Hellobee

When Zane started preschool, I began experimenting with bento lunchboxes, both for him and for Ruby while she’s at daycare. Since I’ve collected a few and each has its strengths, I tend to grab whichever one feels best-suited to what I’m sending them with on any given day. I just started using the OmieBox, though, and it’s by far the most versatile of the lot. This bento box can simultaneously keep some foods warm and other foods cool, so you don’t have to choose a hot or cold lunch or send multiple containers. Below are some of the ways I use the OmieBox to pack my kids’ lunches.

There are two things that make the OmieBox a standout for me.

1. The insulated compartment really works. It keeps things warm, doesn’t leak, and my kids can open it on their own.
2. The insulated thermos is removable, so I can still use the lunchbox as I would for a typical cold lunch, as when I pack a sandwich.

Other factors that make it my new favorite include:

• The size. It holds a lot, but it doesn’t look or feel huge.
• The thermos isn’t the only leakproof portion – so are the other compartments.
• A handy movable divider lets you adjust the size of the two rectangular compartments.

The only thing I don’t love? The manufacturer recommends hand washing the lunchbox to retain effectiveness.

My favorite ways to use the OmieBox so far are:

• Meatballs subs. The insulated container keeps the meatballs and sauce warm, and I tuck a few slices of mozzarella cheese into the bun in the long compartment.
• DIY tacos. I sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into tortillas before rolling them up and placing them in the long compartment, while the rice and beans stay warm in the insulated container.
• Straight-forward sandwich. Thanks to the removable insulated container.
• Leftover soup. Okay, I actually haven’t sent my kids with soup yet. They’re so young I’m worried they’ll make a mess while eating it. I almost tried it with my 4-year-old, but I’m not sure he’s quite ready yet! But, I tested sending soup in the OmieBox by packing it up, taking it with us to drop-off, and bringing it home with me to open at his lunch hour. It worked like a charm – no leaking the soup was still warm.

Do you send your kids with a hot lunch? If so, how do you package it up?