Spicy Dip Bento

I was chopping some vegetables for a bridal shower tomorrow, and it made me hungry for some of the fresh and delicious veggies. So I sliced a few and put them aside for a bento dinner.

 Look at those delicious veggies! And I made a spicy dip to go along with it. YUM!

• Celery Sticks
• Baby Carrots
• Yellow Pepper Strips
• Cherry Tomato
• Spicy Dip in a Yellow Pepper Bowl (Recipe below)
• Mini Watermelons (Recipe Here)
• Crunchmaster Multigrain Crackers

To make the dip you need:

• 2 Tbsp Medium-Hot Chunky Salsa (You can have it more mild if you prefer)
• 2 Tsp Cream Cheese (I used Tofutti Vegan 'cream cheese')
• 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
• 1/2 Tsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Cumin
• 1/4 Tsp Paprika
• 1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/4 Tsp Cracked Pepper

*Adjust the spice levels to what you like.

1. Put cream cheese and salsa into a bowl and mix well breaking up and chunks of cream cheese.
2. Add spices and mix, tasting as you go to see how much spice you want.
3. Pour into a pepper bowl or a regular bowl and serve with veggies, crackers, chips, or pretzels. Alternately you could use it as a spread for a sandwich or to top a hamburger. This could also be used as a dressing for Taco Salad if you replaced the cream cheese with sour cream or ranch dressing.

Red Berry Parfait/Mousse

This easy recipe was designed to use the leftovers from the Mini Watermelons I made, But it tastes soo good I am going to write a whole new recipe for this Red Berry Mousse/Parfait.
Can be made Sugar Free/Dairy Free/Gluten Free/Soy Free/Nut Free!

The ingredients are the same for both the Mousse and the Parfait, the only difference is the mousse is made by blending the ingredients together while the parfait is made by layering them.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Red Gelatin (Red Raspberry or Strawberry would be good, but it could also be made with whatever flavor gelatin you like) [I used Sugar Free Raspberry Royal Gelatin]
• 1 Cup Boiling Water
• 1 Cup Chopped Strawberries [I used sliced frozen strawberries that I chopped and let thaw]
• 3/4 Cup Cold Water
• Choice of frozen Whipped Topping slightly thawed [I used 100% Natural Truwhip]

Directions:

1. Put contents of gelatin package into a bowl or covered container. Pour boiling water over gelatin and mix until gelatin is completely dissolved.
2. Pour mixture into your blender along with the strawberries and cold water, and blend until smooth.
3. Pour mixture back into bowl (you want it to be frothy!) and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 
4. Stir/whip the mixture and place back in the refrigerator for another hour.
5. Repeat step 4, then after that hour is up the mixture should be ready. You can also put it in the refrigerator overnight and just stir/whip it again when you are ready to make the parfait or mousse.
6. To make the Parfait take a nice cup or dessert bowl and alternate layers of the gelatine with layers of the whipped topping. The topping should have a ice cream like consistency.
7. To make the Mousse put a few scoops of the whipped topping into the bowl of gelatine and stir/whip to mix. Add more whipped topping if desired.

The Mousse should have a light and airy quality, while the whipped topping for the Parfait should have an ice cream like consistency

YUM! Which one will you choose?

Mini Watermelons

This recipe is a great idea to make for a summer cookout or a picnic, and you are sure to get a ton of compliments on it.
Who wouldn't want to feel like a Giant eating a mini watermelon?

What you'll need:

• 1 box Red Gelatine (I used sugar free Raspberry Jello)
• 4-5 Limes (I got small ones but it would work with medium or large limes as well)
• 1 Cup Strawberries (Chopped)
• 1-2 tsp Black Seeds (I used Organic Poppy Seeds, but you could also use Chia, Black Sesame, or Flax seeds)
• 1 Cup Boiling Water
• 3/4 Cup Cold Water
• Blender
• Sharp Pairing Knife
• Serrated Spoon/Grapefruit Spoon
• Bowl

Directions:

1. Slice your limes in half lengthwise, and scrape out the insides with your serrated spoon. This is the part that take the longest time. Discard the lime insides (Save the juice for some other recipe).
2. Place lime skin halves into a container large enough to hold them all so they can be filled with the gelatine mixture later.
3. Pour package of  red gelatine into a bowl and add boiling water. Stir to dissolve completely.
4. Puree strawberries with the cold water in your blender. Pour into the gelatine and mix well.
5. Refrigerate jello mixture for 30 minutes to 1 hour or until it starts to thicken.
6. Spoon gelatine into the lime shells and place back into the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. Overnight is better. You will most likely have leftover gelatine, spoon it into a bowl and let it firm in the refrigerator for a yummy snack later on. (Check out the Red Berry Parfait/Mousse I made with the leftovers)
7. When gelatine is firm, carefully slice the limes into wedges.
8. Sprinkles seeds over wedges to add the appearance of watermelon seeds.
9. Serve chilled.

Tip: These can be made with alcohol for adults!

 Here are a few of the limes waiting for me to slice them into wedges.

 Here are the wedges I already sliced.

 All ready for the seeds. They already look really cool! You can use whatever flavors and colors you want. You could make lemon gelatine in lemon peel wedges, or lime gelatine in lime peel. Or orange in orange peels. You could also make funky colored slices with different colors of gelatine.

I sprinkled the poppy seeds over the top, but you could also place the seeds on individually for a more polished look.

 YUM!

Don't they look like tiny watermelon wedges? This is a great idea for kids and adults alike. I think most anyone would be excited about these!

Healthy Breakfast Bento

Have you ever wondered what makes up a healthy breakfast? Or why certain foods are good for Breakfast?
Well this Healthy Breakfast Bento is made up of all the parts of a complete and delicious breakfast that is a great start to your day.

• Almond Milk 

Having Milk or a (fortified) Milk Substitute is great for breakfast because it has Calcium, Protein, and B Vitamins. Calcium is essential to keep your bones strong and healthy whatever your age and a serving of milk on a bowl of cereal can give you up to one third of your daily calcium requirement.
Other great choices are low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, low fat cottage cheese, and low fat cream cheese.

•  Blueberries & Cherries

Fruits and Vegetables are important to eat throughout the day, but starting your day off with some fruits like Blueberries and Cherries will give you a huge boost of Vitamins and Antioxidants. This can help you start the day off feeling great. Whole fruits are also low in calories and have filling fiber that helps you feel full and satisfied.

• Brown Rice Krispies (Gluten Free)

Having a Vitamin fortified cereal is a great idea because it's an easy and quick breakfast that tastes great and has lots of the daily vitamins you need. Why not start your day off right by eating a cereal made with whole grains and is low in sugar. Breakfast should include starchy food as this provides us with energy, B vitamins, iron and fiber. Breakfast cereals, porridge, bread, rolls, English muffins, scones, malt loaf, fruit bread, currant buns and bagels are all good sources of energy that will help you kick-start your metabolism and they’re all low in fat too.

•   Chia Seeds  

Chia Seeds and Flax Seeds are a great way to add a boost of Fiber to your day, and they are also a good source of healthy Omega 3's. Fiber is great for making you feel full and keeping you satisfied, and it also helps jump start your bowls, moving along all the stuff that's leftover from the day before.

•  Organic Mighty Mix (Organic Fruit & Nut trail mix from NatureBox)

Nuts are a great source of Protein, and they have Heart Healthy Fats as well, Some nuts are a good source of Iron as well, but if you have a fortified cereal you will be getting iron there as well. Keeping your portion small will help keep calories down. The dried fruits (without added sugars) are filled with healthy Fiber and Vitamins.


Other Healthy Breakfasts with all the vitamins, fiber, protein, and calcium are:

• Oatmeal with Fruits, Nut Butter, and Milk
• Greek Yogurt with Fruit, and (low sugar, high fiber) Granola
• Omelet with Egg Beaters, (low fat) Cheese, and mixed Vegetables
• Whole Grain Bread (high fiber) with Nut Butter, All fruit Spread and a glass of Milk
• Whole Grain Bagel (high fiber) with low fat Vegetable Cream Cheese and an Apple
• Whole Grain Waffles (high fiber) with Fruit and (low fat low sugar) Whipped Cream
• Breakfast Sandwich with Whole Grain Toast (high fiber), Egg Beaters, (low fat) Turkey Bacon, (low fat) Cheese, and Spinach

Tea Party Bridal Shower Bento

This bento is packed with leftovers from my and my fiance's Bridal Shower Tea Party. My mom made a ton of delicious sandwiches and breads (all gluten free) and I brought some of the leftovers home.
My fiance was in the mood for the leftovers today, so I placed some of them into a bento box and made a cute little Tea Party Bento for her.
Check it out:

 This isn't even all of the yummy foods we had, just some of the sandwiches, dip, bread, and fruit. We also had a few yummy salads, and tons of yummy cookies and cake.

 YUM! I'll tell you what is in each compartment.

• Blueberry Bread (Homemade Gluten Free)
• Fruit Salad (Pineapple, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Grapes)

• Cucumber Sandwich (Homemade GF Bread, Cream Cheese, Cucumber)
• Salmon Sandwich (GF Bread, Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon)

• Ham & Swiss Sandwiches (Udi's GF Millet & Chia Bread, Spicy Mustard, Rosemary Ham, Swiss Cheese)

Now this may be the most unusual part, but everyone LOVED it!

• BLT Cheesecake [Dip] (Savory Cheesecake with Bacon, Green Onion, Tomato, GF crumb crust w/Parmesan cheese, gf cracker crumbs, and butter)
• Nut thins Crackers (GF Hazelnut Crackers)

I thank my mom for putting together a delicious spread of Tea Sandwiches, Salads, Dip, Cookies, and Cake all Gluten Free ad delicious. My friends didn't know it was gluten free until I told them. :)

Healthy Snack Box Bento

This snack bento is filled to the brim with healthy snacks. Some are store bought, some are homemade, and some are right out of Nature...
I designed/packed this bento to be easily accessible for snacking throughout the day.

• Orange Slices
• Black Plum
• Applesauce Cakes (My own recipe. Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan, low calorie, high fiber, Delicious!)
• Organic Mighty Mix from NatureBox (I was one of the winners of the 'Guess How Many Almonds' Game)
• Snyder's Garden Veggie Sticks

I am so happy to have won a delicious snack from NatureBox. I picked the Organic Mighty Mix because it sounded so yummy, and I love Trail Mixes. Yummy Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruits without any added sugars or preservatives. It's filled with satisfying flavor and fiber, and I can't wait to see what else NatureBox sends out! To find out more about NatureBox and to order your own box of Healthy Snacks visit their Website at NatureBox

Now to talk abut these delicious Applesauce Cakes. While I was mixing the batter it was really dry (more like a dough then a cake batter) so I added more applesauce. And then I thought I made a mistake because it took much longer to bake then I was expecting, and they were still very moist when I finally took them out of the oven. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. They are so moist and delicious, and the apple flavor is much stronger because of the added applesauce. MMM, I definitely want to make these again! I hope to tweak the recipe a tiny bit and maybe share the recipe here!

Work it Girl Bento

Last night I put together a bento to bring to work, since I had to get up early and wouldn't have time to pack it. I used things we had in the refrigerator, and because we don't have a microwave at work, it had to be foods that could be eaten cold or room temperature. And because I was in a fun mood I wrote a little message out in Cheese.
Here's what I came up with:

• 4 Cherries
• 1 Tbsp Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
• 1/2 Orange (Sliced)
• 1 Cup Bean Salad
• Cheese Letters (I tossed them in the trash when I was ready to eat)

 I decided to give myself a fun message. ;)

 I love slicing the oranges this way, It's so fun! :) I also put pink and green heart picks in for fun.

Here it is all packed up and ready to go.
I ate it today and it was delicious. The coffee beans gave me and extra boost of energy to get through work, and the bean salad was satisfying and filling. I hope you all had a great day today! Happy Friday the 13th!