Yep, I’m finally doing it! I’m taking a (very) much needed break for 2 weeks starting July 1st and returning on July 16th.
I’ve been posting for over 5 years straight, through the Pandemic, my husband’s declining health, and finally his passing. I love each and every one of my followers and don’t want to leave you wondering what happened.
To be perfectly honest, my intentions are to use this time to find a place to live in Pennsylvania that is near to my oldest daughter. In the year since my husband’s death, I’ve discovered that right now I can’t bear to visit that cemetery. By the same token, I can’t bear to stay in Florida without him. I’m sure that’s something that other widows and widowers can sympathize with.
So, like Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Terminator, “I’ll be back.”
Simple Real Food Recipes for Healthy Lunchbox Meals (Bento box lunch recipes kitchen)
Tired of sad desk lunches and expensive takeout? Transform your midday meal with simple, satisfying bento boxes designed specifically for busy adults.
This practical cookbook revolutionizes lunch with 70 real food recipes and strategies that help you:
Break free from processed convenience foods without sacrificing time
Master efficient meal prep techniques that fit into even the busiest schedules
Create perfectly balanced, visually appealing lunches that keep you energized all day
Enjoy diverse flavors from around the world—from Thai-inspired to Mediterranean classics
This BENTO BOX COOKBOOK FOR ADULTS isn’t just another pretty cookbook with complicated recipes. It’s your complete system for creating healthy, delicious adult lunches using simple ingredients and time-saving techniques.
You’ll discover:
The essential bento equipment guide—from budget-friendly basics to premium options
Real food foundations that eliminate preservatives and empty calories
Make-ahead proteins, grains, and vegetables that maintain perfect texture
Quick-assembly strategies for 15-minute morning prep
Five complete meal prep plans with shopping lists and weekend prep schedules
Perfect for professionals, work-from-home parents, and anyone who wants to elevate their lunch routine without spending hours in the kitchen.
What sets this bento book apart? Every recipe is designed specifically for adult palates and nutritional needs, using accessible ingredients and straightforward techniques. No more adapting kid-focused bento ideas or complex gourmet recipes!
Say goodbye to midday meal monotony and hello to lunches you’ll actually look forward to eating.
Bento for Beginners is the perfect introduction to bento box lunches and includes 60 simple recipes and helpful tips to get started! helpful tips for getting started and 60 recipes.
This bento box cookbook is filled with easy-to-follow recipes and everything you need to create a bento-ready kitchen, including the best type of bento box to purchase, ingredients to keep on hand, and how to plan for the week ahead. Discover how easy it is to make bento box lunches at home with this cookbook!
From Japanese classics to simple fusion and Western-inspired bento boxes, you’ll be eating variety-filled, home-cooked lunches in no time, with:
Tips, tools, and ingredients—everything you need to get into a regular bento routine.
Step-by-step instructions for each recipe in a box—the Timing and Prep guide will help you plan meals for the future.
Delicious recipes and bento menu suggestions—recipes such as crispy Japanese-Style Fried Chicken and sweet-and-savory Pan-Fried Potato and Carrot, and Rice Croquettes with juicy Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs with a crunchy Celery and Apple Salad.
Make bento part of your lunch routine with Bento for Beginners!
Editorial Reviews
Review
“This book teaches you basic Japanese bento (lunch box) recipes using ingredients you can easily find in the United States. Each recipe is simple (but delicious) and teaches you how to season the food to make each ingredient stand out. The colorful vegetables have a great look and provide nutritional balance. When I was a child, I loved the moment when I opened my lunch box. I always felt my mother’s affection in every beautiful and delicious detail.”―Hitomi Takeuchi, food protection manager California, founder of Coloridoh LLC (coloridoh.com)
“I own many Japanese cookbooks―including some from my favorite Japanese chefs―but I find them to be a little intimidating. I also own a collection of bento boxes that, until I read this book, I never used! What I enjoy most about Chika Ravitch’s book are the simple instructions that don’t compromise the taste and sophistication of the dishes. She makes cooking Japanese food very accessible for beginners and experienced chefs alike.” ―Andy Burstein, nutritionist
“Always looking for ways to eat healthier without expending too much time in the kitchen. Bento for Beginners was the perfect book for helping achieve this goal. In addition to the great recipes it was very helpful to learn how to improve storage life and tricks to making larger quantities (saving time in the long run).” ―Barbara W.
About the Author
CHIKA RAVITCH grew up near Osaka, Japan. After moving to the United States, she created Japanese-Food.org to share her tips on making traditional, healthy, homemade Japanese food using familiar ingredients.
(A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 24)
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE
USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.
Join Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies as they cha cha and twirl their way around Happy Trails Campground as they put on some sleuthing dance shoes to bring closure to this southern and fun cozy Valentine’s mystery. When I begged Hank Sharp to take dance lessons to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I knew I was getting more than I had bargained for. But when a dancer’s dead body shows up at the height of the competition and Hank is hired to investigate the murder, I had no idea what we were in store for when he had Dottie Swaggert and Henry Bryant go undercover as a dance competition couple to get insider information.
After a little snooping around, we discovered there were deep running feuds and passions behind those sequins and smiles that gave motive and opportunity to kill for the desires to win the most coveted dancing title.
Time is running out and we fear Dottie’s life is in danger. Let’s face it, she has a hard time keeping her mouth shut. And NO ONE puts Dottie in the corner.
I’m a Mom, a Grandmom, and a Veteran. Nothing scares me! That’s the saying on my favorite T Shirt. I’m enjoying life too much to let the little things slow me down. If you can’t tell from my Avatar, I live in Florida where I enjoy the sunshine and endure the hurricanes with good grace. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good!
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Green Up Your Plate Without Totally Ditching the Meat
200+ plant-forward recipes for the modern-day omnivore looking to eat less meat
Vegetables take center stage in globally inspired nutritious meals, perfect for anyone following a Mediterranean diet
Attention plant-curious cooks, occasional vegetarians, even conflicted carnivores—anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption. This vibrant collection fills a needed middle ground with 200+ hearty recipes that center vegetables and make meat the sidekick. (About half the recipes include some form of meat!)
Re-engineers Your Favorites with Less Meat: Swiss Chard Enchiladas, Mostly Meatless Meatballs and Marinara, Bacon and Cheese Black Bean Burgers, and Parsnip and Chicken Shawarma bulk up comforting favorites with plants, while paring down the meat.
Vegetables at the Center (with Meat as a Seasoning): Embrace anchovies, bacon, and chorizo to season a heap of vegetables with a little meat—like in our Almost Beefless Beef Stew, Caldo Verde, and Breakfast Fried Rice with Spinach and Shiitakes.
Flavors from the Mediterranean, Asia, Central America, and Beyond: Recipes take inspiration from healthful eating traditions around the world, whether you’re craving Okonomiyaki, Hot Ukrainian Borscht, Peruvian Arroz con Pollo, or Mapo Tofu.
Emphasizes Ease and Efficiency: Cooking more plants doesn’t have to mean spending more time shopping or chopping. We streamlined at every stage of our recipes—leaning on widely available ingredients and shelf-stable pantry goods—to give you time back in your day.
