Ichiban Kan

I have read about this Japanese-style online store, but finally decided to visit it. Well, I visited it shortly after it launched, and it was not inspiring to me. But now it has more bento gear on it! And at quite the reduced price compared to my current e-bay sources. Momma might have to make a few fun back-to-school purchases!!

For those of you who are interested in this whole bento style lunching (with or without an American twist) check out the site.

No Impact Man

Occasionally I read a few environmental blogs, and recently I found a blog titled No Impact Man. I love his philosophy, seen here. It ties in with this book I have been eying since last September (in fact he mentions it, and the context in which he discusses the book makes me want the book even more!) The book is titled "Cradle to Cradle; Remaking the way we make things."

Now, I'd love in theory to go ahead and try this no impact experiment. In fact, I've tried to talk Bill into getting rid of our satellite TV (even though I LOVE my TVo!) because I feel it distracts from our life - we so enjoyed our TV free week this spring! (or I did at least, and come-on, isn't it all about me!?! Oh Great & Wonderful Kay The Goddess of All Goddesses, right?) But, back to No Impact Man, the reality of this idea is harsh, and quite in conflict with EVERYONE else in society! However, I've been on a slow mission (very slow, since the deliberate decision was made sometime around 2002) to improve my lifestyle. Which, lets face it, has always had quite a strong "green" or "environmental" edge to it.

Yea, I am destined to be a liberal, earth hugging, pseudo-hippie. I'm ok with that. To a degree. So I will continue to lessen my net-impact on this earth, and continue to be inspired by those who boldly shirk societal norms in favor of their conscious. Good thing I do not personally know anyone who is as bold as No Impact Man, because rubbing shoulders with such a person would be dangerously inspiring and influential to me! And my beloved family just might disown me!

Garden Snack Bento

Another bento I packed for the girls to eat while at the garden. PB sandwich, fresh cucumber, baby carrots, and ranch dip. Annika ate half her sandwich before I packed it, so I also added a cheese stick. They ate EVERYTHING while I was working in the garden.

Van Gogh

Hey! Too cool and fun. I noticed today that I could add a Van Gogh painting of that day to my blog! I happen to really like Van Gogh and post-impressionist paintings, so I added it. Hope you enjoy a pretty addition to my blog.

A few Bento Snacks

I have been going to the garden early in the morning, and spending 2-3 hours there. I have to feed the hungry beasts breakfast before I leave (Lauren on low-blood-sugar is NO FUN!) but they demand another snack before I am ready to leave. So, WHO-HO! I get to make more bento fun!



Here are two recent bento snacks I packed for the kids to take with them. Fresh garden cucumbers, grapes and a cheese stick in one, with some flower ice packs to help keep cold. Carrots, half a bagel with cream cheese and grapes in another.

My Bento Obsession

It is back to school time, or preparation time at least. We have one month till the start of school, but I am already getting back to my bento obsession! Just today I packed a snack for the girls to take to the garden with them - bento style! (They ate it all, btw - 1/2 whole wheat bagel and cream cheese, grapes, and carrots)

Today, while perusing some of my bento blogs I like, I ran across this, from my favorite Laptop Lunches folks. What a cool, cool way to help plan a weeks worth of healthy lunches!

Returned Clippers

For those of you that were following the great Fairy-Borrowers-Gypsy debate ... the clippers have been found.

hmmmmmm, does that help clarify precisely WHAT it was that took them for a week?