My Moving Tips

You can take it from me, because I'm kind of a pro by now; tomorrow will be the 6th time I've moved in the last 8 years. I'm a pack rat, too, so these aren't going to be unrealistic tips for minimalists and men who have three drawers full of clothing and nothing else to pack.

My last move from Brooklyn, NY to the UK was by far the biggest deal of all moves I've ever made, and it was also my first time packing unassisted. All of those moves in my college days had the handy dandy help of family and friends, but in New York I didn't have those luxuries during the packing stage, and I also had a lot more to pack as a post-grad working, living human.

I've only been here for 8 months so far (Only! Lol.), but even I was surprised at how much stuff we already had - whether shipped over from the U.S., or purchased for our new flat. But I was still able to do the packing single-handedly, and here's how I kept it all together for a smooth move this time around:

1. LABEL THINGS. There's nothing worse than A) trying to unpack and not knowing which box you need, and B) unloading a moving truck/van/vehicle and not knowing which room to place boxes in. Just grab a Sharpie and label that shiz, yo. Just the word, "KITCHEN" is sufficient, or you can get super ridiculous and make inventory sheets for each box, with a corresponding numbering system. I know, I know, it makes me sound insane, but when moving abroad, you have to have an inventory for EVERY item in EVERY box you pack for customs purposes, so you'd better organize yourself from the get-go. And it's really handy when you're unpacking, too; "Oh, can you grab me the mandolin? It's in box #12." Also, the numerical inventory list system works great when you're putting things into storage, i.e., "I have to grab box # 2 because it contains the Christmas decorations."

2. PLAN AHEAD. If you know you're moving in the semi-near future, you can start packing NOW. There's no way you need to use everything you own, all the time. Extra sets of dishes, sheets, out-of-season clothing, and your DVD collection can all be boxed up (and labeled!) way in advance. It saves a lot of time and stress as the days count down to your move.

3. FILTER. Embracce this opportunity to downsize a little (or a lot). It's less that you have to pack, so look at it on the bright side! I got rid of TEN MASSIVE BAGS of clothing in my last move, and packing this time around, I still have a ton of clothing. It was hard to let go at first, but it's so liberating. Even if you have every September Issue of Vogue for the last 20 years... when was the last time you looked at any of them? Magazines are heavy. Do yourself a favor and recycle or donate to charity. You won't miss them. I promise.

4. MAKE A LIST for the morning of your move. There are some things you can't pack in advance (i.e. toiletries, refrigerated items, the cat) and you want to make sure that you can simply breeze down a checklist in the AM and be on your way. There's nothing worse than forgetting something behind. Trust me.

Have any more tips for moving? Leave them in the comments below!

Diary of a Diet: All By Myself

It can be really, really difficult to eat healthy or be on a restricted diet under normal circumstances. But what about when the rest of your household doesn't follow strict dietary guidelines the way you might? I've fallen off the wagon plenty of times, because the contents of the fridge weren't diet-friendly, and the mashed potatoes on the table were just too tempting. Here are a few of my helpful hints to staying on track when dieting alone, even when living with junk food lovers and meat-and-potato eaters.

1. You are not an inconvenience. Don't think of your need to alter the dinner menu or the grocery list as a problem. You don't have to feel guilty for feeding your family a healthier meal, or for opting out of what they are having. Don't feel awkward, feel proud of the food on your plate!

2. Treat yourself to really good food. Buy as many high quality ingredients as you can afford to (within reason). If you want broccoli rabe instead of plain old broccoli, then by all means, have a little splurge. Stop by that farmer's market and enjoy fresh eggs and heirloom tomatoes. The more excited and happier you are about the food on your plate, the more likely you are to want it, and not pizza.

3. Variety, Variety, Variety. Do you know why Chipotle is so damn good? Variety and customization. Imagine having all of those chipotle burrito bowl/salad bowl ingredients at your disposal. Most people don't put that many components into a single dish. Prep ahead of time for the week ahead, or buy some shortcuts (like ready made fresh sweetcorn salsa) and give yourself a really colorful, tasty plate of food. It'll be like restaurant quality, every day. Also, check out these great Pinterest ideas for one-bowl meals, most of which are really healthy and delicious. Just steer clear of the cheese-and-pasta jobbies.

4. Don't beat yourself up. I ate a Reese's today in the supermarket parking lot. I hadn't had chocolate in a week, and I just wanted it, dammit. And I do not feel guilty at all. Thinking of food as "good" or "bad" is part of the diet mentality that causes most people to return to their old unhealthy eating habits, anyway. Everything in moderation, as they say, and remember that even those really special treats are totally ok on occasion. When you don't have them as often, they are even more delicious too, trust me.

Have any dieting tips? Stories? Links to recipes? Share in the comments below!