Good morning! I hope you had a nice weekend. I had one mission for these past several days and that was to HAVE FUN! I really didn’t want to find myself moping around the house and worrying unnecessarily about the future, so I made a deliberate attempt to get out there and enjoy life.
Friday started with a long walk with a good friend who gave me some good advice about working on my emotional health to stay strong in difficult times. She brought her little one along in his stroller and we got some great exercise while making time to stop and play on the playground swings.
On Friday afternoon, Alan and I went to our neighborhood farm stand and strolled the pumpkin patch while picking up some gorgeous apples, lettuce, carrots and spinach.
Lately I’ve been taking Saturdays as my rest days from exercise and it works out great so Alan and I can go to an early morning farmers’ market in San Luis Obispo. I found something new at the market this week, but the description of these wasn’t enticing enough for me to purchase:
I went with something sweet instead:
We found ourselves at Moonstone Beach in Cambria a few hours later where we took a brief walk while enjoying what ended up being the quintessential California day:
Lunch was at my fave vegan restaurant in Morro Bay, the Shine Cafe. It’s such a funky place and I just love the vibe, not to mention the food. Alan had the hummus wrap (bottom left) and I had a black bean taco, hidden under a ton of salad:
After all that fun on Saturday, we did have to run a few errands, but then we made it home in time so I could Skype with my new friend Laura who I met at Dr. Fuhrman’s Getaway and who lives in Australia! It was so much fun to catch up with her (i.e. hear her adorable accent) and meet her husband and kitty. Thank goodness for technology so we could connect that way; how awesome is that?!?
By the time Sunday rolled around, I was still working on having fun and doing the things I love, so I went to an early morning community yoga class at a local studio. I had to be a bit careful with my neck, but overall it was a great class and I’m glad I made the effort to get there. Since I don’t go to church, there’s something special and spiritual about doing yoga on Sunday mornings.
I had to do some classwork yesterday afternoon, but the weather was so nice and I really wanted to squeeze more out of the weekend, so Alan and I took a drive back to the beach. We ended up at Shell Beach where we often go walking, but then took a side road that we’ve never taken before. Uh-oh….unknown and dangerous territory!!!
The views were too enticing not to proceed:
We kept going and reached a new height:
We then traipsed further along the trail, around a bend, through some dry brush, along a rock wall and out to a point and came across this…a cave!!!
That’s a sheer drop-off at the end there so I can see now why the warning signs are there. The wind was really strong coming through the cave just off the water. I got as close as I could to the edge to fully enjoy this unspoiled view:
This experience of doing something different, pushing into unknown territory and being rewarded with something so beautiful was a great analogy for me to not be so scared about the undiscovered and new parts of life that may seem challenging, scary and overwhelming at first, but can end up being life-changing, beautiful and truly memorable. I am so glad that I focused on squeezing more out of life this weekend and I hope to carry this attitude with me going forward.
Thank you for your kind words these past several days. I’ll be back here on Wednesday with more food pics and maybe, just maybe, a new recipe. 
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
What amazing photos! It’s fun to try a new path sometimes, isn’t it?
I admire your mindset – to just have fun and do the best you can not to worry. We are all going to worry when dealing with the unknown, but it is important to keep living your life and get your mind off of what’s eating at you. I’m sending you positive vibes from NYC!
Lauren
http://www.brooklynnatural.blogspot.com
It looks so so beautiful! You’re lucky to have such amazing views so nearby
and you’re absolutely right that you take your time and enjoy life!
Thanks, Sara! I have to pinch myself sometimes to have such scenic beauty around me.
You just described and experienced a perfect weekend in my favorite area of central coast! The photos are amazing! thank you for sharing. It motivates me to take a trip there very soon.
Thanks, Glenda! I feel very fortunate to live here and please do let me know if you come for a visit.
Carrie, I’ve been thinking about u and am sending lots of positive thoughts and vibes your way. You are such an inspiration, in so many different ways, and now with this last beautiful blog post I feel that even more today. You’re such a beautiful soul, and I feel good things are on their way to you. I hope we can see ea other again soon! xo
Thank you sooooo much, Ginny! I was having a hard time this afternoon and your message means a lot. I feel the same way about you, that you are an inspiration and a beautiful soul. Hugs to you and, yes, let’s get together soon!
Oh wow, Carrie, that is a really cool hike! I just love that area. I really enjoyed the backroads Bonnie and I took to Avila Beach, too.
I am getting back on track this week with healthy eating. No more red meat for at least a month. I am making an ETL meal for dinner tonight and I made your blueberry Avo pudding, but it was not sweet enough so for this time I added turbinado sugar. I am going to experiment more with it to get it sweet enough to not use sugar. I don’t think I had enough frozen blueberries.
Wow—what a beautiful place, and I’m glad you had FUN!
It’s a good reminder that fun really is important…and how funny that it’s so easy to forget!
If I make it over your way, I’ll let you know….and we’ll connect later for sure! No rush now that I’ll be here for a while
Hi Carrie,
I have been behind in reading email newsletters for a week, so I just found out about your recent adventure at the doctor’s. Hope you neck is repairing quickly, and I will be sending good vibes to you about the results of the test.
You look so good in the photos, and certainly thinner than you used to be (though you weren’t fat, by any means). But it has been a true inspiration to me. A week ago I woke up and decided the day had come. I started back on ETL, and have lost 6 lbs already. More than that, I seem to have lost my need to much on bad food — particularly sweets — and I have found that I have a new image of myself as someone who doesn’t need to eat or think about eating every moment of the day. I haven’t even been hungry between most meals. My husband has loved doing this with me (though he is trim and fit), so we are continuing to cook together. Some times the recipes I find are a hit, and sometimes a miss. But I finally made your Quinoa salad for lunch today, and it was delicious and crunchy, just like you said.
So thanks for all you do in writing this blog and for daring to be so open about your health concerns. I wish you the best of health in the future. It is also really inspiring that your husband spends so much time with you, travelling and supporting you in your vegan endeavors. You certainly live in a stunning part of the country.
Carrie it was so wonderful to catch up with you and Alan via skype!! We definitely have to do it again soon – love all the pictures and your lunch at the cafe looks delicious – totally agree with the Sunday morning yoga session as well it is a great idea.
I feel like I just took a mini-vacation on the Central Coast. How beautiful and relaxing. You are an inspiration!
Still sending you heaps and heaps of positive vibes, Carrie! Rock on, Girl!
Good to know you find the Aussie accent adorable
I love the Shine Cafe, last time we went up to Cambria we stopped there for lunch, and I was so impressed!!! I had the most delicious Thai green curry soup and a salad that was amazing.
I haven’t had that dish, I will check it out next time!
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