Laurel E. Cole, Author

The Challenges no one talks about Running a nonprofit organization takes heart and passion, but there are many challenges that are not widely discussed and encountered once a person decides to start or lead a nonprofit. These challenges require nonprofit leaders to be adaptable, resilient, and strategic in their approach. These issues impact most, if not all, nonprofits but your organization is…

Recently, I have received several questions from nonprofits and from board members, regarding the duties of a board member. There are some responsibilities that should not be taken lightly. Here is an overview that covers the basics.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is a striking account of 2 half sisters born in Ghana and the stories of their descendants. For full review, visit link. #blackhistorymonth #bookreview

Yaa Gyasi takes the reader on a multigenerational journey, starting in the 18th century with two half sisters born in Ghana. The sisters grow up, never knowing one another to live very different lives based on their circumstances. One, marries an Englishman and lives in the Cape Coast Castle, while the other is captured and after being imprisoned in the same castle, is sold into slavery in…

The Vanishing Half: Review

This book touched me on a level that I had not expected when I purchased. The storyline intrigued me, and with Black History Month upon us, I decided to actively seek out black authors more intentionally when seeking new books to read. So many important topics and concepts are covered in The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, that I almost don’t know where to start. The major plot line centers…

As part of black history month, the Women’s National Book Association, LA Chapter’s Reading group (So Cal Readers) selected to read Yellow Wofe by Sadeqa Johnson The story instantly pulled me back in history and I wasn’t able to set it down until I finished reading the story of Pheby Delores, raised in on a plantation in Charles City Virginia. Pheby’s mother has done everything in her power to…

People keep saying that they wish 2020 would hurry up and end, as if by some force of magic, a new year will bring better tidings. While this year has been filled with fear and pain, the idea that all will be set right in the world when the clock strikes 12 on December 31st, makes me cringe. Every day that the sun rises is a new opportunity to start fresh, to change our perspective, to make the…

As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming an author.  I wanted to write a book, submit it, and have it accepted by a publisher followed by becoming a top selling book.

Finally ready to pursue my passion, I continued to write and plan.  The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.  A few years ago, a friend of mine explained that a writer needs to develop a platform, a fanbase ready to buy a book before it's even been accepted for publication.  (Read more, click below)

50 Mile Fail #ultramarathon #trailrunning #vegan #cv5050 #running #taur #runningtohappiness

Well, mission incomplete. I’m a little bit devastated, but it wasn’t in the cards for the Colossal Vail 50/50 this weekend.

The weekend started out great. My running buddy and I headed out to Vail, a city about 25 minutes southeast of Tucson, early enough to get our bibs at Fleet Feet.

After that, we got some pre-race carb loading in at the Tamale Company. Their vegan tamales were AMAZING!

We got…

#RagnarTrailAZ Recap #aravaiparunning #squirrelsnutbutter #SNB #running #trailrunning #taper

This past weekend was a blur!  I was lucky enough to be able to run Ragnar trail AZ at McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills with several of my close running buddies.

I volunteered to help with set up Thursday night, including setting up the tent and claiming stake to an area for our team.  We signed up to be in the larger campsite lovingly known as “Aravaipa Land”, which includes…

#JavelinaJangover Recap #aravaiparunning #mcdowellmountain #trailrunning #50K #vegan

So, I have been MIA but that does not mean the training has slowed.  In fact, that’s part of the reason I have not made time to write or recap anything… I have been running non-stop day and night, or at least that’s how it feels.

Rewinding back to Mid-September, I officially became an ultramarathoner at the Javelina Jangover, which was originally started as a training run for the notorious…

Vegan Brownies…AMAZING!

It’s been a terrible week at work. I’ve been craving a comfort sweet all week and since its potluck week at work, decided to make some vegan brownies. 

Not only were these the easiest brownies I’ve ever made, they are also cruelty free! No animals were harmed in this recipe. 

I took a traditional recipe and veganized it, and it was delicious! 

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar (vegan)

3/4…

Changing My Life #writer #lifechanges #livingthedream #oneyear #vegan #runningtohappiness

If I want my life to change, I will need to change what I am doing.  This is not rocket science.  Life is short, and I want to spend my time exploring the world and all it has to offer.  I do not want to spend my life working tirelessly, waiting for the day I can start to live.  So, what am I going to change?

I have absolutely no idea.

When I was young I wanted to be two things, a professional…

This is the question I continue to find myself asking. How can I change my life so I can live my passion each moment of the day?  What can I do to create financial freedom and the time to explore the world?  How can I stop feeling trapped in the day to day routine of life?

I listen to podcasts where people talk about how they made their dreams come true. I follow tremendous athletes or other…

Is it hard to be #vegan? #animalrights #meatlessmonday #nomeat #almondmilk #compassion

This is a question I am asked often. Today, I gave this some extra thought, as I talk to a coworker about what it takes to become vegan.

In all honesty, giving up animal products has been one of the easiest things I have ever done. All my life I was aware of how animals or mistreated, but I turned a blind eye to just how bad it really is.

While I went vegan for health reasons, I stay vegan for…

It’s Been Awhile

Let’s be honest.  It is insanely hard to implement a perfect training plan, eat right, and keep up with regular blog posts. And in reality, I have not been keeping up with any of this things very well in recent weeks. 

It may have been a combination of factors, but I think I stretched myself so thin that I was unable to give 100% to any one specific area. For example, I was taking two full course…

Some weeks are hard #running #trailrunning #ultratraining #training #healthylife #vegan

This week was a struggle for me.  Work has been stressful, I’m taking my last courses for my Master’s program and ultra training in the summer…in Arizona, may have been a less than smart decision.

This week was rough.  I skipped my Monday workout and my Tuesday run.  I slept through my alarm on Wednesday, and nearly missed another run.  Somehow, I managed to salvage the week and ended up only a…

Boxing Rocks my Socks #boxing #kickboxing #punch #exercise #active life #healthy living

I’ve been looking for new ways to be active, while keeping it fresh and exciting. I’ve decided that I am going to try out a different exercise groupon each month, to help keep me on my toes.

This month, I signed up for unlimited classes at a local boxing gym. I’ve always wanted to try it, So what better time than with a discounted, no commitment, groupon?

I’m absolutely, positively in love with…