Cake Meditation!

I absolutely love cake! However even if you are not a lover of cake, you can still practice this meditation, as all about the ingredients. Don’t worry if you’re unsure on how to make a cake as I will guide you. This meditation can bring creativity, help to relieve cravings, bring you a sense of contentment and positive energy.

Eating healthy is very important. I believe in maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind, but I also believe in balance. My nan says “eat healthy, but remember to treat yourself every now and again”, these are wise words. At the bottom of this blog I will leave a cake recipe for those who would like to try baking a cake. Please bake responsibly! For those who have read ‘My journey’ blog you will know I have lots of experience in baking after chalet hosting for 2 years in the French Alps.

Begin this meditation sitting in a comfortable position, you may sit on a chair or pillow, lift and lengthen through your spine, relax your shoulders, take a moment to connect with your breath and body.  How are you feeling physically? Take a deep inhalation and exhale with a sigh, letting go of any tension and allow yourself to be in this moment. Repeat this until you feel ready allow the breath to flow naturally. Visualise the equipment you need to make a cake (bowl, spoon, baking paper and cake tin). First decided the type of cake you want to bake. Then start to make it, add the first ingredient, love, see love as a colour and substance, place love into the bowl. Add the next ingredient, health, again see health as a colour and substance, place it into the bowl. Continue the same process with the examples bellow or any ingredients you feel you would like in your cake;

  • Gratitude
  • Reflection
  • Joy
  • Peace

Then mix all these ingredients together and see the colours combine. Once you have finished mixing, cut your baking paper to the shape of your cake tin, place it at the bottom of the tin and begin to pour the cake mix in. Place your cake into the oven, notice the mouth-watering smell of your cake as it bakes. When it is ready, remove the cake from the oven and begin to decorate, this can be as colourful as you wish. Visualise the beautiful cake you have made. Start to slice your cake and put the slices aside for those you want to share it with. This can be people you love, family, friends, your local community or even a higher offering. Keep one slice for yourself.

Now take your first bite and notice the flavours in your mouth. Once you have finished, you feel content as all the ingredients in the cake bless your body, mind and spirt. 

Cake Recipes

Victoria Sponge cake recipe;

  • 200g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing and 50g for icing
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 medium eggs
  • 200g self-raising flour
  • About 5 tbsp raspberry jam
  • 80g Icing sugar
  1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Grease two sandwich tins. Cut out 2 circles of baking paper and place inside the tins.
  2. Place 200g softened unsalted butter, 200g caster sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract into a bowl and beat well to a creamy consistency.
  3. Slowly beat in 4 medium eggs, one by one, then fold in 200g self-raising flour and mix well. Top tip- crack eggs in a separate glass or bowl to avoid egg she in the cake.
  4. Divide the mix between the cake tins, place into the oven and bake for about 20 mins until risen and golden brown. The cakes should spring back when gently pushed in the middle. Top tip- don’t open the oven until 20 mins has passed, this way the cake won’t sink.
  5. When ready, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 mins in the tin, before turning out onto a cooling rack.
  6. Make the butter icing, beat the 50g softened butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in 80g sifted icing sugar and a drop of vanilla extract.
  7. Once the cake is cool, spread about 5tbsp of raspberry jam onto one cake and buttercream on the inside of the other cake.
  8. Now put them together and sieve a sprinkle of icing sugar on the top.

Victoria sponge cake is classic! Put some fresh strawberries on the side or in the middle to make it really special.

Apple and cinnamon cake;

  • 175g butter or margarine, softened, plus 50g icing
  • 175g dark soft brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 175g self-raising flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus 1 teaspoon for icing
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 large cooking apple or two small dessert apples (if you don’t have dessert apples it works with any apple)
  • 80g Icing sugar
  1. Pre-heat your oven to 180C. Grease two 18cm (7inch) cake tins. Cut out 2 circles of baking paper and place inside the tins.
  2. Put the butter and sugar into a large mixing bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time. Thoroughly mix in each egg before adding in the next one.
  4. Sieve the flour and the cinnamon and carefully add to the mix. Mix until all the flour is incorporated – don’t over mix at this stage!
  5. Add the 2 tablespoons of milk and stir in gently.
  6. Peel and core your apple. Cut half of the apple into 8 – 10 slices. Chop the other half into small pieces (roughly half centimetre cubes).
  7. Put the small pieces of apple into the cake mixture and stir gently to combine.
  8. Tip the cake batter into your greased and lined tin and gently smooth the top with the back of a wooden spoon. Arrange your apple slices on top and sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar as evenly as possible over the top of the cake.
  9. Bake in your pre-heated oven for 25 minutes. Check if the cake is done by inserting a skewer (or the handle of a teaspoon) into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If the skewer is covered in cake batter cook for a further 5 minutes and check again.
  10. When the cake is done, allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then turn out onto a wire cooling rack.
  11. Make the butter icing, beat the 50g softened butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in 80g sifted icing sugar and cinnamon.
  12. Once the cake is cool, spread the buttercream one of the slices, then sandwich the cakes together.

Blueberry muffins;

  • 100g butter
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 300g self-raising flour
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 140ml milk
  • 1tsp baking powder
  • 150g fresh or dried blueberries
  • Line a muffin tray with paper muffin cases.
  • Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy then add in the eggs, one at a time.
  • Add the flour and baking powder to make a thick batter, then stir in the vanilla extract and milk.
  • Carefully add the blueberries (be careful not to over stir) and spoon the mixture into the muffin cases. Bake for 15-20 mins at 180C, gas 4.
  • Leave the blueberry muffins to cool in the tray for 10 mins before turning out.

Try something new!

This blog is not the normal meditation blog, but instead I am challenging my readers to try something new! First let’s think about the word ‘new’ this word can bring a feeling of worry or uncertainty, but it can also bring the feeling of excitement and curiosity. In the dictionary the word ‘new’ means “produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before.” What does this word mean to you? Is there anything new happening in your life right now? Due to the current situation there may be a lot of changes in your life, in my life I am experiencing a new style of teaching, teaching online rather than in a studio. I see this, as a blessing, I am still able to share my knowledge and passion, only in a new way. Please share your new experience, I would love to hear them. This can be done alone or with family/ friends, challenge them to try something new with you, but remember what is new to you may be not be new to others.

Your challenge this week is to try something new, this could be anything. Here are some examples;

  • Food- try a new style of food, bake a cake, make bread
  • Style- try a new hair style or style of clothing
  • Activity- try a new activity such as joining a Yoga class
  • Book- read a new book maybe something you would not normally read
  • Meditation- try a new style of meditation
  • Online party- host a party for friends and family theme it ‘New’ and share you experiences together
  • Create- create something new with a fresh Canvas

“Try something new each day. After all, we’re giving life to find it out. Doesn’t last forever”

Ruth Gordon

Chakra Meditation

Chakra meditation is a very personal practice that will help you to connect with your Chakra energy, bringing balance and a sense of inner peace. If our Chakras are blocked or unbalanced it can affect the body, mind and spirt. This meditation is one of my personal favourites as it keeps the body and mind healthy. Every Chakra has different benefits, some of these will be explained in this blog.

What is a Chakra? Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’ or ‘vortex’ of energy. In traditional Yogic teachings our body has 7 points of energy. These 7 chakras are shown in the picture bellow;

Chakra Meditation; Start by sitting in a comfortable upright position, you need to be able to sit in stillness for around 15 minuets. When you are ready, close your eyes and bring your awareness to your Root Charka, feel your tail bone connecting you with the earth, grounding you. Allow you breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour red and taking that colour down to your Root Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that red colour as a lotus flower with 4 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of healing warm energy. Once balanced the Root Chakra can bring emotional stability, contentment, inner peace and a sense of being able to cope with whatever the universe throws your way. When you feel a sense of comfort, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the Sacral Chakra.

The Sacral Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour orange, taking that colour down to your Sacral Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that orange colour as a lotus flower with 6 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Sacral Chakra brings you passion, creativity, the ability to move on and let go. When you feel a sense of comfort, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the Solar Plexus Chakra.

The Solar Plexus Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour yellow, taking that colour down to your Solar Plexus Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that yellow colour as a lotus flower with 10 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Solar Plexus Chakra will bring you self-confidents, inner strength and spontaneity. When you feel a sense of comfort, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the Heart Chakra.

The Heart Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour green, taking that colour down to your Heart Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that green colour as a lotus flower with 12 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Heart Chakra will bring you the feeling of compassion, love and sympathy. When you feel a sense of comfort, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the Throat Chakra.

The Throat Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour blue, taking that colour to your Throat Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that blue colour as a lotus flower with 16 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Throat Chakra will help you to communicate your thoughts and feelings, clearly and freely. When you feel a sense of comfort, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the Third Eye Chakra.

The Third Eye Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour indigo, taking that colour up to your Third Eye Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that indigo colour as a lotus flower with 2 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Third Eye Chakra is known as our spiritual centre and will bring you wisdom, insight and self-knowledge. When you feel fulfilled, this chakra has enough energy, move on to the last one, the Crown Chakra.

The Crown Chakra. Allow your breath to flow naturally and visualise inhaling the colour violet, taking that colour up to your Crown Chakra. After about 10 breaths visualise that Violet colour as a lotus flower with 1000 petals. The lotus flower begins to spin creating a wheel of warm healing energy. Once balanced the Crown Chakra will bring you positive thinking, where you connect with your spirituality and humanity. Stop when you feel balanced and calm. Visualise a silver light, shining down on you, this will keep you connected with the universe even after you have finished this meditation practice.