Immaculate Baking Japanese Bento Boxes

Love translates to food in so many languages. Meals are made with much care around the world. Yet – unwittingly – some people may be serving dishes that are making their loved ones sick. According to movies like this one found at YouTube: The culprits in many cases are products made with GMOs (genetically modified organisms.) Unfortunately, the American food supply has been flooded with GMOs (corn, wheat, soy and sugar products), while other countries seem to be much more concerned about the health of their people and have banned GMOs. (Japan is one of them.)

Takako-san (left) and Rika-san (right) prepare for a meal with care
and attention to every detail. (I took a lot of notes!)

It's gotten so bad in the U.S. that corrupt politicians in congress anonymously inserted into a recent spending package a law that now protects the chemical company that makes GMOs from being sued by their victims, even if the victims can prove in court that the company's products are unsafe! This is the same chemical company that told us their previous products were safe: DTD, PCBs, and Agent Orange, all of which turned out to be incredibly unsafe!

The passage of the law to protect the chemical company from being sued was so outrageous that on May 25, there were large protests in the streets of 52 countries and 436 cities. My husband attended one of the two protests in Los Angeles and saw this speech by bestselling (A Return to Love) author Marianne Williamson. 

Instead of marching in the streets, I marched into my kitchen determined to support companies like Immaculate Baking by purchasing their non-GMO products. (Complete transparency:  The $1 off coupons I received from the company do not influence my opinion. I use their products whether their coupons are in my pocket or not.) Supporting a company like Immaculate Baking, by the way, is no big hardship. Especially when aromas of heady cinnamon and butter flood my kitchen from Immaculate Baking's cinnamon rolls, scones and flaky biscuits.

Caring for our families and ourselves so that we reap the blessings of longevity can start with serving organic and non-GMO products. But fun is also an essential part of good living. So, this Ninja Baker created 3 kid-friendly Immaculate Baking Japanese bento lunch box-making projects.

Butterfly Bento Box:
In Japan, the butterfly is a symbol of joy and longevity.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Crescent Rolls
• Chocolate Bar
• Immaculate Baking Vanilla Sugar Organic Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Frosting
• Organic Pink Jelly Beans

Directions:
1. Bake crescent rolls according to package directions. If desired, place a square of chocolate before rolling up the crescents.
2. Break off bits of cookie dough to create the body and antennas of the butterfly.
Bake until golden brown.
3. Once the rolls and cookies are cooled, assemble, frost and place on a bed of organic pink jelly beans.

Turtle Bento Box:
The turtle is a magical, wise creature and a protector of longevity in Japanese folklore.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Blueberry Scones
• Organic Blue (for the Sea) Jelly Beans

Directions:
1. Remove blueberry scones from the package as directed and place 6 on a cookie sheet. With the 2 remaining scones, pinch off bits of dough to make the head and feet of the turtle.
2. Baking according to package instructions.
3. Place in a sea of organic blueberry jelly beans.

Rabbit Bento Box:
Japanese legend says rabbits inhabit the moon where they pound rice – the sustainer of life.

What you’ll need:
• Immaculate Baking Buttermilk Biscuits
• Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate Frosting
• Fresh Carrots

Directions:
1. Bake the biscuits according to package instructions.
2. Cut 4 of the biscuits in half to create bunny ears.
3. Pipe the frosting onto the remaining 4 biscuits to make bunny faces.
4. Garnish with fresh carrots.

Wishing you a long life blessed with health and fun.

The Ninja Baker