A few weeks ago, a friend asked me what I thought was a totally ridiculous question. ย She said, ‘How do you feed yourself?’.
Um… With a fork. ย Sometimes chopsticks. ย Occasionally my hands. ย Usually a shovel.
What she meant was… how do you feed your creativity? ย My initial answer was bewilderment. ย What? ย Don’t people just work and work until they can’t work anymore and then collapse on the couch and watch reruns of The Voice? ย Not everyone does that? ย Oh…
My friend was right. ย Creativity is such a bountiful blessing but it does take some tending to. ย Creativity can be exhausted. ย I reach that point in my brain often and it leaves me wondering exactly what else I can smash butter and bacon into (I’m sorry/not sorry that I do that).
Work is awesome and I’m a total fiend for it, but it’s not a creativity feeder. ย Couch-time is just like turning my brain to stand-by mode… welcome but not a creativity feeder. ย Pasta is a belly and creativity feeder. ย Ok! ย We’ve got one on the list so far.
Bike rides are also a creativity feeder. ย Seeing how the sun makes shapes in the world, watching people live this life, and daydreaming about the lives of my neighbors… these things totally get my brain working. Yes! ย Two things on our list! ย Now we’re cookin’.
Let’s go on a creativity-feeding, pasta-heavy adventure. ย I hope this inspires you get out and see your neighborhood in a new light. ย You don’t necessarily need a fancy bike or mason, a pair of loafers and a granola bar will do for a nice stroll. ย Get out there and find what feeds you (I hope there’s pasta involved).
Before we head out the door, we must assemble our snack!
Orecchiette is my favorite cold pasta shape. ย The little ear shape holds all sorts of pesto and pistachio goodness.
I tossed warm pasta with a pre-made basil pesto. ย If you’d like to make your own pesto… it’s super easy! ย I love this Spinach Cashew Pesto.
Cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella chunks stud this pasta. ย I also added salty green olives and lots of chopped pistachios. ย Green-themed.
Tomato Basil Orecchietti with Pistachios
serves 1 (with leftovers)
2 cups dried orecchietti pasta
about 1 cup basil pesto
1 handful cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves and quarters
1 handful fresh small mozzarella balls, sliced in halves and quarters
1 small handful shelled salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. ย Add a good sprinkling of salt and pasta. ย Cook until pasta is tender through, about 9 minutes. ย Drain well and promptly return to the pot. ย Top hot pasta with pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, and pistachios. ย Taste and season as necessary! ย It’s totally easy… it’s supposed to be.
Pasta is jarred and ready for our adventure.
We’ll need a beverage treat as well!
Strawberry, lime, and basil seem like wonderful things to smash together.
Our drink is slightly sweet (from the strawberries), has fragrant herby notes, and a little punch from lime. ย It’s super refreshing.
If it is your inclination to add gin… I totally feel ya… but there’s no drinking and biking. ย Not so safe.
Strawberry Basil Lime Smash
serves 1
3 fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
juice of 1 lime
Smash strawberries and chopped basil in a small bowl. ย Add the strawberries and basil to a glass filled with ice. ย Top with lime juice and cold water. ย Serve. ย Yea… it’s totally that easy! ย
Adventure supplies include:
– an old painting tarp for use as a solo picnic blanket.
– an old map ripped from the Thomas Guide I used to look through in the back seat of my parents’ Jeep Cherokee.
– a canvas napkin and silver fork… because I’m worth the real-deal.
– sunglasses: ย designer or otherwise. (Mine are totally from Target.)
– bike gear including flashing lights and a helmet (to keep your hard head hard)
– reading inspiration. ย I chose the deconstructed food magazine Middlewest.
–ย a notebook and pencil for random bursts of creativity.
– adventure lunch and strawberry-smash drink!
– (not pictured) my Canon Rebel T5i camera… because i’m using it to shoot (duh!)
With my bag packed and my bike tires pumped, it’s time to take off!
This might sound strange. ย A majority of the things I say here sound strange… but, I love front doors.
I love how differently people choose to display the door that welcomes people into their space. ย It’s sort of like looking at everyone’s shoes.
I can be guilty of not stopping to smell the roses, or appreciate the bouganvilla, or take in the craaazy looking ivy.
Taking these little pieces of nature in makes me think I should take out my watercolor paints, right!?
I love how late afternoon light creates these bold shadows.
I played with my Canon Rebel T5i‘sย Sport Mode while watching these kids at the skate park. ย Even just playing with a new camera mode can help me kick the walls out of the box I’m in.
I love when shadows help create new shapes in a photograph. ย I’m usually at home shooting food on a tiny butcher block, trying to avoid direct light and too many bright brights or dark shadows. ย When I’m out in the world, I want the let the brights and shadows play.
Also… just so we’re clear. ย The kid with the blue ball is trying to hit the other two kids in the head. ย Totally normal.
Also… Let’s be models.
I love Venice Beach.
Bright skies and rippled house shadows.
In the Venice Canals, Los Angeles.
Every day-explorer need a little rest and snack time.
Every day-explorer also needs a giant cone of ice cream.
Los Angeles adopts a dusty pink haze as the sun starts to set.
I love the energy around sunset at the beach. ย It feels like everyone slows to appreciate the sincerity of the moment.
Ugh… why don’t I just take my dang shoes off?
As the sun goes down, I like to shoot into the light, letting the sun create gorgeous silhouettes of the shapes in front of me.
Palm trees, a shuttered life guard stand, the Santa Monica Pier. ย It all just feels so pink and dusty and full of anticipation. ย Is it the kind of thing that makes you want to marry the night… or is that just me?
I hope you’re inspired to take some time, strap on your bike helmet, grab your camera, pack up your pasta, and go for a little day adventure of your own. ย It really doesn’t take much. ย Just some eyes wide open to what the world wants to show you. ย That sounds so hippie-dippy, but it’s totally just true. ย Feed yo’self!
Sponsored by Canon
All images captured on the Canon RebelT5i.
134 Responses
I love all of this! Can you tell me where you got that napkin!?
I just found your blog and wanted to say I love it! And I love this post! It really makes me miss my bike and going on random bike rides to nowhere!
the pasta pesto cold remind me of a very romananic evening watch those who choose to ride the evening white crest wave in true gunsiela fashion .. In the omniscent of visual process …pasta apple teet>>>…
What a fun post! I followed an ad on another website to YOU! Very cool! I love the Canon and if it wasn’t pitch black outside, I’d get on my bike and follow your lead.
This was just what I needed to get me out of my funk! Too bad the weather hasn’t been friendly as of late; but once the sun makes its debut again, I’m going to buy a new bike (with a basket attached), ride to a farmer’s market nearby and purchase some local produce and take a little excursion to a park for the day. I need a creativity-boost. Thank you for this!
Joy, your mind and tastebuds are made of magic. <3 I'm definitely going to have to try that pasta. And if you ever need someone to help you eat all that food, i'm your girl ;)
I've lived in LA county (and the west coast in general) for a year now and i juuuust drove around LA aimlessly for the first time. Last week. Trying to spark my mind from burnout, pushing out painting after painting. So i went to Santa Monica to check out Brendan Monroe's exhibit and got pizza with a friend. So inspired. I wanna be in the city!
I found you by complete accident!! (actually it was due to the Canon T5i ad which popped up) I love, love this post. My creativity was getting a little soft, but now it’s peaked again after reading this. It’s a beautiful day where I live, so I’m going to take my Canon T3i and explore the neighbourhood!
i’m so glad you found me!
Thanks for the trip through Venice on your bike. It has been too long since we have been in L.A. Great memories revived. We need to move back “home.” Cheers!
The first solo bike adventure picture in this post may be my favourite ever on the site. Thank you for the inspiration!
Joy! I forgot that you live in LA. Can you please help me? I’m going to LA for the first time. I’ll be there for a week with a lover whose also never been. I want adventures. What would you tell your best friends or your sister to do or where to go? I want good food. Good for me, good for my soul, good for the planet, good tasting! I want hiking or kayaking. I want exploring, just getting on my two feet and having a typical day in LA. Any recommendations are sooo appreciated, especially when you – with your special way of seeing the world.
Ahahah I am so happy to hear you say “I love front doors”. I have a slight obsession with them too ! ^^
Because the shoes are cute! That’s why!
Ok, that pasta looks amazing. And I’m not even a fan of pesto!
This post? I particularly loved it. I love all your work, really, but this one? Extra special. Heart happy.
Heidi xo
Gorgeous photos, and gorgeous post!
You reminded me of how much I love photography, and inspired me to bring my camera with me to the park with the babies. Thank you!
I am making this tomorrow. Why have I not thought to do this? You are such an inspiration. Love the pictures, love your blog!
just wanted you to know that I have only found your blog about six months ago and you have inspired me to get back into baking foods from scratch. You have inspired me to get out of my box and be a adventure freak. With that said, my 56 year old bod is going to bike to our nearest park , have a homemade picnic lunch, read a book and bask in the sun. You are a very good baker and a creative writer. Thanks for inspiring me to get out of my box and be more creative with cooking. I am having so much fun now.
Love this post! Makes me want to pack up and move to the West Coast.
love this post & it’s sage truth: we all need to make sure to budget our me-time (or, me-&-my-bicycle time) to give our brains a rest & a chance to be inspired. and, of course, adventure lunches help. xo
California sunshine, blue skies, beaches, strong colors…whoa, grab the dark glasses. My world presents itself in softer, filtered hazy grays, blues and greens. C’mon north to the Pacific Northwest for some adventures in a different color world.. This week you might need your snuggies and a rain jacket.
Thanks for sharing. Love this post, there’s such kindness in the way you write. I completely agree on the renewing benefits of a bike ride. I recently took one as a way to shake me out of a funk. I definitely see more rides in my future and I might have to try this pasta salad to take along with me!
That pasta recipe just made my mouth water, looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I think perhaps one of my favorite things about this post (other than the delish-looking pasta and gorgeous photos) is that you don’t know it’s a sponsored post until the very, very end. This was just such a wonderful dose of wanderlust that I never stopped to think, maybe she’s bolstering the camera itself — just so genuine, love it!
I have some of my best days thinking when I’m exploring with just me and my camera.
xo Lisa
Making Life’s Lemons
Joy,
This post is beautiful. The pesto pasts and your pants are totes maj. Thanks for doing what you do.
Loved taking this jouney with you, Joy. And I need an ice cream stat!
The everyday explorer Does need a cone of ice cream!
Beth Anne from The Amateur Naturalist
Theamateurnaturalist.etsy.com
I have so many things to say about how much I love this post. My husband and I walk almost everywhere, and when we’re not on foot, we drive scooters, so I’m always very aware of my surroundings. Walking through your town gives you a whole different perspective on it. I see things most people don’t even know are there. I love making up stories about people, and reading funny signs out loud. I’m a little crazy. I also have a whole Pinterest board full of nothing but photos of doors. It’s just about the only thing that makes me want to buy a house. We could all stand to open our eyes just a bit wider. Thanks for this. People will listen to you.
I totally agree with your view, I get more inspired when I go out exploring or travel. I live in Mexico and just came back from a few days in the beach at the beautiful Playa del Carmen. Just being by the sea and remembering my childhood really inspired me to write. Your pictures are amazing and very inspiring too, thank you for that.
First of all, love the shape of the pasta as well. I must find some in stores. I loved the relaxed feel of the pictures and this post. Sounds like a lovely day.
I love the photograph of all the pasta’s ingredients – so colorful! Looks like a fantastic adventure.
I’m totally inspired. I’m suffering inspiration overload. right now That makes it sound bad, but really it’s good. Instead of taking one day, I’m taking eight months out of my life to essentially go for a big photo taking bike riding day…but I’m doing it in Greece, it’s going to be awesome. I hope my dusky pink evening look as good as your Joy.
Joy – This might be my favorite one of your posts….in fact. I love it so much I demand recreating it with you…Let me know when I should check the air in my tires.
xo
joy! i love, love, love front doors too! in one of my favorite restaurants when i was in grad school, there was a framed poster that just had nine different doors on it. i wanted that poster so much! and it made me think: i want to make a similar photo collection, but with those roadside billboard signs announcing cities all up and down the i-5 corridor.
maybe that’s a car ride, not a bike ride…
I love this. Such a fabulous idea and your photos are ever-brilliant. Thanks for taking us on your bike ride with you!
Thomas Guides are the best!
LOVE this! Everything about this post, really. I need to take more time to go on little adventures. I used to all the time. So much fun and the food looks beautiful too!
Oh, I can’t wait to do some exploration photography these holidays! I love front doors, too. Houses. And people-watching. That pasta looks really good, too :)
Love your posts and your pictures. Always look forward to them.
I love this post and your photos. Always look forward to them.
Gah! I don’t think I can look at beach shots. I am moving to the land locked middle of the country and the beaches, of course, are calling to me more than ever!
come visit me!
i really truly adored this post. what a fun adventure! i’m totally inspired.
thanks, joy, i really needed this — it’s hard to remember that inspiration needs to be fed, too. much gratitude from a fellow creative :)
it’s such an easy thing to forget! i’m glad we’re here for each other!
Terrific pictures!
thank you!!
Beautiful post Joy! Thanks for sharing.
Joy!
Beautiful post. In the book the Artist’s Way, this is called “filling the well,” and I agree it is necessary for artists of any kind!
Now—- WHERE can I buy that napkin?
Thanks
Jennie
Ahhhh dusk on Venice beach is one the most magical time/place combinations ever! I want to go back there…
So many great things to love about this post!
Looks lovely! I’ve been to Venice Beach but never the canals and they look so interesting. On my to-do list for my next drive up to LA…
this post sounds like the best day ever! also, your pants. can’t really tell what they are but the look like they are most certainly amazing.
Awesome post. I love the pesto and pasta idea. Like is one of my favorite flavors these days. Nice pics too.
I love everything about this post! Your whole bike adventure was so beautifully curated! That is an amazing skill to have!
what are those pants?!? we need to be real life friends so you can warn me of such awesomeness
Love this! I feel like you are continually mixing things up and getting creative. Much appreciated from a dedicated food blog reader!
Joy! Tell me about these awesome pants that you are wearing!! Where did you find such greatness??
Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. And thank you for sharing the recipes as well. I was getting hungry just looking at the ingredients!
Love everything about this, Joy…..except totally disagree with you regarding your work not feeding your creativity. From here….it shines off of everything you do! Keep treating yourself like the Goddess that you are and your spirit will stay all bright-and-shiny! Thanks for sharing!!
You are totally amazing and I’m sure you know that already but I still got to say it. You have totally pulled me into your world even though I’m on the other side with your chatty (100% positive) and beautifully photographed post. The way you slide from the conversation with your friend to internal talk to recipe to bike trip made me feel like I have gone through the entire day with you in the short time I spent reading this post and gawking at the photos.
How do you do it?! I mean how long does it take for you to post a blog like this? It takes me so long sometimes to post a blog that I almost used that as an excuse to stop blogging. Of course I did not succumb to that. Please tell me I’ll get better?
I’m so glad I’m following you for other than a good bike ride (though fyi there’s no such thing in Jakarta where I am now), a really good read is also what feeds me :)
Cheers!
Nasyitah
I love taking strolls after dinner with my husband. We live in an awesome part of Maine where practically every road goes by the ocean. This time of year is so great with the bright greens, and apple blossoms. Seems like everything is coming to life. Thanks for the reminder to take it all in. As always love your Blog.
I love this post! Such a perfect reminder, especially now that summer is coming, to get out and explore. Our minds need to be fed just as much as our bellies. I can’t wait to try out the pasta salad. I’ve found my favorite vendor at our Farmers’ Market who has the best cherry tomatoes.
You have totally inspired me to get outside, bring my camera and a picnic and explore! Thank you!
Great post! I have a Canon rebel also and I love it. Thanks for the photo tips!
Okay. Can we please be best friends? I need to get off my couch! And now I really need mason jars…
Beautiful pictures! My neighborhood isn’t this exciting. I live in the suburbs and people look at me funny when I walk places. It’s as if they can’t fathom why I would rather just walk down to street to the grocery store instead of taking a 45 second drive.
This is one of the most adorable, make your soul happy posts I’ve read in a while! I’m actually headed to LA tmrw and extra excited now. :)
Home!!!
you forgot to add to your supply list… cool patterned capris… love them
What you said. What commenters said. YES. Feeding the body (food! exercise!), and the spirit allow us to see our world with fresh eyes. Fresh eyes. Fresh mind. Fresh spirit!
that pasta looks awesome! I love that you just tossed the pistachios in there at the end, rather then blending them up with the basil into pesto. bike adventures (with food) are the best!
I love how your Los Angeles looks, Joy. I visited once and I wasn’t taken by the city, but your Los Angeles, that’s a place I want to come back to and visit and explore. I wasn’t looking in the right places or in the right ways when I was there last!
My bike has been my favorite new and happy perspectives places this spring. Thank you for the reminder to bring my camera along to capture that feeling!
Fantastic- I love how you captured so many things that I love about my home (SoCal)
So, that pasta is my everything. Also, next time I hang with you, I really am gonna need to see those canals! Amaze. Love this post! Adore you, my friend!
I’m going to make this pasta. AND I’m going to ask about dem pants. What about dem pants?
I usually call feeding myself “to fill the well”: we all need some feeding and filling time. Thanks for inspiring us :-)
My Dad still uses a 1984 Thomas Brothers of LA, which I totally love. As long as he stays in old-enough neighborhoods, it works great! : )
OK…totally inspired. Me and the baby are gonna go on a little adventure today. Thanks Joy…sometimes you need to be reminded that the best things in life are usually the simplest things. :)
Absolutely beautiful, vibrant pictures! That looks like the perfect picnic lunch.
This is one of my favorite posts that you’ve done! (Which is saying a lot). The food looks delicious, the photography is beautiful, and you’re hilarious as always. thanks!
Really love this post! Has so many cool messages and I love the pictures. I love adventures. I am missing the bike though. But we have Capital Bike rentals here in DC. It would be fun to do what you did. I would love to do something like this, so inspired.
https://bikeforkam.com/ The reason I share this with you is a.) You like to bike; b) you live in the neighborhood and c) Kam is my sister in law. Also you’re a cool lady who is aware of life and it’s screwy little quirks. Thought you might be interested in the information.
First of all, those pants. I need them on my legs. Second, will you be my life coach?
Great food for a great bike tour!
food and drink in mason jars is something i so often forget, yet so often crave…a goal this summer is to not forget anymore.
I am in love with your pictures, as always. you are so lucky to live in the culturally rich and beautiful Los Angeles! (:
ps – this reminded me that I need to get air in my bicycle tires, so thank you!
Yes, to it all! Love Venice great shots. I think your little lunch would be perfect for this weekend.
I never would of guessed this was a sponsored post. That is what I love about your blog – you never lose your genuineness!
Seriously beautiful Joy. A good lesson to us all. I think finding out “creativity feeder” is also about taking care of ourselves. Something that is hard to remember to do sometimes. Thank you. Just lovely.
thank YOU for being here!
I love picnics and this one is next on my list! Thank you for an inspiring post. Just lovely!
Oh I’m jealous! I’d love to go cycling there!
Instead, I will enjoy your pictures.
Thank you for the trip! And the lunch ;-)
I’m just in love with every part of this. I’m on the hunt for a new bike since mine was stolen (boo!), but I can’t wait to go exploring!
stolen bikes are THE WORST! i hope you get a new buddy that you love.
I loved this post…and your dedication to new thoughts, new food and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
I love this post! Each photo is incredibly beautiful and it looks like you were able to be very inspired. Most of all it just looks like you has fun. I havent has an adventure like that and explored my city in a long time and u have officially inspired me to get out and feed my creativity..
p.s im good with you smashing butter and bacon into stuff you too
the weekend is near! i hope there’s some exploration in it! xo.
Such an awesome post! I love your photos and reading what you have to say. Everything was so true, but I can not believe you road your bike threw LA! OMG I would have been dead in 2 seconds. The traffic, the crazy drivers! You are daring, but i guess I already knew that!
it’s not really so bad…. plus i stuck to the beach. people expect to see bikers on the road near the beach.
I seriously spent all last night knowing that I need a personal getaway/adventure…..but I was stumped as to what to do. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration. Weekend. Watch-out!
looks like i need to feed my creativity, but first, thanks to your beautiful food photos, i need to feed myself. too early for lunch?
early lunch? call it brunch.
Love a good pesto pasta! Always so yummy!
I also like to put grilled shrimp in mine to give it some protein.
There is something so refreshing about pesto especially when it is a cold summer pasta.
Thanks for the inspiration!
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
grilled shrimp is definitely the move!
sounds like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon & your snack looks delicious :)
Thanks for the creative inspiration Joy! I think we all need a reminder to get away from work and soak up life around us!
I’m inspired. And I want pasta.
Joy – great post. life fun + food fun. i’m into it.
This post got me out of my studio. I don’t cook out of the box very often – live with a meat and potatoes guy- but love to read what you do and vicariously get it. Then back to work. The bike ride was great- next week, I should clean mine up and take the time to get it out of the basement. thanks for the trip.
this makes me so happy, Hetty!
I am so jealous of your adventures and you take such wonderful photos. When I was on break I use to take my camera out too, but my events were not as exciting as yours. A little time out is good for the creative soul.
it’s not about excitement, it’s just about getting out and seeing!
Joy – I love all your posts – they bring me joy. Thought you should know that – that you are great and I feel like we are friends and love your posts and adventures and food, yes food is good. Keep them coming please!
thank you for your kind words!
I’ve been reading your posts since August 2011 . This is the most beautiful one ever. Greetings from South Africa.
you are lovely Nita!
Love the ice cream picture!
And by the way, I went all the way from Denmark to California during november last year! On your recommendation I visited “the pie hole” in LA – I am still dreaming of the mexican chocolate pie that I got!
Thank you for a really great blog!
\Tanja
This post is spectacular, I’m with you girl! I went out for a spontaneous long bike ride yesterday, it truly is the best way to hit pause and soak up the world for a while. Especially since my world’s been totally uprooted and I wasn’t cycling around my home city but the country roads of France – something I can fully appreciate on two wheels. I found all sorts of forest trails and got a bit happily mud-splattered, and explored the cobbled lakeside towns near where I live, and found a whole lot of inspiration as well, at some little art galleries I stumbled upon… Bikes are the ultimate freedom, right? And the best way to discover or revisit the places which are not quite just outside your back doorstep but still close enough to be accessible.
Also, PASTA IN A JAR? Love it! Nothing beats a container of pasta for a packed lunch, but there’ll be no more plastic tupperware at my pasta picnics from here on in. You are one clever classy lady. xxx
you’re LIVING IT!! bravo!
So glad that you did this, posted about it, and took these wonderful images. Work will always be here; getting out and replenishing our tanks is so key…especially when the weather is gorgeous!
This is so true. Getting out and walking works for me.. I wish I had those blue skies to walk under though, wow, beautiful photos.
This is my favorite favorite post of yours for a hole. Love the adventure and the food to fuel it. Traveling is how I feed myself, my soul and my heart. X
Just IN LOVE with the way you write! You capture my attention with every. single. word. Definitely doing this little adventure soon!
such kindness!
I love this post. That’s all!
Love your pictures! And I would totally love to go out there right now :D Oh wait… its raining :( Other day then :D