Breakfast Bento for Birdie

Rise & shine, it's breakfast time! Birdie's having a summer morning bento of fresh cut strawberry flowers, carrot suns, cheese tulips, bunny grahams, apple blossoms, and yogurt with a garden of sweet sprinkles.

My friend Ludicrous Mama of Biting the Hand That Feeds You recently shared an article she had read, about a study that showed young children prefer many colours and choices on their plate. According to the study, "Children are most attracted to food plates with seven different items and six different colors." Birdie does love her Zak! Nibble Tray, which has 6 sections (9 with with the dip attachment!) Sprinkles are a fun way to add even more colour and kid appeal, and if you count them, she's got her 7 items in 6 colours :)

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Some stuff used to make this bento:

Shiny! PlanetBox Shuttle Review

Our new PlanetBox Shuttle is ready for launch... er... lunch!  

As soon as my preschooler Birdie saw the new mini PlanetBox, she exclaimed "Is that a PlanetBox for ME?!"  I told her it was for everyone, but that she could have the first special lunch in it - her choice. She asked for a bubblegum cheese sandwich - meaning she wanted it cut with the gumball machine Lunch Punch :) I added some cheddar cheese details and built a theme around it :

The size of the PlanetBox Shuttle is perfect for a smaller appetite. It's 3 cup capacity is divided into 2 compartments. The larger side has just the right dimensions for a full size sandwich, something many of our smaller containers can't accommodate. I love to use sandwich cutters so that's a big plus for me! 

The PlanetBox Shuttle also comes with a lidded Tall Dipper for wet or messy foods, that can be used in either compartment. I filled it with yogurt topped with multicoloured nonpareils - in keeping with the gumball theme - and filled the rest of the smaller side with watermelon, cantaloupe, & honeydew melon balls. I even found a Lunchbox Love note with a bubblegum fact!

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The PlanetBox Shuttle is also a great size for portion-control, snacks ...
or breakfast! I sent my Sailor Boy to work with a healthy breakfast to go:  

Hearty granola, fresh blueberries & strawberries, & vanilla yogurt sure beats the fast food drive-thru! This nutritious breakfast packed in the PlanetBox Shuttle is better for his body, & better for the planet, too - no waste!

Just like the PlanetBox Rover & Launch, the Shuttle comes with one set of decorative magnets, with more designs available separately.

The magnets do more than add a splash of colour - they make it easy to identify whose PlanetBox is whose if your family has more than one! We keep our extra PlanetBox magnets on the refrigerator doors :)

The PlanetBox Shuttle Complete Kit adds the insulated carry bag with designs that match the magnets! There's just enough room to add a slim ice pack (such as the PlanetBox ColdKit) and utensils if needed.

The PlanetBox Shuttle is a welcome addition to my family's PlanetBox family. 

I can already tell it's going to get a lot of use. 

• 7th grader Beanstalk likes the stainless steel because it won't hold odors and the metal looks cool. 
• 5th grader Bella likes how grown up it looks, and the pretty bag. 
• 3rd grader Pickle is hard on his lunch gear but I know from our Rover & Launch that the Shuttle can take it :) 
• 1st grader Sprout is a chatterbox and rarely finishes her lunch at school - she  likes that the Shuttle fits on her lap while open so she can snack on the drive home. 
• Preschooler Birdie likes that it's shiny! 
• I like how easy to clean it is, and I love our PlanetBoxes for their quality and how they make it easy to make less waste and waste less money! 

Overall, we love it! And so do some of my lunch blogging friends:

Organized Bites takes the Shuttle to the circus.

Does Becoming a Bentoholic love it, or love it not?

The Roxx Box contrasts & compares PlanetBoxes.

Lunchbox Dad gives an in-depth review.

Bento School Lunches is packed with cuteness :)

Diana Rambles about her new Shuttle.

What's For Lunch At Our House? A PlanetBox Shuttle bento!

Biting The Hand That Feeds You take the Shuttle to the park.

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Items used to make the gumball lunch:

 Lunchbox Love note - Lunch Punch sandwich cutter - OXO melon baller

Disclosure: I received a complimentary PlanetBox Shuttle to review. No other compensation was given for this post. All descriptions, photographs & opinions are my own & my family's. This post does contain affiliate links.

Crock-Pot Cheesy Pierogi Lasagne

Okay, this is not really lunch - but it could be - it makes yummy leftovers!  :)

So good to come home to! This savoury casserole's layers of pasta, potatoes & cheese are reminiscent of pierogies, mmm. 

I came up with this recipe when I was craving those delectable potato dumplings but had none. I did have leftover mashed potatoes though, & some leftover noodles, that I layered with cheese in a bowl & nuked. It hit the spot! A few days later I made a family-size batch in the crock-pot, which was even better. This dish goes great with polish sausage - or with breakfast sausage - you can make it the night before to wake up to :)

Ingredients:
	6-12 potatoes, peeled & quartered 1 cup milk (or cream) 1 lb butter, divided 1-2 onions, chopped 1 lb shredded cheese(s) of choice Olive oil Pasta of your choice

I like farfalle because it has the wiggly edges like lasagne noodles & the noodle centres tend to be chewier - like pierogi edges :)

Some suggestions for potato add-ins or additional layers:
More shredded cheeses, salt & pepper, minced garlic, grated parmesan, sour cream, cottage cheese, herbs of choice, green onion, chopped or sliced sausage, or bacon bits.

Directions: 

Boil pasta & potatoes until tender - in separate pots - but you knew that :)

While they cook, sautée onions in ½ lb butter, until golden & set aside.

Drain & rinse pasta, set aside while you mash the potatoes. 

Drain potatoes, mash with milk (or cream) & remaining ½ lb butter. 

If desired, add other potato add-ins of choice. I add minced garlic, salt & pepper, grated parmesan, & a handful of shredded sharp cheddar.

Lightly brush or mist crock pot interior with olive oil. Begin with a layer of pasta, then continue layering the ingredients in any order, as many layers as you like. See my add-in suggestions above. I added soy bacon bits this time.

Finish your pierogi lasagne layering with a final layer of shredded cheese, just like a traditional lasagne... but then...

... top it all off with the sautéed onions!

Cover & cook on low all day, or on high if you tend to start late, like me :)

Done when the cheese & onion topping is hot & bubbly!

Smacznego!

Bake it in the Oven Option  

Lightly coat deep dish lasagne pan or casserole dish with olive oil. Lasagna noodles are perfect for this baked version. Layer ingredients as in crock pot recipe. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until top is as browned as you like  :) - OR - Refrigerate until ready to bake. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes, remove foil, and bake an additional 15-30 minutes.