In addition, I just launched a new and exciting  blog with a slightly different flavor: http://www.ootboxthinking.com/

My new blog is catching some great social media buzz (our Facebook fan page received 200 likes in less than 24 hours of launching!) What’s the blog about? It’s a blog about people, sites, things, and ideas that are little out of the ordinary, but awesome! Specifically, I cover all kinds of neat stuff including (but not limited to):

• Developments in & maximizing social media and eCommerce
• OOTboxWeds: out-of-the box tips and tricks I learned while planning my upcoming wedding.
• Cool stuff: some favorite things (health & wellness, books, products, etc.)
• Healthy living (aka how to stay sane).

http://www.ootboxthinking.com/

I would be honored if you checked my new blog out. Hope to see you there!

On a more personal note…. You’re probably wondering “why all the changes?” Please allow me to explain..

Back in 2007, Lori and I had a vision to start a one-of-a kind wellness center, lead personal development workshops, and offer life-coaching services . With the down-turn in the economy, we decided it wasn’t the right time to open a brick-and mortar location; therefore, we decided to go online by creating a site to share our information, services, and recommend some great personal development books and resources.

As our blog has seen a few transitions, so have we. We have been fortunate to realize some of our dreams since launching en*light life. For example, I released 30 lbs., took up running, and then met the love of my life while training for a half marathon for Team in Training. I am currently building the career of my dreams, live in one of the most prestigious communities within the Silicon Valley, and am building my brand via my new blog: http://www.ootboxthinking.com.

Lori has also met the love of her life, and is currently focusing on building a life coaching business. We will provide a link to her services on this site.

Stay tuned, and hope to see you at the new blog!

You can also connect with me via Facebook, and Twitter!

May you have an enlightened life!

Many best wishes,

Amber

It’s hard to believe that a little more than a year ago I couldn’t run a mile. Running was a challenge that always seemed a bit out of reach. Several of my co-workers would run in small groups before or after work, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous that I couldn’t join them.

Back in October 2009, when I started on my weight-“release” journey, which ultimately, resulted in me dropping a total of 30 lbs., I decided that I would try to incorporate running into my workout schedule. Within my first few weeks of attempting to run 1 mile consecutively, I injured myself. Luckily, I started working out with a personal trainer, and requested that he show me proper running techniques. With the help of my trainer, I was able to learn some running basics, and gradually achieve running 1 mile consecutively… then 2 miles at a time (I awarded myself with a cute pair of Michael Kors shoes to celebrate that milestone). After 4 months of running, I finally reached the point where I could run 3-4 miles non-stop.

Several months later, while on a business trip, I went for a jog with Mike, a new friend from work. After the run I admitted I was more of a recreational runner, and have never officially trained for an event. Mike mentioned the Silicon Valley chapter of Team in Training, and explained how I could easily train while supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), an organization dedicated to curing lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, myeloma, and improving the lives of patients and their families.

Although I was intimidated, I decided to seek out more information. By chance, the first thing that came up in my Google search was an information meeting for Team in Training’s Winter Season that was to be held the next day, and the meeting was only 5 minutes from my home! It was like something was leading me to go to the meeting.

At the meeting, I decided to take a leap of faith, and I signed up. At our Kick-Off Meeting a week later, I met our Honoree’s – the people of our Silicon Valley team that had been inflicted with lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, or myeloma. Amongst the Honorees was Mike, whom as it turned out, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s in his late twenties.  Up until that point, I had been psyching myself into the idea of running a half marathon, but now, it hit home with me that I was running to raise money for a great cause.

After learning more about Mike’s experience, I was reminded that you can never take anything for granted, and that your life can change on the drop of a dime; that’s why it’s important to seize the opportunity to make a difference when you can.

And that’s where the greatest journey I’ve ever been on began…..

First time I ran 6 miles

As my metabolism started to slow down in my mid-twenties, and I started focusing on establishing my career, as well as taking on a few personal changes in my life, the last thing on my list was taking care of myself. As my life was progressing professionally, my body was racking up extra pounds. My 5’3″ petite frame started seeing numbers on the scale that had never been seen before.

I ate to deal with stress. I ate to deal with my personal and relationship problems. I ate to deal with the stress of gaining extra weight. I was in a vicious cycle that started with the thought of tomorrow I will change.. tomorrow I will start a healthy diet. Unfortunately, tomorrow always came and went, and the weight continued to creep on.

Over the last 3 years, I yo-yo dieted my way through several fad diets. I had gone organic and alkalized my body, had lived on lemon juice concoctions, zoned-out my body, took a trip through the South Beach diet, and joined an expensive gym to motivate myself towards health. All of my attempts towards a healthier weight made me yo-yo up and down the same 10 lbs. I kept setting goals such as “by the time I reach 25 years old, I will reach my goal weight”, but every year would pass, and before I knew it, I had reached the landmark 30 years old, and was at the highest weight of my life.

Celebrating my landmark birthday was bittersweet as I realized that while I was focusing on my professional life, I hadn’t included myself as part of my “to-do list”. I imagined what the next 10 years could bring, and frankly, the thought of carrying the extra weight and diminishing self-confidence frightened me. That’s when I made a decision to put myself on my priority list.

I started with working out in the mornings before work. My goal was to hit the gym 4-5 times a week, eat right, and not stop regardless of whether or not I saw results. The first couple of months were trying times as I struggled to wake-up at 5AM in order to get my workouts in and get to work on time.  At first, I put a lot of effort into the eating right/going to the gym routine and wasn’t seeing a bunch of changes; however, I had made a commitment to myself to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I am one of those people that loses weight and inches very slowly; but luckily, I hadn’t focused on goals (i.e., hitting an ideal weight) - instead, I focused on the journey. My healthier lifestyle included cardio/weights 4-5 times a week, as well as maintaing a reasonable calorie budget and logging consumed foods in a food diary (utilizing the iPhone application: Lose it!). Although I didn’t notice any visible results within the first 1-2 months of my healthier lifestyle, I started immediately feeling differences in my energy level, and ability to focus. The time to complete tasks at work were sometimes cut in half, because I had much more energy, and was mentally sharper and clearer.

Getting “Trained”

After two months into my journey my clothes started feeling looser, and I hit my first fitness plateau – a goal that I had decided beforehand would be rewarded with personal training sessions. I had worked out with trainers before, but this time, I was going to do it right, and only select the best fitfor me. There was one trainer that stood out from the rest. Every morning I would see him work out his clients to the max, and he would keep them motivated and on track with his own high energy level. I knew immediately he would be a good fit in that he had the energy and drive to push me forward. From observation alone, he was the real deal. Standing at 6’6″ and a solid muscular build, he was not only someone I could look up to (literally), but respect for his own commitment to walking the walk in regards to health and fitness. In addition to my own observations, I asked other members and club employees who they recommended, and time and time again they recommended my future trainer. 

By the time my personal trainer conducted my initial health assessment and weighed me, I was 10 lbs. lighter than my starter weight. I informed my trainer that weight loss wasn’t my focus – that living a healthy lifestyle was my mission, and that a trimmer body was a side effect of lifestyle changes I wanted to adopt. He supported my mission, and helped me find strength I didn’t know I was capable of achieving.

Almost 30 lbs. lighter

I am now entering the 7 month mark of my journey, and am almost 30 lbs lighter than I was at the beginning of my journey. Although, I am excited and energized by my new lifestyle, the thing I am proud of the most is that I made (and continue to make) myself a priority. Along my journey I shrunk physically, but I grew spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  There were a few surprises along my journey as well. For instance, although I previously prioritized my career over my health and well-being, as I transitioned to making myself #1 priority, ironically, I received more accolades for my work, and was recently recognized with an innovation award.

Continuing Forward

At this point in my journey, I am more then 50% away from my body’s ideal weight. A couple of weeks ago I had my last training session, but I still have to find ways to continue forward in my efforts in living a healthy lifestyle. The biggest lesson I have learned is that when I focus on the number I see on the scale, I start to stumble and feel weakened and overwhelmed by the trek ahead. When I stop, take a deep breathe, and remind myself that I am not trying to achieve a weight goal, rather, I am living and dedicated to a healthier lifestyle, I feel that I have more freedom and time to achieve things I never thought possible. The idea of becoming a runner, an athlete, and yoga master feels like a possibility that I can achieve within this lifetime, versus a goal that may or may not be reached.

The reward is in the journey, and the accomplishments are the things you pick up along the way. I am now commited to feel my best, and the rest, including a slimmer body and more positive self-image is a part (but not the point) of the journey.  Making myselft a part of my priority list,  ultimately, was the best thing I could do to improve my well-being and life.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley

Fall has always been my favorite season. Growing up, Fall symbolized new beginnings because it was when school started – which brought about a new year, new possibilities and dreams.

Today, Fall still has that same funny effect of me. As the leaves turn colors and start to fall from the trees, I am filled with that sense of wonder and hope of what is possible. This Fall I was reminded of Love and it’s many wonders.

Please feel free to check out our October posts on Love:

Towards the Possibility of Love (A Modern Love Story) is a love story written by yours truly. It is a tale of letting go in order to pave the way for everlasting love. It is a love story within a love story that ends with a message of hope and inspiration.

Also featured on our blog is the poem  Unending Love by Rabindranath Tagore,an Indian poet from the turn of the 19th century. The poem is said to have been Audrey Hepburn’s all-time favorite poem. Being a huge AH fan, and of course, of love, it was simply too irresistible to miss posting.

Here’s to inspiration, hope, new possibilities, and Love!

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it’s age-old pain,
It’s ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time:
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same
Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell-
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man’s days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours –
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

Rabindranath Tagore and his wife Mrinalini Devi-1883

Turning 30

I wanted to take a few moments and share my latest personal bit of enlightenment.

Yesterday I turned 30. My over-achiever goal was to “take care” of so many things by the time I turned 30. I was supposed to have everything figured out – from personal finances, how to start our business, have a successful relationship leading to lifelong partnership, figure out the secret to eating everything I want and not gain weight, figure out how to look young forever, and have everything I’ve always dreamed. I suppose I wasn’t very realistic, but every year for the last few years, I have written a laundry list of things that I wanted to accomplish leading up to the big 30.

The day before the big day I was in panic, taking stock of my life and wondering if I was a failure for not accomplishing all my goals. Then, something told me to stop and BREATHE. The next moment I recalled conversations with my dad as a little girl, and how he would always tell me that he didn’t accomplish his dreams, and that it was now “my time” (to accomplish his dreams of wealth, etc.).  Realizing that my dad was telling me all this when he was in his early 30′s, I wondered for a moment if I had already missed my chance.

Breathe…

And then it occurred to me that it’s never too late. I recalled a quote from a book I read once. The gist of the quote was that denying our dreams was denying our life mission we were given. Similarly, another favorite quote was also a point of inspiration: If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it (William A. Ward).

Another breathe…and another revelation. Not only is it NOT too late, but my life and inspiration doesn’t come from lists of goals that takes years to accomplish (and providing myself impossible deadlines). Therefore, I decided that instead of another laundry list of life improvements, my goal wasn’t to be perfect. Rather, my goal was to be. Be comfortable with my current career path, be comfortable at my current weight, be comfortable at the progress towards all my goals, be comfortable with going about the world without Mr. Right (although I’ll keep a door open for him), and finally, be comfortable at my age and all that I have accomplished.

Taking stock of my life, I am grateful. Grateful for the wonderful friends and family I have in my life. Grateful that there are no fair-weather people in my life. Grateful for my overall health. Grateful for what I have accomplished in my career and in academia. Grateful for my sanity (despite my quirks). Grateful for the support and love I am surrounded with, and grateful for my life’s mission and dreams.

A wise elderly gentleman (ok, he’s neighbor) told me that the next 30 years are going to go quickly. I believe him, but I also know that it is important that as I walk towards the direction of my dreams that I also stop and breathe, and look back at my progress and revel in gratefulness for who I am, where I am going, and how far I’ve come.

May we all go confidently in the direction of our dreams..

Love,
Amber

P.S. I have been blessed with many gifts, and my “gift” back are some inspiring quotes that I love:

“Expect your every need to be met, expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level, expect to grow spiritually” - Caddy, Eileen

“Magic has often been thought of us the art of making dreams come true; the art of realizing visions. Yet before we can bring birth to the vision we have to see it.” – Starhawk

“Your own words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to realize. Your words are the greatest power you have. The words you choose and the use establish the life you experience.” – Croquette,Sonia

“Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities” - Ebaugh, Sue

“Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” - Bernhardt, Sarah

“The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
- Fosdick, Harry Emerson

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Thoreau, Henry David

‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Roosevelt, Eleanor

We updated our blog with a fresher look. Stay tuned for new blogs on life enhancing tips and tools!

Does it work?

We tried it and noticed a change in water taste and one of us experienced an unexpected health benefit: no more menstral cramps! The increased oxygenation of the blood helps prevent clumping of blood cells, therefore it made sense that could be a good outcome of using this product. Also, we used the stirwand on our cat who was looking a little scrawny and old. After 3 weeks on the stirwand she started to gain back her weight and her fur coat looked much healthier and kept.  In addition, studies show that increased pH and higher oxygenation levels is not conducive to cancer cells.

There are several different types of stirwands. One stirwand is for energy, another for athletes, one for love energy, meditation, etc. We have tried all of the stirwands and prefer the yellow (energy), the purple zen wand for relaxation and meditation, and the 24-hr all occassion basic stirwand. If you are going to make an $80 investment in one of these long-lasting stirwands we highly suggest the 24-hour stirwand. It’s well worth it!

Click here to purchase

The amazing thing is that NONE of started taking it to lose weight/inches. We started consuming the Green TeaHP  product because of the increased energy it gave us, and the health benefits (it contains a lot of ingredients that are rich in antioxidants including: noni juice, açaí, and pomegranate). 

Green TeaHP also contains a high doseage of EGCG, also known as Epigallocatechin 3-gallate, has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, and heart disease. 

In addition, a review done by the Department of Human Nutrition and Health in Basel, Switzerland of various EGCG studies says that EGCG has been demonstrated to reduce fat mass, body weight, fat absorption, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, as well as increase thermogenesis, which is the process by which the body generates heat to “burn” calories. It even noted that one study showed that long-term (at least 10 years) consumption of tea resulted in a lower percentage of total body fat, smaller waist circumference and decreased waist-to-hip ratio.

Regular green tea has small amounts of EGCG, however, in order to get the same effects found in the studies (often using higher doseages of EGCG), you would have to drink several cups of green tea a day. The advantage of Green TeaHP is that it has less caffinine (the equivalent of a cup of hot chocolate), but the equivalent of 50 cups of green tea in EGCG and anti-oxidants in one serving.

Due to all the health benefits, taste, and the energy Green TeaHP provides, we are going to continue to consume it past the date of this article.

For more information on this product, click here

To purchase: click here

FYI… Lori’s favorite flavor is orange, and my favorite flavor is mocha.