Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk #3: a chance to catch up on the little things in life. 🙂 June 2018.
Good morning! I never know if I should say “good morning”, “good afternoon”, or “good night”. (Or where I’m supposed to put those goshdarn commas with dodgy quote marks involved.) . Let’s just say I’ve customized my greeting to whatever time period you’re in. 😉 It’s time for another chat with me (btw, anyone love watching GRWM videos on youtube?). Let’s grab a cup of coffee, a tin of cookies and chat. I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to and hear what you’ve been up to!
Living in Boston… If you caught my recent blogpost, chocolate chocolate chip coconut vegan ice cream, then you already know this: Erik and I’ve been living in Boston for one full year now! It simultaneously feels like just yesterday and a million years ago that we made the move. As for me, I’ve been visiting Boston since I went to school at Mount Holyoke and my sister Jenny was attending Harvard. So I’ve been all around Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, etc. for over 10 years now. As for Erik, he’d never even left California until we met. Then, I changed his entire life. Hehe. For the better, I assure you. 😉
Since then, we’ve moved to and from Boston (yep, this is not the first time), San Diego, Maine, and all around San Francisco together. For a while, we thought about moving to Portland, Oregon, but changed our minds to be closer to family. It’s been the right move for us and we couldn’t be happier. Thank goodness we finally found somewhere we can settle in… for now. 🙂 People are nice and relaxed, there are so many things to do, and best of all: we can walk everywhere!!! What’s not to love? Oh yeah, and my mom, sister and nephews are here too! 😉 That’s an added bonus/the main reason why we moved here! 😉
Fitbit challenge… Speaking of walking everywhere, Erik and I recently hit our 1 year mark on having Fitbits. Are you into these fitness trackers? Do you have one of your own? Currently, Erik has the Alta HR, while I have the Flex 2, but I’m debating about getting what Erik has for the heart rate monitor. Thoughts? Meanwhile, there are so many different types now… some are even in the shape of rings! My question is… is that thing gonna break after all the countless handwashings I do I one day?!? It’s just madness or genius, I can’t decide which!
Anyway, about two months ago, Erik and I agreed that we’d hit 10,000 steps per day. The only problem was: where to put those steps? We work from home most days, so trying to get those steps from the kitchen to the office aren’t going to cut it. (Unless our goal was 200 steps a day lol–then we’re GOLD!)
So I put together a daily schedule with an increment step goal at each pit stop during the day: 2,500 before breakfast (7am), 5,000 by snack time (10am), and 7,500 any time before the end of the day (2pm). We just jog in place, run around the kitchen (yes, we look really cool doing this), or do squats in the living room. Anything and everything to get those steps in. By the time we hit the gym (which is about 2,000 steps away), we’re almost at our goal. That way, anything we do at the gym is just cherry on top of a healthy light pie—scratch that, coconut whip on top of an almond joy ice cream sundae with three vegan chocolate chip cookies on the side. Now I’ve lost my train of thought…
It’s been fun but exhausting, in a good way. How do you stay active?
Running along the Charles River… speaking of fitness goals, I’m SO excited that the weather is finally, finally getting better. It’s about time to lace up those running shoes and hit the Charles. It’s THE most gorgeous running path and one of the top reasons why I love living in Boston. Here’s a pic that I captured last year during a run.
Current Popular Recipes… Right now, you guys are craving all things no bake, frozen and NO oven required (except for a few cookies). 😉 Here are your current faves on Beaming Baker:
- 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Coconut Chocolate Chip Vegan Ice Cream
- No Churn Chocolate Chocolate Chip Coconut Vegan Ice Cream
- 4 Ingredient No Bake Coconut Macaroons
- NEW + rising #1: Vegan Gluten Free Blueberry Crisp
- NEW + rising #2: 4 Ingredient Banana Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream
- NEW + rising #3: Chocolate Peanut Butter Homemade Frosty
Current Classics Recipes… Here are some of my current faves from the recipe vault:
- Gluten Free Banana Oat Muffins
- 3 Ingredient Homemade Crunch Bars
- 5 Ingredient Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Homemade KIND Bars
- One Bowl Vegan Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread (seen above) – this is seriously one of the ONLY recipes I’ll turn my oven on for… without giving anyone (calling Erik!!) the stinkeye during this hot hot heat!
New Recipes… I’m currently working on pumpkin recipes and getting warmed up for back to school snacks (I know, it’s early!! But I have to do these in advance. ;)) So here are a few questions for you:
– Pumpkin Brownies: Yes or no? Also, do you want/would you expect the brownies to be orange or have a pumpkin swirl in them? I always worry that adding a swirl might complicate the recipe too much (more steps and all of that). Or are you totally happy with pumpkin brownies that look like regular brownies, but are actually made with pumpkin? Also… what about the pumpkin spice factor? Yes, no, or medium?
– Pumpkin Coffee Cake: I’m dying to make a slightly denser pumpkin coffee cake with a sweet and crunchy topping with nuts in it. I know most people expect a coffee cake with a sugary cinnamon topping made with flour, sugar and, erm, cinnamon. But I’m thinking a yummy topping with less sugar and a still-satisfying top would do. Thoughts?
Sneak Peek… Here’s a sneak peek of an upcoming recipe. Any guesses? 🙂
It’s been so nice catching up with you. 🙂 Here are a few past Coffee Talks, in case you’re interested: Catching Up 1, Catching Up 2, April, May. I can’t wait to hear updates on what you’ve got going on this month! It was truly a ball reading your updates last month. You know I’m waiting on pins and needles to hear about everything that’s happened since.
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤
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What a fun read! I’ll definitely watch out for back to school and pumpkin recipes! 😉
Thanks Sandra! Yep, I’ve got a few fun snacks up my sleeve for the fall. ..
the recipe is obviously either Peanut Butter or Caramel with Chocolate or Coffee Ice cream. Here are all combinations.
Peanut Butter+ Chocolate Ice cream
Peanut Butter+Coffee Ice cream
Caramel+Chocolate Ice cream
or Caramel+Coffee Ice cream. So… one of those.
I love hearing all of your guesses!!! Can’t wait to hear what you think when you finally find out… 😉
I am so happy that you feel so good living in Boston!
Thanks Abeer! It’s wonderful to find a place that we really enjoy. ☺️
My family definitely love these Pumpkin brownies and cake!
Woohoo! Glad to hear it Erin!
That ice cream looks heavenly!!! 🙂
Thanks Brittany! It’s seriously so satisfying. .
Yes to pumpkin (have some frozen and have several cans because I always get nervous that pumpkin will only be sold in the fall and I won’t be able to get it the rest of the year—and one year there was actually a pumpkin shortage). Can we buck tradition and have some pumpkin recipes in the summer? I will admit I don’t get the pumpkin spice trend when there’s no pumpkin, like a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.
So as if I’m not envious enough of you coming up with all these great recipes and having a wonderful family, now I have to be envious of you living in Boston! Have you checked out the glass flowers at the Harvard Natural History museum? They are really something to see…
A pumpkin shortage?!? Omigosh, that sounds like my food blogging/recipe testing nightmare! Lol. Reminds me of the winter, when I was running around looking for fresh, vibrant blueberries to make my blueberry crisp ahead of time. Talk about a panicky situation!
I haven’t seen the glass flowers yet!!! Erik’s been bugging me about going to a museum soon, so I’m gonna add that to our museum to-do list. ☺️ Thanks Ellen!
I had a Fitbit but just switched over to an Apple Watch. I love it! Mostly because I can do lots of other things on it, but I loved my Fitbit pretty well, too!
Oh I know, there’s so much you can do with them! Technology is pretty amazing these days. 🙂
Lovely post – thank you for sharing 🙂
Aw you’re welcome Vicci! Thank you for taking the time to stop by! ☺️
Doing 10,000 steps per day with someone we love is one of the best things in life. I really desire to have one as I love walking around so much. Aw, but it seems like taking me so long to get xD
– Natalie Ellis
You should totally try getting one! It’s incredibly motivating!
Is that chocolate peanut butter ice cream?? My favorite!
Good guess!!! Can’t wait to hear what you think! 🙂
You are right–working from home makes it HARD to get your steps in. We make a goal to go for a nightly walk after dinner as a family and that helps tremendously
Sometimes it’s just so hard to get motivated! Especially when you’re already stuck in the house. Lol. Love the nightly walk idea. 🙂
I always enjoy reading your posts. Great ideas for complex dinner parties.
Thanks Michelle! You certainly don’t need to worry about dessert! 😉
Thank you for sharing!!! I have a FITBIT Charger HR and have become addict to wearing it. I am for 12,000 daily and more if possible.
Enjoy the recipes and will try some very soon.
Thank YOU, Debra for stopping by and leaving a comment! 🙂 So many kudos to you for kicking that daily goal up to 12,000!!! I’ve been wanting to increase mine for awhile, but am gonna stick to this first and up the ante in the future. Can’t wait to hear what you think of my recipes! 🙂
I’m totally with everyone else right now. Keep the oven off as much as possible! (That frosty recipe sounds amazing, btw) Also, coffee cake with a streusel topping sounds like it could be pretty darn fantastic. Yum!
Hehe. RIGHT?! It’s too hot for this baking nonsense! 😉 Lol. I’m seriously missing baking 24/7, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do! Glad to know you’re loving the coffee cake idea!
Yum! Pumpkin Brownies and Coffee Cake sound great! Definitely can’t wait for Fall so that I can indulge in everything Pumpkin flavor!
Thanks Shanika! Oh gosh, isn’t fall the BEST? I love all of the fall flavors!
I love how you challenge yourself daily with step count! I also have a fitness watch and I make sure to be active all the time – I take the stairs rather than the elevator whenever I can and do many strength training. Your upcoming recipe looks like the perfect thing to have these hot days! Peanut butter chocolate ice cream maybe? 🙂
Thanks Natalie! Somehow having that fitness tracker just gives you that extra boost, ya know? 🙂 Love your stairs tactic! Great guess!!!!! You’ll see shortly! 😉
Mmm! I would definitely say yes to pumpkin brownies!
Yay!!! Then you’ll love them either way! 😉
I love how you put together a schedule to help you reach your daily step goals! Such a clever idea!
Thanks Elysia! ☺️ It really helps keep me focused and on track during the day.