Carrot sticks, orange cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken thighs on linguine with black & white sesame seeds, baby spinach, and avocado with rice vinegar and togarashi.

Bento box for Feb. 18, 2013: Short-grain rice with togarashi, black and white sesame seeds, and ground chia seeds; pieces of carrot and red pepper; arugula; orange cherry tomatoes; slow-cooker roast beef with red wine gravy; avocado with s&p, garlic & chile powders, lemon juice, and powdered yuzu.

Bento box for February 12, 2013: short-grain rice with togarashi, black and white sesame seeds, unsalted cashews, and ground chia seed; pieces of chicken strips; edamame; carrots and celery; avocado with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice; a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha sauce.

Sorry for the radio silence all! I was unemployed for about 8 months, so I wasn’t worried about portable lunches at all.

The good news is, I’m working again! As well, I’m trying out an online course called Bento 101. If you’d like to join me on this adventure, check out http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-courses-2013

Bento box for April 18, 2012.  Rice with shichimi togarashi and white sesame seeds, edamame and cherry tomatoes, salad, mini babybels, chicken and soy sauce-sesame-rice vinegar dressing for the rice.

Bento box for April 16, 2012. Leftover sushi rice with shichimi togarashi and white sesame seeds, edamame and cherry tomatoes, salad, mini babybels, and chicken to put on the rice.

Bento box for April 13, 2012.  Leftover pasta + sesame-rice vinegar dressing, edamame, salad, carrot sticks, and a couple babybels.

The rectangular bento box we brought back from Japan.  It has a built-in freezer pack!

The square-ish bento boxes we bought in Japan