Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better. ~ Albert Einstein
I love the early morning, that quiet time before the pace that takes over the rest of the day kicks in. Today is my day to do sprints, a way for me to “shock” my body, taking it out of its normal routine and kicking up the cardio a bit. I know this is not for everyone and some days my body seems to be asking me, “are you sure this is what you want to do?”, but after it’s over I feel invigorated, so for me 30 minutes once a week works. Being on the beach is the perfect place to do this, a nice soft surface, a cool breeze, the pounding surf, and the salty air. What could be better? Ok, a nice gentle walk along the beach, but I digress.
Exercise time is over so I kick off my shoes and walk back in the surf, another great resistance exercise for the old bod. The water is a refreshing 64º, that ‘just right’ mix of a little gasp when the waves rush over your feet and that feeling of utter bliss when the tide pulls back again and the sand is running through your toes.
This is my time for reflection, meditation by the water if you will, and at times I find my thoughts moving back through time to the beautiful, rugged Oregon coast where we spent a few months earlier this year, and thanks to Gunta and her amazing photography, I get my regular fix. San Diego is equally as beautiful and we feel blessed to winter here.
Today began with a mixture of clouds and sunshine. Mother Nature seems unsure which direction she wants to head, enticing us with a little sun, then pulling the clouds back like a nightshade, bringing a little chill to the air. Whichever she decides, it looks to be a glorious day with temps around 70º.
My walk back has me jumping over large masses of seaweed which the ocean has presented as a gift for waiting shorebirds. There are a large number of kelp beds off-shore near San Elijo State Beach and what may be viewed as large buggy masses to us is a veritable feast for these birds, and the kelp beds themselves are recognized as one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth. Everything has its place in the world…perfect harmony.
Back at the RV, time for some breakfast of my own. Today I’ll share with you one of many smoothie recipes I throw together. We like to get most of our carbs from vegetables, the green leafy kind being most dominant but berries just cannot be beat blended into a smoothie and are oh-so-yummy! Here is what was on the menu today, should you be so inclined to whip yourself up one of these ice-cold treats.
Berry-Spinach Smoothie
(use organic ingredients when possible~makes 2 large drinks)
2 c. frozen mixed berries
1 c. water
1 scoop protein powder
3 large handfuls spinach
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 avocado
1 T. flaxseed oil or ground meal
Blend and enjoy!
Mother Nature has spoken; looks like another warm sunny day in paradise. I hope wherever you are, even if the sun isn’t shining, you are having a marvelous Saturday. Now off to work I go with a very big smile on my face.
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Paint Your Landscape 
That sunrise photo is beautiful. I know all of your photography friends are helping you learn about photography, but you must be a fast learner, and/or have some natural talent. Great blog for the day. I’m glad you are enjoying. We have rain in Sacramento.
I have to admit that the clouds were pretty amazing this morning after the sun rose. It looks like it rained a little during the night here but the skies cleared and the sun prevailed. Have a good weekend Joan.
If I did sprints, I would definitely shock my body into not moving for several days…hehe
Marvelous Saturday for us also. We left three days of nothing but overcast skies and cool in MIssion, TX, to sunshine and 70 in Houston, TX. Love that sun!
When I start to do sprints, I hear my body screaming at me but I ignore it and persevere (lol). Glad to hear that you are enjoying some sun.
I’m impressed…! Great photography ‘and’ great motivational exercise… That would certainly be a shock to this bod to go sprinting on the beach. Half your luck and some of your enthusiasm would be great… Mind you, I was out dancing last night… That’s got to earn a few points…!
Dancing earns a lot of points with me as I have two left feet and leave most of the dancing for the privacy of my own home after a nice glass of wine. Dancing burns lots of calories, unless you’re slow-dancing all night (lol) and lots more fun than sprinting.
Arrrr; but the beach; oh how wonderful it would be…!
It is pretty sweet. 🙂
Marvelous images, LuAnn! And thanks for the shout-out! You’re way too sweet. That smoothie sounds yummilcious and lots of healthy… I’ll have to give it a try. What you’re missing up here is a lot of rain during the night which lasted past noon, but now the sun has popped out with lots of pretty fluffy clouds drifting by. Pity I couldn’t have delayed my trip to Bandon a bit.
Thanks Gunta. I’m sure more beautiful Oregon beach photos will be coming our way soon. Loved your green photos. 🙂
Sounds like a nice refreshing start to a day. And – that smoothie is a bonus!
Today was a busy day. But – had a nice time with the fam. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your weekeend!
Thanks RoSy, you too. 🙂
Such discipline. 😦
I do a 30 minute walk each day. But it’s the same path. If I look hard enough I see something different each time.
I try to be disciplined but not always successful. Ya gotta have some fun too! 🙂
What a lovely morning – with your description, I feel like I was there with you. Except I didn’t do any sprints 🙂
Then lucky you, you aren’t sore this evening! 🙂
I just now had a smoothie – Subway & a smoothie 🙂
That sunrise in the clouds, so aflame with natural beauty – like a fiery spirited redhead shaking her locks. That bit of blue in the middle, sort of right, it’s like a keyhole into Heaven. Gorgeous.
Very cool way of waking the body up in the mornings.
Don’t think I’ll be trying that smoothie though 😉
Ok, I will venture a guess here, is it the spinach? 🙂
LOL Yep 😀
I knew it! You really don’t taste the spinach but it does give the drink somewhat of a green look to it. It would have been good for the Weekly Challenge, come to think about it. 🙂
😀
Thank you for bringing the beauty of sunrise on cloud, the beach, and the fun surfing… to us! Looks like you are off mountains down to beaches now. 🙂 Gonna give a try of the healthy smooth.
Yes, we love the mountains but we are doing some camp hosting at the beach, which certainly is a nice place to winter.
Love that top photo. San Diego looks so refreshing and your words help set the stage. I’m not complaining though about the blue sky and red rocks in Sedona. It’s so pretty here and the weather is perfect. San Diego / Sedona I’m not sure I’d want to have to pick one or the other. It’s like having to pick between an apple or an orange…..I like both equally even though they are very different.
Off to Lake Pleasant tomorrow for the Thanksgiving week. Enjoy that view!
We will and you both enjoy Lake Pleasant. In another lifetime, when I had a boat, I have many fond memories of waterskiing on that lake. 🙂
What stunning photos! That top shot of the clouds just took my breath away 🙂 Wonderful, LuAnn!
Thanks so much Shira. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. 🙂
Love that top photo. very nice to walk with you, I wish you a successful start of the work week with love maxima
Thanks Stefan and you as well.
lovely..was amazed by the first photo..
Thanks! 🙂
Just beautiful. I like the way you start the post with the picture of sunrise. And then you took us with you on this beautiful journey. Great post Lu Ann. May mother nature always give you beautiful sights like these to enjoy and appreciate. 🙂
Thanks Arindam. Have a lovely week. 🙂
What a perfect morning you have shared with us Luann, truly food for the soul! Your photos are spectacular, particularly the water shots! And you even take us in to breakfast 😀 What more can one ask for?
Thanks Madhu. I hope you are having a lovely week. 🙂
Morning sprints on the beach -> AWESOME!!! Love the shots!
Nina
I’m finding it the perfect place to do sprints and the landing will be a little softer should I take a face-plant (lol). Thanks Nina.
Love those clouds I can only imagine how great it was to get such a shot. Nature is indeed a fine thing, as is the capacityto collect it in an enchanting way.
I could not believe what I was seeing that day. Thanks Ste J. 🙂