Wooden Bento Lunchbox Review
August 29, 2009 by Monica
Filed under Household reviews
I got this Japanese bento box for a review from Life Without Plastic online store.
From the beginning I was so excited with the idea of a non-plastic container, and definitely fell in love with its simple Japanese look.
So far I’ve been using the Wooden Bento Box for over a month in our frequent outings, and every time I use it I feel like an old Samurai’s daughter.
Having lived in Japan for 3 years, I experience a nice feeling when eating rice from the Bento Box, but there are other benefits I can mention:
- Lightweight
- BEAUTIFUL (you get lots of compliments with this one)
- The perfect lunch size for us. It may not be enough for large portion eaters
- Easy to clean. Just use soapy water and a soft sponge
- The cedar wood is treated with Japanese traditional lacquer URUSHI, which is derived from the Urushi tree. This makes a brilliant, water resistant coating without harsh chemicals
- No BPA concerns
- Very pleasant to eat from
- Although not suggested by the vendor, I’ve successfully used it with only one compartment.

Enjoying obento at the Metropolitan Cultural Center in Quito
I’ve also found a couple of cons:
- Although it looks somehow sturdy, I wouldn’t take it just anywhere. I give it a lot of use in the city and for one day outings. I don’t take it to several-days trips.
- Not leak-proof. You can’t carry watery food
- The urushi coating looks delicate. I use wooden or silicone forks and spoons
- The box is comparatively pricey, but if you want to enjoy a plastic free life, the quality is worth the price
May I suggest an improvement: The box would be perfect with a Japanese fabric wrap. I indeed use a Japanese handkerchief to wrap my bento box.

Quick salad: Olives, free range eggs, organic tomatoes and macadamia nuts (not showing)
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Review: Bamboo Nesting Baskets
August 11, 2009 by Monica
Filed under Household reviews
Where to buy: Our Green House
Review by: Lisa

These baskets are made from 100% organically grown Bamboo, an environmentally friendly material. Bamboo is a grass that is easily grown and sustained – it can handle flooding as well as drought and does not need pesticides or herbicides to grow, and, unlike trees, it grows very quickly.
The Bamboo Nesting Baskets are made from 100% organically grown bamboo. This set of three comes in different colors and sizes that fit into each other for easy storage. They are attractive and stylish and can be used for anything in the household. They can be used in the kitchen and hold fresh herbs, fruit, bread but can also be a great place to put keys, office materials, hair accessories, toiletries, toys, and other items.
The simple design of these baskets looks stylish and modern anywhere in the house.
The Unofficial Guide to Paris
June 13, 2009 by Monica
Filed under Book Reviews
Title: The Unofficial Guide to Paris
Author: David Applefield
Review by: M.L.
If you are planning a visit to romantic Paris, don’t forget to pack Fommers’ Unofficial Guide to Paris, by David Applefield, an author of many fiction books, an editor and media specialist, who has lived in Paris since the early 1980s.
The guidebook is available in paperback and is handy enough to be packed in your travel case. It will help you to prepare for your Paris trip and gives valuable information during your visit to Paris.
The guide includes:
* Insider tips – how to find the most charming hotels
* 60 restaurants, reviews and rankings
* Information on Paris’s cultural and historic sights
* How to enjoy Paris with your children
* Tips and advice on how to overcome the language barrier and how to feel safe
* More
The guidebook comes with lots of great tips from the author who himself has lived there for over 25 years.









