Cookware for a Healthy Kitchen » Cooking

Bento Lunch Box

Kitchen Diva — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:38:19 +0000

Bento Lunch

Bento boxes are well known for their use in Japanese restaurants as a serving plate for meals. It is fascinating to see how much food will fit into the lacquered compartment boxes. They are typically used for packing a lunch to go, either for work, a trip, or school. Early versions of the Bento box date back to the 1300s in Japan, and the wooden and lacquered boxes originated around 1600. On Japanese rail lines Bento box meals were served on train trips during the late 1800s. And in the 1920s the use of aluminum Bento boxes became customary. In more recent times the popularity has spread throughout the world and they are now manufactured in a myriad of materials, from inexpensive plastic disposable versions to hand crafted lacquered showpieces.

Bento boxes can also be used in creative ways as storage boxes. Their unique designs are made into stacking boxes, nesting boxes, boxes with removable inserts, and a variety of other styles. Storing jewelry is a popular way to use a Bento box. I have used them as an organizer to separate different vintage charms, and as a compact way to keep my jewelry with me when I am traveling by air and do not want to leave it in checked baggage. Their divided trays are also nice for separating beads and findings for creating jewelry. Other storage uses are as an office supply organizer, sewing supplies box, a crafts box and small kitchen utensil holder. Their colors and shapes will liven up any home space.

Favorite places to find Bento boxes are on-line in marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. The colorful and stylish variety is amazing, and they come with lots of interesting lunch recipe ideas. They can also be picked up at local thrift shops and oriental supermarkets. And recently large retailers like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel have jumped on the Bento box craze and stock their shelves with upscale versions of the little Japanese lunch tote. Where ever you choose to source them I think you will love using Bento Boxes to organize your home in a decorative way.

Visit my showcased Bento Box storage website, where I've selected some of my favorite Bento Box storage suggestions, and also my vintage charm store, The Charm Cellar, for collectible vintage charms.

Bento Lunch

Hello Kitty Sushi Rice Mold Mould Seaweed Cutter Bento
US $4.73

Kotobuki Tamagoyaki Japanese Omelette Pan New Skillets Pans All Cookware Dining
US $28.25

Bento Lunch Cloth Rilakkuma A
US $15.99

Bento Food Container Lunch Box Rilakkuma
US $22.99

Bento Food Container Lunch Box Kutusitanyanko
US $22.99

Bento Food Container Lunch Box Sentimental Circus
US $22.99

Bento Picnic Lunch Box Rilakkuma
US $69.99

Bento Thermal Lunch Box Rilakkuma
US $75.99

Bento Lunch Plastic Cup Rilakkuma
US $14.99

from AMAZON

EasyLunchboxes 3-compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers (Set of 4) BPA-Free. Easy-Open Lids (Not Leakproof)
Sale Price: $13.95
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Zojirushi SL-JAE14 Mr. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar
List Price: ~~$65.00~~
Sale Price: $45.99
You save: $19.01 (29%)
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Stainless Steel Vegetable Cutters #K8444 "100% Made in Japan!!"
Sale Price: $3.55
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Kotobuki 280-129 2-Tiered Bento Box, Panda Face
List Price: ~~$22.00~~
Sale Price: $9.99
You save: $12.01 (55%)
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Mercola Healthy Cookware Vs. Aluminum Cookware

Chef Pro — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:07:10 +0000

More consumers are now questioning about the origin of the foods they're consuming. As the public becomes more aware about the special feed given to the beef they are buying, the old fashioned grass fed beef is becoming more popular. The American Grassfed Association standards say that cattle should be fed only with their mother's milk and grass.

When buying, look for "grass-finished" or "grass-fed" on the package. However, they are not easily available in big meat shops and most grocery stores in the United States. Usually, beef that has been grass-fed is produced by small farms and are directly offering their products to the consumers. A good place to start your search will be your local farmer's market. Due to high demand of grass fed beef, the price is quite inflated. To save money, buy it in wholesale price - box of assorted cuts, a big share of the animal or the whole animal itself and divide it with like-minded friends.

Sometimes, you can also find it in specialty meat and natural-foods markets. If you are in Alabama, you have Boutwell Farms that produces pastured pork and grass fed beef. Their products are revealed to have high amounts of DHA, CLA, Omega 3, vitamins and minerals. Restaurants operating in Georgia, Alabama and North Florida areas are clinging on their products. You can also opt for Happy Chappy Ranch, another known grass fed beef producer in the state.In Arizona, there is Date Creek Ranch. This is one of the oldest farms that offer directly to the consumers. They have strict adherence to feeding the cattle with grass.

Another source is the 14,000-acre Double Check Ranch. The ranch produces high-grade grass-fed meat. In Mississippi, Blackwater Farms is definitely a well-known name when it comes to producing grass fed cows. It is relatively a small farm but is capable of producing A-Grade grass fed beef. It also produces pastured turkey and chicken and grass fed lamb. Another top producer in Mississippi is Gloryland Farms. The farm also supplies pastured chicken turkey, pork, chevron, and real free-range brown eggs. Virginians can also take pleasure in steady source of grass fed beef. On top of the list is the Autumn Grove Farm. In the 90-acre farm, cattle are raised naturally. There is also Briarmead Farm. Still a new player in this area, it has produced a steady supply of naturally fed beef. There are still other farms that are committed in raising and harvesting cattle the right way.

To fasten your search, you always have the internet for more information. Websites including eatwild.com, localharvest.org, eatwellguide.org and americangrassfed.org provide helpful directories for you to locate grass fed beef in your area. If you can't find it locally, then opt for mail-order or online stores. You may try any of the following: Hardwick Beef, Lasater Grasslands Beef, La Cense Beef, Mercola, or Tallgrass Beef. A growing number of people now are going natural in terms of beef consumption. With many more farms offering grass fed beef and more consumers becoming interested, the price is going down and it is becoming more available to consumers across the US.

The Caveman Diet, also called the Paleo Diet, is based on traditional food that humans are supposed to eat. Grass fed beef, organic fruit and vegetables, and nuts and seeds are the basis of this diet. Many people experience dramatic health benefits, including weight loss, from eating traditional these foods.

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The Mercola Healthy Cookware

..made of ceramic, was put to the test against one of the most popular cookware material, aluminum.

5pc Mercola Cast Iron Cookware Red
US $64.99

Extrema Ceramic 10 pc Cookware Set 14 pc Teaware Set AND 8 pc Bakeware Set
US $299.99

Stoneline Cookware

Chef Pro — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:50:45 +0000

Check out Stoneline Cookware...

This is a revolutionary new cookware with a stone-tough interior coating that resists scratching, even with metal utensils. These heavy-duty nonstick pans come with a 25-year warranty and are designed for healthful, oil-free cooking.

The interior coating is made of three layers of an exclusive, revolutionary nonstick material which contains microscopic, stone-hard, reinforcing minerals that enable Stoneline products to deliver superior scratch-resistant performance – even when used with metal utensils.

The company offers a 25-year warranty on this product.

The nonstick coating is made for healthy oil-free cooking without sticking or scorching. All you need to do is season the pans once lightly with oil. This method simulates cooking on hot stone – a method popular in Asia.

Of course, you CAN use oil with Stoneline pans if you wish.

Stoneline Cookware Video

Earth Pan Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
List Price: ~~$199.99~~
Sale Price: $115.24
You save: $84.75 (42%)
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Ceramic Marble Coated Cast Aluminium Non Stick Fry Pan 30cm(12 inches)
Sale Price: $28.50
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Stonedine Stoneline 11" Eco-friendly Stone Coated Non-stick 2pc Frying Pan Set /Glass Lid
Sale Price: $109.95
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

STONELINE STONEDINE ECO FRIENDLY NON STICK 11 Technology GERMANY Frying pan
US $82.00

STONEDINE ECO FRIENDLY NON STICK 11 STONE COATED FRYING PAN W GLASS LID GERMANY
US $95.00

STONELINE ECO FRIENDLY NON STICK 11 STONE COATED FRYING PAN W GLASS LID
US $95.00