The Lunchbox returns!! New setting. New ingredients. Same structure.
Today’s sandwich was Tempeh + Jam on Dakota bread. I forgot to mention this last week, but the Soy Boy tempeh is AMAZING! Best I’ve ever had. It’s sweeter – like soy milk – and has a grainer texture than the Litelife. I’m going to have to hunt this down!!
I used a long slice and cut it in half for a short, stocky sandwich. [Did you know I pronounce it like most Southerners do: "Sam-wich" 
On the side – Oikos with a little bag of granola crumbs. I found a tiny spoon in Karen’s drawer!!
And for the nutrition, bell peppers and Sabra hummus!
For the love of natural light!
A great perk of being at "mom’s" house – waxed paper!! There are so many little luxuries that I really should just buy. I always find waxed paper to take up space and go unused, but it sure makes a great sandwich wrap!
Bearcation
As you may remember, the three Bears went to live with their grandmother during our period of homelessness. Apparently they’ve been blossoming since they left!
From my mom:
I have asked each bear to choose one type of lesson this summer. Churton chose piano lessons and is already quite accomplished. Here he is playing his recital piece, Beethoven’s "Fur Elise." I think he chose it because "fur" is in the title. The other bears rock nicely on the rocker while he plays.
It just takes a grandmother’s touch to bring the best out in children!
Today marks the start of the final week of my internship. Wahoo!
Hope y’all are having a great Monday 
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
Well those bears are really quite talented – I could use a few lessons on the piano myself, maybe you could pass my contact details on!?
Tempeh and jam sandwich…the thought of it makes me die and go to heaven !
Have a great day!
Hahaha that is too cute!!
You guys and those bears kill me! It’s so funny and sweet.
Good luck with your final week! I’m still skeptical on the tempeh and jam, maybe it’s cuz I’m not a huge tempeh fan
Hey Kath! I just wanted to say that I love all your bear antics, it’s really cute and I can definitely relate. My fiance and I have a monkey named Bongo that we treat like our son. haha, it’s nice to see others out there who love their stuffed animals as much as we do.
Hahahaha the bear is too cute! How is he progressing with Fur Elise now? BTW I love how you took the photo in the chair
And your lunch looks great! 
Wei-Wei
your bears crack me up! you guys are hilarious!
I love the bears! That just made my Monday.
Haha! The bears are having a grand time!
That looks like a FABULOUS lunch!
I continue to be impressed that you’re on quite a normal eating and blogging schedule despite the chaos of moving. Very impressive! Enjoy your lunch and your final week!
those bears are too darn cute!
i love how your family has such a playful side! Makes life more interesting!
Awww – the bears…so cute! Also – that Dakota bread…nom. Oh, and congrats on it being your last week!
Totally love the tempeh and jam combo. I wasn’t convinced it was delicious until I actually tried it for myself. Now I’m hooked.
Honestly, those bears are too cute. And such intellectuals, and so well-fed!
Good to know the bears are enjoying their grandmother’s house! Your lunch looks tasty! Have a great afternoon!
I love that you took the food to the natural light
I’m always taking my food outside bc our kitchen has no windows and the dining room on gets a little of the morning sun… Can’t wait for a place with a bit more natural light for my pictures 
Those bears crack me up!
I need to find me some of that Temp!
Can you give the back story of the bears!?!? I have been reading for a few months now, but I am always confused by the bears!!
You’re right- little things like wax paper make big differences!
Waxed paper reminds me of my mom too! And the pb&js that used to be wrapped up inside everyday at lunch :0)
I second Lindsay, can you give background info? I find it really funny too, but would probably get it a lot more if I knew when it all started, haha
Whats the deal with the bears?? I don’t really understand it…
Haha – I love the bears!! I’m so glad y’all have such as nice, comfortable place to stay during your transition!
your bears are adorable & so fun! churton looks very talented, for sure.
even though i’ve seen them mentioned from time to time, i’m afraid i missed the initial explanation…. if there was one. and if there was, do you have any idea of the link, or could you enlighten me? i want to be able to fully appreciate them.
your lunch looks amazing, of course. i haven’t tried tempeh before– the calories in it freak me out a bit. do you think it’s worth it anyway? & the great harvest bread you feature always makes me crave that stuff. i haven’t had it in a long time, but it’s so good. when i was little, we stopped by great harvest for free slices on our way home from ballet practice. mm.
hope you have an amazing day, & congratulations for finishing up your internship this week!
Do you boil and cook the tempeh or eat it out of the package. We tried it last week–boiling, grilling and it was okay–not worth the work. But if it can be eaten out of the package I might try it again!
Enjoy your last week!
Peace!
Eat it raw!
Tempeh and jam are an interesting combo! I’d be interested to find out where you got that tempeh from. I’ve only ever tried the Lightlife
Has he learned Chopsticks yet??
I’ve never thought to eat tempeh raw like that — and now you have me wondering if I could make homemade tempeh . . . .
Do you usually take your sandwich in a container? I’m sure the move and temporary living situation has shaken things up at bit! There are many good reasons to stick with that instead of waxed paper, both economically and environmentally. My motto? Save green and be green: go with reusable rather than disposable AMAP (as much as possible).
Yes, of course. It’s always in tupperware. But now that’s in a POD somewhere in Virginia..
hahaha that’s so cute… Fur Elise
Mary, I finally had to ban chopsticks. They were all playing it, day and night. I don’t like to stifle their creativity, but a grandmother has her limits.
Oh and Freya, the piano teacher, Dr. Vandersnoot, is a wonderful teacher but very strict.
Do the bears play nice with the girls; or since there is such a huge age difference do they just keep to themselves and not bother them, especially since just getting out of the hospital recently?
The girls (dolls that were repaired) are still in Baltimore with my mom. I bet they would be a little rough but not overly. They are respectful bears.
Oh, well they must be really feeling good to be out all the time because I thought they had gone home. I’ll bet when they do come home they will have a new dress to wear that they bought on one of their shopping adventures.
it sounds like subtle requests for grandchildren are starting to be heard from out of hillsborough! although the bears seem to be keeping them pretty busy
i agree there is something oddly comforting about waxed paper. josh especially loves it.
O the conveniences I never think to buy because I only know a few uses for them.
Enjoy your last week.
I’m new to this blog but love it! Can someone explain to me who Karen is & what her relationship to Kath & Matt is? Is she a friend or a relative? thanks!
I will step in and be helpful. Karen = Matt’s mom.
Hope you enjoy your last week at the internship!
Everything sounds like it’s going very well for you and Matt, despite the chaos that was your all’s life only a few days ago.
Your lunch looks devine, and the bears are so cute! 
Yay for the end in site for you internship!
Karen is Matt’s mother, Kath’s mother-in-law. The bears came from three different backgrounds and were happily adopted by Matt and Kath.
Those bears are so adorable!
Churton looks pretty talented.
I also pronounce ‘sandwich’ ‘sam-wich’. I guess I’m a Californian with a Southern accent…
Every time I read your blog it inspires me to eat better. Also, love the bears! Adorable.
I’m very impressed with Churton’s piano playing posture. Maybe his next piece will be something by “Bear-y” Manilow?
hahahah!
Oh no, I hope he doesn’t pick Copa Cabearna..
I can’t believe I just wrote that. It’s been a long day and I’m really tired, that’s my excuse
lol…your mom is too cute.
I haven’t heard of that tempeh brand– now I want to try it!
Oh my gosh, the bears are ADORABLE!
And I say “sam-wich” too – along with “micer-wave” instead of micro-wave
ha! me toO!
Hilarious–the bears! Isn’t your mom a children’s author? She could seriously write a book about her grandbears!
I told you that was the best tempeh! I’ve only seen it at Earth Fare. Side note: SoyBoy veggie burgers are DISGUSTING. They should definitely stick to tempeh…
Hahaha!! Oh, the lengths food bloggers will go for the right lighting. Kinda funny when you think about it : P
OMG cute bears! how fun is that.
Your little family looks so adorable!
I love soy boy!! 5-grain is my favorite! Best way to enjoy: mashed with jam and goat cheese then mixed in a salad with spinach, celery, cucumber, broccoli and almonds! HEAVENLY!
Another great post, and very funny too.
AMEN to natural light. As a new blogger, I learned about natural light very quickly.
Yay, for the internship coming to an end! You’ve worked so hard!
Your mom is so cute! I see where you get your creativity.
Bear Background: We have 3 Bears and they are alive. Not much more to say! Bocker was the first – a gift to me from Davidson. Matt used to make him come alive (and torture him!). Beaker was second. Then Churton, who was found on the side of the road.
A joke is that I used to HATE stuffed animals, especially as gifts from boyfriends on Valentine’s Day. And now we have them! Roll of the eyes.
Hahaha, it’s kind of amazing, but that is basically exactly the same story we have with OUR bears! I’m not sure if that type of “small world” is comforting or disturbing
i’ve never heard of that tempeh brand – will keep an eye out for it!
i’m going to practice piano too!
Hi Kath!
I read your blog often and really enjoy it but have never posted! I am from Canada but am looking into dietician programs in the States because I have a sister in Raleigh. Where did you take the RD program?
Thanks so much and happy moving!
Dana
At Winthrop University
Cute teddies
Congrats on your last week!
Thanks for the background on the bears! My Fiance and I also give life to nonliving things (our animals range from dogs to bears to stuffed owls) as a long running joke, so I can totally relate to the bears. Hilarious post!
haha what a talented bear
this actually made me giggle out loud a little 
Haha, you, your mom and your bears are adorable.
I want to try that tempeh! I bet it’d make my tempeh/jam/dijon sandwiches taste mega good.
i keep meaning to try the tempeh and jam. also, i’m confused. did you not find a house? so you’re living with karen? cause i thought you did find a house. but i could be getting you confused with caitlin HAH so many bloggers moving.
Nope! No new house.
LOVE the Soy Boy tempeh. I have been eating it for a while now. And I buy it from Whole Foods. Do you guys have a Whole Foods down there?
I want piano lessons. Lucky Bear!
I love Karen’s condo it’s so nice. I really need to try tempeh sometime, looks good.
I just recently started using waxed sandwich bags….love them. But sometimes they can be difficult to find at the grocery store.
Wow, and by now you would have finished the first of your last five days – hurrah! I also love how the tempeh is thicker than the bread – protein for the win, maybe?
I love tempeh and jam. I also include spinach in the mix for some veggie-goodness.
You crack me up with explaining how you pronounce things! Mostly because I would NEVER think to pronounce things in those ways!
I know, Soy Boy tempeh is the best!! I haven’t been able to find it at a grocery store yet but I first tried it at the Whole Foods hot bar. It was so amazing I asked one of the employees what kind of tempeh was in that particular dish, he said it was Soy Boy but they didn’t sell that in the store. Humph!
Congrats on your last week!
I love your bear stories
Aww, I love hearing about the bears. So cute! I should make more of an effort to find a good spot to photograph my meals–my kitchen counter is okay in the afternoons with the big window open, but in the morning its a lost cause.
Oh my… your parents NEED a real grandchild!! Tempeh looks good – I’ve never had it – I know you can make it with a starter. Have a good day.