Did you guys catch this comment from Danielle yesterday?
“In our last apartment our sneaky cat opened the bathroom cupboards under the sink, finding a small hole that led from our apartment to the neighbors. Imagine our neighbors surprise when he got out of the shower that morning only to find a strange cat on his counter! Long story short, he ended up setting our cat free outside but we tracked him down eventually thank goodness!”
I just love that story. Cats are crazy!!
Today, I have more progress pictures for you and a delicious 60-second recipe to finish it off! I’m getting creative this week with quick and easy recipes since I’m not in the kitchen much.
Here are more “progress” pictures (and I use that term loosely) of the living/dining room:
I think the saying, it has to get worse before it gets better, applies here.
Can you handle that progress?
Our living/dining area is on pause right now as we wait for furniture to arrive. Friday can’t come soon enough, I tell ya! We ordered a small dining table & chairs, a TV cabinet, a side table, and a wine cabinet from our favourite furniture place in Burlington. I can’t wait to get it all set up so I can unpack the boxes and we can put up the art work & décor. We’re going to see some major progress this weekend, mark my words!
I spent all day yesterday at the old house. One thing I’ve learned from this move is to never underestimate how long it takes to remove every single item from a house. I cleaned out every single drawer, cupboard, nook, and cranny and I still have to wash the floors and vacuum tonight. It’s hard to unpack in a new place when you’re still taking care of the old one.
Here’s one pile of the Goodwill donation:
Eric and I also worked on wood boards that we’re antiquing for my food photography.
I hope to do a how-to post on it at some point…it’s a really easy DIY project! So far, we’ve made three different boards. The first one was a huge fail until we figured out the proper technique to use. Once we figured it out, it’s simple to do.
Once we were back in the new place, I got to work yet again. I think skipping my workouts this past week has given me more energy for moving tasks…I was on fire yesterday and worked straight until 10pm.
One thing I love about this new place is that it has central vac. I’m finding it so handy. We had a central vac in the old house, but I found that I never used it because it was stored in the basement.
I pulled out the fridge and stove and vacuumed/cleaned behind them…it wasn’t pretty!
As you may have noticed, the kitchen has a mirror backsplash. I can see how this will be a challenge to keep clean once I’m making recipes again! I tend to splish and splash everywhere…
I also washed the kitchen floor with my homemade water & vinegar mix. The other floors will have to wait until the furniture is set up.
I put up a towel hanger on the back of the bathroom door that I picked up from Canadian Tire:
I also put up a hook on the inside cabinet for my oven mitts:
I added a utensil holder (to save drawer space) and kettle on the countertop:
As for the kitchen storage, it’s an absolute wreck right now. I’ve taken a bunch of pictures and hope to get your input at some point. I really don’t know how to maximize the space! There are a few super deep cupboards that make it hard to reach things stored in the back.
Here’s a teaser pic:
I ended the day with another homemade sorbet creation. This one was super thick and had a consistency of sorbet. Hit. the. spot.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
60 Second Homemade Berry Sorbet
Yield
1/2 to 3/4 cup
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Thick, delicious, and healthy homemade sorbet in just 1 minute flat
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup frozen mixed berries (I used dark sweet cherries, blackberries, and blueberries)
- Just enough almond milk to make it come together (I used 6 tbsp)
- 1/2 scoop Vega chocolate performance protein powder (optional)
- a few frozen banana chunks, for sweetness
Directions
- In a blender (or a food processor may work too), process all ingredients until thick and creamy. Add the almond milk a little bit at a time, as needed. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)Nutritional info:
(entire serving, with protein powder): 130 kcals, 1 gram fat, 13 grams carbs, 5 grams fibre, 8 grams sugar, 14 grams protein.
(entire serving, without protein powder): 70 kcals, 1 gram fat, 9 grams carbs, 8 grams sugar, 1 gram protein.
Now that’s a great way to end a day!
I would love to know how you optimize the cupboard space. The kitchen storage in my condo is awkward and there is not not very much of it. I worked with it the best I could by adding plastic shelves but I ended up putting a lot of pantry items that I don’t use every day in the TV stand. I also end up re-organizing the cupboards every few month because it gets out of hand.
haha I’ve been threatening Eric that I’m going to take over his TV stand…
The wood idea is really cool! Is that what you took the photos of the sorbet on?
Nope that one was on another board. I’ll have to show that soon too
The board looks really good as a backdrop!
Sorbet looks yummy and perfect for this “hot” spring day! :)
Agreed the deep cupboards are hard to work with for storage space. I have a couple like that and I find some of that space at the back gets wasted because things are out of reach. May be good for storing items/mini appliances that only get mildly exercised.
Hey Preena! I know isn’t the weather gorgeous?
Random question- Do you know if you will be working at the Oakville market this summer? If you are, I’ll definitely be popping by!
Hey Angela,
Yes, getting used to the early arrival of summer!
Did you know the market is moving to the parking lot of Oakville Whole Foods Market? All the more incentive to make it out! Arvinda’s is sold in the store so we won’t be regular market vendors, but rather just sample, maybe on opening day.
I hope to see you then!
aw no I hadnt heard that…I wish it wasn’t because I’d love to be able to walk to it but I can see how that might be a better location than before.
Let me know if you will be coming to Oakville, I’d love to see you!
Yes, I think from a foot traffic perspective the new location should be better. I do agree, the walking factor makes for such an amazing and inspiring market visit. I wish the vendors luck and hope it works out for them!
Will let you know if I’m there, would love to see you too. Now I’m craving summer!
I’ve seen quite a few board-making tutorials and I’m curious how your version is going to come out and what your tips and thoughts are on that little DIY project. I can’t believe that mid-move, unpacking, and chaos…you’re making boards! My hat goes off to you!
It’s all coming together! I love making this sorbet. It’s so quick and easy. I don’t always see the mixed berries with cherries at my store but need to stock up next time I see it – it’s my favourite blend too.
That sorbet looks delicious! With the warm weather (and the new blender my parents brought me!) I’ve been making smoothie/frozen snacks all the time.
You like your central vacuum? In our old house I thought that huge pipe was a major pain to move around–I prefer a small one I can move around.
And on a side note, I agree with the commenter above. Your hair does look so healthy and shiny!
Thank you :) Yes, it is annoying to move the cord around for sure. I like it for tight spaces though!
That sorbet looks delicious! perfect for all the nice weather we’ve been having! The new place is definitely coming along! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
I’d say that progress is pretty darn good if you ask me!! And I love how THICK that sorbet is!
Fast , Easy and Healthy…win win win
I need a towel hanger like that for our bathroom! I miss Canadian Tire, so useful for those types of things! Love the sorbet recipe! I make protein shakes with Vega all the time, it is just so tasty! Now, I will have to try to sorbet for sure!!!
Yum :) This looks fantastic – and so easy! Good luck with the rest of the unpacking!
Odd, but I have the same toilet bowl cleaner ;) haha
I think you’ve done more cleaning in the past few days that I’ve done in a LONG time! I’m really scared to pull my stove out. Maybe since the husband has the ‘strength’ to actually pull it out, he’ll clean behind it too :)
CATS<3 i want a kitty, however i don't think that would work in a dorm.
Mmmmmm Im going to try that berry sorbet with some vanilla sun warrior. :)
Lazy susans are great for deep cupboards. You can utilize all of the space, but with a flick of the wrist have access to things in the deep recesses of the cupboard.
Love the picture of your cat :) My neighbor uses one of her rooms as a guesthouse and my cat loves going in there. She usually sees him but one time he snuck in. Imagine the guests’ surprise when they went up to their room and found a cat sleeping on the bed ;)
I am impressed- and I think your progress looks great! I would love to hang oven mits/dishtowels/etc., but can’t because of my dogs- they will rip them right off.
I have never seen a central vac in my life- but I LOVE the idea!! I bet that it super handy (especially when you need to vacuum several times each week, like me!)
I’m slightly obsessed with all things Vega, and haven’t used it for sorbet yet (which will now change!)
That’s so funny. My husband makes fun of me for saying “It has to get worse before it gets better.” He doesn’t understand cleaning up by pulling everything out of drawers or closets and piling it up first. How else can you do it? ;)
haha ;) That is always the way with cleaning!
Love this!! Now I need to buy some frozen fruit!
Moving is one of those things that seems like it should take awhile, but not nearly as long as it actually takes. Man, it takes forever! That sorbet seems like the perfect way to end to curl up after a hard day!
hi Angela! i have been fan of your blog ever since i became vegan, and now that i’m more acquainted with veganism, i’m planning to try out some of your recipes! they all look delicious!
i’m pressed that you were able to make something so healthy and delicious with all the moving and packing going around!
Thanks Jung! I hope you enjoy the recipes :)