INSPIRATION - Bento Boxes

I don't do a lot of inspiration posts . . . but I really should, because it means I don't actually have to cook anything or (attempt to) take pretty pictures.

Today's obsession: BENTO BOXES!!!

I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture. It's almost like some weird parallel universe, where at first glance it's kind of like America...but definitely not. At all.

Anyway, I'm sure a lot of American kids got their veggies arranged in a half-assed smiley face. But I certainly didn't (which is fine --- cheddar cheese tastes just the same either way). The closest I came to something like that was when my dad would make Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes on the weekend. That was exciting. But imagine opening your lunchbox to find THIS:

OR THIS:

Or even something a little more adult, yet still pleasing to look at:

Bottom line is, aside from the fact that it's art, and that I totally want to eat a Pikachu (did that come out wrong? I think maybe it did) . . . I love the idea of small portions of a lot of things. I'm a sucker for variety in my meals. I'm not one of those "eat all of your potatoes then move on to the meat" type of eaters. And this is a perfect way to get tons of variety in a healthy, smaller portioned way.

Now I only need a job so I can pack myself bento boxes for work lunch! ^_^*