Birthday Leftovers

Today's lunch is just a bit of an extension from the birthday fun yesterday. In case you didn't see yesterday's post, we took the kiddo to the Bavarian Inn, which was delicious and a ton of fun. As a kid, I don't remember it being so neat, but we all had a wonderful time and great German food! And I completely forgot that with dessert, they have German boy and girl picks. What? How is that for a bonus for this bento mama! If only, you could buy these things.. alas, I tried!

Leftover buttered noodles, cucumber with leftover Bavarian ranch (and oh yeah, this is the most delicious condiment I have EVER had.. hands down), PB Crave Razzle Dazzle peanut butter sandwich on toasted Stollen bread, Swiss cheese, and M&Ms.

Oooh, and speaking of peanut butter, don't forget to enter our PB Crave giveaway, which ends midnight tomorrow!

In this lunch...

Happy 4th Birthday!

Well, it's here. It's official. I have a 4 year old. Since it's a Tuesday afternoon, it's just us girls running around town. We'll hit the children's museum, stop for cupcakes, and run a few places that will be fun. This evening, we'll be going out to eat to The Bavarian Inn. Not only can we celebrate our German heritage, but that place is just so neat to eat at and visit all the shops, too! The official party isn't until Sunday, so today is just about having fun and enjoying our time together. I can't think of a better way to spend my day than with my smart, fun, beautiful 'big' girl!

Salad with lettuce, tomato, and red bell pepper, Russian dressing in the container, whole milk pear yogurt with sprinkles, grilled cheese 'cake' sandwich, mini marshmallows, and a mini 3 Musketeers bar.

 

In this lunch...

Almost Four

Tomorrow is the big day. Four years old. You heard me. Four! How does the time seem to fly right by, and does it ever slow down? I'm reminded today to enjoy the moments, for better or worse, because they are gone before I realize it.
Of course, as I say that, I'm fretting about a special requested cake I want to pull off, menu for the party this weekend, cleaning my house, and the fact that I haven't even mailed the invites. Sigh.. When will I learn?
While tomorrow's lunch will be for her birthday, today is something simple and fun with monkeys for my little monkey! The top tier of this box is intended to hold a napkin or utensil, but I've found it is a fabulous little nook for some toasted seaweed or crackers!

Trader Joe's roasted seaweed, red bell pepper, cheddar mozzarella cheese, Home Free gluten free vanilla cookies, grapes, toast, mustard and ketchup, and turkey cheddar sausage.

In this lunch...

National Peanut Butter Day & PB Crave Giveaway

Today is National Peanut Butter Day. What better day to celebrate some fantastic, yummy, peanut buttery goodness from PB Crave?! And, what better day to share some with you, too! Be sure and enter our PB Crave giveaway below for your chance to win a Coco Banana Variety Pack of your own.. so good!

 

By far, my favorite flavor is Razzle Dazzle. It is the perfect creamy mix of rich peanut butter, raspberry, and sweetness from the honey, dark, and white chocolate. Jams and jellies need not apply. This one had it all! This lunch is Razzle Dazzle PB Crave sandwiches, grapes, extra sharp cheddar cheese, homemade granola bar, and celery with both Razzle Dazzle and Choco Choco flavors of the PB Crave.

Cookie Nookie is another favorite around here. This flavor, as the name implies, has that scrumptious cookie dough flavor, honey, and some chocolate chips for good measure. This lunch has Cookie Nookie flavored PB Crave sandwiches, homemade granola bar, celery with Razzle Dazzle flavor, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and grapes.

The other two flavors available are Coco Bananas and Choco Choco, which happen to be my hubby's favorites. The Coco Bananas is smooth and creamy with an intense banana flavor and chocolate chunks. We love this one with vanilla ice cream or spread on tart apples. The Choco Choco is the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and the semi-sweet and dark chocolate just sort of melt into the whole experience. Yum! We've used this one in cookies, brownies, and the granola bars in these lunches with fantastic results, but any of the varieties would work for new and exciting flavors to your regular baked goodies.

On National Peanut Butter Day, and always, I have to bow down to the amazing, creative bento bloggers I call friends, too. So, be sure to visit the peanut butter madness at Bent On Better Lunches' linky party for lots of PB lunch packing ideas.

Before you enter the giveaway, you should know that PB Crave isn't just delicious. It's also has no hydrogenated oil, no artificial flavors, no syrups, no high-fructose corn syrup, and is gluten and cholesterol free. Unlike other natural peanut butters I've tried, this one does not require refrigeration, so once you've done the initial mix up, the peanut butter stays smooth and together with a quick swirl of the knife. Love that! PB Crave is now available at The Fresh Market, Earth Fare, and at some Whole Foods grocery stores. Ooh, and check out Celebrity Chef, Andrew Zimmern's video review on PB Crave too. Now, for that opportunity.. and while not mandatory for entry, we encourage you to follow Zoe's Lunchbox and  PB Crave on Pinterest, as well. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received a free variety pack of flavors from PB Crave, but was in no other way compensated for this review & giveaway.  All opinions expressed are my own.  I reserve the right to choose a new winner for the giveaway if a winner does not contact me within 48 hours of being announced or contacted.  US lower 48 entries only, please. 18 and up.

In these lunches...

"Us Two" Says Pooh

So, I never did make it to create a Pooh lunch on A.A. Milne's birthday, but I still wanted to do it. Pooh was a big part of my childhood. I still have my original stuffed Pooh bear, which sits safely in my own daughter's room now. One of my favorite books was  Pooh's Bedtime Book, which thankfully is in good shape from over ..ahem.. 30 years ago, and now I can share it with my kids. While I love A.A. Milne's writing and most every Pooh story is a childhood memory, I think today I most like a short little poem-style one called "Us Two". While it is about Christopher Robin and Pooh and how their friendship completes them, for me it is about how my daughter completes me. I just love the sentiment.

Pear yogurt w/ honey, orange bell pepper w/ roasted red pepper hummus, open face turkey and Swiss, cantaloupe, and cashews.

Interestingly enough, my kiddo's little nickname or term of endearment is Honey Bear. Never thought about the Pooh reference, but seems obvious to me! In her lunch, I added honey to the yogurt, and a wee little bee pick for Pooh's obvious favorite guilty pleasure. The yellow fork pick is a fun little addition, and the 2 heart pick is about the 2 hearts that will always be together.

And, because, I love my big 'kid' too, I packed a Pooh lunch for him as well.

Honey greek yogurt w/ strawberries in the bottom, green bell pepper, romaine salad, 2 mini turkey and Swiss sandwiches on honey wheat buns, and Tzatziki in the Mini Dipper.

Be sure to check out all the other wonderful A.A. Milne inspired lunches at the linky party from Biting The Hand That Feeds You, too. There are some fantastic creations there! And, speaking of inspiration, here was a bit of mine...

In these lunches...