Coffee Talk: Moving Update, Birthday Celebrations & More

Coffee Talk 15: a chance to catch up on the little things in life—both sweet and salty! July 2019

Hi there! Happy July. This month has felt especially busy and full of change. How is your summer shaping up? Maybe you have a big move on the horizon, are relaxing in a hammock, or tackling a kitchen renovation. I’d love to hear what you’re up to.

Pour yourself an ice-cold glass of lemonade and pull up a chair. It’s time for another cozy catch-up: a few updates, some small celebrations, and a peek at what’s new. Leave a comment and tell me what you’re looking forward to—let’s dive in.

July birthdays: Wishing a very happy birthday to my sister Jenny and her kiddo Dylan! Two of my favorite people are celebrating this month. I’m sending hugs, imaginary five-tier cakes, and lots of well wishes. Cheers to many more happy birthdays together.

We’re moving to Minneapolis! Things have gotten hectic here as Erik and I prepare for our move. We’re planning a trip to Minneapolis to scout apartments, sample the local food scene, and get a feel for the neighborhoods.

This move will be about 1,400 miles—less than a wild coast-to-coast move we once did from San Diego to Bangor, Maine, which was over 3,200 miles. Back then we pared down to almost nothing and traveled with a few suitcases. This time we’re aiming to bring more of our furniture, squeezing as much as we can into U-Haul U-Boxes.

Looking for packing tips and mover recommendations: Have you ever hired movers for a long haul? We received a quote that was shockingly high—around $15,000—so we’re weighing our options. Are PODS worth it, or are U-Haul boxes the smarter save? Any trusted mover names or budgeting tips you can share would be a lifesaver.

Our usual move rituals are in full effect: friendly debates about what to keep, scheduling donation pickups, stealthily tossing items when the other isn’t looking (and then returning them when discovered), and negotiating with family about what they’d like. Do you inventory belongings before a move or use vacuum bags to save space? Do you make pros and cons lists to decide what stays?

PODS or U-Haul? We debated both and, for now, chose U-Haul for cost reasons. If you have experience with either, tell me what worked and what didn’t. Any packing shortcuts, must-have supplies, or sanity-saving tricks are welcome.

Top Recipes

Popular Recipes This Month

• 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies – Healthy Vegan No Bake Cookies without Milk!
• 5 Ingredient Blueberry Almond Paleo Vegan Granola Recipe NEW
• Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe
• Homemade Cashew Coconut Milk Vegan Ice Cream (Paleo, Dairy-Free)
• Healthy Moist Vegan Zucchini Muffins w/ Chocolate Chips (GF, V) shown above

Latest Recipes & Favorites

• 4 Ingredient Paleo Almond Butter Ice Cream (Vegan, Keto)
• Moist Vegan Gluten Free Zucchini Bread Recipe (GF)
• Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe (Almond Flour, GF)
• Almond Joy Vegan Paleo Ice Cream Recipe (Refined Sugar-Free)

Recipe SNEAK PEEK!!! Can you guess what the new recipe will be?

How is July treating you so far? I hope your summer is full of restful days and little adventures. I always love hearing your updates—drop a note in the comments and tell me what’s happening in your world.

Sending love, xo Demeter ❤️

Catch up on past posts:

• 2019:
  • Coffee Talk 14 – June
  • Coffee Talk 13 – May
  • Coffee Talk 12 – April
  • Coffee Talk 11 – March
  • Coffee Talk 10 – February
  • Coffee Talk 9 – January
• 2018:
  • Coffee Talk 8 – November
  • Coffee Talk 7 – October
  • Coffee Talk 6 – September
  • Coffee Talk 5 – August
  • Coffee Talk 4 – July
  • Coffee Talk 3 – June
  • Coffee Talk 2 – May
  • Coffee Talk 1 – April
• 2017:
  • Catching Up 2
  • Catching Up 1