Spring Cooking with Grayson

Bento Box Entry + Recipe

1. Personal Background & Journey

I’m Grayson! I’m a 24-year-old San Diego native who traded in the ocean for the big city and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York! I am a long time lover of cooking healthy recipes, baking yummy treats, yoga, hiking, and any other activities that keep me moving! I work in social media marketing for health and wellness brands and love learning about all of the amazing better-for-you brands in the space! When I’m not busy at work or in the kitchen, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, & my golden retriever, Finley!

2. Life Aspirations

My goal in life is to leave the world a little bit better than I found it! As someone who has a passion for helping others, I recently decided to go back to school to become a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach! I am looking forward to learning more about myself through the process and helping other people feel like the best versions of themselves both mentally and physically!

3. What is a Bento Box / Lunch Box to you?

Bento Boxes give me complete freedom to take meals with me wherever I go! They are a great way for me to prepare for busy work weeks, weekend adventures, or anywhere else life takes me and I love taking the time to mindfully prepare my meals ahead of time, filling them with nourishing ingredients that keep me full and satisfied throughout the day.

4. What do you pack in your TAKENAKA Bento?

What I pack in my TAKENAKA Bento varies from day to day but as we head into Spring, I’ve been loving making delicious salads with fresh ingredients! I love cooking with produce that is in season, so I decided to pack a Couscous Spring Salad with Lemon Feta Vinaigrette! This salad is not only vegetarian-friendly but it’s packed with protein, healthy carbs, and fresh flavor! I packed bell peppers, pistachios, and crackers on the side to have as a snack throughout the day.

5. What is your favorite part of our boxes and what colors have you chosen?

I love everything about my POKETO x TAKENAKA Bento Box! The bright pink color and fun designs on the Bento Box make me smile every morning when I’m packing up my lunch! It serves as a reminder to me to not take things so seriously and to take the time to slow down and enjoy my lunch! I also love how it has multiple layers so that I can pack snacks on the side.

 

Couscous Spring Salad + Lemon Feta Vinaigrette Recipe

• Couscous Salad:

●  3 cups cooked couscous
●  1 pound asparagus spears, stems removed
●  1 can chickpeas
●  1⁄4 cup chopped fresh green onions
●  1⁄4 cup cherry tomatoes

●  1⁄4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

• Lemon Feta Vinaigrette:

●  3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
●  1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
●  2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley and chives
●  1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
●  1 teaspoon honey
●  1 garlic clove, minced
●  Salt and pepper to taste
●  1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
●  1⁄3 cup crumbled feta cheese