Guest Post on Lemon Jelly Cake

Happy Monday, yogis! (and Happy St. Patty's Day!)

Today I am blog sitting over at Lemon Jelly Cake while Claire and fam get used to having baby Micah around. I am so so excited for the whole Printz family, I made them cookies...

well, I made them digital cookies, anyway.

We love cookies in our house. You could call it an addiction. On weekends I don't bake a fresh batch of cookies, it's because we already have leftover dough in the freezer. 

Over the holidays, I decided to tackle some gluten free baking. Word on the street is that gluten is just bad news bears for us humans - and I've actually noticed it's the source of a lot of upset tummies, so, in order for our household to continue to enjoy cookies, I did some experimenting cutting it out...

Get the rest of the post and the recipe over at Lemon Jelly Cake... 

Guest Post - Alyssa Bacon-Liu; Overcoming the Fear of Getting Healthy

Hey folks, I'm on a relaxing Hawaiian vacation with my family this week, so I've asked some beautiful, talented and inspiring ladies to guest post for me while I'm away. 

Alyssa Bacon-Liu is a firecracker. We met through a blog brunch almost a year ago and it was she who pushed me to join the Be Happy Link Up in the first place. I am so grateful to her for that. Alyssa writes honestly and passionately about her beliefs and truths, and the obstacles she encounters seeking all things beautiful. Her blog is real, powerful, and she always has something to say that will inspire you or make you think. 

I used to be afraid of getting healthy. That seems like an odd thing to say, doesn’t it? It’s not that I didn’t want to be healthy. I knew that I was unhappy with my poor eating habits and non-existent exercise routine. But the process of getting healthy always seemed so overwhelming. How would I possibly be able to accomplish my health goals? Where would I even start? What if I failed along the way? The farther away I got from my healthy ideal, the more scared I was to try to change things. I started to think, “What’s the point of trying to be healthy?  It will take too much time and effort.” Changing my lifestyle in order to be healthier was such a daunting task that it became paralyzing. The fear of failure kept me from pursuing the goals I needed to pursue.

I know I can’t be alone in thinking this way. Yes, I had to deal with my own fears and insecurities. But I also had to realize that we live in a quick-fix culture. We want results and we want them now.  I didn’t want to go months and months waiting to see minor changes; I wanted an amazing and instantaneous transformation. My fear of failure and my unrealistic expectations were both roadblocks to my health and happiness.

In order to overcome these roadblocks, I had to focus on one overall goal: getting healthier. To me, this doesn't mean pant size or scale weight. It’s about how I feel. A few months ago, I decided to dedicate myself to living a healthier lifestyle. I quickly realized that I feel better and have more energy when I run in the mornings. I realized that I feel confident and accomplished when I master a new move in my Zumba class. I realized I feel less sick all the time when I eat the right foods in the right portions. These are the things that really  matter. If I lose weight or drop a pant size, it’s just icing on the cake. Until then, I’m happy with the knowledge that each day I’m taking care of my body and improving my overall health.

Now, I’m not afraid of getting healthy. I look forward to being active and getting a good workout. I am so much happier now that I don’t feel sick and tired all the time from the food I’m eating. It turns out, getting healthy was in my best interest all along.


Whatever your health-related goals are, remember that you don’t have to be afraid of making the right changes in your life. Being healthy looks and feels different for every person; it’s not about living up to an impossible standard. Find what works best for you, enjoy yourself, and always know that you’re worth it.

Alyssa Bacon-Liu lives with her husband and puppy in Los Angeles. She blogs at All Things Beautiful, where she writes about marriage, faith, growing up, the pursuit of happiness, and finding the beauty in the everyday. Connect with her on Twitter or on Instagram: @alyssabaconliu. 

Guest Post - Mrs. ShuGar; It's Friendship

Hey folks, I'm on a relaxing Hawaiian vacation with my family this week, so I've asked some beautiful, talented and inspiring ladies to guest post for me while I'm away. 

Yet another lady I met through the Be Happy Link Up, Carmen (Mrs. ShuGar) inspires me every week to love life and live passionately. I relate so much to the lessons in love and life she writes about on her blog. I was so happy when Carmen threw her hand up in the air to volunteer to guest post while I'm away. It's easy to be confident about someone when you know what they say is from the heart. 

Photo Credit

One of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes is the one where Lucy & Ethel fight over wearing the same dress while performing the song, “Friendship.” I adore that crazy red head.  Lucy & Ethel are the best of friends and it’s evident in the unconditional love they have for each other, despite their occasional hiccups.

Something happens when you get older; You inevitably lose friends.  It’s a symptom of life and its many transitions, but it’s bound to happen to all of us at some point.  The more I age, the smaller my inner circle gets and I am 100% ok with it. It’s not high school anymore where you want to be friends with every single person in the room.  Lately, I’ve lost dear friends who I would have considered my “Ethels.”  As painful as this transition has been, I am slowly coming to terms with the loss.

In this process, I have learned what the definition of friendship is.  It’s really very simple, but, apparently, hard to find and sustain.  If you do have someone in your life who you would consider a true friend, you are very lucky.  Friendship can enhance your happiness ten-fold.

In my experience, a true friend…

Never Leaves

Despite our busy schedules or distance, a real friend will always stick around no matter what.  Especially in today’s world, any person is just a click or phone call away.  There is no reason to ever break contact over long periods of time, if you value the friendship.  A phone call every six months, an email every month, really anything to show you care and are thinking about the person.

Is By Your Side During the Dark Times

It’s so easy to be around someone when things are peachy.  How about when you are drowning in tears and you don’t want to see the light of day?  Who will help you get up? Who will make sure you eat three meals a day? Those very special friends who remain near you during difficult times will.  I believe this is the time when a friendship is truly tested.  Oh, and the friend also withholds judgment during this time.

Looks Out for Your Interests, Even When it’s Not the Popular Opinion

This can cause contention in friendships, but it demonstrates the love between friends.  A true friend will support you, but challenge you if s/he thinks you are making wrong choices.  This friend will not keep quiet if you are dating someone unworthy of your heart.  This same friend would also speak up if s/he knows your partner is being unfaithful.  It’s not an easy thing to do, but it’s characteristic of someone who truly loves you.

Celebrates Your Happiness

Ugh. I have lost many of friends because of this one.  A real friend will honor your joy by vicariously experiencing happiness for you.  This is not challenging when the friend is already happy.  It’s a testament of a real friendship when your friend is not in the best of places emotionally, but still manages to have a genuine happy feeling for you.  Jealousy & envy do not factor into a true friendship.

If you have an “Ethel” in your life, make sure you cherish this person and never take him/her for granted.  It’s such a gift to have a true friend in your life.  I am not the type of person to need many friends at my age.  One “Ethel” would suffice.  If you already have one, smile. Even better, give this friend a call and tell your friend you are my “Ethel” and the reason I smile.

Lots of Love,
Mrs. ShuGar

My name is Carmen, but I’m playfully known as Mrs. ShuGar. "ShuGar" is a nickname my hubs and I use which combines the first three letters of our last names. It's pronounced "sugar" but spelled S-H-U-G-A-R.  I blog about the heart & all there is to Love. Turquoise rocks my world.  Art is my passion.  In another life, I was born as Lizzy Bennet and Mr. ShuGar was my Mr. Darcy. I’m an indie film nerd. Fashion & writing feed my soul.   I heart LA.  My entire love story can be told through Beatles songs. Mr. ShuGar is my sunshine. Love is all. Love is you.

Blog: shugarlove.com

Email: mrs.shugar@gmail.com

Twitter: @ShuGarLuv

Instagram: mrs_shugar

Facebook: ShuGarLoveBlog

Pinterest: mrsshugar

Guest Post - Louise Edu; Flax Seed Reese's Granola Bars

Hey folks, I'm on a relaxing Hawaiian vacation with my family this week, so I've asked some beautiful, talented and inspiring ladies to guest post for me while I'm away. 

Louise was one of the first ladies I connected with through the Be Happy Link Up. She's a former designer, now full time mom, blogger, and all around Super Woman. She is a DIY queen and her posts are always insightful and inspiring. I am proud to call her my (blogger) friend. 

Hey Baking Yogi peeps!!  What do you do when yer "blog" sitting and yer friend Alyssa is out of town?? You hold down the fort and bake of course!!

My girls lurrrvve their granola bars!  But I hate the store bought ones!  (Sorry Quaker guy, but your bars have way too much sugar, in addition to some crazy modified junk!)

I always try to feed my kiddos yummy, healthy snacks…but it's always so difficult!  There's not enough time in the world to make errrthang from scratch and the girls are always picky!!  But they absolutely love these semi-healthy flax seed reese's granola bars and they don't take too long to make!!  Plus, I get to sneak in some fiber, lignans + omega-3 fats (yep, that's whats in flax seeds y'all!!) into their lil' bodies and they don't even know it! hehehe

Here's what you're gonna need:

2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup unbleached flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup dark choc chips (or more if yer a chocoholic)
3/4 cup natural raw whole flax seeds
1/2 cup organic honey
1 large brown egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp organic + no salt peanut butter

Step 1:  Grab a large mixing bowl and throw all the ingredients in and mix, using clean hands.  I like to measure out the dry stuff first then add the wet ingredients next.

Step 2:  Grease your baking pan w/ a lil' vegetable oil and spread the granola mix evenly.  Using your hands push down on the granola so that everything is nice and compact, and that there's an even thickness all around.  If you don't do this, your granola bars will fall apart =(

Step 3:   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 4:   Bake for 30 minutes, or whenever the edges are golden brown.

Step 5:  Let cool for 5 minutes then gently cut bars with a clean knife after it's been cooled.  But don't wait too long, or they might be too hard for you to cut through.  Also, I've found that cutting the bars into squares and not rectangles, help keep their shape.  When you've finished cutting the bars, let them cool for an additional 5 minutes then once they've cooled completely, they'll be easier to lift out of the pan.

When all is said and done, enjoy w/ a cold glass of milk, or package em nice + neat for a lunchbox treat!!

If you enjoyed this post, see more of my awesomeness at my blog: Laid Off Mom (http://laidoffmom.com)…where I'm conjuring up inspiration and DIY's on the daily!  See you soon!

Louise is a 30 something mama who writes and creates at her blog - Laid Off Mom (http://laidoffmom.com) where she is constantly offering up optimism and inspiration daily.  Follow her and read about the unfortunate incident in her design career that has led her to live a happier, more creative life with her family

Guest Post - Alyssa Anderson; Ready, Set... Play!

Hey folks, I'm on a relaxing Hawaiian vacation with my family this week, so I've asked some beautiful, talented and inspiring ladies to guest post for me while I'm away. 

I first met Alyssa on twitter. She is vibrant and outgoing and we got along swimmingly - despite us both being introverts. ;) Because Alyssa gets just as excited about all things health, yoga, and fitness as I do, I was thrilled when she reached out to me about guest posting while I'm away. I know you'll love reading about her experiences as much as I do. I mean, she is writing about some of my favorite things, after all. 

When I first approached Alyssa (by the way, we share the BEST NAME EVER and have the proper spelling…) about guest posting, I was brimming with ideas. However, as the time went by, one theme seemed to keep bubbling to the surface.

I would spend every minute of every day outside if I could. I would walk barefoot in the sand, run through the grass, and roll down hills. At this point, you might be thinking This chick is stuck at 7 years old. But before I pull out my crayons and prove to you that I’m on to something…let me tell you a story. Grab something yummy to sip and play some fun music. I’ve got a cup of coffee with honey and am listening to the Ryan Montbleau Band.

At the end of February, I went to Oahu, Hawaii (a few islands over from where Alyssa is!) for the Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival. I was selected as a volunteer and jumped at the chance to practice with some of the world’s best yoga teachers, visit Hawaii, and serve. One session I participated in was with THE Baron Baptiste…you know, the guy who INVENTED Baptiste power vinyasa yoga.

I expected his class to kick my butt, since he’s known for power yoga. Instead, I was delightfully surprised to see a different side of Baron. His class was about playfulness. Invite playfulness into your practice. Dance in the poses that scare you. Playfulness creates lightness. By allowing ourselves to play, our hearts and spirits opened up. As a class, we laughed together, fell out of balance poses, and felt oh-so-sweetly free.

I decided to play more in my life. Be childlike in my wonder of the world. I mean, have you seriously looked a leaf recently? Go outside and grab one and come back. We’ll wait…Ok. The veins and striations, the dancing of colors depending on light. Beautiful. Heck, even the color of a leaf is powerful! The green comes from the chlorophyll, which creates carbohydrates from light. SUGAR from the SUN. Science is cool.

Anyway. Another session I went to was with Eion Finn. This man is amazing. After leaving Baron’s class, my bar was set pretty high. Eion blew the bar away. He started the Blissology movement and lives for the connection to nature. We practiced outside, in the grass (Grassasana), to reconnect with the earth. We jumped around like frogs and pretended to surf. We played like children in a grassy field. His class further altered my worldview.

What I’m trying to say is that all to often we feel this need to grow up and stop playing and “get our lives together.” I suggest we never stop playing and get outside some more. I know you see hills and think Man, it would be so great to roll down that hill. Well, I dare you to do it. I double, no, TRIPLE dog dare you. Let go a little. Live a lot. Laugh more. I think you’ll find that by playing and getting outside, you’ll find lightness in your life. A breezy easiness. Appreciate a good climbing tree. Jump over the waves at the beach. Play!

Oh, important piece before I go. Stop caring what people will think if you decide to act a little goofy or stomp in puddles. Are you happy? Did you smile while you were playing? Yes? Then you’re beautiful and free. Free from the judgment of others (plus, they just WISH they could be you). Now, excuse me, my mud pies are almost finished and I have a round of hopscotch to finish. 

Alyssa Anderson is a recent graduate (yay!) with her M.S. in Community Health Education. She currently lives in Pensacola, FL surrounded by sugar white sands and seashells with her fiancé and dog, Lemon. While she isn’t a yoga teacher quite yet, it is on her life plan. For now, she works for a non-profit dedicated to improving the health of the community through a variety of events and resources. Tweet with her @alyand18 

Guest Post on All Things Beautiful

Hi friends! My very smart and talented blogging friend, Alyssa, is on vacation this week, so I'm over on All Things Beautiful today talking about the challenges I've faced being happy in my home.

My husband and I live in a multi-level townhome. There are three staircases between where we park our cars and where we sleep each night. We closed escrow on October 29th, 2010 and moved into our first place that Halloween. Over the last two and a half years, we've "redone" all but two of the rooms - mostly repainting, but we also carpeted the living room and replaced the counters and appliances in the kitchen.  It's been a long and exhausting process, but I've finally reached the point where what used be glaring imperfections are what make this place our home... (read more)