Sensation Barbie
The New American Lunch Box, a Japanese tradition
Take one minute to think back … Remember when your child? Now, try to call this particular childhood memory – Your wonderful lunchbox! You were cool, fun, and felt confident sporting this brand new piece of gear. This course and what it was filled with often reflected who you were. It was your first independent introduction into society. After all, your own lunch is not that you're finally a big boy!
Boys often performed western or space theme lunch boxes, girls started with Barbie, and younger children with a wide variety of Disney characters. I remember I was stuck carrying the plaid design and the girl across the street, Cheryl Shelmadine, Lassie the Wonder Dog had a lunchbox. I did not. What were my parents thinking? Whatever the style, bread represented and expressed, a large part of American cultural history.
Fortunately for our children, we live in a dynamic environment. We can access the beautiful traditions of so many cultures. Once recorded with our fresh local food, and gets a twist to the presentation … POOF! The new American lunchbox – the bento box.
Bento boxes turned up in Japan about 900 years ago with the creation of Hoshi II. Hoshi II: "dried meal" – it is rice that is cooked and then dried. Bento boxes were once simple container houses individually wrapped servings of rice, meat or fish, and pickled or cooked vegetables. Over the centuries, they have recovered from oak or bamboo leaf portions wrapped in lacquered wooden boxes, shiny aluminum and modern plastics.
There are contests held where people compete for prizes and prestige for the win designing the most elaborate bento boxes. This type of art called a Bento kyaraben. They aesthetic control of the food, people seem, flowers, plants or animals. Some are so beautiful they look too good to eat … well almost!
Of course, bento boxes are still available today in many locations throughout Japan, bento boxes but now are taking America by storm! Traditional Japanese bento boxes are quickly becoming the must have lunchbox otherwise brown paper packaging. A visit to the school Today's cafeteria could have some parents think they stepped into a new culture when they see this trendy new lunch containers. It's not all about appearances al – bento boxes are fun to fill a delight to the palette to prevent food from getting smashed, and make packing a lunch, both the cost and time effective.
Lunch boxes today are still the ultimate in personal style and expression. Even with only one, often for the sake of fashion. Whatever your taste, lunch boxes remain a reflection of American culture. The bento box is just a plastic container houses various other forms of food containers for your food. Sometimes they are stacked, square round, flat, or whatever you wish. There are designer bento boxes are available with a popular cartoon characters and fun designs – hopefully not throw. You can even bento accessories with nice cutlery adapt, and miniature bottles no larger than your thumb for salad dressings, soy sauces and other flavors of your choice.
I recently purchased a "laptop bento "for my daughter, Danielle. It came in a cooled thermal event that a laptop computer seems – and of course, it was almost the same price. It is a typical bento for a "Middle Schooler" – not too flashy. Once opened, the case shows spaces for different kinds of goodies. Each room has its own lid and they fit together like a puzzle. She absolutely loves it!
A Packing Bento
No matter how old my children, they still love helping to pack their lunches with fun foods. When we go hunting for fun bento box that we often Japanese dollar store in downtown San Mateo. They have a wide variety to child-friendly packed lunches articles. One of my favorites are the food form. With absolutely no major artistic kitchen skills that you can shape food into simple animals, cars, trucks, trains, plants and humans. Try them with brown rice and vegetables for an Asian flair, tuna or chicken, eggs, or even should – meatballs to have them!
Just as the use of Japanese container – use fusion to pack them. California nouvelle cuisine is a blend of cultures, with fresh local ingredients new and fun presentation style on a classic meal. This little treasure chests are great for serving up leftovers in a fresh new way that your children like the last night the meal again. Remember to be creative and artistic when packing a Bento and involve your child. Use cookie cutters to uniquely shaped "tea sandwiches" low food to the presentation, and include small containers of their favorite dips. The better it looks and the more input they are more likely to eat them!
Use this fun packed in and fuse some of your own cultural experiences. Here are some ideas to get you started. Where a variety of foods your child will enjoy they are much less likely to succumb when they hear "I'll trade you!" In the cafeteria.
Mac 'N Cheese – Links about macaroni and cheese, fresh sliced tomatoes, steamed vegetables and fresh fruit finger (grapes, berries, cherries, melons diced kiwi, etc.). They'll sure you devour this child-friendly favorite. All housed in separate containers or pressed into fun shapes.
Snack Attack – Diced fresh finger fruits and vegetables, sliced cheese, cubed sliced turkey or ham, and whole wheat crackers provide a delicious mix of flavors and nutrition. Remember to crackers and your favorite vinaigrette in a nice small size squeeze bottle bento add.
Diner for lunch – Your favorite shaped meatballs, brown rice, sliced fresh fruit and yoghurt for dipping. This Bento is also great with leftover spaghetti!
Personalized Pot Roast – blocks left over pot roast, roasted root vegetables, fresh fruit finger, and a garden salad. Served cold with a piece of buttered whole grain pita bread.
Super Salads – cast tuna, chicken, or seafood salad, whole grain crackers, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese and cute baby. Remember to add sliced red peppers. They are really sweet to eat – especially with cream cheese dip them in.
Now, with a number Bento experience under my belt I can honestly say that not only do children love these clever containers – but I know too. They are also ideal for picnics, lunches, trips, or anytime you away from home. They just make sense! Another important thing … bento boxes have to wash after a number of the box comes home. This is a great opportunity for all the kids involved and teach some early childhood responsibilities as they help wash their lunch and get it ready for the next day.
Looking for some more creative lunch suggestions or ways to give your child a passion for cooking fuel? Check out the fun-filled classes and summer camps for kids culinary adventures. We will also teach them about the importance of clean! Chef Gigi is the founder of Kids Culinary Adventures. A professional cooking school for kids and teens in the San Francisco Bay Area. Check them out online at
www.kidsculinaryadventures.com
About the Author
Chef Gigi began her adventure in the kitchen as a child; then went on to mesh her passion for the culinary arts with her innate business savvy and entrepreneurial drive.
Utilizing both her acclaimed skills as a chef and her business expertise, Chef Gigi has assisted in the openings of restaurants, food divisions, as well as worked at several top hotels throughout the greater Bay Area, including launching her own full- scale event planning and catering business for a high profile client list. As a proprietor, she was profiled as one of the Top 25 Bay Area Chefs by 18 Media.
Chef Gigi later returned to her alma mater, the California Culinary Academy, where she graduated with honors, soon after she received a certificate from pastry instruction in Europe.
Returning to the United States Chef Gigi worked to hone her skills. After many years in the industry, Chef Gigi then went full circle returning to the California Culinary Academy as Dean of students; while launching the famed Le Cordon Bleu’s Hospitality Management program. In addition to acting as an instructor for the academy, she also trained staff for corporate hotel chains nationwide.
Chef Gigi graduated Cum Laude from the American Intercontinental University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and continues to hone professional culinary skills with continuing education classes. She is the mother of two young school age daughters; who assisted in the concept and launch of KCA and continue to be active to this day.
Barbie fans?
I look at my old VHS Barbie and "Back to Earth the Sensations Rockin … memories. What was your favorite Barbie or Barbie collection (Like Barbie and the Sensations, Barbie and the Rockers, Hollywood Hair Barbie, etc) growing up, PRE My Scene? Do you have one of your old Barbies, nude, dressed, hair cut, etc?
I just like plain old Barbie and Ken. I still have my collectable Barbies, but no clearance ones. I think it's stupid how completely copied Bratz and My Scene Barbie.
1992 Sun Sensation Barbie Commercial
|
|
PORCELAIN BARBIE DOLL LE GOLD SENSATION NEW MIB NRFB $349.99 |
|
|
Gold Sensation Porcelain Barbie 1993 Limited Ed NIB $299.00 |
|
|
Byron Lars In the Limelight & Cinnabar Sensation Barbie $285.00 |
|
|
Pretty!!! 1993 GOLD SENSATION PORCELAIN BARBIE!! BOX + Shippper! Near Mint Box! $259.99 |
|
|
Gold & Silver Porcelain Barbie Set, Gold Sensation & Silver Starlight Barbies $270.99 |
|
|
Gold Sensation Barbie 1993 Limited Ed BARBIE DOLL $249.00 |
|
|
Gold Sensation Barbie 1993 Limited Edition NRFB $249.99 |
|
|
Gold Sensation Barbie 1993 Limited Ed BARBIE $249.99 |
|
|
Gold Sensation Barbie Porcelain First in a Set Limited Edition + Shipper NRFBMIB $249.99 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Gold Sensation Porcelain Barbie Doll $201.88 |
|
|
HTF Dance Sensation Barbie Giftset 1984 MIB $199.99 |
|
|
Dance Sensation Barbie Giftset 1984 MIB!!! HTF!!! $199.00 |
|
|
Bronze Sensation~Magia 2000 OOAK Barbie~Paglino~Grossi $199.95 |
|
|
MATTEL BARBIE “CINNABAR SENSATION” BYRON LARS DESIGNER COLLECTION LE $195.00 |
|
|
RARE NRFB FAO Schwarz Night Sensation Barbie $152.99 |
|
|
Cinnabar Sensation Barbie $129.00 |
|
|
Sun Sensation Barbie, Ken, Kira, Steve, Christie, Skipp $143.99 |
|
|
Sun Sensation Barbie Dolls, Complete Set of 6 – NIB $143.99 |
|
|
BARBIE SHEATH SENSATION + SKIPPER RED SENSATION! WOW! $125.00 |
|
|
Mattel Vintage Barbie Doll Dance Sensation Barbie #9058 1984 NRFB RARE $129.99 |
|
|
Cinnabar Sensation Barbie Byron Lars Limited Edition NRFB MIB $109.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE 1984 DANCE SENSATION BARBIE DOLL OUTFIT GOWN SET NEW NRFB $113.39 |
|
|
4 Holiday Barbies: Holiday Voyage, Traditions, Sensation, Yuletide Romance NRFB $107.99 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Avon Snow Sensation African American Barbie $93.50 |
|
|
BARBIE 1961 “SHEATH SENSATION” COMPLETE GARMENT SET, No.986, GENUINE MATTEL $95.00 |
|
|
Cinnabar Sensation Barbie by Byron Lars ~ NIB $89.99 |
|
|
1998 RARE BLONDE VERSION CINNABAR SENSATION BYRON LARS BARBIE!! BEAUTIFUL!! $89.99 |
|
|
1999 CINNABAR SENSATION BARBIE DOLL AFRICAN-AMERICAM $99.99 |
|
|
1988 Barbie Vacation Sensation Gift Set # 1675 ~ Mint In Box $99.99 |
|
|
BARBIE VACATION SENSATION TOYS R US 1675 NRFB MINT 1988 $99.95 |
|
|
1999 CINNABAR SENSATION BARBIE DOLL BLOND $84.99 |
|
|
1991 NIGHT SENSATION BARBIE DOLL !!! FAO SCHWARZ !!! $79.99 |
|
|
Gold Sensation 1993 Porcelain Barbie Doll ~NIB~ $75.00 |
|
|
Barbie Doll vintage Fifth Avenue, Night Sensation Barbie 1991 Schwarz $90.00 |
|
|
Barbie 1998 Byron Lars Cinnabar Sensation 2nd in Series MIB Free Shipping $89.99 |
|
|
1984 Dance Sensation Barbie Doll MIB NRFB Mattel fashions gift set #1 $88.00 |
|
|
Gold Sensation 1993 Barbie Doll $75.00 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Avon Snow Sensation Barbie Fashion Doll $72.25 |
|
|
1984 Dance Sensation Barbie Doll MIB NRFB Mattel fashions gift set #2 FREE Ship $80.00 |
|
|
1984 Dance Sensation Barbie Doll MIB NRFB Mattel fashions gift set #3 FREE Ship $80.00 |
|
|
Vitamin C Pop Singing Sensation Doll 2000 NRFB $79.99 |
|
|
1998 Barbie Cinnabar Sensation Limited Edition Runway Collection Byron Lars MIB $79.99 |
|
|
Byron Lars AA Cinnabar Sensation Barbie Doll $65.00 |
|
|
Byron Lars Blonde Cinnabar Sensation Barbie Doll $64.99 |
|
|
Byron Lars Cinnabar Sensation Barbie, Ltd Ed, Mint Barbie 1998 2nd In Series $77.77 |
|
|
PARTY SENSATION BARBIE SPECIAL EDITION 1990 MIB $59.00 |
|
|
1986!!☆☆VACATION SENSATION☆☆ ✿Barbie Doll✿ VINTAGE! NEW in BOX! NBRB COLLECTIBLE $59.99 |
|
|
Mattel J.C.Penney limited Edition Evening Sensation #1278 Barbie MINT $65.00 |
|
|
Mattel Hallmark Special Edition, Holiday Sensation Barbie, NIB $59.71 |
|
|
VERY PRETTY BRUNETTE SWIRL PONYTAIL BARBIE WEARING SHEATH SENSATION #986 $70.00 |
|
|
1990 PARTY SENSATION BARBIE SPECIAL EDITION MIB!!! $69.99 |
|
|
MATTEL BYRON LARS CINNABAR SENSATION BARBIE 1998 NIB $69.99 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie Sheath Sensation Complete Nice $69.95 |
|
|
VINTAGE BARBIE SHEATH SENSATION (1961-1964) #986 – COMPLETE $65.00 |
|
|
Cinnabar Sensation 1998 Barbie Doll $60.00 |
|
|
NRFB Toys R Us Vacation Sensation In Blue O/F Barbie $56.25 |
|
|
NIB BARBIE DOLL 1992 SURF N SKATE SHOP SUN SENSATION PLAYSET $53.99 |
|
|
#1323 NRFB Sun Sensation Barbie & Ken Fashion Dolls $52.50 |
|
|
CINNABAR SENSATION~Limited Byron Lars BLONDE Barbie~ ♥NIB♥ $49.99 |
|
|
CINNABAR SENSATION~Limited Byron Lars AA Barbie ♥NIB♥ $49.99 |
|
|
Special Edition Snow Sensation African American Barbie RARE,1999 New In Box!!! $50.00 |
|
|
BYRON LARS BARBIE CINNABAR SENSATION BEAUTIFUL DOLL NIB BLONDE LIMITED EDITION $30.00 |
|
|
1991 FAO Swartz Limited Edition Night Sensation Barbie # 2921 Mint In Box $59.99 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie #986 Sheath Sensation, Red Dress Short White Gloves White Heels $59.99 |
|
|
Mattel #1278 J C Penney Evening Sensation Barbie MINT $49.99 |
|
|
1998 BRONZE SENSATION BARBIE BRUNETTE 20022 NRFB $59.99 |
|
|
SE PARTY SENSATION BARBIE DOLL #9025 MINT NRFB 1990 $59.95 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie Dress Red Sheath Sensation #986 1960s $59.00 |
|
|
1988 VACATION SENSATION BARBIE DOLL & FASHIONS GIFT SET #1675 – NRFB $58.95 |
|
|
NRFB Toys R Us Vacation Sensation In Blue O/F Barbie $48.75 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Wholesale Club Bronze Sensation Barbie Doll $48.75 |
|
|
Snow Sensation Barbie Doll NIB New in Box NRFB $49.99 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Wholesale Club Bronze Sensation Barbie Doll $48.75 |
|
|
EVENING SENSATION BARBIE J.C. PENNEY LIMITED EDITION $45.00 |
|
|
BARBIE SUN SENSATION SPRAY & PLAY POOL 1991 MATTEL CANADA ORIGINAL BOX $45.00 |
|
|
BARBIE 1991 FASHION SUN SENSATION FULL 4SET MOC CLOTHES $39.99 |
|
|
BARBIE SILVER SENSATION FASHION #7438 NRFP MINT COND 1983 $54.95 |
|
|
Evening Sensation Barbie – J C Penny Limited Edition $54.70 |
|
|
BRONZE SENSATION BARBIE NRFB #20022 1998 $45.00 |
|
|
1990 SPECIAL EDITION PARTY SENSATION BARBIE DOLL $39.99 |
|
|
1990 PARTY SENSATION BARBIE DOLL ! SPECIAL EDITION $40.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE 1961 Barbie Red Sheath Sensation #986 $39.99 |
|
|
Mattel 23800 * Snow Sensation Barbie Special Edition NRFB Plastic $51.99 |
|
|
FAO Schwarz Night Sensation Barbie (BAD BOX) $41.44 |
|
|
NRFB Wholesale Club Party Sensation Barbie $42.25 |
|
|
NRFB Wholesale Club Party Sensation Barbie $42.25 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie Skipper “Red Sensation” #1901 Complete $45.00 |
|
|
Vacation Sensation Barbie 1986 – NIB $40.49 |
|
|
1999 BARBIE Christmas Snow Sensation MINT MIB Special DOLL blue collector NEW $50.00 |
|
|
Bronze Sensation Barbie NRFB Wholesale Clubs Exclusive $49.99 |
|
|
BARBIE Doll Strech Sensation Flexible Dress Hat Jacket $49.99 |
|
|
BARBIE Doll Stretch Sensation Flexible Dress Hat✦RARE✦ $47.49 |
|
|
RARE General Growth Mgmt Holiday Sensation Barbie Gown $38.50 |
|
|
Sun sensation Barbie NIB $35.00 |
|
|
Bronze Sensation Barbie Doll (Special Edition)(New) $34.95 |
|
|
EVENING SENSATION BARBIE DOLL EVENING ELEGANCE SERIES $34.50 |
|
|
1991 FAO Schwarz Night Sensation Barbie Limited Edition Original Box $35.00 |
|
|
1991 NIGHT SENSATION BARBIE DOLL- FAO SCHWARZ *NRFB $34.99 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie 1961-64 Sheath Sensation dress with shoes, #986 $35.00 |
|
|
Sun Sensation Ken and Barbie 1390/1392 $30.00 |
