family blog

  When your child starts preschool, you enter the world of "Bento Boxes." Old-school metal lunchboxes are out. Compartment boxes are in. The two heavyweights are Bentgo and OmieBox . The Bentgo Kids ($25) The Vibe: It has 5 small compartments. It is perfect for "grazers" who want 3 strawberries, 4 crackers, and a dip. The Seal: It is leak-proof. You can put ranch dressing in one section, and it won't leak into the crackers. The Downside: It does not keep food hot. Everything is room temperature. The OmieBox ($40) The Vibe: It has a built-in Thermos . The Magic: You can pack hot mac-and-cheese in the thermos circle and cold fruit in the side square. It keeps hot food hot for 4 hours. The Downside: It is heavy and expensive. Verdict: If your kid loves sandwiches, get the Bentgo . If your kid refuses sandwiches and only eats hot nuggets or pasta, you need the OmieBox .

  When you start solids, you have two choices: Buy jars (Expensive). Make your own (Messy). If you plan to make your own, you will be tempted to buy a fancy machine like the BEABA Babycook . It steams the raw veggies and then blends them in the same cup . Is it worth the price tag? YES, if: You hate washing dishes. The magic of " Steam & Blend " in one button means you aren't washing a steamer pot, a strainer, and a blender jar. You wash one cup. You want " Set and Forget. " You throw raw carrots in, press a button, and walk away. 15 minutes later, it beeps, and you have puree. NO, if: You already have a high-end blender ( like a Vitamix ). You can steam veggies on the stove and blend them. It takes more steps, but the result is the same. My Take: If you can afford it, the time saved on washing dishes makes the Beaba worth every penny.