RAINBOW BERRY COFFEE CAKE

Happy Pride Day LA. I wish all of my friends a beautiful and safe day celebrating out in West Hollywood CA. Remember, we are all one connected to the core that is our humanity.

I have decided to bake today, and in honor of LA Pride I baked a Berry Coffee Cake and renamed it Rainbow Berry Coffee Cake.

I bought Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking and Pancake Mix, and inspired by their recipe on the box made my own version with some healthy changes.

You will need:

Trader Joe's Multigrain  Baking and Pancake Mix, or another brand if you please Use 2 1/2 cups

1 egg

1 cup low fat buttermilk, I substituted low fat milk

3 tablespoons oil, I used extra virgin oil because that is all I had, but you can use vegetable oil 

1 bag Trader Joe's frozen mixed berries no additional sugar (I used most of the bag)

1/2 cup raw sugar, or sugar or agave

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

In a large bowl mix together  1 egg,  1 cup low fat milk and  3 tablespoons oil.  Stir in 2 1/2 cups Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking and Pancake mix and  1/2 cup sugar. Fold in almost a full bag of frozen berries but make sure to thaw the bag first. I used most of the full bag, I wanted tons of berries.

Mix well and spray a glass pie pan with cooking spray. Spread evenly in pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for ten minutes and serve this not so decadent treat with your favorite coffee or tea. I am of course practicing self control over the portion size. It was oh so delicious.

This recipe is very low cholesterol, low fat, low sugar, high fiber and whole grain. It is a little higher in sodium than I usually eat but it is an occasional treat. 

It was the perfect Sunday accompaniment for some quiet reflection on life before I have to get moving and work out. No rest for the weary, but who is weary anyway? I love working out,yoga, meditation and dancing, and I forgot how I much I love to bake and cook. Sundays are a great reminder to slow down and smell the roses and LA Pride is a reminder to wear your colors with confidence. Be you, your best authentic self always; critics be damned. 
Gotta love life.

Love, Light to all.
Namaste'
After all Namaste' means we are all one
Rose

FLYER FOR BOOK DRIVE FOR KIDS

This is the lovely flyer my friend made for my book drive for Reading to Kids. I am so excited to start collecting books, books the children earn through reading clubs. I love books, all books. 

I believe a book can take a child and transport them to a place where dreams come true, when they are unable to travel beyond the four walls of their own dwellings.

Off to have coffee and do a little poetry writing, work out later. No rest for me. 
Happy Sunday to all, much love and light.
Namaste'
Rose

DAY TWO THIRTY DAY CHALLENGE

Melissa suggested I take after workout photos. James took this yesterday after day one of 30 day challenge.

Happy Sunday to all. It is day two of the Melissa Bender Fitness 30 day challenge that I am taking part of. On days I do not work out with my trainer Mike I am doing her amazing videos, and I will exercise for all 30 days of this month. I felt it was time to take it up a notch, and not get too comfortable. She is not only a fitness dynamo but my best friend and I owe her so much. I will be checking in daily at https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBenderFitness?ref=br_tf

Here is the link to day two of her 30 day challenge. I am so in.
http://www.benderfitness.com/2014/03/30-day-challenge-day-2-cardio-hiit-15.html

So today I am going to go on a long walk, stretch and do this video. If it rains more I will be doing the treadmill and of course my burpees. Mike and I are making a video of me doing burpees this week. I have improved but still have a long way to perfection but I will do them and post the video to show progress. No embarrassment or fear.

I am collecting books for my book Drive for Reading to Kids. I will do a long post about them and the wonderful impact they have on the community here in Los Angeles. I am about 6 pounds from my next 10 pound milestone. 

Off for now. Happy Sunday to all.

MANIFESTING CREATIVE ENERGY

Good evening to all. I have to admit I have spring or summer fever. I know it is still winter and most of the country is digging out from the snow and cold, but the sun was shining to bright today it gave me spring and summer fever. You know that feeling you get when everything begins anew. I tend to get inspired a lot and this evening was no exception, The sunsets here are so beautiful, as beautiful as the sunshine at it's brightest. California days and nights tend to bring out my creative flow.

When I was out for my walk/run I stopped at the art store and picked up some pencils. I used to draw a lot up until my 30's and I wondered if I can still do it. You are never to old to revisit the passions of yesterday and to create new ones. I believe living for passion is a youth elixir that makes life so fulfilling and keeps you young and vital. You can never have enough passions in life.

I know one of the first things I am going to attempt to draw. I saw a tree the other day, it was completely barren except for one last bloom, clinging on despite the windy day.That bloom to me is a metaphor for life. We all have another bloom left in us, another chance to blossom. No matter how barren things may appear, there is always hope if we cling on to the promise of tomorrow and another chance to begin anew. 

Dinner was simple and healthy tonight, since I was in summer mode I made the most delicious vegetarian burgers, healthy style. If I did not know any better I would have believed it is almost the 4th of July. 

I am going to continue this inspiration as my Monday approaches and my busy week of work and workouts. I feel that this project has in some way brought me back to life, and I feel like I can do anything I set my heart and mind to. I am so inspired and grateful for each and every chance I get to begin anew; to be healthy, lose weight and and return to my former fit self.  To sow my creative oats and to help those in need. I could not ask for more. Love and light to all.
Namaste'
Rose