Camp The Coast: Highway 101
Last year for my birthday, we traveled up the California Coast while taking the scenic route. We camped, beach by beach, and saw some of the most amazing scenery. There's something so magical about the water and the wind, and how the coast curves it's way North. Here, you'll find the best local grass-fed burgers, farmers markets, and untouched scenery. Although the California drought left us without showers for a night, it was all made up for when we opened our tent on the beach and saw two breeching wales just yards from where we stood.
Our beach front camp spot in Ventura, CA
The second night of our trip was spent in San Simeon State Park, which was only a short walk to the beach. The campground was virtually empty besides some raccoons that ransacked our cooler in the night. Large rocks + mossy hillsides made up the beach area, which made for great sunset photos.
The next morning we headed a few minutes North to Hearst Castle, because who can pass up an opportunity for phenomenal architecture? The grounds were breathtaking, even through the clouds. The driveway in itself was a good 10 minute ride up steep cliffs and green, cattle-laden pastures.
We then headed out towards Big Sur, where the cliffs grow taller + the phone service fades out. Enveloped in low clouds + tall trees, this place is storybook quality. We stayed in Limekiln State Park, which is hands down my favorite campsite to date. We pitched our tent along a creek, which gracefully faded into the ocean.
Limekiln is the beginning of two simple hiking trails. We opted for both routes and found the most tranquil waterfall + quiet woods.
View of Bixby Bridge as we leave Big Sur
Finally making it to San Francisco, we let full tourist mode break out. Our first stop was to see the Golden Gate Bridge, which is expensive to cross but worth the breathtaking Southern view. We decided to ditch camping in the city and stayed at a hostel which was surprisingly enjoyable + welcoming. Our only mission in the city was finding good food + drinks, which we absolutely did. Very little photos of these events were taken due to full enjoyment.
Exploring Chinatown
We ended our trip with coffee from Four Barrel to fuel our long drive home. Overall, it was a much needed mental break + perfect birthday weekend trip. I've lived in California for almost 3 years now + I love that there is still so much of this beautiful state to explore.
Using the Roadtrippers app, I created a custom itinerary of places to stay, sights to see, + food to eat on the way up. If you're interested in driving up the coast yourself, you can view my itinerary + top sight-seeing spots HERE.
My Tiny House Life
Moving into and RV park was not a difficult choice, considering I’d grown up traveling in a motorhome every summer since I was a toddler. Life on the road, sleeping in campgrounds, and being outside more than I was inside was a normal, comfortable thing.
As I graduated from high school, moved out on my own, and started renting apartments, my life quickly became a game of holding several jobs so I could afford to live inside a box, inside a bigger box, inside an even bigger box. As I moved to San Diego, California, apartment life and the rooms I rented got even smaller, smellier, and older compared to the new construction found in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Moving in general is an annoyance, yet I found myself packing up and heading to a new place literally ever 3 months, never being satisfied with roommates, locations, or rent price. The lack of quality apartments I lived in (nasty animals & moldy structures) contributed to the decline in my health and my unhappiness with how society is set up to live.
“I’m finally enjoying the piece of mind that comes with solo living.”
I’ve now moved into a gem of a RV park just outside of San Diego. For less than the price of any room I’ve ever rented in either city, I now have my own interior, patio space, and unobstructed view of trees and mountains. My breathing air is fresh and no longer tainted by cigarette smoke blowing in my window. My view is now of trees and mountains instead of buildings or busy streets. My kitchen space is always clean (or not!) and I’m no longer worried about passive aggressive notes left on the door or wondering if my roommates' dog is going to try and bite me today.
Living in a trailer, with less than 200 square feet, also has its downsides. I’ve gotten rid of most of my clothes and belongings, having to fit my wearables into 14 inches of hanging space and 2 drawers. It’s quite refreshing to minimize, and to know that exactly what you have now is exactly what you need. It seems I’ve also parked my new home on an anthill…but looking on the positive side, it only inspires an even cleaner, sugar free diet.
2 years and 8 moves later, I’m finally enjoying the piece of mind that comes with solo living. Sharing living spaces with others is definitely a growing experience, and necessary to truly find your character. I've found my healthy balance of living space, eating, and enjoying life.
Try everything once, and change things if they don’t work for you. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and live the life you've imagine.
Understanding The Karma Concept
The Karma Concept was born out the pursuit to create a healthier lifestyle; to set you up to discover your true self, your own powers of healing, and how to create a more profitable future through self awareness.
Karma is defined in the dictionary as “action; seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation.”
Setting aside the commonly spoken about definition regarding circumstances and events, this philosophy & definition can more positively be translated into your own self, and the reactions you experience throughout your body, mind, and spirit. Physical, mental, and emotional symptoms & imbalances can all be traced back to an initial point that started the resonating process. Whether it is healthy food vs. junk food, supportive relationships vs. negative relationships, or positive thoughts vs. self-sabotaging thoughts, our current presence and holistic self are the outcomes of past experiences and choices. Understanding where they came from can lead you towards a path of self-healing.
The wonderful thing is that we can change our future by changing our present. In terms of karma, begin focusing on the here & now to create a healthier future. We can no longer do anything about the past, so accepting where we are in the current moment is the best we are ever able to do. Support a positive present to reap a healthy future.
Ignorance is NOT Bliss
I spent many days feeding my body food that wasn't right for it, only to have many negative symptoms of disease, depleted hormones and no gut function. I was not being totally conscious of my food choices or noticing how these foods were directly affecting my energy and body as a whole. My mind was cluttered with negative external remarks and self-hatred, living in the flesh rather than my own soul. Talk about an ongoing bad dose of karma… By eating the wrong foods and thinking the wrong thoughts, I was only slowly poisoning my body and mind.
My actions were developing constant negative results, and I was clueless. I’d see doctor after doctor prescribing medications that only covered up the problems temporarily. I decided I needed to take things into my own hands and begin research on my own. I ended up diagnosing myself before my naturopath could, and am grateful I could develop the self awareness needed to pay attention and look in the right places. It didn't come easy, and I contribute my 10+ years of yoga and yoga teacher training to the development of these tools. Most people can't tap into this realm of awareness as easily, and there are more health problems now than ever before.
Through The Karma Concept, learn to identify what is triggering your mind/body/spirit symptoms before they really get out of hand. Your health is completely controlled by you, and you are your own best healer.
3 Simple Easy Ways To Start
Food Log:
Keeping track of what you eat, how often you eat, and how these foods make you feel is the first step in identifying key issues. You can either keep a hand written journal with you, or easily download an app on your phone. I personally use My Fitness Pal. It even tracks your exercise and weight loss goals.
Meditation:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you have not started a daily meditation practice, DO SO NOW! This can create the most awareness in your body. Focus on tuning in to your organs and brain, to see how well you are digesting and resting. Meditation Oasis is my favorite, and there is definitely something for everyone. Starting with just a couple minutes a day, can make a huge impact on how you feel and react to the world.
Journaling:
Writing down your thoughts, moods, and gratitudes is a simple way to get things off your chest and heal your mind. Challenge yourself to write down 10 things you are thankful for each day. Check out Tiny Buddha's 10 Journaling Tips.
Believe in Your Future Self
Becoming aware of your internal body & mind definitely takes time, but hey, you’ve got a lifetime to be in the body you have! Make the most of it and charge it up to it’s fullest potential.
Live the life you desire.
Namaste, Leah
Friday Favorites
1. Your Yoga Horoscope can help you get to know your body. (wellandgoodnyc.com)
2. How do you not want to dance/clean/cry to this song & video. (youtube.com)
3. Customizing your cleanse with Sean & Christa. (undergroundwellness.com)
4. Check out how much food dye you & your kids could be eating. (rodalenews.com)
5. Pep Talk rom Kid President to You. (youtube.com)
6. I love the idea of re-purposing mason jars as herb planters. (etsy.com)
Have a happy and healthy weekend friends!
Namaste, Leah
Homemade: Kettle Corn
Popcorn used to be my favorite snack as a kid, definitely being eaten daily after school, and sometimes willingly being subbed out for meals. Did anyone else have such an obsession with the kettle corn microwavable packs? Seriously, I love popcorn. I was heartbroken after reading Food Babe's article on Why Microwave Popcorn Is An Absolute Health Nightmare, so I quickly made the switch to air popping my own. It took some time to get used (i.e. burning a lot of batches), but have finally been able to reproduce microwavable kettle corn on a healthier, tastier level.
Popcorn is a great low calorie snack, quick to make, and easy to take on the go or smuggle into movie theaters. Make sure the kernels you purchase are Non GMO & Organic. If you haven't seen & rented the documentary Genetic Roulette, it's amust watch.
Using coconut crystals keeps the sugar content low on this kettle corn, with only 4 grams per tablespoon. Feel free to use more or less, depending on your own body's response to sugar.
Homemade Kettle Corn
Ingredients:
+ 1/3 c. non-gmo popcorn kernels
+ 2 tbs. coconut oil (use more as drizzle after popped, if desired)
+ 3-4 tbs. coconut sugar crystals
+ salt, if desired
+ large saucepan & lid
1. Heat coconut oil in pan w/ lid on
2. Pour kernels in oil after its warm
3. Wearing oven mitts, hold pan and gently shake the kernels, making sure they don't burn.
4. Continue shaking as they pop.
5. Turn off heat before the last kernel pops & drizzle in melted coconut oil or grass fed butter.
6. Sprinkle coconut crystals and a dash of salt.
7. Shake some more.
Be sure to also try Food Babe's Superfood Popcorn and let me know what other combinations to try. Happy Snacking!