My dh says that the laptop lunch systems seem excessive when you are talking about packing a kids lunch. It does seem like some work, but at the same time, it seems worth it. But I need some people who have done this... although I find Jenn Mcann (http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_veganlunchbox_archive.html) really inspiring, she seems unrealistic to most people.

So what do you put in there? How does that work for you and your family? Does it really reduce waste or just make it so you don't have to worry about finding the lunch boxes? Do you pack them the night before? How does it all work for you?

I keep thinking of making my three eater outers (dh and the two school kids), bento box lunches with salads, sandwichs, some humus and chips, veggies and dip, sandwich tortilla roll ups, fruit, yogurt and granola, etc. And I have a plan to do this (and I am sure the cookbook that goes along with the set will help)... but I am sort of feeling like that is a big deal.

I seriously think my kids are the only ones who *hated* the laptop lunch boxes. They used them for 2 years and are begging for something new.

Val, you can PM me if you want a couple of them free of charge as they are currently in the Goodwill bag and iirc you live near to me? I am not really interested in shipping them though.


P.S. The little dip containers, silverware, water bottles, and wet lids are gone. Basically they are the four boxes inside the plastic box and the outer zippered bag left.

I honestly, the more I look at them, don't think we would use them. Dh posed good questions... Now this is what I am thinking of:
http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/91/b7/cc1b_1.JPG

and this bag:
http://www.builtny.com/VGCMS/vg_root/site_root/image/view_image.php?image_path=/home/builtny/VGCMS/vg_root/site_root/content/images/2264.jpg&new_h=300&useCache=1&image_quality=100

for both kids (Alex's of course would be more boy colors, and Don has a lunch box already so I would just be getting him the bentos)...

What do you think Rachel? Would those have worked better for your kids? I mean I can still pack them like bentos, but the handles are upright, and I can pack ONE small bento with fruit slices or somethng in it, while putting a sandwich in waxed paper on top... liquid is still an issue... I have to figure something out there... but for now, this is my plan. :)

Thanks for the offer though. I live in Olympia WA... where are you?

Val

Here is other options that my dd just found. She likes this one. :) Of course she does... its pink.

http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/99/87/729e_1_b.JPG

http://i23.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/91/b7/fcd6_1.JPG

I should not have opened this, I am bento obsessed! I've had insomnia for so long now that I sit up and look at bentos and bento lunch ideas. :eyes: I have not purchased any yet, but would love to get some for summer camp that's in a couple of weeks.

Svea's all excited about her bento stuff. I need to get on the ball and actually buy a bento box and/or a carrying bag but we have all kinds of rice molds, cutters, picks, sauce things, etc.

My kids don't go to school but we take ours out on picnics and outings away from home. We have two of the stainless steel To Go Ware "boxes". We usually make a salad for the top portion and place a main dish and/or a piece of fruit in the bottom. It fits quite a bit of food in it. The middle divider is a plate. My kids love them. It's not plastic so I have no qualms about using it for food, it gets banged around plenty without incident and my DH will use it.

I've wanted a laptop lunchbox for awhile but I'm not sure, seeing as they're plastic, that I would use it. It also seems it would be tedious for a child to remove and replace all of the pieces in it.