CityMama's™ Stuff People Send Me

Zojirushi Bento Box [giveaway]

Bentos seem like they are all the rage now, especially since they are the ultimate eco-friendly meal transporting system, but I've been using (and eating from) bentos since I was a kid.  Growing up in Hawaii, everyone took a bento box full of leftovers to school, and favorite takeout meals from favorite restaurants (Zippy's, the Shirokiya food court) or even the local supermarket always came packed in a plastic bento container.

My girls have been taking bentos to school since they we're little (er), too. I admit that packing my kids' bentos was one of the things I most looked forward to about having kids. I know, I am a nerd.

So imagine my delight when the opportunity arose to give away two top-of-the-line Zojurushi bentos! Of course I said yes. We are big Zojirushi fans. We own not just one but two Zojirushi rice cookers that have lastest years, and I can vouch for the quality of the products. Just take a look at these babies.

Ms. Bento (not just for girls)

What I like about it: It keeps food hot or cold--or both!  There is an insulated lid that separates anything hot from the items that can be kept at room temperature.  The idea of a bento is not to have to refrigerate it and this insulates nicely (the inner compartments are microwave safe). I love that the compartmented lunch jar has a matching carrying bag (gray), and--it comes with it's very own spork!
What I don't: There is nothing I don't love about the Ms. Bento. Okay, maybe the bag could be a brighter color.
Cost to you: Around $40
Cost to me: Free

Mini-Bento

What I like about it: See above and I would add that it comes with an adorable carry bag and a chopsticks case.
What I don't: I wish it also came with a spork instead of chopsticks.
Cost to you: Around $40
Cost to me: Free

Would you like one of these cute bentos? You know you do!  All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell me:

1) the worst lunch your mom (or dad or big sister--making lunches was my job) ever packed for you and
2) which bento you'd like.

That's it!

You can enter once per day.  I'll close comments and pick the two winners at random on Monday, March 16 at midnight PST.   Good luck!

See? There is such a thing as a free lunch...container.

Fit & Fresh LivePURE Water Bottle

As you may know, I am very anti- individual-sized bottled waters. I think they are incredibly wasteful and all those plastic water bottles end up clutter up our landfills and polluting our oceans. I prefer to drink filtered water and use refillable water bottles instead.

The Fit & Fresh folks recently sent me this water bottle to test. It's basically a personal-sized Brita. It contains its own Brita-esque filter in the cap. You fill it with water (20 ounces) and it filters as you drink. Each filter filters about 75 gallons of water and reduces chlorine by up to 50%. This is great for filling your bottle at the park or gym or wherever you encounter nasty drinking fountain water.

What I liked about it: It's a step in the right direction getting people to use a refillable bottle rather than buying individual bottled waters. I also like that it comes with its own non-toxic filter.

What I didn't like about it: Unfortunately, I have lots to talk about here. Let's start with the name. Who is going to remember that? Drinking from the bottle is tricky. You don't just sip, you have to squeeze the bottle so the water is pushed up through the filter. PITA.  I don't like that the bottle is plastic even though it's BPA-free. I'd prefer it be made from stainless-steel aluminum like a SIGG. I also don't like the dorky color scheme. I wouldn't carry this around. It's not 1984. Let's update, people!

Cost to you: $12.99
Cost to me: FREE