Coffee Talk #8: a monthly catch-up about life’s little pleasures—both sweet and salty. November 2018 update.
Hello, friend! How is your fall shaping up? I hope you’re enjoying cozy layers, warm drinks, and maybe a pair of cute knee-high boots. It’s wild to think the last time we chatted it wasn’t even Halloween yet. This monthly Coffee Talk is my favorite chance to share small updates—kitchen experiments, family time, holiday plans, and recipe ideas. Pour your favorite drink, grab a cookie, and let’s catch up.
Family at Thanksgiving—This year we spent Thanksgiving with my sister Monica, her husband Kevin, and a few other family members in the Midwest. They hosted, and it was so nice to relax, reconnect, and enjoy a slower holiday for once. My sister Penny and her husband joined us, and my mom came along too. It felt great to sit, talk, and just be together instead of everyone working in the kitchen.
Monica and Kevin have poured so much love into their home since buying a fixer-upper. They’ve renovated bathrooms, updated the kitchen, reworked the backyard, and decorated each room with beautiful details. Their home inspires Erik and me to tackle projects in our Boston place—if only our charmingly tilted floors would cooperate! Seeing their tile work and finishes definitely gives us ideas.
Because we gathered at Monica’s house, my mom got to take a break from her usual hosting load. She still loves preparing huge feasts, but it felt good to let someone else handle the cooking this time. We did miss my other sister Jenny and her kids, but FaceTime helped us stay connected. How was your Thanksgiving—did you travel or host?
New Recipe Teaser—I’ve been testing a series of oil-free, fruit-sweetened recipes made in the blender. Testing is going well and I’m starting with a few no-bake versions before moving on to baked treats. Expect combinations with dark chocolate, perhaps a brownie-inspired option, and a really chunky granola. Which dried fruit would you like to see featured—dates, raisins, apricots?
Kitchen testing notes—Working on blender-based, fruit-sweetened treats has been a fun challenge. No-bake recipes speed up testing and let me refine textures and flavor blends before committing to baked versions. The goal is still the same: accessible, healthier desserts that taste indulgent. I can’t wait to share the first recipes.
Wake-up routine: Sunrise alarm clock—Mornings felt particularly dark this season, and mornings without natural light made waking up rough. We finally tried a sunrise alarm clock that gradually increases light for about 30 minutes before your set time. It’s an easy, natural-feeling way to wake up and it’s improved our mornings. I recommend trying light-based alarms if you struggle with winter wake-ups. Do you use anything that helps you rise with less grumpiness?
Holidays and decorating—Can you believe the holidays are already here? We did a bit of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, but mostly we spent time putting up decorations. Decorating with music and warm drinks turned an ordinary weekend into something festive. We’re also planning our annual edible gifts menu: small batches of fudge, almond joys, paleo brownies, and assortments of cookies to share with friends and family.
Popular recipes this month—November favorites tend to be cozy, holiday-friendly desserts and quick treats. Here are some recipes readers loved this month:
- 4-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- 3-Ingredient Healthy Rice Crispy Treats | Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
- Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Bread | Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
- Paleo Apple Coconut Crisp | Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars | Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie | Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Cake | Maple Pecan Pumpkin Muffins
- Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins | Best Vegan Brownies
Recent recipes—If you missed the latest posts, here are recent additions that are perfect for holiday baking or snacking:
- Healthy Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Bars | Sweet ’n Salty Nut Clusters
- Ultimate Chewy Coconut Cookies | Salted Dark Chocolate Clusters
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies | Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread
- Chai Spice Granola | Dark Mint KIND Bars
- 4-Ingredient Gluten-Free Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
That’s all from me for now. What are you cooking, testing, or planning this season? What recipes would you like to see on Beaming Baker in 2019—more no-bake treats, fruit-sweetened desserts, or classic holiday cookies made healthier? I’m excited to keep experimenting and sharing. Wishing you a warm, joy-filled holiday season full of meaningful moments and delicious bites. Until next time,
Sending love, xo Demeter ❤️
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