How Bento Making Burned Me Out (And What I Do Now Instead)

Hello Reader, It's Yukari!
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Today, I want to show you how we do “batch cooking," inspired by our Mix & Match Meal Planner.

It’s easy, flexible, and packed with flavor. 🥳
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But first... let me take you back to the kitchen that started it all.

Cooking? That's for Adults...Right?

A little after my grandma passed away, my mom was admitted to the hospital for testing.
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Suddenly, all the things I thought were for grown-ups, like cooking, landed squarely on my 7th-grade shoulders.
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My dad still had to work, so he couldn’t cook for us. But my brother and I both needed bento for school.
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So I pulled on my big-girl pants and woke up early, just like Grandma did, to make our lunchboxes.
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I actually did it.
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Little dishes, all packed neatly…
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…for about a week. 🥹

Then I ran out of ideas.
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Got tired of washing dishes.
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Lost all my steam. 😫

When my mom finally came home, I sighed in relief and thought:
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​"See? Cooking is for adults. Not kids like me."

She mostly relied on supermarket prepared meals, but hey, our bentos were full again.
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And warm food was back on the table.

That Experience Taught Me:

Cooking is hard. Not fun. And full of endless cleanup.
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So I gave up.

But years later, I realized something:
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Cooking is a Life Skill.

And just because I got older, it didn’t mean I magically became better.

Budgeting meals?
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Feeding others with limited skills and a limited pantry?
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Trying to make something that actually filled bellies?

😅 That came with a whole new learning curve.

But that’s a story for next time…
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​Spoiler Alert! My budget was tight, my skills were sad, and dinner… didn’t fill anyone’s belly. Oops! 😬🍽️"

🎉 You Voted! And the Logo Direction Is…

The Clear Favorite?
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🧡 Playful & Personal: A swirl of steam, a cat paw, and a cozy sketch of our table.

We’re so excited to create a logo that feels like home to this community!

Thank you for helping us shape it! 🙏🧡🙏

📥 Tried the Mix and Match Planner Yet?

If not, you can grab your free copy here.
We’re also thinking about bonus ideas just for subscribers! 😎

🧂 Food Prep = Freedom (Not Boring Leftovers)

Here’s what I’ve learned:

➡️ Food prep doesn’t have to mean eating the same thing all week.

That’s why Aric and I follow a “Prep Once, Remix Often” approach.

We (meaning Aric.🤣 ) grill meats and veggies once a week. I prep a few staples (like rice, pasta, and blanched veggies).
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Then we turn them into completely different meals each day, so it stays fresh, fun, and super doable.

👉 Watch (and Follow us!🙏) the NEW REEL to see how we made 7 totally different meals from one prep session.

It’s low-effort, high-reward, and they are all delicious!

More videos and walk-throughs are coming soon, just for subscribers!

🎄 PS: October & November Bookings Are OPEN!

Want to host a cozy Private Dinner Party or In-Home Coo​king Classes in Colorado this fall?

🎉 December is already booked solid, but we’ve got a few spots left in October and November!

Now’s the perfect time to grab a spot before the holidays sneak up!
👇👇👇👇👇

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Thanks again for building this with us.
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We’re not perfect chefs. We’re just real people who love feeding others and figuring it out with you.

With flavor, love, and stainless steel tongs in one hand,
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Yukari & Aric
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(and Senna + Ka-En, snack ninja & firecracker in charge 🐱🐶)

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