Grab N Go

Bento
101 Lunchbox Menus for Busy People

Copyright 2011 by Amy Hemmert and Tammy Pelstring. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the authors.
Morning Run Press

Santa Cruz, CA USA

$9.99

Seasonal Menus
Spring
A Bento Favorite .................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Arugula Salad .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Mexican Mango ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Back to Basics.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Bento Brunch ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Bento Fiesta ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Bento Snacks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Cashew Crunch .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Chili Lunch.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Early Spring Salad ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Vegetable Roll-ups .............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Grilled Panini ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Its a Wrap! ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Somen Noodles ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Japanese Yaki Soba .............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Kasha & Pineapple ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
Spring Garden Bento .........................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Roll-ups & Asparagus.........................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Spring Rolls & Rice .............................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Springtime Snacking ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Cabbage over Rice ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Super Fast Bento ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Sushi Bento ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Ultimate Burger ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Vegetable Soup.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Whole Grain Cakes ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Yogurt and Mango ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Summer
4th of July Goodness ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Avocado and Mango........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Baby Spinach Salad........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Bowl of Cherries ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Picnic Bento ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Breakfast for Lunch .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Breakfast Bento 2.0.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Cold Cucumber Soup ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Grab N Go Bento | page 2

Deviled Eggs & Pasta ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Egg Salad Muffin ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Bento Treat ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Fruit Salad Bento ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Veggies & Hummus .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Pasta and Patties ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Potluck Bento..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Refried Roll-ups ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Salad! Salad! ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Santa Cruz Bento ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Summer Color.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Summer Fiesta ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Summer Grab N Go .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Sweet Bento ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Sweet Potato Medley...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Variety Pack........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Veggie Fun .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Zucchini Saute ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Fall
Flavorful Bento .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Arugula Salad ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Asian Combination ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Pasta & Salad...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Squash and Pasta............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Coconut Rice & Kiwi ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Curry Pasta & Soup .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Fall Favorites...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Fill You Up Lunch .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
Market Fritters.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
Flavors of Fall .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Fresh and Fit ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Gluten-Free Bento ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Trail Mix & Yogurt............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Grilled Cheese Lunch ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
In-a-Rush Lunch................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Pasta and Salad ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Pizza with Pizzazz ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Potato Bean Soup ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Finger-food Lunch ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Toddler Lunch................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Yogurt & Blueberries ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Grab N Go Bento | page 3

Winter
Gone Bananas .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Baked Tofu and Fruit....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Beans and Rice .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Breakfast for Lunch ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Garlic Broccolini ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Bulk Bin Bailout ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Soup & Salads ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Cabbage Pasta .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Chickpea Burgers ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Comforting Bento .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Crunch and Munch........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Easy Pizza Bento............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Egg Salad Muffin .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
Energy Packed Bento ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Falafel and Pita.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Fix-It-Fast Bento ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Four Cheese Ravioli ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Frittata for Lunch............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Garden Sandwich............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Stuffed Squash ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Mac n Cheese ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Vegan Bento Lunch ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Vegetable Strudel ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Vegetarian Chili................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Veggie Omelet ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Spinach Casserole............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30

With special thanks to Anna Dietze and Wendy Meg Siegel for their hard work and dedication.

Grab N Go Bento | page 4

S
P
R
I
N
G

A Bento Favorite

Menu

Avocado Sushi
Green Salad with Thousand Island
Dressing
Orange Slices
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Arugula Salad

Menu

Arugula Salad
Green Garlic Salad Dressing
Non-fat Cottage Cheese
Sesame Melba Rounds

Back to Basics

Mexican Mango

Menu

Avocado
Sliced Mango
Salsa
Eggplant Dip
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
Black Beans

Menu

Tuna Sandwich on Whole Wheat

Bread
Pickle
Red and Yellow Bell Pepper Strips
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Assorted Dried Fruit

Grab N Go Bento | page 5

Bento Brunch

Menu

Bento Fiesta

Menu

Scrambled Eggs
Tater Tots
Whole Wheat Toast
Blueberries
Cherries

Bean and Rice Burrito on a Whole

Grain Tortilla
Green Salad
Salsa
Tortilla Chips
Mango Slices

Bento Snacks

Menu

Cottage Cheese
Whole Grain Melba Toast
Berry Applesauce
Carrots
French Dressing

Cashew Crunch

Menu

Cashew Butter & Apricot Jam on

Matzo
Cashews
Dried Cranberries and Pears
Fennel Salad
Popcorn
Grab N Go Bento | page 6

Chili Lunch

Menu

Vegetable Chili
Flaxseed Tortilla Chips
Low fat Sour Cream
Roasted Beets
Banana
Tangerine Cutie

Early Spring Salad

Menu

Tuna Salad
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Piece of French Bread
Sliced Kiwi

Vegetable Roll-ups

Menu

Sliced Pears
Vegetable Roll-ups
Carrot Chips
Cashews

Grilled Panini

Menu

Fresh Papaya
Grilled Panini
Jicama Sticks
Baby Carrots

Grab N Go Bento | page 7

Its a Wrap!

Menu

Sandwich Wrap
Cherry Tomatoes
Pita Chips
Pretzel Nuggets
Sliced Kiwi

Somen Noodles

Menu

Japanese Yaki Soba

Menu

Yaki Soba
Spinach Salad
Miso Dressing
Energy Nougats
Blood Orange Wedges

Japanese Somen Noodles with

Somen Sauce
Toppings: Sliced Cucumber,
Omelette, Steamed Carrots, Tofu,
Wakame Seaweed
Apple or Asian Pear

Kasha & Pineapple

Menu

Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumber Slices
Kasha
Croissant
Pineapple Slices

Grab N Go Bento | page 8

Spring Garden Bento

Menu

Organic Strawberries
Mini Rice Cakes
Peanut Butter
Sugar Snap Peas & Baby Carrots
Caesar Salad Dressing

Spring Rolls & Rice

Menu

Vegetable Fried Rice

Spring Rolls
Dipping Sauce
Garlic Sesame Sticks
Sliced Organic Bartlett Pear

Roll-ups & Asparagus

Menu

Fresh Pineapple
Steamed Asparagus
Fingerling Potatoes
Spring Roll-ups
Cocktail Sauce

Springtime Snacking

Menu

Shredded Cabbage Salad with

Dressing
Blueberries
Cherries
Strawberries
Mixed Nuts

Grab N Go Bento | page 9

Cabbage over Rice

Menu

Super Fast Bento

Menu

Stir-fried or Grilled Cabbage

Brown Basmati Rice
French Baguette
Butter
Fresh Organic Strawberries

Sushi Bento

Menu

Honeydew Melon
Sushi Roll
Mini Rice Cakes
Wasabi Ginger Salad Dressing
Fresh Red Bell Pepper Strips

Hummus Sandwich in a Whole

Wheat Pita
Pickles and Red Pepper Strips
Coleslaw
Clementine

Ultimate Burger

Menu

Veggie Burger on a Whole Grain

Bun with Lettuce and Tomato
Green Salad
Thousand Island Dressing
Orange Slices

Grab N Go Bento | page 10

S
U
M
M
E
R

Vegetable Soup

Menu

Vegetable Soup
Pretzel Sticks
Mustard Dip
Pink Orange Segments
Baked Potato

Yogurt and Mango

Menu

Yogurt
Fresh Sliced Mango
Pistachios
Veggie Crisps

Whole Grain Cakes

Menu

Whole Grain Pancakes

Maple Syrup
Veggie Sausages
Sliced Red Pears

4th of July Goodness

Menu

Rice Crackers
Assorted Cheese
Stuffed Olives
Sugar Snap Peas
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with
Spinach
Honeydew and Cantaloupe
Grab N Go Bento | page 11

Avocado and Mango

Menu

Mango
Avocado
Italian Dressing
Cubed Tofu
Whole Grain Crackers

Baby Spinach Salad

Menu

Baby Spinach Salad with Pecan

Halves
Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
Low fat Cottage Cheese
Berry Medley

Bowl of Cherries

Menu

Fresh Cherries
Cucumber Slices
Dill Dipping Sauce
Raw Almonds
Cherry Tomatoes

Picnic Bento

Menu

Fresh Papaya stuffed with

Mountain Blueberries
Francese Bread
Zucchini Patties
Brie Cheese
Cheddar Cheese

Grab N Go Bento | page 12

Breakfast for Lunch

Menu

Garlic Potatoes
Garden Tomato Salsa
Fresh Apricots
Whole Wheat Biscuits
Scrambled Eggs

Cold Cucumber Soup

Menu

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Seeded Sour Dough Baguette
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Kiwifruit
Roasted Soy Nuts

Breakfast Bento 2.0

Menu

Whole Grain Pancakes

100% Maple Syrup
Sausages (Tofurky Italian Sundried Tomato sausages pictured
here.)
Organic Grapes

Deviled Eggs & Pasta

Menu

Your Favorite Pasta

Red Grapes
Sugar Snap Peas
Deviled Eggs

Grab N Go Bento | page 13

Egg Salad Muffin

Menu

Egg Salad Sandwich

Red Bell Pepper Strips
Orange Slices
Broccoli Florets
Thousand Island Dressing

Bento Treat

Menu

Fruit Salad Bento

Menu

Fruit Salad
Yogurt
Hemp and Flax Seed Granola

Melon Balls and Blueberries

Roasted Pistachios
Jicama Sticks
Whole Grain Oatmeal Cookies

Veggies & Hummus

Menu

Hummus
Whole Wheat Crackers
Mountain Blueberries
Sugar Snap Peas
Cherry Tomatoes
Sliced Japanese Cucumbers

Grab N Go Bento | page 14

Pasta and Patties

Menu

Whole Wheat Vegetable Patties

Fresh Spinach Fettuccine
Walnuts
Organic Plums

Potluck Bento

Menu

Whole Wheat Pasta Salad

Cucumber, Tomato, Basil Salad
Italian Dressing
Crackers
Peach Halve

Refried Roll-ups

Menu

Steamed Yams
Refried Roll-ups
Jicama Sticks
Salsa
Fresh Organic Blueberries

Salad! Salad!

Menu

Fruit Salad
Tomato Salad
Potato Salad
Cold Rice Salad

Grab N Go Bento | page 15

Santa Cruz Bento

Menu

Mixed Green Salad with

Strawberries and Pecans
Hardboiled Egg
Fruit Salad
Raisin Walnut Bread

Summer Color

Menu

Summer Fiesta

Menu

Baked Tortilla Chips

Mild Tomato Salsa
Sliced Sausages
Fresh Raspberries
Yellow Bell Pepper Strips

Steamed Asparagus Spears

Whole Wheat Pasta with Garlic,
Basil and Pine Nuts
Fresh Organic Strawberries
Baby Carrots
Creamy Italian Dressing

Summer Grab N Go

Menu

Fresh Papaya
Steamed Corn-on-the-Cob
Trail Mix
Steamed Soy Beans (Edamame)

Grab N Go Bento | page 16

F
A
L
L

Sweet Bento

Menu

Sweet Potato Medley

Menu

Organic Vanilla Yogurt

Almond Granola
Strawberries
Raisin Walnut Bread
Green Tea Sandwich Cookies

Sweet Potato Medley

Pan Grilled Baby Summer Squash
Arugula Salad
Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette
Dressing
Minced Apple-Walnut-Cinnamon
Salad

Variety Pack

Menu

Hard-boiled Egg
Cucumber, Tomato & Dressing
Pretzel Sticks
Steamed Asparagus
Strawberry & Half a Grapefruit

Veggie Fun

Menu

Cucumber Sushi Roll

Ginger and Wasabi
Soy Sauce
Snow Peas & Cherries
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Grab N Go Bento | page 17

Zucchini Saut

Menu

Flavorful Bento

Menu

Wild Rice
Zucchini Saut
Sliced Cucumbers
Cherry Tomatoes
Blackberries

Arugula Salad

Menu

Arugula & Walnut Salad

Garlic Lemon Dressing
Apple Strudel
End-of-Summer Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit

Almond Butter and Banana
Sandwich
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Honey Dijon Dipping Sauce
Steamed Beets

Asian Combination

Menu

Soba Noodles
Sesame Peanut Sauce
Steamed Spinach
Zen Party Mix
Asian Pear

Grab N Go Bento | page 18

Pasta & Salad

Menu

Baked Pasta
Spinach Salad
Artichoke Bruschetta
Dry Roasted Cashews

Squash and Pasta

Menu

Coconut Rice & Kiwi

Menu

Thai Coconut Rice

Fresh Kiwi, cut in half
Sunflower Shoots
Steamed Cauliflower

Whole Wheat Pasta with Marinara

Butternut Squash
Whole Wheat Italian Bread
Green Grapes

Curry Pasta & Soup

Menu

Chilled Tomato Soup

Green Bell Peppers
Organic Papaya Poppy Seed
Dressing
Sliced Red Pears
Curry Pasta

Grab N Go Bento | page 19

Fall Favorites

Menu

Crisp Organic Apples

Yam Pancakes
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Tangy Salsa
Sausages

Fill You Up Lunch

Menu

Baked Tofu
Baked Potato
Gravy
Butternut Squash
Sliced Kiwi

Market Fritters

Menu

Farmers' Market Fritters

Sliced Crisp Apple
Edamame (steamed soybeans)
Cherry Tomatoes

Flavors of Fall

Menu

Butternut Squash Soup with Sour

Cream
Coconut Brown Rice
Tamari Roasted Almonds
Whole Grain Crackers
Kiwi Slices

Grab N Go Bento | page 20

Fresh and Fit

Menu

Fruit Salad
Fresh Vegetables with Dip
Nuts and Dried Fruit
Soy Crisps

Gluten-Free Bento

Menu

Trail Mix & Yogurt

Menu

Yogurt
Trail Mix
Organic Grapes
Baby Carrots

Orange Slices
Potato Salad with Hard Boiled
Eggs
Coleslaw with Shredded Carrots
Gluten Free Lemon Cookies

Grilled Cheese Lunch

Menu

Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwich

on Whole Wheat Bread
Coleslaw
Root Vegetable Chips

Grab N Go Bento | page 21

W
I
N
T
E
R

In-a-Rush Lunch

Menu

Green Salad
Celery with Almond Butter
Steamed Red Potatoes
Grapes
Salad Dressing

Pasta and Salad

Menu

Pizza with Pizzazz

Menu

Spelt Pizza
Mushroom Barley Soup
Sliced Organic Pear
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Fettuccine with Fresh Parsley and

Kalamata Olives
Arugula Salad
Nonfat Cottage Cheese
Fresh Organic Strawberrie

Potato Bean Soup

Menu

Potato Bean Soup

Broccoli Slaw
Fresh Peaches
Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies

Grab N Go Bento | page 22

Finger-food Lunch

Menu

Steamed Eggplant
Avocado
Soy Butter Rice Cake "Sandwiches"
Steamed Yams

Toddler Lunch

Menu

Fresh Organic Strawberries

Steamed Carrot Coins
Steamed Cauliflower
Kidney Beans
Cheddar Bunnies

Yogurt & Blueberries

Menu

Nonfat or Lowfat Yogurt

Fresh Mountain Blueberries
Crunchy Granola
Stone Ground Wheat Crackers
with Almond Butter

Gone Bananas

Menu

Almond Butter and Banana

Sandwich
Steamed Broccoli
Ranch Dressing
Lemon Cookies

Grab N Go Bento | page 23

Baked Tofu and Fruit

Menu

Sliced Persimmon
Whole Wheat Croissant
Baked Tofu
Kiwi Fruit

Beans and Rice

Menu

Breakfast for Lunch

Menu

Whole Grain Blueberry Pancakes

Yogurt
Orange Slices
Granola with Dried Apricots

Three-Bean Baked Beans

Shredded Romaine Lettuce
Grated Cheese
Fresh Kiwi
Steamed Basmati Rice

Garlic Broccolini

Menu

Garlic Broccolini over Whole

Wheat Couscous
Satsuma Tangerine
Kimchi (mild or spicy)

Grab N Go Bento | page 24

Bulk Bin Bailout

Menu

Soup & Salads

Menu

Mixed Dried Fruit

Energy Nougats
Cashews

Cabbage Pasta

Menu

Steamed Broccoli
Cabbage Pasta
Satsuma Tangerine
Whole Grain Crackers

Butternut Squash Soup

Not-Your-Ordinary Potato Salad
Organic Kiwi Fruit
Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and
Cranberries

Chickpea Burgers

Menu

Chickpea Burgers
Cantaloupe
Spaghetti Squash
Applesauce Muffin

Grab N Go Bento | page 25

Comforting Bento

Menu

Macaroni and Cheese

Tomato Soup
Steamed Cauliflower
Sliced Bosc Pear

Crunch and Munch

Menu

Easy Pizza Bento

Menu

Pizza Muffins
Parmesan Cheese
Steamed Kale with Mixed Seeds
Persimmon Wedges

Bagel Chips and Whole Wheat Pita

Cheddar Cheese Slices
Plum Tomatoes and Sugar Snap
Peas
Spinach Dip
Green Grapes

Egg Salad Muffin

Menu

Stewed Apples with Cinnamon

Egg Salad and Sprouts on a Whole
Wheat English Muffin
Air Popped Popcorn
Steamed Carrot Coins

Grab N Go Bento | page 26

Energy Packed Bento

Menu

Quiche
Home Fries
Sour Cream
Peas
Clementine

Falafel and Pita

Menu

Fix-It-Fast Bento

Menu

Steamed Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Pecan and Dried Cranberry Mix
Lime Cilantro Dressing

Whole Grain Mini Pitas

Garden Tomato
Sun-dried Tomato Hummus
Falafel
Sugar Snap Pea and Garbanzo
Salad
Fuyu Persimmon

Four Cheese Ravioli

Menu

Four Cheese Ravioli with Marinara

Green Salad
Tuscan Salad Dressing
Orange Slices
Dark Chocolate Squares
Grab N Go Bento | page 27

Frittata for Lunch

Menu

Frittata
Caesar Salad
Navel Orange Slices

Garden Sandwich

Menu

Garden Sandwich on Whole

Wheat Molasses Bread
Sesame Sticks
Apple Slices
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Stuffed Squash

Menu

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Saut ed Broccoli
Pear Chunks
Whole Grain Fig Bar and Dried
Cranberries

Mac n Cheese

Menu

Cabbage Salad
Made-from-Scratch Macaroni and
Cheese
Sliced Banana
Steamed Yams

Grab N Go Bento | page 28

Vegan Bento Lunch

Menu

Artichoke with Vegan Mayonnaise

Whole Wheat Couscous with
Broccoli and Chickpeas
Whole Grain Crackers
Fuji Apple

Vegetarian Chili

Menu

Vegetarian Chili
Whole Wheat Saltines
Cilantro Dressing
Fresh Bell Pepper
Satsuma Tangerine

Vegetable Strudel

Menu

Cranberry Relish
Vegetable Strudel
Kale & Fresh Mozzarella
Bruschetta
Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Veggie Omelet

Menu

Vegetable and Cheese Omelet

Home Fried Potatoes
Orange Segments
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin

Grab N Go Bento | page 29

Spinach Casserole

Menu

Greek-influenced Salad
Spinach Casserole
Whole Grain Baguette, Toasted
Fresh Florida Grapefruit

For additional menus, photos, recipes, and a wide selection of bento products,
visit www.LaptopLunches.com.
First Edition
August 3, 2011

Grab N Go Bento | page 30