Keep Calm and Have A Cupcake

Having your Cupcake and eating it too with Zen-like Calm!

I did some research on where these expressions " To have one's cake and eat it too" and “You can’t eat your cake and have it too, originated. They appear to be English idioms from the 15 th century that are similiar to the phrase "you can't have it both ways" or take on more than you can handle..." However, at the FunZen Bakery, you can have your cupcake and eat it too. We celebrate life lessons to grow on. On our journey there will be disappointment, highs and lows when things don't go our way. By learning how to find our center, we calm down and start to see things in a whole new light. Remember you are not built for guilt, blame or shame. Zenjoy this moment. We go to the FunZen Bakery to nurture our inside child's joyful spirit and quiet strength of a warrior. ❧

We will keep it short, sweet, and to the point to help you taste stress free simplicity. Our awe-some Centering Charm is inspired from Author, Meditation Master Thich Nhat Hanh to take with you wherever you go. Just Imagine going to a Cupcake Bakery and your number is finally called.

This time with your yum cupcake is your added bonus; the inspirational recipe below to celebrate taking a moment of zen to not just talk about keeping happy calm. But actually walking the talk, by experiencing the message of this popular saying "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake!"

Mindful Breathing Inspirational Recipe:

from Mental Fitness aka Yogi Tea for the Mind pg. 36

Begin within with the gratitude of a joyful heart, eyes closed (center-up between your eyebrows) or gently lower your eyelids...Exhale Whooosh (press zen button, pixie pause) to re-focus and relax from top to toe, sit, stand or lie down feeling grounded yet tall, light and firm from the inside out.

On each Exhale ahhhh your core naturally strengthens, Inhale soften and expand to receive abundantly, allowing you to give more in an endless circle of love, laughter, (tears) while living in the moment no matter what life dishes out.

Buddhist nun and inspired Author Pema Chodrun reminds us that "Breathing in and out opens our hearts and is the most kind and loving thing we can do for ourselves." To deepen this idea of loving thyself is an empowering link from brilliant author, Valencia Ray MD who says "Part of what I do is; help women entrepreneurs lead with the power of their True Self so that they can heal the world."

Zenergized Centering Charm:

Breathing in, I calm my emotions.

Breathing out, I smile, :) centering the spinning mind.

Breathing in, Being in the miracle of the present moment.

Long Breath out, Ahhhh I know this is a wonderful moment.

Now, repeat as needed to Keep Zenergized Calm to Carry On with your Centering Charm❧

Gentle Reminder: "Fun is good, here, there and everywhere" (pure joy from Dr. Seuss)

Check this out: Do Nothing For Two Minutes

Curious to hear any thoughts or questions about Stop doing, Start being for 2 minutes ❤

Here's a shout out to mention a few favorite tweeps who have shared their awesomeness with us and supported our vision of Cupcakes & Inspirational Recipes are sweeter when shared...@StressFreeKids @julieshanti @spiritedwoman @drbenlo @JenuineHealing @Beautyofwisdom @CrissyBayless...❤❤❤

Thank you profusely @JRavenHawk for being a zen rock of steady support for Mental Fitness training and being an earth angel respectful of boundaries while helping us spread creative ideas about adding a bit of zen- like calm to the Spinning Tea Cup Ride called Life ❤❤❤

The first few callers, emailers, that mention this blog "Keep Calm & Have a Cupcake" and tag #cupcake ❤ will get a complimentary Life Coaching session ❤ Signed copies available, Mental Fitness: what I'm currently referring to as Yogi Tea for the Mind ❧

FunZen helps you get upright to find the right words at the right time, to spread your heart wings to take root and fly...

FunZen Bakery contact: 805 490-2391 ❤

Mental Fitness Foreword by Leonard Cohen still available: Amazon, Bodhi Tree Books Zenjoy!

In Gratitude w/Love ❤

FunZen Girls OX
Michiko (lil mama) and Grace

Life Coaching Services now available: 805 490-2391
Contact: MJRolek@aol.com
Twitter: @Zenmommie

I teach Kids FunZen and train Parents to be Mindful.

Yoko Ono's commitment to spread Imagine Peace elucidates the meaning of a zen mommie; give peace a chance to begin with the me in mommie.

Happy Ageless Beautiful Birthday Yoko (ocean child)

Feb. 18, 2011 ❤

What's Luck Got to Do with It?

My intent is to share my kismet experience of meeting and sharing a pith meaningful conversation with Jerry Seinfeld at Starbucks in Burbank California. Beforehand, let's look at L.U.C.K. as an acronym: (L)abor (U)nder (C)onstructive (K)nowledge meaning with a solid work ethic or discipline, knowledge applied (wisdom) and preparation (foundation) will allow good things to happen for anyone. From a zen perspective consider that resistance or fear pushes away what we want and non resistance and love magnetizes and draws our best and highest good to us. Basically, it's the right attitude, not a random fluke that leads to making your own luck and living a charmed life.

The words that danced through my mind when I spotted Jerry Seinfeld sitting at a table near the front door talking to his colleague who looked more unapproachable than Jerry was "he looks too busy, play it by ear". I only had a couple of minutes and was actually almost late picking up my daughter, so thinking fearlessly on my feet meant I had milliseconds to respond (from my soul) or react (from my ego) and pretend I didn't notice him.

When I quieted down my monkey chatter with a few mindful breaths, I trusted my intuition and just took some heart steps over to his table. Blossoming where I landed, I uttered "this is a Shy to Hi" moment. He smiled and I whooshed feeling comfort and joy that he appeared receptive to my inquiry. I asked him how Zen influenced his "show about nothing" comedy ... He said he was flattered that I asked and shared that Zen had inspired him. He added that he'd read many books on Zen... I mentioned how Grace & I started the FunZen Bakery and shared it's message of light, to help kids shine brilliantly by going within for life lessons or going without their blessed Aha's.

He smiled with a simpatico (friendly) sense of resonating with the point to offer kids and parents Perspective Life Skills. I felt this yin yang creative tension of appreciation that Jerry was open to discussing a bit of zen, yet a strong urgency that I had to go get Grace. It is beyond the scope of this blog to share more details about my Lady Luck experience. Perhaps in a future blog I'll share more awesome details on this idea of Zen and The Art of Jerry Seinfeld which is an actual chapter in a Biography, Jerry Seinfeld, Much Ado About Nothing by Josh Levine that I researched after I met him.

"Zen is just looking at something from a different perspective, and that's what
a lot of comedy is". Jerry Seinfeld

For now, what is key is that you carry the vibe that you can Be your best and make your own luck. With this one thing: Trust your Intuitive Heart which knows how to blossom where you land, with your unique "Shy to Hi" zen moment of; asking a challenging question, meeting someone new, listening to your inner wisdom and shifting away from: what if (future worry) what was (past) to the sweet acceptance of reality or what is (present).

Back to the opening? What's luck got to do with it? It appears that luck has to do with Oprah Winfrey's common sense wisdom; "I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity."

Inspirational Recipe: Lady Luck Cupcakes

Following your heart begins within with setting aside a little Quiet Time for Getting Centered.

3's a Charm Stay In Your Heart Interactive Steps:❤❤❤

1) ❤ Blossom where you land by feeling your feet pressing down (root lower body) and gently reach up (rise) through your heavenly crown, eyes closed (center up between your eyebrows; or lower your eye lids) keeping your head to the sky, shoulders ( heart wings) spreading soft and wide.

2) ❤ Mindfully (non judgmentally, be kind to your mind) Observe your breath flowing out and in...up to a minute or so. Gradually deepen your breath by feeling the rise and fall of your tummy ~Ride the waves ~(Discover Centered Breath in Mental Fitness pg 22)

3) ❤ Ignore and dismiss any (monkey chatter) self defeating thoughts like doubt and regrets sweep your mind clear with your long breath out. Welcome the compassionate heart thoughts that inspire you to aspire and take action for your highest good.

Here's your Lady Luck Centering Charm to make or bake your own luck. This is one that Grace (daughter) and I use often to zencourage positive thinking, raise our energy and deepen our fearless faith.

Exhale, relax and refocus, Breathe in ~I am (pixie pause) Long Breath Out~

Being my best and allowing God (Divine Love or Spirit) to handle the rest...repeat 3 or more times. Note starting to sense zen-like calm to carry on... comes naturally.

As mentioned in the previous blogs Got Zen? Becoming A Resourcerer, we are exploring ways to activate brilliant author, Neil Pasricha's 3A's of Awesome, Attitude (way of being) Awareness (mindfulness) Authenticity (return to your original nature) using Mental Fitness to get your head in the A game.

Any suggestions or questions: tweet me, call me, email me, facebook awaits; How can I help you empower yourself to shine? Looking forward... Let's start the conversation.

Mental Fitness (Foreword by Leonard Cohen) still available: Amazon, Bodhi Tree Books , or, contact me for an autographed copy and free gift telecoaching session. Share with your friends and Zenjoy!

In Gratitude w/Love ❤

FunZen Girls OX
Michiko and Grace

Life Coaching Services now available: 805 490-2391
Contact: MJRolek@aol.com
Twitter: @Zenmommie

I teach Kids FunZen and train Parents to be Mindful.

Yoko (ocean child) Ono's commitment to spread Imagine Peace clarifies the meaning of a zen mommie; let a little peace begin with the me in mommie.

Keep your Head to the Sky & Stay on your Feet

    Kelly's Moment of Zen


As Jon Kabat Zinn says: “We can't stop the waves but we can learn to surf'.

A few years ago I was honored to teach and share a savory taste of Mindfulness with champion surfer, Kelly Slater. At the time, to be honest I didn't know who he was, yet sensed his great presence. Kelly's laser beam focus was impressive yet I quickly observed that riding a mental wave for Kelly appeared to be a welcome challenge, an opportunity, just like riding the perfect wave. ❧
update: 5 ways Kelly Slater has taught us.. learn more 

Mindful Inspirational Appetizer:

(Bobby Flay's Yum Cesar Crostini)

Find your Zen moment of Awe-someness to use everyday noises like birds chirping, phone ringing tones, a beep, favorite song, as your Mindful Fitness reminder, to tune out distractions (monkey-mind chatter) and tune into your Whooshhh outbreath... For now, simply ride a few of your breath waves, (your body's wisdom knows what to do, take 1-5 out and in breath cycles), we'll discuss inner mechanics from Mental Fitness another time.❧

When you hear these sounds as a reminder, allow them to be there with non resistance, simply ride your breath waves to soften and Relax letting go into the present moment, which is all new, always available here in the now. This mindful move is your opportunity to flex getting Getting your head in the A game for Altitude, Authenticity, Awareness using Mental Fitness as our Playbook. Consider this: having a great attitude with altitude activates this awesome idea from Inspired Author, Neale Donald Walsch "Masters are those who have chosen Only Love. In every moment." What helps me re-center is to remember to ask where is the love? noting that love is for-giving, an act of self love. This helps especially when I fall off my inner surfboard again and again getting right back up on my feet, making it up as I go, also know as "child's play" or trusting our intuition.

On pg. 74 in Mental Fitness, I mention returning to your centered breath to anchor your attention in the present moment as you learn to ride your mental surfboard.

Surf's Up!

Mental Fitness (Foreword by Leonard Cohen) still available: amazon, go to funzen books 

In Gratitude w/Love ❤

FunZen Girls OX
Michiko and Grace
 

Blessing in Disguise

My Zen Experience: From Cursed to Charmed

Recently I was asked by Ogun and Jennifer @UFamilyMatters to be on their talk show to share how (Grace and I) practice Zen (the art of present moment living) and apply it to parenting. It may sound simple on the surface. Well, as the expression suggests still waters run deep. I trusted my vibes to dive in deeper and share a bit of honesty re. my family history. What inspired the idea from "cursed to charmed" is the enchanting Bestselling author, Victoria Moran. Her writing is an inspiration for me, she has said "In fairy tales, being charmed was the opposite of being cursed."

Those simple words reminded me of the mother of Zen, Taoism, which reveals that everything is made from its opposite. Sending a wave of Gratitude to @MarthaBeck for helping me realize this insight... For instance, if we ask for strength, we get weakness. If we ask for confidence, we get lack of believing in ourselves. Looking back, being born into a Zen legacy felt like a huge burden yet a blessing. My heritage on my dad's side is Afro-European and Japanese on my mom's side. This East meets West contrast has been a blessing in building a bridge of appreciation for the rich tones of music and dance while honoring the zen-like silent space between the music notes of life.

During the almost one hour @UnityOnlinRadio interview, I opened up and shared a few pivotal moments of growing up in a home where we kept the fun in the dysfunctional. The toxic drama or ill will and envy continues to this day...

Without further ado, my grateful heart is overjoyed for the opportunity Rev. Jennifer and Ogun Holder has given us to share our vision and voice of renewed Hope. We are honored to be on the same music page with their timely message

of "Spiritual Parenting" by divine design vs. default.

From a Zen mind, Beginner's mind, parenting perspective I've gleaned from being a life long learner to practice the wisdom from My friend Laura and Editor of @DailyWordMag ; Let go, Let God. I mentioned on the show that my beloved mother set the example when she was well, to lead from my presence with passion and purpose. Those character values modeled the first 5 years of my life and have helped shaped me into who I am today, choosing to teach Grace and myself to live a charmed life. The FunZen Bakery was created with the intent to help ourselves to help others shine brilliantly from within.

Gleek Inspirational Recipe of "Greek Honey Cookies" to nourish Being a Cheerleader for your Soul:

In previous blogs we've shared inspirational recipes with easy to do heart steps to reach for that miraculous state of BEing Centered to access feeling Grounded in Spirit with Zen-like Calm to Carry on this message of light; as Children of God or the Universe we are here to sing our heart's song and shine like the dancing stars You and I already are.

Right now, I want to share how Grace and I simply live our practice moment to moment, with a cool tool newly called the Whoooshh Mindful Breath Charm... Some moments or many, (lol) we are thrown off balance. I remind Grace what I remember from dancing that I have to lose my center to trust finding it again and again. We call this process learning to love what is, @ByronKatie or "Acceptance Therapy". For more details on how to get centered check out my book Mental Fitness which Head Coach, Phil Jackson of the LA Lakers has used successfully to bring the best out of his players.

Simply by Exhaling right now, Whoooshh...Stop in the name of Love and drawing in an All is One (deep blue whale) Breath we allow ourselves to experience a wave of letting go with the long breath out Ahhhh.

Your Whoooshh Mindful Breath Charm empowers you to taste the honey of non judgmental observation. We can access reaching Stillness from breathing mindfully to reveal our Socratic-zen lesson known as the Delphi Oracle "Know thyself, Be thyself, Love thyself."

Being the Head Cheerleading for the Soul Coach I would like to send a Gratitude Wave of Love and Cheer On my awesome peeps & tweet-hearts who help all of us Shine. Starting with my you glow girl, High Performance Coach Anne Merrem, who is taking the Whoooshh Mindful Breath charm to a whole new winning results level in Germany, Berlin;

my editing angel, @BeautyofWisdom, @CrissyBayless ,

@JRavenHawk,@JenuineHealing, @Marielhemingway,@JulieShanti,
@mallikachopra, @MarthaBeck @stressfreekids, @PocketPeople,

@DrBenlo, @ValenciaRay, @TheZenMama, @ZenMommy @SamHorn_dot_com,
and the list goes on and on... Remember Ohana means family, nobody is forgotten or left behind. I love ya'll.Gentle reminder; @TheDailyLove take your daily love vites to stay in the light of love. Ti Amo. <3

Life Coaching Services now available: 805 490-2391

Contact: MJRolek@aol.com

Twitter: @Zenmommie

I teach Kids and train Parents.

You Hold the Magic Key!

“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket but into your own.” Unknown

I'm delighted to share this wonderful quote that my friend Rita Ross shared with me on a recent sunny day at the park. As you may know, Rita is the Creator of imaginative

Pocket People; authentic, one of a kind, lovely dolls. They remind us of the "Beatitudes" or Be-attitudes connecting us to our enlightened nature as follows; Be beautiful, Be brilliant, and Be bold.

Since the magic key is already in your pocket, what come's next are easy to follow heart steps on how to Activate it.

123 Easy As Pie ♡♡♡

Step 1. Pixie Pause... Whooshhh… Slowly exhaling... to reach inner stillness.

Step 2. Look inward, visualize your mind calm like water… Then, deeply~ Inhale~ Pure Love which waters your roots of learning to trust and love yourself.

Step 3. Long Breath Out…Ahhhh ->tighten-up the core to lighten-up ->spreading your heart wings to embrace your innate key to activate your happiness and peace.

Now; take it with you one mindful breath at a time.

Thank you profusely for allowing us to share this inspirational recipe with you...143♡

Make, Bake and Decorate at the FunZen Bakery

"Words are like a recipe's ingredients for me." ~ Nicola Karesh, Author

One of my favorite things about the FunZen Bakery is that parents and kids--in fact anyone--can benefit from picking up our sweet treats to restore character and build confidence. However, our recipes aren’t locked away in a secret treasure chest. We love sharing everything on our menu…along with their very special ingredients and simple instructions for preparation.

You just need to Make, Bake and Decorate.

Make: up your mind to engage and take action.
Bake: to maintain the heat of your concentration power.
Decorate: and magically create your day, your way.

Today’s special treat will be a revitalizing exercise I call the “Morning Glory Cupcake.”

At its very heart, the "Morning Glory Cupcake" gives us special nourishment for the soul that has at its core an expression near to my heart: “Go within or Go without.”

This short maxim basically means that when you look inward towards stillness, you will find your life lesson. Ignoring the inner stillness, and focusing on the storm around you, can cause you to miss out on a blessing. An incident that happened recently led to my stepping inside the FunZen Bakery to use this inspirational recipe myself.

Earlier this year, I received a tweet from a man who expressed disapproval with the idea of FunZen when I used it in conjunction with the Heraclitus quote, "Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play."

The man wasn't’ buying it. He firmly stated that, to him, "FunZen was just New Age mumbo jumbo..." At first, reading his tweet didn't’ just catch me off-guard; it stung me. My initial reaction was to feel insulted… But I took a mindful breath and centered and refocused myself. My inner samurai girl went from reactive to reflective as I reminded myself to choose to detach from negativity. I recalled my life lessons and past teachings which made his words empower me with self-love rather than hurt me emotionally. Getting mad would serve no purpose. I re-tweeted the man and explained that FunZen came from the mouth of a babe, my daughter Grace at 5 years old. It was her name for the breathing and centering exercises that we still practice together everyday.

After telling him about the origins of FunZen, the man said that he now had a new-found respect for it, and acknowledged its usefulness. By not sinking to his level of antagonism, I was able to bring him onboard. It was like a breath of fresh air to see my fellow tweep now shift his perspective. And by going within, and listening to my heart, I was able to make art and communicate with compassion when things seemed to be falling apart. It’s something we can all do: Rather than be reactive when life throws you a curve ball, use your spiritual perspective to gain insight and learn from the issue at hand.

Truly, you can reach the sweet spot of "blessed aha's" with an instant understanding when you are able to see a situation with new eyes. I see this all the time through the eyes of my daughter. FunZen has emerged as a professional tool for Grace as she continues to work as a voice-over artist, and it consistently ignites brilliant performances from within her.

There are many of these exercises on the menu here at the FunZen Bakery, and over time I will be sharing them with you. Some of the centering exercises that have worked like a charm to enable Grace to activate a happy-calm state of concentration are "The Miracle Diamond Lemon Bars,” “Mermaid Starfish Cookies” and “Angel food Cupcakes.”

In future blogs, we'll be serving up more "you-nique ingredients for the Magic of Mindful Living. I will detail each of these exercises (and many more!) so that others may gain the inner peace, courage and confidence that come from using them. At 12 years of age, Grace continues to use these "cool tools" while incorporating FunZen into her everyday life.

Now, let's roll up our sleeves, and take a mindful breath, as I offer you today’s special of the day from the FunZen Bakery--the “Morning Glory Cupcake.”

I find that it’s a holistic tune-up in the morning to start your day…or anytime you need some inspirational “food for thought.” It's all good. It's organic.

The Morning Glory Cupcake

Follow your heart in 3 quick steps as you Make, Bake and Decorate:

Make: Whooshhh… Slowly exhale, quieting down from within. Now, pixie pause.

Bake: Look inward, visualize still water… Then, intently inhale inspiration.

Decorate: Slowly exhale… Ahhhh… Listen to your seawind breathing. Here’s where insights arise out of the stillness and the golden sound of silence.

Repeat as needed…

You can now tune in to the wisdom that always resides in your heart, enabling you to turn any obstacle into a learning opportunity. Thank you for joining us and engaging in today’s FunZen Bakery’s interactive recipe. We’re always here to Make, Bake and Decorate delicious little nuggets of fresh insights.

P.S. Look at the photo above, and guess who said this. "I have been teaching the art of fine baking for a long time!” Hint: She's a domestic goddess media mogul. Yes, kudos to Martha Stewart.