Back when we were dating, hubby and I officially declared Friday night as “Sushi Night“. We’d visit our favourite Japanese restaurants, grab a delectable takeout spread and a movie rental, or try our hand at rolling our own (I think we tried this once and failed miserably; although I usually fail to mention this when I say “oh yeah, I can make homemade maki”).
We continued this tradition when we were married, but all too soon I was pregnant with Ryder and had to say bye-bye to my beloved sushi. But as soon as the morning sickness faded, I developed insatiable cravings for the fresh little cubes of seafood goodness. Then one fine day, while grocery shopping at Loblaws, Mike stopped by the Bento counter and said, “Surely you can eat California rolls?” And that, my friends, was a poignant moment in time – for me it signaled the beginning of weekly (or more) Bento fixes, and for Mike – well, let’s just say that someone had to grab the yummy rolls at 10:58pm.
Today, I’m still hooked. Fresh, convenient and always delicious, Bento products are the answer to sushi on demand.
“As the largest sushi company in Canada, Bento serves more than 10 million handmade servings of sushi per year through a network of 22 quick service ‘grab and go’ sushi bars in premier shopping malls and office towers; more than 350 on-site sushi bars in quality supermarkets and more than 2,000 supermarket and institutional food service locations. The brands which the company’s products are known by include: Bento, Bento Express and Bento Sushi.”
Click here to view Bento products.
Recently, Bento celebrated its 15th anniversary and delivered on its promise to become the first sustainable sushi company in the country. Working in partnership with the SeaChoice program, Bento plans to supply only sustainable seafood by 2012.
“We want our customers to have an authentic, nutritious, and safe sushi experience that supports healthy oceans,” says Carl Sparkes, President and CEO of Bento. “Our mission is to deliver great sustainable sushi to Canadians anywhere, anytime.”
What is SeaChoice?
SeaChoice is a joint initiative of the the David Suzuki Foundation, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society and Sierra Club British Columbia. Bento has already switched 65 per cent of its product offering to sustainable fish and seafood. It has also replaced its unsustainable red-listed tuna with sustainable troll-caught Albacore tuna from the Pacific Northwest. SeaChoice labels will appear on Bento products that meet sustainability criteria and have been ranked by SeaChoice through science-based assessments.
Love it. A company that produces delicious, high quality food while keeping a conscience. It’s vitally important for us to consider the impact we have on our oceans and the (often yummy) species that live in them – isn’t it wonderful to know that you have a choice? And that Bento makes it easy to make the right one?
To celebrate their partnership and quest for “healthy choices, healthy oceans”, Bento made a most welcome delivery to our home last week – three party boats packed with delectable Salmon Sushi, California Rolls and Assorted Maki!
WIN IT!
I am due in 2 weeks with baby #2 and I cannot wait to dig into some serious sushi!! As soon as this baby pops out, I am going to go buck-wild on all the raw goodness! I would hit up Bento's Spicy Salmon, Maki Combo, and if feeling really zealous, the Wrap and Roll Platter…yes, all to myself :)
I follow your blog daily!
LOVE this giveaway!!!Three products…california rolls!!…with white rice, brown rice and spicy!!!!Does that count!! I wish I were more adventurous with my sushi repertoire, but I'm not quite there yet!!!…I've just recently started using the wasabi and soy sauce that comes with them! LOL!!It's my tradition to stop at the sushi counter at Yorkdale and eat my california rolls as I shop…do it EVERY time..I'm always hungry for them! :-D
and I follow your blog..
and a LTL fan on Facebook! :-D
The vegetarian California roll,orange California roll,and the cucumber roll all sound delicious!Popcorn_2003@hotmail.com
i like Maki combo – Salmon Sushi Boat and Mini Maki Nigiri Platter
im a gfc follower @xmd5
Liked Listen to Lena! on Facebook (ted kooper)
Mmmm, now I'm totally craving sushi! For me that was the hardest part of being pregnant. I could do without alcohol, but no sushi was HARD!My 3 faves are the philalelphia rolls, ranbow rolls and inari sushi…..yum!
I follow your blog.
And follow you on FB.
The rainbow roll looks delicious, but my fav is the maki combo!!
I follow your blog
I like listentolena on facebook!
Yum in Tum!My 3 favs are Spicy California roll,Spicy salmon roll & the Mega Maki Platter!oh man im hungry now…facesbyfarah(at)gmail(dot)com
Of course i follow your amazing blggity blog
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OMG now I am seriously hungry!!! And the choices its hard to give just 3. I have so been wanting to go try this place out. I would love the teriyaki chicken rice bowl, spicy california spring ro;; or the wasabi tuna roll.Rainy
ohhh this is a great giveway!!!Hmm 3 items, well the California rolls are a must, Cucumber Roll, and Vegetarian Spring roll would be my choicekatie
I follow your blogKatie
I am a BIG fan (on FB)Katie
I like the Brown Rice Vegetarian California Roll, Rainbow Roll and Nigiri Sushi Snack Pack.henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
California RollsSalmon Sushi Boat and Mini Maki Nigiri Platter
I follow your blog, Listen to Lena!
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daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/11938276868886528henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Love the Maki combo
Follow your blog
Like Listen to Lena on Facebook
Love the Maki Combo and Salmon Sushi Boat
Like Lena on FB
Follow your blog
Brown rice California roll Vegetarian Japanese dumplingsAvocado rollslkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am a GFC followerlkish77123 at gmail dot com
oooh! awesome giveaway!!!I love the california roll, maki combo, and spring rolls!christyplus2 AT gmail DOT com
I follow you on GFC!(orangeheromama)christyplus2 AT gmail DOT com
i tweeted!http://twitter.com/orangeheromama/status/11952424818311168christyplus2 AT gmail DOT com
Delicious!!! I love Bento Sushi. It is my favourite quick meal to pick up at the grocery store. All the California Rolls are excellent and I often get the Maki Combo. I haven't tried the Salmon Sushi Boat. It looks great.
My favorites are:cucumber rollpeeled edamamepork japanese dumplings
I follow with GFC
I follow your blog!
Spicy california roll, Spicy salmon roll, Dynamite roll… droool!
vegetarian california rollbrown rice veg. california roll vegetarian spring rollYUMMY!
http://twitter.com/xmd5/status/11878897704501248
Sushi is love!!! I haven;t had some for so long so this wouldn't be an excuse NOT to have it lol
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/12126675139567617henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
I love the Brown Rice Vegetarian California roll, Cucumber Roll, and the Vegetarian Spring Rolls!
I can't believe it's a blog giveaway for SUSHI! How awesome is this?!Three products:Spicy Salmon RollRainbow RollMega maki Nigiri Platter Inari Sushi(Ok, so that's 4, but I had trouble picking just four!)
I follow you on GFC.
I follow you on facebook.
Yum! I love the brown rice California roll, spicy salmon and the dynamite roll.
I follow your blog.
got a 'blogger error' "We're sorry, but we were unable to complete your request." when i tried to submit my last comment, so i'll try this again. sorry if there's a double entry from me.-spicy salmon roll-pork japanese dumplings-shrimp spring rollmorejuly@gmail.comjames
i (1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!morejuly@gmail.comjames
i (2) "Like" Listen to Lena! on Facebookmorejuly@gmail.comjames
i like Maki combo – Salmon Sushi Boat and Mini Maki Nigiri Platter
followed you on GFC – Jessicajessicatang90@gmail.com
your fb fanjessica tang
tweethttp://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/12164787890823168
BROWN RICE CALIFORNIA ROLL, Brown Rice Vegetarian California Roll;Spicy California roll ; are my 3 choices.
I am loving the Spicy Salmon, Mako Combo and the Rainbow Roll.Yummy!kellyfaria647 at hotmail dot com
I like LTL on FB.kellyfaria647 at hotmail dot com
Mmmmmm……vegetarian Cali roll, Cucumber roll **drooling**…. and seaweed salad, YUMMERS!
http://twitter.com/#!/MapleLeafMommy/status/12245398097760256Tweet!
1 The rainbow roll2 spicy salmon roll3 California Roll Boatthese all sound yummy
Just recently introduced my kids to sushi and they love it!. Our faves are vegetarian California roll,orange California roll,and the cucumber roll.
I follow your blog
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http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/12248580983095296
Pork Japanese Dumplings Cucumber Roll Nigiri Sushi Snack Pack nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Follow via gfcAnnie1nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Like you on fbAnne Taylor or annectaylor1tynancyrobster at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/12300429215924224nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Cali-Shogun Combo, Nigiri Sushi Snack Pack and Rainbow Rolls look great!!
LOVE sushi! I will eat ANYTHING! Rainbow Roll, spicy salmon roll and Maki combo.
'i like you one facebook
Spicy California RollVeg Spring RollDumplings OK, I lie – they all sound AMAZING. Seriously. I couldn't decide.
I follow your blog
Salmon sushi boat, japanese dumplings, shrimp spring rolls
http://twitter.com/xmd5/status/12239729596567553
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/12399029518344192nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I like Listen to Lena on FB
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daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/12522123197157376henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Great contest! I like the spicy california roll, maki combo, and salmon sushi boat.
I like Listen to Lena on Facebook.mildlyamusing at gmail dot com
I follow you on gfcmildlyamusing at gmail . com
mmmm Rainbow roll! and the nigiri combo and the wrap and roll platter all look really really good right now! :)
http://twitter.com/xmd5/status/12598022860972032
http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/12900773897703426
I definately like the california rolls, spicy california rolls, and spicy salmon rolls!
i "like" listen to lena on facebook!
We all love Bento sushi!!
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/12974236557643776nancyrobster at gmail dot com
My favourites are the Philadelphia roll, the vegetarian spring roll and the pork dumplings.pamfreecycle@gmail.com
I follow via gfcpamfreecycle@gmail.com
I like listen to lena on facebookpam w h
I like california rolls, spicy california rolls, and cucumber rolls.jennifer.kalman at gmail dot com
I follow your blogjennifer.kalman at gmail dot com
I liked you on facebookjennifer.kalman at gmail dot comThanks!
I love Bento Sushi! Seriously Lena, how do you have such cool giveaways? My top three are: Maki combo, sSlmon Sushi Boat and Mini Maki Nigiri Platter. Yummy!
I follow your amazing blog!
I like you on Facebook (so happy to see you finally created an account!)
I would try brown rice california roll, inari sushiand the Vegetarian Japanese dumplings.
like on facebook
follow on gfc
I love california roll, brown rice california roll and veggie california roll!billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
http://twitter.com/xmd5/status/12968279798710273
i like the vegetarian japanese dumplings, avocado roll and the brown rice vegetarian california roll…mmmmm….my mouth is watering
i now follow your blog
i like you on facebook…
tweeted :-)
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/13230570335109120henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/13263392777179136
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/13319393106726913nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Brown Rice Vegetarian California Roll, Spicy California Spring Roll and Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl pegcitymomma {AT} gmail {DOT} comthanks!
follow you too – thanks!
spicy california, spicy salmon and the wasabi tuna roll!jenatwwjd at gmail
follow you via GFCjenatwwjd at gmail
https://twitter.com/xmd5/status/13322489929138176
http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/13638731172937728
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/13702708804456449nancyrobster at gmail dot com
My top 3 picks are the Rainbow Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, and the Mega Maki Nigiri Platter! YUM!arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca
"Like" Listen to Lena! on Facebookarctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca
I follow your blogarctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca
Tweeted – http://twitter.com/Mom2GMC/statuses/13758535699529728arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca
https://twitter.com/xmd5/status/13703204340506624
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/13857087759056896nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I like the spicy california spring roll, shrimp spring roll and teriyaki chicken rice bowltbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
google followertbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
like on fb (michelle b)tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweethttp://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/13859852631678977tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/13961499903008768henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/13985614571503616
Following via GFChenglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
Like on facebook ~ Huguette Enhenglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
California rolls, Dynamite rolls and pickled ginger are my picks.
The Spicy salmon roll, Dynamite Roll and Spicy California Spring Roll looks delicious! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I'm a GFC follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Likes Listen to Lena! on Facebook on Facebook (Lisa L). tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I love the California roll, maki combo, and the avocado roll
I follow your blog.
Like to listen to lena on facebook.
https://twitter.com/xmd5/status/14047372501848064
daily tweethttp://twitter.com/henglish/status/14283796056645633henglish at nb dot sympatico dot ca
hopefully I am not too late!My favs are:California rollVeggie california rolland the rainbow roll
hopefully I am not too late!My favs are:California rollVeggie california rolland the rainbow roll
http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/14415157253902336
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/14418397404078080nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I tweeted about this contest: http://twitter.com/#!/loucheryl
I follow your blog!
I like you on Facebook
My 3 favs are:the Maki ComboCalifornia roll Avocado rolls
Love this giveaway!My 3 picks are:Spicy California rollSpicy Salmon rollMega Maki PlatterAlthough they all sound delicious!
I could totally go for:Spicy California rollSpicy salmon rollMega Maki Plattercouponkatie at hotmail dot com
https://twitter.com/xmd5/status/14409961530462208