(Alternately titled: Random Thoughts About Moving)
Hello! How are you guys doing today? We’re staying pretty busy over here.
I am scheduled to cover all of the appointments at the gym today and tomorrow, so I’m coming to you on a break. Since my brain is all over the place, a Thinking Out Loud post seems like the perfect way to catch up with some lighthearted chatter.
I hope you enjoy the random thoughts and musings on what’s been going on around here lately!
1. We are officially on a mission to eat all the food.
You don’t realize how many vegetables or sides you have stored in your freezer until you are trying to empty it.
In an attempt to go through what we have and avoid wasting food, Scott and I have diligently planned our meals according to what needs to be used up in our pantry and refrigerator over the past month or so. I have had a similar version of this loaded vegetable bowl for the last several days and I really can’t wait for it to all be gone.
Last night’s edition featured leftover ham from Easter dinner.
(Rice, black eyed peas, edamame, roasted corn, peas, and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese topped with ham.)
As good as it feels to slowly go through everything we need to get rid of, I can’t wait to restock a new refrigerator and pantry with all the (new) food and fresh produce. #longestleftovertrainever
2. This storing hack is money.
I’m pretty sure I picked this habit up from my mother.
She has always been great at storing things like rice, noodles, and cereal in plastic and glass bins to preserve the food items as long as possible. Any time we open a package that comes from a bag, I place it in a plastic container and cut the cooking instructions off from the package to display on top or even inside.
If there aren’t cooking instructions (like on cereal boxes), I cut off the cereal logo with the expiration date to make sure it doesn’t get stored way past the shelf date. I didn’t think this way of storing things was that special, but Scott gave me major props when he realized what I was doing. Here’s hoping it helps you, too!
3. I’m currently jamming out to #ThrowbackThursday and it’s awesome.
It’s no secret that I am a lover of Spotify playlists. I have created several on my own and enjoy subscribing to a handful of others. I love that the Spotify playlists are constantly updated with fresh (or in this case, fresh throwback) songs!
This tribute to women for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday playlist is rocking my socks today. Annie Lennox, TLC, Patti Smith, Beyonce, Madonna … so many great tracks!
4. When you’ve packed the majority of your pots and pans …
… and don’t have access to a lid, improvise with a small skillet?
Hey, it works. In an effort to eat all the food (as listed above) in the freezer, I was ready to cook everything and store it in the refrigerator for leftovers. I discovered a problem, however, when I couldn’t find a lid or any other pot in sight.
I ended up improvising with this “lid” and cooked one vegetable and finally the rice at a time. It all took about three hours to do, but we’ve gotten several meals out of it in return. Ha!
5. Speaking of navigating through the complications of moving …
… this is the view I am looking at as I type up this blog post. Now picture that in every room. Take ten deep breaths. Repeat.
I almost forgot how overwhelming and stressful moving is. Thank goodness for Scott being home during the days, because I haven’t been much help in the packing department this week. Getting settled and into our new home really can’t come soon enough!
6. Netflix for the win.
Since we ended up selling our king sized mattress and bed set (Craigslist is amazing), we have been sleeping in the guest room and on the queen mattress that we plan on taking with us. We don’t have cable hooked up there, so we have been enjoying movies through Netflix when we want to turn in at night.
I chose The Nanny Diaries last night and went to bed feeling a little bit more fulfilled than I do when we spend the night catching up on reality television or reruns of shows I’ve seen a million times. I realize that reading a good book would be the best option here, but I always get too tired to read at night. It’s impossible for me to stay away past a few pages. I can’t be alone here. Right?
7. Just in case you’re gearing up for a big move, check out the following:
(From the archives when I actually had time to blog about staying organized while moving!)
- Moving Checklist: 4 Weeks To Go
- Moving Checklist: 3 Weeks To Go
- Moving Checklist: 2 Weeks To Go
- Moving Checklist: 1 Week To Go
8. I’m loving your snaps!
I recently mentioned that I’ve made a return to Snapchat. You can find and follow a behind-the-scenes look into the blogging process, healthy meal ideas and workouts that might not make the blog, and everyday life happenings by searching the username lifenleggings.
(By the way, this workout is killerrrr. Might I suggest 2 rounds per circuit instead of 3?)
I love receiving snaps, seeing stories, and chatting with you guys there. It’s easily become one of my favorite forms of social media!
9. Anddd …
Instead of coming up with more rambles, I’m going to take advantage of my hour break with a quick nap. Don’t judge me.
10. See you back here early in the morning with Friday Favorites!
(And thank you for checking in today!)
Questions of the Day
• What would you say if you were thinking out loud today?
• What is your favorite throwback jam right now?
Previous TOL posts: (Thanks for hosting the link-up, Amanda!)
Happy Thursday!
Jennifer
I love Netflix!! It has saved me countless times (yes, I’m a tad dramatic about it 😉 )
Jennifer recently posted…Beauty in the Normal
Heather
Haha, I’m sure I will be the same way now that we will be without cable (as of tomorrow) 😉
Michelle R
I’m so excited to hear where you guys are moving to and what’s next. I love following your blog 🙂
Heather
Thanks so much for following Michelle! I may or may not throw in a hint in tomorrow’s Favorites!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
I try to keep an eye on my fridge and use things up. Sometimes it can be a challenge and sometimes it can lead to a new recipe! LOL I think my Mom always stored things in plastic containers as well. Good reminder about the directions. Moving is stressful no matter what. I just went through a move myself so I am still traumatized.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Prioritize Your Healthy Food Budget
Heather
Definitely! Moving certainly is stressful. Glad to hear yours is over! 😉
Hannah {Hannah at Home}
Best of luck with all of your moving! It looks like y’all are way organized with the whole thing 🙂
I have a terrible habit of saving everything in the freezer because I “don’t want to waste it” – but then never actually eating it out of the freezer. I need to work on this!
Hannah {Hannah at Home} recently posted…Thursday Confessional {3/31}
Heather
Thanks Hannah!! Haha, I’m slowly accepting the fact that I won’t use all of my frozen “saves”. Our blender is packed up, no more smoothies! :/
Taylor
Just started following you on snapchat the other day (I’m tay.marie12) and it’s awesome to get that “behind the scene” glimpse. Good luck with your move! It will be over before you know it 🙂
Heather
Hi Taylor!! Thanks for following 🙂 I’m sure you will get lots of moving sneak peeks this weekend!
Sam @ Barrister's Beet
That’s so funny that you put the labels on the outside of the container! I do that, too! Just goes to show that healthy tips we take for granted are helpful to others : ) Hope you are hanging in there! : )
Sam @ Barrister’s Beet recently posted…How to Use a Standing Desk (Properly)
Lisa @ Lisa the Vegetarian
I always find that I get the most creative with my food and meals when trying to empty out my freezer/fridge. So many interesting and unexpected combos can come out of that!
Lisa @ Lisa the Vegetarian recently posted…March BoxyCharm Review
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl
You never realize how much stuff you can cram into a tiny NYC apartment until moving day…
I actually like to read “light” books (like books by/about running or healthy living, girly fiction) before bed because screen time keeps me awake. It definitely is not when I dive into my old classics though. I used to read Fitzgerald and Wharton right before bed, but nowadays my brain doesn’t process as well later at night 🙂
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…What a PR Means to Me
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309)
Hmm… I would say. I’m thankful that God gives us health and learning to be grateful for colds too, because they remind me of the value of rest and that God doesn’t ‘need’ me to get things done. I’m thankful for His tender loving care of us. Your kitties are SO cute, and I hope moving continues to go well. Take it one day at a time!
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309) recently posted…6 Ways To Be Gentle with Your Body
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It does look like a“Tribal Tattoo”seeing alot of this lately….THANK GOODNESS it’s not on her back……….every time my grandmother bends over to get a cake out of the oven …..i see that tattoo…….not good……….
kredit laptop rembang
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!? This web site is mostly a stroll-by means of for the entire information you wished about this and didn know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you l definitely uncover it.
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things
Ahh moving can be so stressful! Best of luck with everything! For some reason, we have like zero lids for any of our pots/pans so I always have to improvise like that haha.
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things recently posted…March Books
Sana
Good luck with everything!!
Sana recently posted…Birthday Giveaway!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job
Oh man moving is so rough. I’ve been so lucky that our last move across the country was paid for by my husband’s work so it was mainly up to the movers to pack everything. Now that I’ve experienced that, idk if I can do it myself again!
Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job recently posted…A Reflection on Running
alexandra @ my urban family
Thanks for the reminder to go through our freezer! We don’t have much time left before our move either and while I’ve been emptying the pantry slowly I totally forgot about all the freezer stuff!
alexandra @ my urban family recently posted…Springtime in Chicago Bucket List
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong
I always come up with random meals when we’re moving or going away on a long trip to empty out the fridge and freezer. Definitely not a fan of wasting food. Love that storage tip. I usually try to store everything in airtight containers and one day drew a blank on how to cook quinoa, so I will be saving instructions from now on. ; )
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong recently posted…Weekend Recap. Family Visit and DC Trip
Jen @ pretty little grub
Well I definitely realized I must have missed a post where you announced a move, must search through the archives now! It’s amazing how much builds up in your freezer that you forget about though.
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
Well gosh I couldn’t have found this post at a better time! I am getting ready to move BACK to Michigan. Totally checking out your moving checklists! Hope everything goes smoothly for you 🙂
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Some big changes ahead and just some Thinking Out Loud
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape
Moving is one of the most stressful things to do! When we made the move from scotland to Australia 8 months ago I was scarily calm… Then again we didn’t bring that much with us! Most of the stress was in selling everything/ giving it away to our friends!
So glad to hear you at least have a bed to sleep on, we were sleeping on a blow up mattress for 2 weeks before we left! Haha!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…5 Top Tips on a Tuesday – 5 signs that you are already pretty awesome
Giselle
Oh moving… So fun! Although I do enjoy getting rid of stuff and having a fresh start 🙂 Hope things are going good with all your moving fun!
Giselle recently posted…Catching up
Cailee
This is awesome! What a nice variety of veggies you have in the freezer! And yay for Easter ham leftovers! I just went to Whole Foods last night and hit up the salad bar, they had some Easter ham in it and you better believe I loaded up! YUM! Happy Friday!
xoxo Cailee!
sarah
I love the idea of putting opened pantry items in a clear container! And very inventive with your pots and “lids” 😉
sarah recently posted…Fear