Here it is.  April 30, 2010.  The last day of the 30-Day Bento Challenge.  It’s been a busy two weeks with too much work and not enough life going on; but it’s not a complaint.  I like my work.  It just hasn’t left me enough time for bento-ing.  Though I have been eating in instead of out!  YAY!

I couldn’t pass up this day though without a bento.  Not on the last day.  I woke extra early to put a little bento together, took my picture, then went off to work.  It’s now evening time, and I’ve got some time to post about today’s bento.  One of the things I avoid packing is a sandwich.   You don’t seem them here too often on Not Exactly Bento because I feel that they are hard to pack.  While looking at the bread section of my local A/G grocery story yesterday, I noticed the packages of bagels, and it was a like a lightbulb went off in my head.  A bagel sandwich. Ooohhhh.  That would pack so much easier for me!

One reason I can’t stand to pack a sandwich is I don’t like what bread does when you make the sandwich and then refrigerate it.  I’m a wuss.  I don’t like to take the chance that something might go bad while I’m waiting to eat my bento lunch.I know the food safety guidelines on Biggie’s site.  I’ve read them.  I understand them.  I just have a mental block about it all.  But a bagel.  A bagel doesn’t have that same problem. It’s sturdier. 

I don’t think about buying bagels too much.  Finding a decent bagel in South Louisiana can be a hard things to find.  And my idea of a decent bagel is probably quite far from someone else’s.  I’m looking for something that comes prepackaged and tastes decent enough.  Gourmet bagels are not on my radar (or in my vicinity).  That’s why I was so excited when I found these little multi-grain wonders.  Their taste is good, and their size is perfect.  A few chips and carrots complete this bento box.

This weekend, I plan to tally up comments and get ready for the drawing for the bento boxes.  So look out this weekend for my post on how everything went for me, my thoughts on my challenge, and the announcement of winners.

Be the bento everyone!