambling ^__^ Here are some pics!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6773712747" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7006/6773712747_4dac17ecac.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232533.6938" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> </p><p> Main Lunch : Ham and Cheese sandwich cut with crown and heart Lunchpunch, I've then added more ham and cheese on top to add more meat and cheese. As you can see it was very hot! I ended up getting another slice of cheese and doing it super quickly! There is more ham scrolls as fillers, with cherry tomatoes with hats. Carrot sticks and rice crackers for dipping in the Phylli cream cheese (with a cute little panda Baran). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757789357" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7164/6757789357_8db5afcc51.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232582.2827" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p> The entire lunch unpacked. The snack bag included: Banana, Choc Chip Meusli bar, Honey and Choc koala and friends cookies, Jalna yoghurt with frozen berries and toasted Meusli. (I guess a yoghurty parfait?) The strawberry shortcake knife and spoon set is so adorable! It's adjustable to full size but slides down for compact transport. It does have chopsticks but I just foresaw them going missing do omitted them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757787021" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7008/6757787021_a961793e04.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232534.6606" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="374" height="500"></a></span><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The water bottle is called Bobble, and has a filter attached to the mouthpiece. I was set on stainless steel for this one as well, but decided against it for a few reasons. I'd heard that stainless steel doesn't keep water, which means you'd have to refill and rinse out every day. Nope, not for me! Also this filtered system means I can fill up at any tap (drinkable water) and it will filter out nasties! Also, it lasts 2 months! And when replaced we get a whole new mouthpiece. Goodbye germy mold living under mouthpieces! I even bought one for the Hubby and he is enjoying it too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757788309" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7155/6757788309_fec586b023.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232612.062" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="374" height="500"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>So here is her lunch bag, packed up with bento box, cutlery, snack box and water bottle! All sitting upright and easy to get out and unpack at drop off time! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I'm hoping to start putting in some more traditional bento items but didn't want to freak out the teachers on first day. I know my day care mum was always so surprised my children ate rice for lunch! </span></p><p>Hope all of your first days went well! I look forward to sharing this years full of kindy bento! I already have lots of requests from the little Miss. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1327717232536.3958" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div></p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-34509751072155055572012-01-25T17:10:00.001+10:002012-01-25T19:45:09.959+10:00First Day of Kindy Part 1<p>Im separating this into 2 parts, personal and bento. So skip to the next part for write up on Little Miss' lunch. </p><p>So when did this happen? It seems like only yesterday I had my ultrasound photo and video of this squirming little baby growing so contently inside me. Now, she is this compete little human being, complete with giggles, curls and non-stop chattering. She loves and laughs, cries and demand comfort, creates stories with her toys and loves to paint and draw. I'm so proud, as any parent should be, of this little girl. We have tried our hardest to nurture and encourage her behaviors, and life skills at home, getting her ready for the next stage in her life. I hope we have done enough to prepare her. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6759404997_2497498de4.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6759404997_2497498de4.jpg" id="blogsy-1327484666632.7705" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="480" height="720"></a></div><a name='more'></a><p>So how did the drop off go? We both made arrangements with work to be able to be there and spend as much time as possible. She was so excited she couldn't wait and ran right in. We put away her bag, her lunch, drinkbottle and sheets. Then we applied the morning set of sunscreen. She then went and starting sticking and making a collage. We all sat around her, while she created. We then decided to leave, we got hugs and kisses and went back to what she was doing. No tears, no worries. To be honest there were no tears from any children! It was so quiet and peaceful in the classroom, a scene straight from the butterfly room in toy story 3, complete with the calming music. I think the teachers did a great job reassuring the children it was a safe and calm environment. I, however, just held it together. We stopped down the road to grab a coffee and wind down before going to work. I think I even saw a tear in daddy's eye as we sat quietly with our coffees, wondering what wonderful and amazing things our daughter was doing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757782453" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7008/6757782453_5ca2f8c3ce.jpg" id="blogsy-1327484666647.813" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="374" height="500"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6757785721" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7007/6757785721_22c99802dc.jpg" id="blogsy-1327484666640.051" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="374" height="500"></a></div><p>Overall I think it was a wonderful day. She cannot wait to go back, so all I can assume is that It was a wonderful experience for her. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712559071" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1327484666561.2515" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-50502505911470261452012-01-17T14:37:00.001+10:002012-01-17T14:37:51.023+10:00First Bento of 2012<p>Well it's been a lovely Christmas period and I've enjoyed my lunch making break, but also very excited to get back into it. I was very fortunate to receive a wonderful box of goodies from my lovely friend in Japan (thank you so much!!!) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712496971" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7170/6712496971_eee4428c41.jpg" id="blogsy-1326775038489.433" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="374" height="500"></a></div><a name='more'></a><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So in my box of Japanese goodies, among the chocolates and candy, was some seriously かわいい (cute) bento accessories! Well, I couldn't wait to give it a whirl. My little Miss starts kindy NEXT WEEK (oh my!) and Monday was the last day of daycare, so here is her final day care lunch! Using some of my lovely new tools including Panda Baran! Flower rice molds and little hat toothpicks. </span><br></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712499911" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7148/6712499911_3a18920861_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1326775038550.119" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/71564187@N03/6712498367" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7162/6712498367_ca71f88f9d_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1326775038498.1978" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p> So what do we have? </p><p>Top tier (left) Flower onigiri on a bed of lettuce, with pork, beef and tofu burger patties. Mixed beans and carrot & zucchini kinpira.</p><p>Bottom tier (right) Rice crackers, phylli cream cheese, cherry tomatoes with hats, peas and corn, carrot and celery sticks. </p><p>My daughter came home and couldn't stop raving about her panda and her tomatoes with hats. She told me she ate it all up and wanted it again. Bless! I am getting nervous about her starting kindy, but I am sure she will be fine!</p><p>Take care! いってらしゃい!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6712559071_daf580c0e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1326775038580.2205" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-71519392936473794392011-12-29T19:47:00.000+10:002011-12-29T19:49:21.513+10:00And the Lunch Box is....Lunch Box Raid.... I think we have a winner!<br />
After relentless searching I am going to go with the ECO Lunchbox sets! I found a local company in Ormiston that sells them too, so no wasted packaging on my eco friendly lunch boxes!<br />
Why did I choose these ones? The stainless steel, the open-ness of the boxes that allowed me to create bentos that some of the others inhibited. The second set is stackable! And the clips look pretty easy for a toddler. (Plus if i get lazy, or if requested, I can fit a whole sandwich!)<br />
<br />
I am still going to go and touchy feel the boxes to make doubly sure it is what I want. The planetbox and Goodbyn were tempting but it is all too seperated! It just would be too difficult to fill some days I think. I am planning on getting both sets, mainly because you need flexibility and options. One lunch box isn't enough, you need a few to play around with. I am a little sad she can't use her cute strawberry bento box, but she'll be old enough to use it soon.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxoval.html">http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxoval.html</a><br />
<a href="http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxsquare.html">http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxsquare.html</a><br />
<br />
Aren't they cool? Mr N was very unsure about the boxes, mainly because they are 'industrial' looking and are very 'plain and dull'. So I also got to searching and am going to buy some vinyl decals to decorate the lid. Yay! I just won't put the lid in the dishwasher and hand wash the base of the lid. <br />
<br />
I'm feeling very pleased with myself. One down, lots to go!<br />
<br />
xx Neko MamaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-69779190598979447272011-12-28T13:43:00.001+10:002011-12-28T13:43:44.586+10:00Kindy Preperations!<div>Christmas has just come and gone in a whirlwind and now I find myself researching myself stupid looking for sheet sets, uniforms, name labels, backpacks, shoes and worst of all, lunch boxes. </div><div>Making bento the last few years we have been spoiled with the ability to unpack and repack the bentos. At kindy, they expressed the need for a lunchbox the child can both open and pack away by themselves. After watching my daughter struggle with the usual tiered boxes with elastic bands I knew I was in to find an alternative. And then I got to thinking what would staples be for her lunches, what design flaws are in the mini tiered bento systems? I know they are mainly for rice dishes, so whenever I try and smush cut out sandwiches I never fit enough to cover the same amount of carbs as the rice. So a bento box/lunch box that is square enough to fit a sandwich but spacious enough to allow me to make a bento without it being a sandwich and piece of fruit lunch. </div><div>I have so far scoured the Internet 2 days in a row searching for the best and most useful one for us. I don't care how much I spend as long as I have something that will last the whole year. </div><div>If you've followed along you'll see I do have a large looking lunchbox made by Nude Food Movers. These were great, for the first few months. My children only used these one day a week and the hinges broke after a few months. We had 4 boxes total and they are all broken after a year. Disappointed, but at $10 a box maybe I shouldn't complain?</div><div><br></div><div>So here is the list i have compiled. If anyone has any suggestions, reviews, comments on any of these to make my life easier, please let me know!!!!</div><div><br></div><div>Options:</div><div>Laptop lunchbox</div><div>http://www.lunchboxeswithlove.com/lunchboxes/80-bento-system-20-flower.html $50</div><div><br></div><div>Ecolunchbox (2 sizes)</div><div>http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-2-piece-set-oval-round-bpa-free.html $20</div><div><br></div><div>http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-3-piece-set-rectangular-bpa-free.html $27</div><div><br></div><div>http://www.babygrowsafe.com.au/ecolunchboxrectangle/prod_233.html $24</div><div><br></div><div>Goodbyn</div><div>http://www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au/p/1127065/goodbyn-lunch-box-pink.html $35.20 after 20% off</div><div>Code SC-BOX</div><div><br></div><div>Nude Food Movers</div><div>http://www.nudefoodmovers.com.au/Range/ $10</div><div><br></div><div>Planet-box</div><div>http://www.planetbox.com/pictures.html $?</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-76105253373948471072011-12-09T09:35:00.000+10:002011-12-09T09:35:00.148+10:00Cooking Lull<div>Don't know about anyone else but I seem to find myself in cooking lulls every now and again. Something will disrupt my normal routine and I get so out of sorts I cannot function properly. Lately I've been working a lot more than I would've liked to as my manager took holidays. So I was working rather irregular hours and more of them. I went from cooking 3 meals a day (yes, cooking for breakfast lunch and dinner) to barely being able to scrap together a decent meal for dinner even on my days off. </div><div>I get quite disappointed when this happens because I feel like I let my family down. Don't misunderstand me, they still eat. Cereal, toast, spaghetti tins, sandwiches, fish fingers, ol' 3 veg garden salads, store bought biscuits etc. I don't cook them proper meals or snacks. I also understand that this is the norm for most Australian families, but I have noticed when I actually cook and prepare nutritional meals 3 times a day everyone (especially my husband!) feels happier, healthier and more content. As to opposed right now I've got my dirty old grumpy pants on that I get when I've not eaten properly. </div><div><br></div><div>So enough complaining about it, what am I going to do about it? Right now, not much I can do. We have just done the shopping for the next fortnight without meal planning (another sign of me just not caring!) You know planning ahead is one of the best ways of keeping on track. The amount of mornings lately I've woken up and gone, it's too hard to think of what to make you for lunch hubby, just buy something (OH MY IM HORRIBLE!) But it's honest and it's true. I have to have preprepared at least the rice or defrosted the meat the night before unless I want to be up from 5am making lunch. </div><div>I assume also silly season is attributing to my lack of concentration and ability to cope. I have hopes of making gingerbread men, gingerbread house, sugar cookies, pavlovas, chocolate mousse tortes, roasts, bakes and more. Without preprep I doubt I'll get anywhere. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess it's time to stop complaining about my lack of preparation and get to preparing! </div><div><br></div>Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!<br><br><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr6MKHfBeV0/TpGGhTnuXyI/AAAAAAAAANI/Ncn80gkPaRw/s1600/sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr6MKHfBeV0/TpGGhTnuXyI/AAAAAAAAANI/Ncn80gkPaRw/s320/sig.png" id="blogsy-1323214552430.5137" class="" width="320" height="128" alt="" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 6px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 0px; "></font></a></div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896147111505386795.post-33552576797564680802011-12-07T10:00:00.000+10:002011-12-07T09:10:04.242+10:00Cleaning Tip #2 - TimersTimers can be an excellent tool to help you stay on track! I love my iPhone and the ability to time things. It can really be the difference, for me, of completing something or forgetting altogether!<br>Just now I've put the washing machine on, and I know it take 1 hour to do it's cycle. So if I set the timer for 1 hour, I can take the washing out as soon as it finishes! Before realizing I should time the wash I pretty much always forgot about it and would have that damp smell on the clothes which would mean another round in the washing machine. <br>If you washing machine is close by, you don't have to worry! But mine is downstairs and I can't hear it!<br><br>Another great timer idea is for spot cleaning. If your anything like me cleaning is a daunting task. I can cook for hours but cleaning, nah uh! So give yourself a time limit, 15 minutes works well, and clean for that time only. When the timer goes off congratulate yourself on a job well done! (even if you didn't finish the task!) A bit done is much better than nothing done at all! <br><br>So give the timer a go! Set yourself a few timer tasks a day. 15 minutes cleaning your bedroom, 15 minutes scrubbing the bathroom, 15 minutes ironing. I know you can do it! After all, 15 minutes is no time at all, I guarantee you'll be pleased with your efforts!<br><br>Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr6MKHfBeV0/TpGGhTnuXyI/AAAAAAAAANI/Ncn80gkPaRw/s1600/sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr6MKHfBeV0/TpGGhTnuXyI/AAAAAAAAANI/Ncn80gkPaRw/s320/sig.png" id="blogsy-1323212958943.9204" class="" alt="" width="320" height="128"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156897920215970514noreply@blogger.com0