Darth Vader bento

top: kiwi- strawberry-champage grapes, cheddar bunnies, cucumber and carrot (balsamic dip on side)
bottom:  Darth Vader sandwich made with nori and cheese.

Feel Good Whole Grain Salad

I tried a yummy looking salad at Whole Foods the other day called "5 Grains, 5 Greens".  It was absolutely addictive to me.  I made my own version at home and this is what I came up with.  Equally good, and you can mix and match grains/greens!  Here is a list of some grains and greens along with the associated benefits.

Feel Good Whole Grain Salad

1 bag cooked  Riz Rouge Camargue Red Rice Blend  (of course you can use any mix of rice or grains, I used a pre-mix for convenience)  *I cooked mine in vegetable stock.
2 cups cooked Pearled Barley
3 TB balsamic vinegar
2 TB of goji berry juice (or something similar to add a mild sweetness)
1 cup cashews
1 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
6 cups of mixed mustard greens, young kale, spinach, and red swiss chard washed well and chopped

Let grains cool and add the juice, vinegar, cashews, and cranberries.  Mix well.  Add some chopped greens to the grain mixture and enjoy.

I keep a container of both the grains and the greens in the fridge and mix individual portions together right before I eat.  I have enjoyed this for breakfast as well as lunch.  It is a very filling and satisfying dish.

BBQ Ribs Bento

left:  cornmeal & blueberry muffin, mammoth cheddar cheese, chocolate pretzel, green beans, corn & tomato & cucumber salad in cup, strawberry & kiwi & blueberry
right: dry rubbed ribs, bbq sauce on side

The Typical Bento Lunch

The sunbutter sandwich is still a lunch favorite. We do branch out from the 'jelly' as in this sunbutter, banana, and honey sandwich.

left: green beans, cherry tomatoes, kiwi, blueberries
right: sunbutter, banana, and honey sandwich & cheddar cheese, with cheese elephant