Don’s Guest post: Lunchbox Solutions and Brunch at Credible Edibles

The last guest post this week is from Don of Foodieprints here in Ottawa. He is one of the most pleasant people you’ll meet in blog world or on twitter – follow him at @foodieprints.  This week, he takes us inside the world of lunches and portable lunch containers.  Thanks Don!!

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 Rebeccca of “A Little Bit of Momsense” (@bitofmomsense) asked for guest bloggers, we jumped at the opportunity. She is one of the most genuine, sweet, and enthusiastic people we’ve had the good fortune to met. Besides, food bloggers both, Jenn and I check back with Rebecca’s “A Little Bit of Food Sense” regularly.

Rebecca being a mommy blogger and Jenn being a teacher, I am well aware the back to school season has descended upon Ottawa. I’ve been dragged on enough shopping quests to check local blogs beforehand for the latest happenings. On August 12, I came across one post on the subject school lunches and snacks. Then, I came across Thermos’ latest campaign to market “FUNtainers.”

FUNtainers are good and all, but, in my opinion, they are small and better suited for younger children. What about older children? What about cube-dwelling parents? What about those of us who snack throughout the day (as opposed to sitting for a large midday meal)? What about those of us concerned about eating greenly at lunch? Enter Laptop Lunch Systems and Ontario-made ThermaPods

We discovered these bento-style (compartmentalized) lunchbox solutions at Chef Judi Varga-Toth’s Credible Edibles (78 Hinton Avenue North). Credible Edibles is more of a canteen than a restaurant. There, she serves locally-sourced food that adheres to author Michael Pollan’s famous food rule, “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” She teaches cooking classes. She operates a Daycare and School Lunch service that delivers lunch to homes, daycares, and schools in Westboro, Hintonburg, downtown, the Glebe and Old Ottawa South. And, she sells “ecological lunch boxes and accessories.”

Laptop Lunch-wise, there were three “original” Bento Box Sets ($25.99) remaining on the shelves when we arrived, along with carrying cases.

Laptop Lunch Sets

Black and Red Set Open

Pink Set Open
Made with no phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), or lead, the sets consitst of multi-use containers that can accomodate a large variety of foods. This includes sandwiches, meats, salads, pasta, cous cous, rice, and grilled vegetables. The bento box outer container and inner containers are dishwasher safe. The inner containers, save for the lids, are microwave safe.

While Laptop Lunch boxes offer some insulation, Thermapods ($34.99) are designed to retain heat. Likewise, I surmise Thermapods would be equally effective in keeping foods cool.

Thermapods

Thermapod Open
Made with no phthalates, BPA, or lead, the pods are also leak proof, sturdy (protecting the foods within), and microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Each features a compartment for cutlery, which can include chopsticks.

For anyone interested in recycled products, Credible Edible currently sells lunch bags ($19.95), made from re-purposed Kool-Aid packets.

Kool-Aid Lunch Bags

And, after you finish lunch box shopping, we highly recommend sitting down to lunch or brunch.

This past weekend, Jenn had a “Credible Egg Muffin” ($4.95).

Credible Egg Muffin
It was made with local free-range eggs and whole wheat english muffin with a tomato. Normally, it comes with cheese, but Jenn opted out.

Me, I had the small combo ($9.97), which included a soup, sandwich, and a dessert.

Dulse Lettuce and Tomato

DLT Combo
Soup-wise, I had the tomato gazpacho with fresh herbs. Sandwich-wise, dulse (seaweed), lettuce, and tomato. Dessert, a sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese frosting that was dusted with pumpkin spice. The dulse was a little chewy for my taste, but it made a surprisingly good substitute for bacon.

We are fans of Chef Varga-Toth’s and her food philosophy. We also think Ottawa residents would be hard pressed to get a fresher tasting brunch anywhere else. Many of the ingredients are picked from the hanging garden that surrounds her restaurant’s patio.

Particulars:
Credible Edibles
78 Hinton Avenue North
(613)558-7569