Colorful Bento-ware Lunches End Plastic Baggie Waste

April 2, 2013COMtnMom

laptop-logo

Do you tire of packing your child’s lunch, and feeling like you are wasting an average of 2-4 plastic baggies per day?  I do.  I own a variety of storage containers, and use them occasionally.  But they are typically too bulky or misshaped to be able to use to pack my daughter’s entire lunch.  So at best, we had been using a combination.  But still so wasteful.  Enter the colorful Bento-ware Laptop Lunches as a fun and effective solution!

We recently tried out a Bento lunch box (laptop lunch) and a Bento Buddies set.  Here’s what we thought of how these fun, creative, and effective products helped solved our problem.

Bento Lunchbox and Bento Buddies

Bento Lunch Package

I fell in love with these the second I read about them online.  My daughter already eats in compartmentalized fashion, and I knew a Bento lunch box, or “Laptop Lunch”, could put a stop to our daily packaging waste problem.

You can purchase Bento-ware laptop lunches by either customizing which containers you’d like, purchasing them as a Bento Buddies set, or as a Bento laptop lunchbox set.

We’ve only owned them for one month so I can’t truly speak to longevity, but they seem to be of a very high quality.  The plastic is thick, and vibrantly colored.  The lids completely seal (liquid proof), and are easy to use – my 2nd grader can remove and replace them at school during her lunch.

Bento Lunch Box

bento-lunchbox purpleA Bento Lunch Box, or “Laptop lunch”, is a self-contained, reusable container for your meal.  It comes with a variety of container sizes to store your various foods – 3 of them sealed, 2 of them unsealed.   They offer them in a great variety of colors, for $23.99.

I love this concept, and feel like it aids us in packing healthy lunches.  Different sections, different food groups!  It even prompts you with cute fruit and veggie designs on the lids.

“Put some veggies in this one, mom…”,  “And now some fruit goes in here…” and so on.  There’s even a tiny container with a lid to use for dips, dressings, or peanut butter.

Here are some of the lunch combinations we’ve come up with.  You’ll notice there is an open strip along the edge for silverware (or string cheese, or a granola bar).

Bento Lunchbox - lunch idea #1
Bento Lunchbox – lunch idea #1

 

Bento Lunchbox - all sealed up
Bento Lunchbox – all sealed up
Bento Lunchbox idea #2
Bento Lunchbox idea #2
Bento Lunchbox idea #2, with lids on
Bento Lunchbox idea #2, with lids on

Note once the laptop lunch is closed – there is no handle.  And because it is so compact and streamlined in shape, there’s not really a way to include an ice pack inside the laptop lunch.  This is by design, and the intent is that you place it inside one of their carriers.

They have some cute options for carriers, totes, and sleeves.  But I do wish they had a few more styles of carriers to choose from.  They run around $18.95-19.95, and they offer some insulation and a place to slide in an ice pack.  You can also fit a water bottle along the side pocket or even inside, depending on the size you choose.  And you get a much-needed handle to carry your lunch with!

We didn’t have a carrier, so for now I went with a cheap insulated tote from a discount store for $2.95.  We slide in the Laptop Lunch, add an ice pack and her water bottle, and can zip the whole thing up and carry it with the tote handles.  I’d say it works sufficiently well.  We may look at investing in a Bento carrier down the road.

Bento lunch cheap carrier

4/9/12 UPDATE:  We have recently been experiencing a minor problem with the outer Bento-ware Laptop Lunch case.  After 2 months of use, the clasp does not appear to be grabbing as tightly as it initially did, and does not always keep the laptop lunch closed.  I have contacted the company inquiring about this.  I have not heard back, but will update you with any feedback they provide about this issue.

Bento Buddies

If you don’t think the laptop lunch size or shape will suit your needs, or if you would just prefer 4 small containers that are each sealed with a lid – take a look at the Bento Buddies.  I’ve been using these to pack my lunch at work, and really like them.  I do feel like they are encouraging me to eat better, by just quickly slicing up some fresh veggies to take along.

Bento Buddies Set

These also come in a variety of festive color combinations, and in some ways are even more versatile than the laptop lunch.  Although admittedly perhaps not quite as fun.  🙂

Bento Buddies are available online for $15 per set.

Bento Lunchbox & Buddies – Quality and Longevity

Ok, I’ve just had to update this post with the following information.  This morning I’ve already had several moms express interest in the Bento lunchbox and buddies, but they also want to know:  Just how long they will truly last?

Since this post went live, I have received some feedback from moms who currently use the Bento lunch line of products.  One left a comment (you can read it in it’s entirety below) and has had good success:

I’m a LLB user and have been for 7, going on 8 years with the original one…I’m still using the original [Bento Laptop Lunch] system and my kids are rough on lunchboxes…I can honestly say that I love and would recommend this product 365 days a year, for the last 7 years.

Laptop Lunches Bento-Ware Review

I think this is a great product line.  I love anything that is environmentally friendly and helps prevent wastefulness.  They are good quality, easy and fun to use, and our family will be using ours daily for a long time to come.

The only slight downside is the upfront investment cost.  If you purchased a kit with a laptop lunch plus nice handled carrier, it is around $38-39.  Spendier than the average lunchbox.  I wish I knew how long the carriers (zippers, etc) really last… since with my daughter, it seems she wears a typical zippered lunch carrier out each school year.  If the carrier lasts longer than that, I’d say it’s worth it.  (UPDATE:  Per the mom feedback I just added above in the new “Quality & Longevity” section, I’m now convinced it’s worth it!) The Bento-ware containers themselves will definitely last longer than one school year.

So I do I think the Bento-ware containers are a great investment.  You’ll just need to figure out the best way for your family to utilize them, while also being able to carry and chill the contents (if needed).

I was thrilled to find these!  I know you will enjoy them, too.

bento-main-image-homepage-frame-3

Laptop Lunches Bento-ware Giveaway

Laptop lunches has agreed to give one of my readers their choice of either a Bento lunchbox or Bento Buddies set.

Open to US Residents.  Enter using the form below.

Note for the first required entry:  Laptop Lunches wants you to check out their lunch ideas in their Menu Library, and leave a comment below telling them… “Which one or two menus would you pack in your new lunchbox if you won, and why?”

 

*o*     *o*     *o*

I received the two products described in this article from Laptop Lunches at no cost, for the purposes of this review.  All opinions are my own.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments (100)

  • Sandy VanHoey

    April 2, 2013 at 10:11 am

    I love the Galaxy

    1. Sandy VanHoey

      April 2, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Or the primary

  • Natalie

    April 2, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I like the Fourth of July bento thank you

  • Sunnie

    April 2, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    I like the berry blue or the primary.

  • Erin

    April 2, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    I’d pack the 5 minute bento!

  • Nancy

    April 2, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    If I won, I might pack the Baby Spinach Salad Bento Lunch and the Avocado Mango Lunch because they include foods I love!

  • Kim Daly

    April 2, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Who could resist the baby spinach salad lunch – yum! All those compartments really appeal to the OCD side of me. 😉

    1. COMtnMom

      April 2, 2013 at 3:43 pm

      lol – your comment cracked me up, Kim. I’m with ya! Food + Organization… what more can you ask for, really?! Ha

  • Kelly H

    April 2, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    I would pack the cheese tasting bento lunch. I love cheese plates and this would be a great work lunch!

  • Abbey Condra

    April 2, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    I would pack A Bento Favorite because I love avocado sushi and oranges or 5 Minute Bento because pistachios and mangos are a must!

  • Jennifer Patterson

    April 2, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Hi, I’m a LLB user and have been for 7, going on 8 years with the original one. Yup, you read it right. I purchased one for LB, 13, when he started 2nd grade. He’s wrapping up 8th grade right now. Needless to say, he’s out-grown it, but BB, 7, could wait to get his hands on it when he started 1st grade. Now, let me break this cost thing down for you. You can head to Wally World and pick up a nice lunchbox for $7, but since it is so nice and sturdy, you’ll be buying the second one right after Christmas when you’re broke because the handle broke, or the zipper ripped, or the plastic lining is cracking. What a total savings there, right? Okay, so you go through this every year, at $14-$21 a year (we go through at least 3 a year).

    Quality: I’m still using the original system and my kids are rough on lunchboxes. I gentley turn my soft case inside out and either (cringe) toss it in the wash on gentle cycle, coldwater wash, and hang on the line to dry. I also put it in the kitchen sink and use a tooth brush to clean the crevices, inside and out. I’ve even found the whole contraption stuffed under back, growing who knows what, but was able to soak and restore to perfection more that once (more like more that a dozen times).

    I, a penny-pinching, eco-conscience, momma can honestly say that I love and would recommend this product 365 days a year, for the last 7 years.

    1. COMtnMom

      April 2, 2013 at 5:16 pm

      Thank you for this helpful comment, Jennifer! Appreciate you adding your feedback. 🙂

  • Erina Dawn

    April 2, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    I love out Bento Boxes. Great way to organize food in a lunchbox.

  • Kym

    April 2, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    I would love to pack the Early Spring Salad and the Whole Grain Cakes. This makes lunch look like fun again!!

  • Jozette R.

    April 2, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    I love the ability to not only make healthy food choices (ie take a sack lunch) but also the ability to do so without creating waste. I am able to accomplish this with the bento style lunch box and “bento buddies.” I love the colors and easy organization of the bento. My son loves his bento box and he uses it daily at school. We are always telling other people about this wonderful product. We would LOVE to have this new set 🙂

  • Megan B

    April 2, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    I liked Breakfast for lunch and Fruit Salad Bento!! Would love the try these for my 4 girls!

  • Tara A.

    April 2, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    I don’t have kids, but I still find these perfectly endearing. I love the colors and would love to use it myself for taking my own lunches to work! By the way, your URL for the menus in the Rafflecopter isn’t working, but I did find the right page. I would make these menus:
    Breakfast for Lunch and Bento Fiesta.

  • Joni Owada

    April 2, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    I like the 5 minute obento

  • Colleen Maurina

    April 2, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    I would pack their A Bento Favorite and Back to Basic lunches. They both look like healthy and tasty lunches!

  • Maryann D.

    April 2, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    I would pack the Angel Hair Pasta with Sauteed Vegetables

  • Allie

    April 3, 2013 at 1:53 am

    The Bento Brunch looks good

  • Melissa

    April 3, 2013 at 2:32 am

    My son starts Kindergarten this year and I know I’ll be packing his lunches. I love the lunch ideas, especially the Fruit Salad Bento and Better than a Pancake?

  • april

    April 3, 2013 at 4:15 am

    I think I would pack Picnic Lunch and Spring Garden from the spring menus.

  • Fiona N

    April 3, 2013 at 5:01 am

    I really love the Bento Lunch Box 2.0 – Garden! It looks so pretty and colorful!
    Thanks for the great giveaway

  • Tai

    April 3, 2013 at 5:24 am

    oooh, so many choices! I like the egg-tastic bento lunch and I want to riff on the comforting bento, by having a basic grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, tater tots and some yummy sauteed greens with garlic.

  • Sarah

    April 3, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    i’d probably pack the picnic lunch and spring garden.

  • Rachelle

    April 3, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    I like the Back to Basics and Bento Snacks.

  • Dana

    April 3, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    Love the yakisoba lunch. My husband would like the Bento Fiesta!

  • Ginger b.

    April 3, 2013 at 6:25 pm

    I would pack Bowl full of Cherries menu.

  • Brandy Fisk

    April 3, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Sea and cee and hearty breaks.

  • Sadie

    April 3, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    Baby Spinach Salad and Deviled Eggs & Pasta sound great!

  • Michelle

    April 3, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    I’d try Picnic Lunch!

  • Susan DeVaux

    April 3, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    5 min. bento! Awesome!

  • lauren

    April 4, 2013 at 12:05 am

    I like the cinco de mayo option

  • Nina

    April 4, 2013 at 12:30 am

    I love to try the chili lunch or pesto ravioli

  • miranda

    April 4, 2013 at 1:05 am

    picnic lunch and spring garden

  • Alycia

    April 4, 2013 at 1:14 am

    The Bento Brunch and Back to Basic menus sound great – totally something I can do!

    acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com

  • Darlene Owen

    April 4, 2013 at 1:28 am

    I would pack Nutty Cabbage Salad

  • Marti B.

    April 4, 2013 at 1:57 am

    The bento fiesta would suit my kids really well.

  • Kristin B

    April 4, 2013 at 2:14 am

    I’d go for the cheese tasting bento lunch! How fun!

  • Kenny Hall

    April 4, 2013 at 2:54 am

    Baby spinach salad bento box! Yum I LOVE spinach. And the concept of bento boxes! Pick me, please!!

  • Sonne

    April 4, 2013 at 3:04 am

    A Bento Favorate and Arugula salad 😀

  • Cassandra Eastman

    April 4, 2013 at 3:11 am

    I’d pack the From the Tea House to the Lunch Room, for a nice little meal at the park with the kids!

  • Erica L.

    April 4, 2013 at 3:37 am

    I would pick the early spring salad

  • Karla T

    April 4, 2013 at 4:15 am

    I’d make Cabbage Pasta from the Winter menu

  • Jillian S

    April 4, 2013 at 4:17 am

    Bowl of cherries and Breakfast for lunch would be big hits with my kids

  • Steph Couponsx

    April 4, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    the Angel Hair Pasta with Sauteed Vegetables and Bento Brunch

  • Chelesa sims

    April 5, 2013 at 2:43 am

    I like the A Bento Fit for your Favorite Tike

  • Courtney

    April 5, 2013 at 3:02 am

    5 minute Bento! 🙂

  • Gaelen

    April 5, 2013 at 4:47 am

    These are absolutely perfect. I have never seen them before. I am definitely going to get them for my daughter ! Thanks for the info.

  • Janet N

    April 5, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Back to the Basics for me.

  • catherine M

    April 5, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    I would cook Deviled Eggs & Pasta because my kids LOVE deviled eggs. Plus pasta is so simple to make and any child likes pasta.

  • Practical Mama

    April 5, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Bento Fiesta and Grilled Panini are my favorites.

  • Denise Taylor-Dennis

    April 6, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    I would definitely do the Back to the Basics and Eating Beyond the Basics

  • Dominique

    April 6, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I love Cheese Tasting Bento Lunch. My son would love it and it’s filled with things that we normally have around, or something easily replaceable! Thanks so much!

  • jeannine s

    April 7, 2013 at 3:21 am

    Bento Brunch. my son would love this for the fruit and breakfast combo

  • Sara R

    April 7, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    I like the Whole grain cakes meal and the snack meal….sounds perfect for me picky eater!

  • Tabitha P.

    April 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Angel Hair Pasta with Sauteed Vegetables and the Bento Fiesta

  • Brittany Boardley Renaldi

    April 7, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    5 Minute Bento!

  • Rochel S.

    April 8, 2013 at 12:16 am

    I like the Fruit Salad Bento

  • Kelly Powell

    April 8, 2013 at 12:32 am

    I like the 4th of July Goodness

  • Josephine D

    April 8, 2013 at 12:34 am

    In the spring section, I like the 5 minute bento and the back to basic meal plans. They both seem easy and good.

  • Kimberly Kinrade

    April 8, 2013 at 12:55 am

    We had these years ago for our girls, but I think they got lost in one of our moves. Now we’re using so many baggies for 3 kids! I’d love to get sets for them again!

    1. Kimberly Kinrade

      April 8, 2013 at 1:00 am

      Oh and definitely the cheese taster lunch, and the Bento basic! But all of them look so good.

  • Arik Issan

    April 8, 2013 at 1:12 am

    A Bento Favorite Avocado Sushi – for my mom.

  • Monica-Marie Vincent

    April 8, 2013 at 1:22 am

    I’d use this for work lunches! I’m a vegetarian & it’s hard to find pre-done up work lunches. This way I could make something that would work for work! LOL Veggies, rice, vegetarian sushi, the list can go on & on about the menu items I would put in this cute & handy little item!

  • Mercedes

    April 8, 2013 at 4:38 am

    I’d pack the Cheese Tasting Bento lunch because my daughter thinks she’s a mouse!

  • Brooke Adametz

    April 8, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I like Its A Wrap and Early Spring Salad

  • Jenny F

    April 8, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Its a Wrap or the Fiesta to Go, as my little guy will eat a tortilla before he would select sliced bread! I love the fresh fruits and raw veggies, and they do well when I send them to school. I have seen the bento boxes on Pinterest, but had no idea where to find them, thank you so much for the great review!

  • Holly S.

    April 8, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    How cute! I might pack the A Bento Favorite menu (we love sushi!) and the Cheese Tasting Bento Lunch menu. Thanks! hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com

  • latanya

    April 8, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Back to Basics because it is simple and quick

  • Saver Sara

    April 8, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I’d try the Back to School – Back to Bentos

  • Jennifer Clay

    April 8, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Better than a Pancake?

  • Anne t

    April 8, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I would pack the Bento Brunch

  • kathy dalton

    April 8, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    id love the Angel Hair Pasta with Sauteed Vegetables And THE Back to Basics…WHAT A GREAT GVEAWAY

  • Jessica m

    April 8, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    My son starts kindergarten this fall so these would be great! For him I like the bento basics or fiesta menu!

  • Deborah

    April 8, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    I’d pack Egg-Tastic and Sushi Bento!

  • Tiffany Malloy

    April 8, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    I’d pack the 5 minute bento and arugula salad.

  • Claire

    April 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    The Bento Brunch looks good

  • janet benthin

    April 8, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    I would pack the 5 minute bento

  • Kathy Davis

    April 8, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    I’d like to pack the Baby Spinach Salad or the Egg Salad Muffin menus.

  • Diane Cooper

    April 8, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    The Kashi and Pineapple sounds great! The Baby Spinach Salad sounds delicious, also.

  • Nicole Bear

    April 8, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Back to Basics and Early Spring Salad

  • anne perry

    April 8, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Cashew crunch

  • Jill H

    April 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    i like the Any Weather Soup and the bento Brunch

  • Melinda T

    April 8, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    The spring garden bento looks delicious!

  • Savannah miller

    April 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    I love the back to school one 🙂

  • Claire McKeon

    April 8, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I would love Arugula Salad because I like to eat a light lunch and this looks good!

  • phxbne

    April 8, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Back to School – Back to Bentos

  • L

    April 8, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    Baby Spinach Salad, Avacado and Mango… really, I like pretty much all of their ideas. I love that they’re all healthy and most are veg friendly.

  • Melanie Johnson

    April 8, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    My kids would love the Bento Fiesta

  • nicole weiss

    April 8, 2013 at 9:47 pm

  • sandra davis

    April 8, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    i like their back to basics menu

  • cw

    April 9, 2013 at 12:39 am

    I’d do the bento brunch and bento fiesta under the spring menu
    – great ideas

  • Pam

    April 9, 2013 at 12:46 am

    I would definitely fix Bento Brunch and Bento Fiesta.

  • meme

    April 9, 2013 at 1:35 am

    I like the Eggtastic bento lunch

  • G

    April 9, 2013 at 3:00 am

    Two of the first menus I would pack in my new bento lunch box are the Japanese yaki soba lunch and the cheese tasting lunch…. Both sound great and are making me hungry as I type! LOL. I love this bento box and would love to win it. I’d use it and also would use it to pack bento lunches for my step daugter to take to school occassipnally too. We spent three years on Okinawa and yakisoba was one of our absolute favorite dishes to eat….She would absolutly love to have a yakisoba bento lunch at school one day…. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  • Suzie Williams

    April 9, 2013 at 3:45 am

    I like the breakfast for lunch box. That’s a neat idea and one I think my daughter would finish.

  • Ellen Anderson

    April 9, 2013 at 3:52 am

    I like the Navy/Plum Bento Lunch Box!

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