Patriotic Berry Trifle & Pedal the Cause!

It’s hard to believe the 4th of July is just 2 days away.  I’ve been MIA for a bit since we headed to the mountains.  The weather here is spectacular!  The days have been cool with lots of sunshine.  Since my elbow is back to normal I’m having a great time riding my new bike.  I’m shocked at how much faster I am with a road bike vs. a hybrid.  I was able to make it from Breckenridge to Copper Mountain on my second day here, in record time.  That’s major for me.  Now to make it to the Vail Pass.

I’ve got a definite agenda this year since I’ll be participating in Pedal the Cause this September to help raise money for cancer.  It’s more than the regions premier cycling event.  It’s the pinnacle event of the year, a celebration, and a movement fueled by the courage to end cancer. I’ll be participating and biking 50 miles for the cause, in hopes to help create a world without cancer.

For years I’ve been teaching culinary classes at The Cancer Support Community in St Louis – an extraordinary 501(c)3 non profit organization that offers professionally-led support groups, networking groups, educational workshops, nutrition and gentle exercise programs, and stress-reduction classses, to empower and educate individuals affected by cancer.  All programs are offered at no charge to cancer patients, cancer survivors and their loved ones.

Each member that I’ve worked with at the CSC has touched my heart in ways I can’t even begin to express.  Two weeks ago a woman that has attended all my culinary classes lost her battle with cancer.  The last time I saw her she was doing great and in remission.  I will miss her smiling face.

Most of us know someone close to us that has had cancer, and while millions of dollars have been spent on research, our efforts are still to find a cure. Please help me in this journey by donating to my ride, in the hopes that we can create a world without cancer, and so those suffering from cancer can be with us to celebrate Independence Day this year, in 2015, and in the years to come.

Here’s a simple recipe I’ve created to share with family and friends this coming Friday.  Prepare these in individual glasses, plastic cups, a large trifle bowl or even in Push Pops for the kids.

Print Recipe

Patriotic Berry Trifle

Yield: serves 4 - 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This is a nice light and refreshing dessert to celebrate the 4th of July. Use fat free cream cheese for an extra low fat treat or full fat if preferred. This is so tasty you'll want to lick the bowl clean!

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 oz/227 g) pkg. cream cheese (I used fat free but use what you like)
• 2 (7 oz/199 g) containers Marshmallow Creme
• 2 (6 oz/170 g) containers fresh blueberries
• 1 (6 oz/170 g) container fresh raspberries
• 1 (6 oz/170 g) container fresh blackberries
• 1 (16 oz/454 g) container fresh strawberries, sliced thin
• 1 (13 oz/368 g) container ready-made Angel Food Cake, cubed

Directions:

1. With a mixer, blend cream cheese with marshmallow creme until thoroughly combined and smooth.  Set aside.
2. Prepare individual glasses or large bowl (whatever you prefer).
3. Start by adding a tablespoon of cream cheese/marshmallow mixture.  Top with some cubed Angel Food Cake.  Another tablespoon of cream mixture.
4. Add sliced strawberries on top to make a nice layer, top with another tablespoon of the cream mixture.
5. Add another layer of Angel Food Cake top with more cream mixture.
6. Add a layer of blueberries and top with another tablespoon of the cream mixture.
7. Add more Angel Food Cake topping with more cream mixture.
8. Add raspberries topped with more of the cream mixture.
9. Top with Angel Food Cake, cream mixture and finish off with a few Blackberries.
10. Refrigerate until ready to serve.