I like to think of food as a gift. Bento boxes are perfect: you open them up like presents whenever you are ready to eat. Although we all love our juices, it’s important to remember that cleansing isn’t always about juicing. Cleansing is about changing our lifestyles to include eating simple, clean foods. When you’re on the go, it’s tempting to stop by a fast food restaurant than it is to plan a wholesome, cleansing meal. If this is a problem you face, then take a look at my newest obsession: Bento boxes!

Bento boxes are a popular method for packing lunches in Japan. These lunch boxes are basically a big box with divided little containers inside that fit together like a puzzle. You fill the containers with your favorite healthy foods, close it within the box, and your ready to go! When its time for your meal out, you you open it up just as you would a present. They make packing a cleansing lunch so easy, and the variations on what you can put in them are endless.

Traditionally Bento boxes have been filled with healthy foods, not junk. Japanese homemakers lovingly fill these boxes with rice, vegetables, and fish for their families. Even though it’s possible to buy disposable Bento boxes from convenience stores, many families still prefer to hand-make their lunches at home. Organizing and keeping it Fun is your key to success.

Bento boxes can be filled with just about anything. Many people love to spend time making their bento boxes look beautiful – and there is something key here: it’s the intention that adds so much to the nourishment you will receive. Possibilities are endless. Imagine how delightful and loved you will feel opening up your bento and seeing a carefully arrangement of healthful foods. Truly, to make a bento is like making your lunch a ‘gift” and that’s what it should feel like every time you present your body with food. It’s like opening a present. If your family wants to get more involved in planning and packing their meals, check out this great article by my friend Latham Thomas about some wonderful school lunch ideas.

What really impresses me about Bento boxes is how easy they are to put together. Because you have four or five little containers to fill in your box, you don’t have to use too much of anything. “Variety is King” when it comes to healthy nutrition, so this is perfect way to get a variety of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in your home and try something different every day. Small fruits like grapes, cherries, apple slices, and orange segments fit perfectly. Cherry tomatoes, carrots sticks, and broccoli florets also work really well and are easy to keep on hand.

If you’re still searching for lunch box inspiration, keep an eye on American Yogini blog recipe section. We’ll be sharing some of our favorite Bento meals, that we are making for ourselves (to eat when our cleansers are not looking) and also for our guests who are not fasting. We are creating Italian boxes, Mediterranean boxes, Asian boxes, and Raw boxes.

Remember – being on the go doesn’t mean you have to let go of cleansing. You can fill your life with clean, simple foods and make every meal a real gift while you’re doing it!

Namaste,

Mary McGuire-Wien

American Yogini, a division of Hohm, LLC, is a luxurious eco-chic New York Health & Wellness Retreat specializing in juice cleansing, weight loss, detox & yoga lifestyle.

Mary McGuire-Wien, Author of The 7 Day Total Cleanse, is committed to teaching, guiding and inspiring you through your juice cleanse, cleansing detox & weight loss retreat.

© 2010 Mary McGuire-Wien / American Yogini All Rights Reserved.
*Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Cleansing Protocol #1 – Solé Solution from Mary McGuire-Wien on Vimeo.

Solé Solution Drink – Suns energy bath, cleanse and generate new cells and detoxify old cells. Great for cleansing during your juice cleanse and after your cleanse. This is to be used for several of the other cleansing protocols as well.

More to come…

Namaste and Have a Beautiful Day,

Mary McGuire-Wien
Author of the 7 Day Total Cleanse