Is there such a thing as a moving consultant?
I need to be project planned.
In my “normal” life I’m pretty organized. I’m structured. I have a routine and I like it. Some might call me Type A (though you wouldn’t know it from the past couple months… I blame Vegas).
Anytime I move it’s a whole new story. I turn into a Jack Russell puppy chasing it’s tail. I have bubble wrap everywhere. Piles of shit I have no idea what to do with. Empty boxes. Boxes that are 75% full… but that I can’t seal because I’m looking for little odds and ends I can cram it the remaining 25% (you know those odd spaces that need to be stuffed by nothing really fit in?).
Anyway. That’s where I am.
In the meantime, I’m half eating out and half eating the random stuff I can’t take with. Like everything in the freezer.
This WIAW is the first of a few very unplanned WIAWs to come. Enjoy the chaos. I am.
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
Pre-Breakfast:
The usual morning cocktail followed by my morning sludge. This will never change. 😉
I’m trying to do more morning workouts since I need to be packing at night. The cold weather isn’t motivating and it freezes the shower… so I got a late start. Downed a couple of Banana-Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins (I added nuts and coconut shreds to the top of this batch) from the freezer and off to the gym I went.
Breakfast:
Post-workout shake. Yes, it’s freezing and I made a super thick, icy chocolate shake. I used chocolate Growing Naturals rice protein, kale, and cinnamon in this one. Topped with sprinkles. Then I sat on my hand for an hour to thaw out.
Lunch:
Leftover chicken and a brussels salad with farro, tomatoes, cheese, and pumpkin seeds from my favorite lunch spot, MetroFresh. I’m going to miss that place!
Unpictured homemade fiber protein bar for a snack.
Dinner:
My mom and baby sister came over for dinner and I made a Garnish & Gather meal for us all. Mardi Gras pork chops with cheesy rice and red pepper turnips. Plus wine. Because duh.
There was a lot of chocolate and more wine for dessert. You know… so I don’t have to move it.
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Our new place is being repainted and a new stove and dishwasher are being installed this week. #itsthelittlethings
Did you celebrate Fat Tuesday?
What’s your best moving tip?
I’m so bummed- I only realised it was Fat Tuesday after lunch (and I already had dinner plans at friend’s place)! I will have to make up for it later this week. My biggest moving tip? Keep calm & be ruthless about getting rid of stuff…and that comes from a self-proclaimed hoarder!
Getting rid of stuff is SO hard… but the more I pack the less I want to keep!
Whoah, just come across your blog! I admire your food prep – must take you a while! Good luck with the move! I will definitely be having a look through for some food inspiration 😉
Thanks Louise! It used to take longer, but now I have it down and it’s really no big deal. It’s been almost 3 years – crazy, right?!
Does eating half a bag of mini eggs constitute celebrating Fat Tuesday? If so, then YES I did!!
Ummmm.. it is decidedly so. Yum!
Oh man, I’m the same when it comes to moving. Last time I moved, I was traveling weekly on top of everything. It stressed me like crazy. It’s a control thing. You’ll get through it!
As I just said on your FB, I’m giving up my husband for Lent. #doctorwifeproblems
I’m actually really good at moving, and I enjoy the process. I love going through everything and getting rid of all the crap. Plus, fitting things into boxes is like a puzzle. I usually start with the things I don’t need (winter clothes, which you won’t be needing in San Diego, so just burn them), the under the sink things in the bath room, pantry, office, movies, things that can be put away in an orderly fashion.
Or just say fuck it and throw it all haphazardly into duffel bags. I’ve seeing it done before.
You crack me up.
This really helps me. I’m trying to go room by room now. Thankyouverymuch.
I made pancakes for the boys (and husband); my daughter and I had an omelet, hashbrowns and gluten free sausage.
Moving Tips:
Tape picture hooks to back of pictures (even if they are in a ziploc bag tape it on securely.
If taking beds apart, same thing – screws in ziploc tape securely onto bed OR pop in a dresser drawer from the same room.
Clearly mark the boxes with the room they are going to – that way when people are unloading they can pop the boxes into the correct room for you.
If you want details you can label each box #1-#??? and have a list describing some of the major contents to help you find things in a rush.
Always have an essentials box with the things you need right away – coffee maker, coffee, sugar, blender etc. Rather than unpacking multiboxing in search of your daily habits, create a box or two of the things you know you need Day 1 🙂
Ohhhh… the essentials box. That is a seriously essential tip. I feel like we’re going to spend weeks unpacking. Thank you!
Good luck with the move. Take this time to get rid of the stuff you don’t need or want. (And if you can’t decide, designate a box as the maybe box and put stuff in there you think you can get rid of. If you don’t pull it out of there in the next 3 months, get rid of the whole box.
And label, label, label. Trying to find things before you are fully unpacked is crazy without labels.
Having a “maybe” box is brilliant! I need to do that… sometimes I have to let something sit a few days before deciding to let it go.
I’m lucky in that I’ve almost always lived in furnished places, so moving just means packing my clothes into a couple of suitcases and getting out within 24 hours!
You guys do it right over there. I think that’s the smarter idea!
I’ve never gone through the moving process before so I can’t offer much help. But I can say, CHOCOLATE. Having chocolate on hand helps EVERY situation. 😉
Done! 😉
Ahhh moving is such a hassle- but I’m a pro, I would totally advise you if I lived closer- in the last 10 years (since I left for college)- I’ve moved 8 times and I’m moving again in April…. including 4 different cities too! Good luck with the move, so excited to hear about your adventures in San Diego! PS anyway there is a recipe for the cheesy rice and red pepper turnips, sounds sooo good!
Thanks! No real recipe… for the rice, you just cook the rice with 1T of red pepper flakes, then stir in a good cheese at the end. The turnips were diced and sautéed. Then you add shallots, rosemary, chives, 1/4 C wine, and the jam. The jam came with it, but I bet you could find something cool to use locally! Let me know if you try it!
I haven’t moved in 14 years! I think I’d have to pay someone to pack it all up and move me out at this point.
Label every box with what room the items came from. ALSO {I have moved 4 times in 8 years} have a box called “open first” that has everything you will need for the first day or so in your new place. For me this contained lots of kitchen items….and a bottle of wine. Always a bottle of wine. 😉
You win with the wine suggestion. 😉
Hehe, oohhh the joys of packing and moving! I have done it 4 times! It sucks, but think about making the new place your own with all your awesome stuff!! 🙂
Good luck with the rest of the move! It is definitely not a fun process. The thought of moving again almost makes me want to stay where I am forever… almost 😉
I agree with having a box designated for what you think you’ll need day 1. I also suggest purging things and asking for help if that is tricky. Before we moved here I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees. My now husband went through most of my items with me, helping me decide what I really needed/wanted and what I could say goodbye to. It took an afternoon but it was so helpful.
I do need help… how it is so much harder to throw stuff out on your own?!
Best moving tip?? Purge. Then purge again. Get rid of what you haven’t looked at, touched, worn, whatever, in the last year. This is your chance to start fresh! I love new beginnings, it’s the time of year too. I just spent the weekend getting rid of about 60% of my clothes. It felt so good, I want to move to the other rooms now and purge some more!
I know… it’s so daunting to think I need to actually try stuff on to see if it fits. Oy.
What is it about moving that makes normal, organized persons turn into complete ADD nuts? Myself included! I’d say TRY to stick to ONE room at a time and take the purging advice. It feels Soooo good to get rid of stuff and start FRESH! Jealous of all of your new adventures!
Seriously! The struggle is real. I’m trying to break it down to one room at a time – that really helps not to overwhelm. Thanks!
I moved 12 times. So listen: write on every box what’s in it and in which room it belongs. Thank me later.
Plus, have loads of beers and food ready on the moving day. You’ll need it…..
Please. You don’t have to tell me twice about the drinks. See you soooooon!
I feel as though I should have so so so many tips since I keep moving.
feel free to email me 🙂
this move?
I GAVE EVERYTHING AWAY BEFORE I DEPARTED.
and Im kinda not kidding!
I really did consider that… but having to buy all new stuff… oy!
Hi Lauren! Moving is tough. I just moved into a newer and bigger place about three weeks ago. My tips? Get rid of as much as you can, clearly label your boxes and hire good movers! Best of luck to you! And yummy eats. (Oh and by the way, I had a glass of wine every night I spent packing leading up to my move — very IMPORTANT!)
Hahaha – that wine is KEY!
you don’t know this, but you are actually the reason i have a metric ton of matcha and gelatin in my fridge right now, and LOVE it. so thank you 🙂 i need to try your green mush recipe. i just typically throw the matcha into random stuff like green dressings (savory) and the gelatin gets the same treatment. i’m like a dog or kitty, i have to hide stuff in my food.
i’ve moved so many times, and i can say i love hiring professionals. but you still have stuff to do. moving is a great time to get rid of stuff. we’re about to move again and i can’t wait to call goodwill to pick up are donations.
other tips for moving: sharpie markers. labeling boxes, seems so obvious but i have forgotten before. really helps to do that lol.
Friend, you just made my day with that one! Im out of matcha as of yesterday and refuse to buy anything before I leave. Killing. Me. (But it’s also goo mixed with kombucha FYI.)
Girl I moved in September and I have have a few boxes left. I will get to it when I do LOL. It’s natural. And a good tip for moving, really go through everything and see what you want to get rid of or keep. Not everything, you will find, you still use. Great post
For real – I don’t think I even use half of it. But which half… LOL!
I would totally be your moving consultant! I love/hate moving. I like to strategize and plan in extreme detail. I’ve tried to follow your move closely…forgive me for missing details. Here are my tips: my best suggestion is to prep your new home a few days before moving everything into it. Easy if the place is empty and vacant. You can clean, paint, etc. and know that you can move in all your stuff without dust and grime from the previous owners. If you’re moving into an already inhabited/furnished home (this is what I think I missed), I would totally recommend a storage unit so you can contribute all of your best furniture/appliances/etc. and move in gradually, as you decide what you definitely want to keep and what you might want to toss. I’ve never moved more than a few hundred miles at a time. But there is no better feeling than settling in. Good luck with the big move! We’ll miss you on the east side. =)
Ugh – I wish I had that luxury. Going across the country you just kind of have to dive in. At least I know the place is being repainted, floors refinished, and new appliances!