A Little About Jenn 

Since starting Not Exactly Bento, readers have requested that I share a picture of myself. This is a curiousity and a wonder that I can completely understand, finding great delight in viewing the pictures and photographs of the people responsible for the blogs I enjoy reading. It is a small connection we can make with each other through the virtual sharing of stories, triumphs, mishaps, and life in general.

The only problem is that deep down I’m still that gal whose overly shy with people that I don’t know extremely well. It all stems from being an extremely shy child. While debating on whether to show a current picture of me, I realized I had no compunction in sharing pictures of my youth. In fact, I found I had a great zeal for such an endeavor.

Last Christmas, my mother gave both my brother and I a scrapbook of pictures documenting our youth and life. My mom would rank right up there with any of the great moms on this Earth. She’s got a good disposition and soul. In the picture above, she’s holding me. I’m around two, and of course, am shoving something in my mouth to eat.

Eating is a big thing in the area and culture in which I grew up. South Louisiana is known for its food, its spices, and its knack for combining it all together in something completely delicious. While my own cooking is far from great, I have found a great joy of fixing meals for myself as I’ve gone down this bento path.

One of the most important aspects of being successful at whatever you do is a good support system, whether that support system is a strong mental will and commitment or that of one’s family and friends. I am happy to report I some of each.

I come from a small family of four, born and raised in the Greater Baton Rouge area of Louisiana. My small family of four expands nearly exponentially as you take in all the extended family that visits on holidays and weekends. Mine is a close, fairly tight-knit family. I grew up with one very intelligent, handsome, and funny brother, named Jason. He’s got a really great partner in life, whose picture I have to find and share as well. Her name is Cree, and she’s one of my fave people (another highly intelligent individual). All this intelligence is slightly annoying isn’t it.

If asked to describe myself, I might think of this picture. I think it shows a fairly happy child, but the smirk says it all. Sort of a, “Yup, but I’m not real sure I’m gonna believe that baloney” attitude. I like photography, some crafts, reading, and my family, which includes two dogs often featured on this blog.

Basically, I like my life. And I really like this blog, and all of you that come here and share in the experience. I even don’t mind sharing an old photograph or two. Maybe one day soon, I’ll feel brave enough to share a really current picture of me. Then again, maybe not. LOL!

You can follow my bento adventures or general life going-ons a number of ways:
Follow me on Flickr, Facebook, or Twitter.

How I Came to Bento

Nearly ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance. Insulin resistance can be a pre-cursor to diabetes and heart disease in women. With the prevalance of diabets in my family, I decided to take notice and have done many things over the years to try to eat healthier and combat weight issues.

I will not list the amount of eating plans, such as South Beach, I’ve read about and tried over the last ten years. Nor will I expound on my personal opinions of such. All I know is that they didn’t work for me. What has worked is (1) visiting a nutritionist, (2) choosing a way to eat healthier, and (3) having a mindset ready to make a change (the most important factor!)

In August of 2007, I was reading the blog of an acquiantance from a beading forum when she mentioned packing a bento lunch for herself and her toddlers. The picture she showed off was so intriguing and began to research the subject a bit. I realized that bento-style lunches might be a step in the right direction foodwise.

As I do with many things, I cautiously bought 2 Lock & Lock containers to be my bento boxes to try it all out. I was worried about keeping up with the change. Kim, one of my oldest, dearest friends, suggested I blog about my experiences, telling me keeping a blog might keep me going. Not Exactly Bento was born, and Kim’s prediction was certainly right. Having a blog, and having people reading that blog, has certainly forced me to continue on my bento journey. Knowing people are watching gives great motivation, as well as all the individuals that comment and encourage me as I learn to cook in the process.

If you’re facing some sort of weight or health issue, I do highly encourage you to start your own bento journey if it is something you’ve been considering. The best source of information to start is with Biggie’s Lunch in a Box blog. She gives great speed packing tips and information on how appropriate bento box sizes. For healthy bento menus and recipes, visit Just Bento. Not only does this blogger share great recipes and bento box ideas, she also gives a calorie count for the bentos she lists. I find this great information for the beginning bento (of which I still consider myself).

If you’ve started packing bentos and would like sources of bento boxes, hop over to the Bento Love section of this website. You’ll find other great blogs as well as online sources to purchase bento boxes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at nebento at cox dot net.

Be the bento,
–Jenn of Not Exactly Bento