Business-Love Chick Bento

At first I couldn't decide if I wanted this to be a Rilakkuma and Friends bento or a Homer Simpson bento. I guess I kind of went into the middle there - and what was supposed to have a Harry Potter element in it ended up being a lonely business man. Around him is an easy-peel banana (with lime juice), my favorite fruit - olives, some stewed kidney beans, carrots and brocolli. The rice is a mix of annato, turmeric and the usual brown and white rices. Of course his chest has a slice of avocado for his shirt and tie.

Business Love Bento Ingredients:

Avocado

Nori

Olives

Celery

Brown and White Rice

Carrots

Brocolli

Bananas

Stewed Kidney Beans

Heart Sticker (....not edible)

I hope that you enjoy! ^^



Monster's Inc Bento (Mike and Sully)

This bento is probably one of my favorites - everyone in the house loves Monster's Inc and this bento makes them look more like little kids. What kid wouldn't want to see a smiling Mike and Sully in their lunch with plenty of tasty food? And don't let the word "haggis" put you off - there are some delicious haggis meatballs made with bulgur, lentil and oats that are extremely delicious.

Monsters Inc Bento Ingredient List:

Two Brown and White Rice Balls

Nori

Carrots

Steamed Brocolli

Cucumbers

Tofutti Cheese

Cubed Asian Pear

Celery Sticks

I hope that you enjoy! ^^



I've Won The "Liebster Award"!

Yesterday I was given one of the greatest gifts ever by a fellow blogger, Marina of the CowboyCountryVegetarian. That gift was the Liebster Award and is only given to those who have less than 200 followers on their blog as a way to encourage them and to sort of say "You have a great blog!". Not only does this tell me that I'm doing a good job (so far) with my blog - it makes me especially happy and honored to receive an amazing award for it!

There are some rules that you have to follow as a receiver of this award:


1. Acknowledge (comment) the blogger, that awarded you and link back to person's blog.
2. Nominate five blogs and let them know by leaving comments on their blogs.
3. Copy and paste award on your blog.
4. Enjoy this moment and spread the happiness around.

My Nominees:
BentoAnarchy
Bread Without Butter
Bentobird
Peng's Kitchen



You all have amazing blogs that really stick out in the crowd! ^^ Ever since I've joined the "blogging community", you and many others have been my inspiration and motivation to keep blogging! You'll all be receiving notifications about this on your comment sections soon!

Homemade Cocoa Krispies

This is more of a "toss around" food since all you need is five or six ingredients to make it - making it very simple. I prefer to make my own cereal for this because I prefer bitter foods moreso than I do the normal cereal and I can control the taste a bit better. Added to the fact that brown rice cereal is used doesn't make it half bad either.

(Cocoa Krispies Ingredients)

• 1 Cup of Puffed Rice Cereal (preferably Brown)
• 1/4 cup of Cocoa Powder
• 2 tbl of Raw Sugar
• 1 tsp of Neutral Oil
• Agave Nectar to taste

(Directions)

• Toss your cereal with the oil and coat with the sugar and cocoa powder.
• Sift the excess cocoa powder and sugar off of the cereal and place onto a parchment paper-covered pan.
• Toast at 250 degrees for about five minutes or until you can smell the taste of cocoa has changed.
• Add in a drizzle of agave nectar, some fruit and serve in a bowl with your favorite non-dairy milk
• Enjoy!

Bert and Ernie Bento

Its a little bit of simplified (mouth-less) Bert and Ernie on top of some extra-simple mini pizzas in a bento filled with fresh brocolli, cucumbers, spinach, cubed sweet potatoes and carrots. The pizzas were extra delicious and quick to make as they simply had a slice of tomato, garlic, herbs, red onion and olive oil on top of a whole-wheat cornmeal crust! On top there's a tiger-shaped pudding cup filled with raw vegan chia, mango and avocado pudding.

Bert and Ernie Bento Ingredients:
Soy Cheese
Tomatoes
Carrots
Nori
Brocolli
Cucumbers
Sweet Potato Cubes
Spinach
Red Onion and Tomato Pizza

I hope that you guys enjoy! ^^

Year of The Dragon Bento

It looks more like a puppy than a dragon - but that's okay because it makes it that much more adorable. As normal, this bento is quite healthy and filled with loads of fruits, vegetables and legumes that would give your little dragon lots of energy. I had some slices of char siu leftover from my last seitan-session so I decided to put them in the bottom bento. This is all pretty and colorful but my favorite are the little rice "packets" that are cubed to make them easier to pick up with chopsticks or fingers.

Year of The Dragon Bento Ingredients:

Starfruit

Blanched Brocolli and Brussels Sprouts

Seitan Char Siu

Julienned Carrots

Peeled Parsnips

White and Brown Rice Packets

Mixed Beans

Nori

Soy Cheese

I hope that you enjoy it!

Breakfast Bento

My first (and simplest) non-kyaraben bento, normally I don't photograph these types - but this was too adorable!

Breakfast Bento Ingredients:
1 Lightlife Sausage
Scrambled Tofu
Oatmeal Yogurt
Steamed Kale
Blackberry and Dark Chocolate Pancakes (Whole-Wheat)

It was a great and filling breakfast that only took thirty minutes to prepare - I hope that you enjoyed my first non-character bento!

Oat Milk Yogurt

I've never thought of making my own yogurt, as it seemed to be a bit complicated with just reading all of the (healthy) bacteria contained in regular vegan and non-vegan yogurts. I also knew how easy it could be for certain unwanted bacteria could be transferred with the ones that would make the perfect yogurt, but since now I am on a "fiscal fast" for a week or two, I've decided to try it out after I made some delicious and thick oat milk. I'm not sure what I will eat the yogurt with quite yet, but in another day or two I will have yogurt that tastes just like my favorite.

(Oat Milk Yogurt Ingredients)

• 2-3 cups of Oat Milk(recipe below)
• 1/4 cup of Extra Water
• 1 tbl of Apple Cider Vinegar (or Lemon Juice)

(Oat Milk Ingredients)

• 4 cups of Old-Fashioned Oats
• 5 cups of Water (or more)
• 1/2 cup of Raw Sugar

(Directions)

• For the Oat Milk: Blend together until completely milled. Strain and then place into a heated pot to warm slightly.
• After it has cooked slightly, you can strain it again and then put some in a ceramic bowl or a warm electric crockpot for your yogurt.(If you feel that the milk is too thick, add more water before warming or setting into the yogurt process.)


• For the Oat Milk Yogurt: After combining with the acid and water, cover the yogurt-filled bowl with a clean cotton cloth that will allow good breathing room and set in the sunlight of a clean area.
• Let it sit overnight and check the taste. If you enjoy it and some of the water is gone (there should still be a bit on top), then you can let it sit in the fridge. If you did not use a bowl, keep the crockpot out of the sunlight and let it warm gently, taste and refrigerate when you feel necessary.
• Enjoy!

Its even better after the second day and a little bit in the fridge - so take the time to enjoy and place into any recipe that you desire!

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal

Delicious, crunchy and extremely easy to make - these are a healthier alternative than the boxed cereal and can be made at any time. This is a soy-free dish with lots of oat milk, seeds, raw sugar, cinnamon and low fat oils that the whole family will most definitely love.  Just add a squeeze of agave nectar (if you want it really sweet), some more flax seeds, your favorite fruit and you're ready to enjoy a nice homemade breakfast. This meal also has a raw vegan and gluten-free alternative.

(Regular CTC Cereal Recipe)

• 3/4 cup of White Whole Wheat
• 1/4 or 1/2 cup of Raw Sugar
• 1/8 tsp Turmeric
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tbl Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 2 tbl Chia Seeds with cold water
• 3 squeezes Agave Nectar
• 1 tsp of Canola Oil
• Enough (gluten-free) Oat Milk to mix

(Regular CTC Cereal Directions)

• Mix all of the dry ingredients together with a spoon first,then mix in the wet ingredients.
• Knead about 40 times. Let the dough rest for about ten minutes.
• Roll the dough out as thinly as you like. The more thickness it has, the less crispness and the less time it will last on the shelves.
• Cut your squares, slather with oat milk and sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until fully browned and crisped.
• Fix your bowl of cereal and Enjoy!

(Raw Vegan Cereal Version)

• 1/2 cup of Ground Flax Seeds
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/2 tbl of Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tbl Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 5 tbl of Raw Agave Nectar
• 1/4 cup of Raw Sugar
• 3 tbl of Gluten-free Oats
• 2 tbl of Coconut Oil

(Raw Vegan Cereal Version Directions)

• Grind your dry ingredients together, mix in the wet, and cut into thin squares.
• Dehydrate or "bake" at 150 degrees for a few hours until fully dry.
• Add to your favorite fruit bowl mix or serve with non-daiy milk.
• Enjoy!

I hope that you like these two different recipes!

Barn Animals Bento

I think that I'm an okay bento artist - but I know (and I know that you know) that I'm a horrible photographer most of the time. I think that this picture was taken at night with a closeup, so that bit isn't entirely my fault. But the bento was still delicious and I was able to use the basic furikake that I love on these tofu sticks. So I hope you can look over that and enjoy the rest. ^^

Barn Animal Bento Ingredients:
Brown Rice
Sticky Rice
Tofu Sticks (baked with furikake)
Nori
Parsley
Radishes (some used for pig)
Roasted Bok Choy
Beet Juice
Uncooked Spaghetti (for pig ears)

I hope that you guys like it!

Low-Fat Thunder Cake with Avocado Icing

I first had Thundercake in the second grade, as most people have. I was so disgusted as the teacher read us a story about putting tomatoes into a chocolate cake. But I was entranced by the rest of the story (as rain is my favorite weather condition) and the description of it, so I gobbled my large slice down and was in heaven. It was absolutely chocolatey, fudgy and above all - moist. You couldn't even tell there were tomatoes in the cake and I as I side-eyed my teacher, I noticed the huge tin of tomatoes to the side of the empty cake mix box. I'm so sorry for doubting you, my wonderful teacher.

(Low-Fat Thunder Cake Ingredients)

• 1 cup of Raw Sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cups Cocoa Powder
• 1 and 1/2 cups White Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup of Black Chia Seeds (soaked in cold water)
• 4 tbl of Coconut Oil
• 1/4-1/2 cup of Veggie Oil
• 1/2 can of Tomato Soup (or 3/4 cup of Pureed Tomatoes)
• 1 cup of Non-Dairy Milk
• 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 scraped Vanilla Bean

(Avocado Icing Ingredients)

• 2 Mashed Avocados
• Juice of 1 Lemon or Orange (and a tsp of zest)
• 1 pound of Icing Sugar

(Directions)

• For the icing/frosting: Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
• Mix together as you would with any other cream.
• Place in the fridge to absorb flavors and then serve on top of cake later.


• For the cake: Sift your dry ingredients (except the sugar and cocoa powder) together and set aside.
• Then, cream together your sugar, the veggie oil and coconut oil.
• Mix in your seeds once they have fully absorbed the water and then add in your tomato soup and cream together until the soup has blended somewhat.
• Stir in all of your cocoa powder.
• Alternate mixing in the rest of the wet and the dry ingredients.
• Place into a cake pan, tap on the kitchen counter or table about 20 times and bake for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean from the middle.
• Let it rest for about 2 hours, serve with your frosting and enjoy.

Happy New Years Rilakkuma & Friends Bento

This is the cutest (and healthiest) bento that I've ever made! I was going to make the little chicken out of the rice or the falafel, but decided that the two bears were just right (get it?) for this bento. Surrounding everything I have lots of fresh "foraging space",  wild strawberries, fresh water, cashews and lots of other delicious things that a growing bear needs.

Bento Ingredient List:

Italian Parsley

Brown Rice

Sticky Rice (with Soy Sauce)

Carrots

Wasabi Peas

Strawberries, Carrots, Raw Radishes and Parsnips

Cashews

Nori

Soy Cheese

Uncooked Spaghetti Noodles (to hold up ears)

Mini-Bottled Water (fake Sake)

Falafel

I hope that you found this bento to be just as adorable and delicious looking as I did!