This year, Chinese New Year falls on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. It is the year of the tiger and, in honor of that, I decided to do a Tiger sandwich bento for Sean! The sandwich is made of whole wheat bread and turkey, as well as cheddar and provolone cheese on top for the tiger’s head. I used fish sausage for the nose and nori for the tiger’s stripes, eyes, and ears. As for myself, I was born in the year of the boar or pig, and I am technically what you would call a metal pig. Only a half of things that describe my zodiac ring true, but the other half just makes me giggle. I know for sure that I am not extroverted or ambitious. They are kind of fun to read and if you are curious about yours just click on the link and type in your birthdate.
Paige wanted to take leftovers from last night’s dinner of beef stew. So I thoroughly heated everything up this morning and packed it in this thermal container that I got from my sister over the winter break. It’s such a cute and roomy container, that is ideal to pack stews and chili in with hot veggies at the top. It doesn’t keep the food hot like a thermos but it’s effective enough to keep it warm until lunch. :D
HA! that zodiac website is awesome – turns out i’m a diligent ox (but no water/fire/metal etc.). who knew?!
this tiger face is great, i am saving up all my tiger ideas from everyone else’s tiger bentos, and doing mine on feb. 14… i want to rub this cute tiger’s nose!
paige’s new container is cool looking, and you added some nice sweet veggie touches. bentos for both kids today – super mom!
Thanks gamene! I can’t wait to see your tiger bento!!! Paige’s bento was easy, just reheat and stick a pick in it.
The tiger is so cute! I love the big pink nose!
Thanks Uniflame!
Cute! I didn’t know about the 14th. But now I do! Thanks for the inspiration, as always
Thanks Melanie!
The tiger is so fantastically beautiful! If I were Sean I’ll be starving as I would’ve spent all my break time staring at it instead of eating it…I love the brilliancy of different cheeses to give the tiger’s face some texture..
Thanks notabrownbag!
Sean likes to eat all of the decoration first, so the poor tiger was the first to go.
I love the idea of sending warm food on our kid’s obento. I was wondering where you got the thermal container that has stacking bowls like the one you show in this post… Thank you!
My sister got it from Kilauea Market in Hilo. I haven’t seen it sold online or here on Oahu. There are other thermal sets for sale at Shirokiya or Marukai, and a lot of them online. If you are looking for a set that keeps everything hot then this a good one from http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Stainless-Steel-Lunch-Jar/dp/B002OCRRFS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1264719283&sr=8-4 .
There are a lot on Amazon here as well http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=thermal+lunch+box&sprefix=Thermal+lunch+
Oops, I also forgot to say thank you.
I love to see 2 themes at once in this post. And yours tiger year theme are so cute, makes me want to make one too. Hope you don’t mind Susan. It’s fun to read your link about Chinese zodiac … mine is Wood Tiger not a Tiger Wood hahaha
But this year is my year yeah!!
ROFL, Lia you are too funny!!! I hope this year is full of blessings for you!
I can’t wait to see your Tiger bento!
You make the cutest, happiest cartoon animals ever! I love both the tiger sandwich and the warm thermal bento. Great job Susan!
Thanks Sheri!
Super amazing Year of the Tiger bento, Susan!! This is SO well done–the tiger face is just full of expression and charm, ILOVE!!! Congrats on your talent, this is the best!
Thanks Jenn!
I’m anxiously awaiting your next fabulous bento!
Adorable tiger! I can’t wait to do a tiger bento on the 14th
I seem to be a Water Boar. Doesn’t sound very nice
Kidlet lucked out and is a Dragon!
Thanks Jenn!
LOL, a dragon sounds very impressive, especially to a boy! Paige is a horse and Sean is a dog.
That tiger is grrreAT!
Thanks hapabento!
I love it! I love it! Such a chubby cutie baby tiger
. And the veggies look adorable too. Shortly, I LOVE this bento package 
Thanks Tata Bonita!
ooo, i really like this tabby – super sweet.
Thanks javapot!
Oh, I love the tiger face… must make something similar for my daughter….
Thanks Margot!
believe me, it’s an amazingly tiger =)
Thank you!
I just lost a similar thermal container just like the one you have. I love the space within n the plastic container that comes with it. Unfortunately we suspect it was stolen at school which left my girl without her lunch.
Is that the one you just posted with Cinnamoroll on it? That’s terrible that someone took it.
Susan,
I tried this tiger for my gal snack’s box.. It was a blast, even the teacher loved it..
Thanks for sharing yr knowledge…
Every now and then, I always copy yr idea…:))
Btw, Where can I buy your book?
Tried to find in kinokuniya..but they din have any ..
Hi Deby!
Yay, I’m so glad that you all liked it! My book is available through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Hawaiis-Bento-Box-Cookbook-Lunches/dp/1566478650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268412765&sr=8-1 and you can get it through my publisher as well http://www.mutualpublishing.com/bookinfo.aspx?bookID=446 , they ship internationally. My new book comes out in April too. Thanks again! 
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