since being in California…

Twice…

I’ve hiked behind our temporary Topanga Canyon home (also happens to be where I get cell service),

I’ve had mexican from the only mexican restaurant in topanga canyon,

I’ve eaten sushi from the overpriced local organic grocer (at least the sushi was cheap),

I’ve sweated out toxins at Yoga Desa

and followed the class with “The Best Veggie Burger Ever” from Waterlily cafe (the chipotle vegenaise sauce…died).

Not once,

Have I gone for a run. I am still treating myself well and every day I have to tell myself this.

After all, it is pretty refreshing to wake up and look out the window to this.

I’ve never heard this much wildlife in my life. Each morning, I hear an incredible amount of birds, squirrels dropping nuts on the roof, and then scurrying into the trees.

I hike up to the top of the mountains and it is just me and the lizards, birds, and bugs. After being pent-up in our Detroit Loft when not working this past year, I heard no wildlife, just the sound of the slow-moving train. My body is still on east coast time so I have no problem waking up with the rest of the living creatures in Topanga Canyon. Each day, I’ve been sitting on the porch with my morning bowl of steel-cut oats (still searching for raw sprouted buckwheat). I am sure things will soon start to get hectic, but for now, I am soaking it all in.

Of course, it is now 9:30pm and I feel like it is past midnight. Instead of curling up in bed, I’m heading out for my third night of Topanga Mexican food (talking business with a former boss-fingers crossed).

I promise I’ll venture out for some more Veggie meals in LA soon. Vegan Mofo is still fresh in my mind (Happy 4th Day!), and I’m compiling a list of places I hope to visit for the special vegan month of food. Here is what I’ve come up with so far:

M Cafe

Real Food Daily

le pain quotidien (Lynn wrote about the Avocado, Chickpea, Alfalfa Sprouts and Tahini Tartine and I am dying to try it)

Veggie Grill

Native Foods

-Do you have any LA vegan food suggestions? It doesn’t have to be vegan only, but vegan friendly would be lovely.