On Sunday we woke up and the sun was shining brightly, the birds were singing and the ocean called to us and wooed us to it. It beckoned rest and relaxation to tired bodies. My parents and sister were heading out that day for the Oregon coast and had invited us to go with them, but with my mother in law being so sick right now we couldn’t commit to it. At the very last minute, we decided we needed to be spontaneous and go. And so we did. We threw some clothes into a suitcase, packed our computers so I could do work on the ecourse, and put together Elena’s sand toys. A few hours later, we were at the beach. How glorious and wonderful the ocean is!
Once we got here, it was hard to leave, so we’ve extended our stay for a few extra days. I don’t think we realized how overworked and tired we were until we got here and had a second to catch our breath. It’s been wonderful to have a break from our everyday life and to be able to give our three year old Elena more attention. She’s been loving it here and we are enjoying being with her. Poor thing, she got her first skinned knee today during a walk into town. I thankfully had some essentials oils to put on it, and arnica to give to her. A better first memory is her first game of miniature golf that we played with her. But nothing compares to just playing on the beach.
We’ve ended both nights here with a small fire on the beach ( This included roasting marshmallows for smores. I had one and it made me feel pretty darn yucky! The dark side of eating well most of the time? You can’t enjoy junk food very much.) But regardless, the fire was both warming and relaxing and a perfect way to end the evening.
I am definitely starting to long for some homemade food, and not feeling the best after a few too many meals out, but we had an absolutely splendid meal at a small little Bistro out here last night. Manila clams served with melted butter and clam juice, a delicious and fresh shrimp cocktail, an excellent tangy caesar salad, and a goat cheese lasagna graced our table on our date night. It’s great going on a trip with your parents because they can watch the kid(s) when you want some alone time with your hubby! It was the first date Joel and I have had in a long time, and it was so good to catch up and just be with each other. And it was very nice to get some nourishing food too!
Even though I am starting to long for some better food, it was probably good that I didn’t know until the morning of that we were leaving, otherwise I would have been running around like crazy trying to make a bunch of yummy and healthy food to bring with us, and tiring myself out even more! This pregnant mom is pretty behind on her sleep, and it was a good to have that taken off of me. Getting a break is an important, health promoting thing too….I am just thankful that I don’t eat like this all of the time! It definitely makes a difference in how I feel. But after getting caught up in my rest, I am going to be ready to roll when I get home!
The ecourse launch is going well, with just a few little technical (and now resolved) issues. I am having a great time reading through everyone’s introduction comments. When I get back into town and starting cooking in my own kitchen, I will definitely have some recipes for all of you too. But I am planning and looking forward to Pennywise Platter Thursday later this week! See you soon!
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Wonderful to hear that you are having the opportunity to relax and recharge, Kimi! I am praying for the Harris family.
Ah, my home! We live in S.C. now and love it, but Oregon will always have a special place in my heart. When I go home, I buy raw goat’s milk from farmers in Neskowin. I don’t usually care for goat’s milk, but they put theirs in glass mason jars and it tastes delicious.
Oregon is a foodie paradise. So many wonderful choices for real food there! Enjoy your trip and rest up!
Now I want to go to the coast! If you don’t mind me asking, what city did you stay in? We live about an hour away from Florence, so we always end up going there or Newport. I would like to go somewhere new next time we go.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Cannon Beach! A favorite. 🙂
Hey! We’re heading to the coast today, too. Enjoy!
I know what you mean about the junk food. My son had a snow cone a few weeks ago, and it gave him a wicked headache…
Your family is in my prayers!
I haven’t been to the coast (Oregon or Washington for that matter) in a long time. Where did you all go? My parents have a timeshare, we were supposed to go to Ocean Shores a few months back, but couldn’t make it. 🙁
Our favorite, Cannon Beach. 🙂
We live in florence, and about a 1/2 mile from the beach, it always amazes me that we can go months without actually seeing the ocean! You tend to forget it’s there when it is so close! Your post makes me want to go light a bonfire with the kids tonight… thanks! :o)
Go for it!
My son needs wheat free recipes and our smores we eat at camping are very enjoyable but not quite so bad. There are some excellent alternatives when we have some time to plan. Enjoy the coast……soooo beautiful!
Donna,
I really want to make my own honey sweetened marshmallows sometime this summer. We will see if it happens!
So very glad you all are having that rejuvenation time, Kimi.
Hugs,
Shirley
Sounds like you needed a break there Mama~ from one pregnant mama to another…rest well and put your feet up…it’s good for the soul!
Glad you were able to get a much needed break… and a child-free date night! 🙂
Thank you for letting us into your rest-time. I probably wouldn’t have if I were you and in such need of a retreat. It sounds wonderful and yes, the ocean does do wonders for rejuvenation! I want to specifically thank you for mentioning how yucky you felt after the marshmallow— that jumped from the page to me. My husband and I often have commented that if we eat SO nourishing, shouldn’t our body be BETTER able to adapt to having yucky food every great while? This point has been the true sad side to healthy eating. It has been a family tradition for the birthday person in our family to pick where they want to eat out, and since there’s 5 of us, we eat out only about that many times a year. We feel terrible afterwards, yet hate to give up this “treat”. Any suggestions? Thank you,
Heather,
That’s an interesting question. I personally feel that my body kind of hides the signals that certain food is stressing it when I am eating it all of the time (and I also think that I get used to not feeling 100%). Then, when I indulge, it gives me signals that it’s not good for me. However, part of that is just the healing process too. For example when I took dairy out of my diet, I never ever thought it bothered me. But after leaving it out for a month, it would make me really sick if I had even a little bit. Then, after a whole year of being dairy free, I found that I could tolerate it just fine here and there as my body had healed.
As far as eating out goes, we have been able to find restaurants that don’t leave that yucky feeling. (I also find that I don’t tolerate any type of fried food, so I just avoid that). We eat at ethnic restaurants a lot and have found a few places that serve healthier food. But I don’t know if that’s the type of place kids would choose. 😉
I am glad you got to enjoy a nice little trip and have fun with your husband, daughter and parents! Sometimes we need a break!
My family and I are working hard to try to eat better each day. Something I have noticed from those who are a few steps “ahead” on this journey is them mentioning not feeling very good after eating something unhealthy. I agree now that I have removed most processed food from my diet. I have become discouaged by those who say it in judgmental way though. I know this isn’t what you are trying to do, but it is something to keep in mind for those of you who may have friends/family starting this journey. Saying how you never crave sugar or how you just feel so awful when you eat that while pointing to what another person is eating can really make someone feel discouraged. Instead, keep your pride about your better choices to yourself until you can be sure you have pure intentions in bringing it up.
Hey Anon,
I wasn’t saying it in pride! Just stating a fact. I don’t think anyone needs to feel condemned just because I don’t feel good after spending a week eating out and eating a smore! It shouldn’t be discouraging to know that you can feel better eating healthier, it should be encouraging knowing that it really can make a difference. 🙂
It seems many people have been making trips to the beach this week. I just got back yesterday from visiting the coast with my parents and sister. It was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. I know what you mean about too many sweets and food out. After only being gone for three days I do feel yucky! Amazing how your body changes when you’re not used to those kinds of food. I’m glad that you had such a fun and relaxing time!