1. 17 Apr



    Life Lessons at 21 (Part I)

    As my last few weeks as an undergrad business student comes to a close…it is a beautiful feeling to reflect and feel a divine appreciation for the journey that is life. These past three years I’ve been lucky to be surrounded and influenced by powerful thought leaders and mentors; been able to pick the brain of non-profit people and for-profit people.  I’ve been fortunate to hear speeches made from successful entrepreneurs, not-so-successful entrepreneurs, and want-a-preneurs. 

    I’ve been motivated and pushed to learn and perfect this craft that I call my passion. That I will soon call my life. 
    I’ve been surrounded by people who live their life to find a perfect balance and I’ve also been surrounded by people who live and breath their passion, that see their job as their life.  
    One of the best lessons I’ve learned from seeing, hearing, and constantly learning from these individuals are the ones that are the downfalls in life.  
    My favorite lesson is one that many of my mentors have reiterated is: 
    “You shouldn’t feel good to be praised as the smartest person in the room, because if you’re the smartest person in the room it doesn’t allow you to grow; your opinion is considered “the best.” The best feeling in a meeting is to feel as if you are the dumbest person in the room, because that feeling allows you to grow, to reach new heights, and to soak up other people’s advice and knowledge. “ 
    Don’t be afraid to be dumb. I’ve struggled with this fact throughout business school. I didn’t feel as if I was smart enough to compute financials in my head or be able to spout business laws verbatim…but here I am. Working at an awesome tech startup, contributing works that matter, and being able to appreciated for my brain. Something I never knew I would be able to become skilled at. 
    Another favorite lesson of mine is what my professor told us on the first day of class.
    ” I’m told that I should respect my A students because they will become the teachers that teach my children. I’m told that I should be kind to my B students because they will soon one day become managers at companies my children will want to work at. I’m told that I should should really really be kind to my C students as they will be the ones hiring my children at these companies. And I should really suck up to my D students, as they are the ones that will be the CEOs and Billionaires of my children’s generation.” 
    Being a visionary isn’t learned in the classroom, it isn’t taught within the pages of a book, it is learned in life.  Life tests you for your endurance, your motivation, and most importantly your passion.  I am continually tested and asking myself how much is my life worth? How much of a change am I looking to make? And what will I damn well do or change to make it happen?  
    A harsh lesson I’ve learned from my other professor who is one of the best I’ve ever had the fortune of encountering is: “The world only cares about what it can get from you.” It’s harsh, but it’s true. This excerpt was taken from Cracked.com and it rings true to my life, probably your life. It’s universal: 
    “Let’s say that the person you love the most has just been shot. He or she is lying in the street, bleeding and screaming. A guy rushes up and says, “Step aside.” He looks over your loved one’s bullet wound and pulls out a pocket knife — he’s going to operate right there in the street.
     
    You ask, “Are you a doctor?”

    The guy says, “No.”

    You say, “But you know what you’re doing, right? You’re an old Army medic, or …”

    At this point the guy becomes annoyed. He tells you that he is a nice guy, he is honest, he is always on time. He tells you that he is a great son to his mother and has a rich life full of fulfilling hobbies, and he boasts that he never uses foul language.

    Confused, you say, “How does any of that fucking matter when my (wife/husband/best friend/parent) is lying here bleeding! I need somebody who knows how to operate on bullet wounds! Can you do that or not?!?”

    Now the man becomes agitated — why are you being shallow and selfish? Do you not care about any of his other good qualities? Didn’t you just hear him say that he always remembers his girlfriend’s birthday? In light of all of the good things he does, does it really matter if he knows how to perform surgery?

    In that panicked moment, you will take your bloody hands and shake him by the shoulders, screaming, “Yes, I’m saying that none of that other shit matters, because in this specific situation, I just need somebody whocan stop the bleeding, you crazy fucking asshole.””

    That harsh truth will only become stronger as we age…I’ve realized it with the people I have in my personal and professional life. What we/I/you have to do is be a person that always has something to offer the world.  Always contribute works that matter, speech that matter.  The moment you realize you aren’t. Stop. People can easily see through bullshit.  

    To be continued….

     

  2. 18 Feb



    Sometimes you’re 23 and standing in the kitchen of your house making breakfast and brewing coffee and listening to music that for some reason is really getting to your heart. You’re just standing there thinking about going to work and picking up your dry cleaning. And also more exciting things like books you’re reading and trips you plan on taking and relationships that are springing into existence. Or fading from your memory, which is far less exciting. And suddenly you just don’t feel at home in your skin or in your house and you just want home but “Mom’s” probably wouldn’t feel like home anymore either. There used to be the comfort of a number in your phone and ears that listened everyday and arms that were never for anyone else. But just to calm you down when you started feeling trapped in a five-minute period where nostalgia is too much and thoughts of this person you are feel foreign. When you realize that you’ll never be this young again but this is the first time you’ve ever been this old. When you can’t remember how you got from sixteen to here and all the same feel like sixteen is just as much of a stranger to you now. The song is over. The coffee’s done. You’re going to breathe in and out. You’re going to be fine in about five minutes.
    — 

    The Winter of the Air   (via sourwolfie)

    This is so so beautiful. 

    (via katuriankaturiankaturian)

     

  3. 11 Jan



    This Year

    As this new years rang in ten days ago, I felt a feeling I haven’t felt any past new years. I couldn’t pin-point what it was for a few days, but I felt it lingering. Just these past days, I finally realized that the feeling was nervousness. Nervousness because to me, 2013 represents freedom. Freedom I have never experienced before; it started settling in that in a few months the world that I always desired will be staring back at me, wondering what I want to do with it.

    Three years ago, I thought that what I needed was to come to San Diego, to discover myself and what I wanted in life.  I can say three years later that making the decision to move was/is the best decision I have ever made. Moving allowed me to experience excitement, discomfort, discovery, joy, and comfort. I know now that the field of entrepreneurship I want to work in exist in these big cities, such as SD; I was able to experience a world & opportunity that I would never have been exposed to if I had stayed.  Yet, 2013 brings big things in my life. I never would describe myself or my life of one that is wanderlust; constantly travelling, seeking, discovering new places and homes. My discovery lies most internally and intrinsically. Yet, I feel that 2013 will be bringing some fierce and new changes to my life, I feel travel will be one of those changes.

    These past years I have felt a range of emotions, much like everyone else in the world.  I went through a time of finding spirituality, only to realize my religion is life and being the best I can be for everyone around me. I feel no longer the need to try to decipher Buddhist paths to enlightenment or the universe’s messages, but have grown to have gratitude for its existence rather than strive for understanding.  I appreciate the motivation that reading new age books provide without the constant need to try to understand and practice it all. I feel the strength to trust in karma and in being a good person. 

    I have felt pain, what I would describe as loneliness, and a loss of self-esteem.  But I have also felt joy and utter growth and abundance. Abundance that I would describe in the wonderful people to who I see and interact with daily…I have grown accept my parents, to find likeminded individuals that encourage me to become greater and who I encourage in their own fields.  I am most thankful for those things/people.

    My priorities in 2013 is to continue to find what enlivens me and what I am passionate in.  I want to push myself to follow these aspirations, but at the same time not lose myself in the process. As always, constantly being a good friend, family member, and person to those around me and strangers. 

    I want to finish at SDSU on a high-note, debt-free, and leaving with great mentors and plentiful knowledge of entrepreneurship   I have started to remind myself constantly the great serendipity it was that I went there instead of UCSD. 

    I want to continue working toward becoming a physically fit individual who I would consider beautiful.  

    I also want to open myself up more to the possibility of meeting and creating a really great and lasting relationship with a guy that has the same priorities in life that I do.  I love the idea of the waiting for the perfect person that just fits and I want this year to be the year that I start concentrating on that aspect of life and making it somewhat of a priority.  

    So while I feel nervousness, I feel even greater anxiety to tackle it all and excitement of what this life I am creating will bring. 

     

  4. 31 Aug


    Makes me fall in love with my city all over again…it’s simply the best. Love Love Love. Must-watch!!!

     

  5. 3 Aug



    Updated: Health & Food - Things That Are Working for Me

    In no particular order, these things have been working amazingly well for my body.  I know every person’s body is different, so I can only speak for myself, but maybe there are things within it that can work for others too.  I love learning about healthy eating, techniques, and holistic healing…enjoy and drink some kombucha while reading (totally obsessed with kombucha, I have an addiction)! :]

      • Starting my day with warm water and organic raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) - I usually do one mug of warm water with 1 TBSP of ACV.  This has become my daily ritual…I ran out of ACV a few weeks ago and felt so groggy in the morning for days on end.  This is my equivalent to coffee and ACV is packed with so many detoxifying qualities [see this infographic].  
      • Doing some sort of Intermittent Fasting (IF) but eating 3 meals within my eating window time (I use to only eat 2 meals per day when I was IF-ing).  I usually can’t wake up and eat breakfast immediately anymore, which is surprising seeing as I did this type of routine my whole life until a year & a half ago.  I have been switching over to fasting until I feel hungry/crave food, I then eat my breakfast.  I’ve been loving a balanced meal in the morning and see that it eliminates all cravings for my body.  Usually 1-2 protein sources, 1-2 veggies, and something sweet-ish if I am craving it.  Today I had 2 scrambled eggs (seasoned with nooch + s&p + garlic), two small carrot sticks, one teaspoon of tanini for dipping, 2 teaspoons of coconut cream (with a little bit of cinnamon and stevia). I ate that about 1 hour ago and have felt very energized.  
      • Juicing as snacks or meal replacements…I usually do the latter as juicing really fills me up.  I have been doing all green juices for my lunch (kale, swiss chard, celery, cabbage, ginger, and tumeric) and they are palatable and healthy.  Juicing has done wonders for taking off water weight and healthy skin development.  I really see the impact it makes it for people who do not eat very healthy in their day-to-day, they are the ones that see immediate results including weight-loss/hair/skin improvements within 5 days.  
      • Eating fruit only after workouts or on an empty stomach.  It is not good for you to eat fruit as dessert…it causes digestive problems through slowing down the process leading to indigestion and bloating.  Eating after a workout allows my body replenish itself quickly through the use of the carbs and natural sugar in the fruit without leaving me tired. Yesterday I had an organic pluot after an interval training session.  
      • On the topic of carbs, I can only say for myself, but carb cycling is amazing for weight loss/lean muscle development.  I totally recommend this to anyone wanting to lose weight…seeing as I am paleo, the diet itself is low carb and seeing how amazing our bodies are it adapts to what we eat.  So after a while the body gets use to the low carb foods and the weight stops falling off.  Insert carb cycling, this is once in every 4-5 days when I eat more carb-y foods (sweet potatoes, starch-y vegetables, fruit, or even something not so healthy) than usually to kickstart my metabolism again.  This usually leads to me looking leaner the next day.  Mark Sisson, the Primal/Paleo guru has an excellent article on carb cycling.  I totally recommend it and love the balance it creates in my life. 
      • Drinking a mixture of 1 liter of water and 1 cup of 100% cranberry juice throughout the day.  This cleanses my liver like no other and it switches up the usual H20, this has been my go-to for the last week and it makes me full in class.  
      • Here is another amazing concoction for after-workouts or as a meal replacement, blend in a Magic Bullet/Blender: 1/2 cup of coconut water + mixed berries (I used blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) + acai powder + greens powder…this tastes like a smoothie but it is really just packed with superfoods!  It is incredible.
      • Swimming as part of my exercise routine!  I’ve been in a workout funk in the past few months and swimming has kicked it up a notch for me and it’s so much fun…I swim about 10 laps in the SDSU pool every weekend and it’s been a great way to switch up my workout.  On weekdays I do interval training and core/body work (yoga/inversions) daily.  
      • Food journaling, I just started a few days ago but it really does help me recognize the foods that work for me and the ones that make me tired/breakout/etc.  Just because the vegetable/food is paleo does not mean it works for my body…I think it is especially good for girls to do it as we are more prone to emotionally eat.  Food journalling has potential to eliminate that for women
      • Lastly, doing oil pulling to detoxify.  Oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic technique of swishing oil in  your mouth for 20 mins every morning and night to cleanse out your organs, lymph nodes, oral bacteria…heal ulcers, headaches, whitens teeth, and more.  The most recommended oils are sesame and sunflower, but I’ve been doing coconut (as it’s the one we have in the house) and I’ve noticed some results.  It feels as if your mouth is insanely clean afterwards and you can see the difference the oil looks from when you start to when you spit…it turns a cloudy color, so it does look like it is doing some removing action.  I’ve been doing it for two weeks and have seen gradual results in the way I feel/look.  Here is a video of Drew Canole (Micha’s health coach and the Juicing King/CEO of FitLife.tv) talk a bit more about oil pulling: 
     

  6. 1 Aug



    July Musings

    July was an incredibly amazing month, as was June.   This month has shown up in a way that has made me more aware, loving, giving, receiving, and creating so much more than myself.   It is not to say that I do not struggle   I struggle daily separating what is my “identity” to my possibility.  Yesterday I struggled internally while walking Sasha (Micha’s dog, who is 14 yrs old and has arthritis)   last year she was so vibrant when we went on walks together.   She has such a sweet heart and soul and yesterday I saw her energy had waned considerably much compared to the past.   On impact  this thought made my heart hurt a little considering how much I have taken her for granted…wondering how many more walks we were going to “enjoy” together.   As I digested these emotions I became present to the truth that it is not Sasha who has  arthritis, it is her body.   It was also I who  interpreted her not being as vibrant as suffering; I had combined what actually happened with my interpretation of that event.   This realization set my mind at ease.   There are events like those that I struggle with daily, but just being present to that struggle is progress.

    Other things that have changed in my day-to-day life is how much better the breath of my communication has happened.   I can see it in my daily relationships with my family, friends,  acquaintances…when I am listening I am truly listening and when I speak I am truly speaking without fillers, leaving little room for interpretation.   What astounds me the most is the communication I am able to have with others who have gone through the Landmark course…it is authentic to a fault. Which leads me to say how many wonderful people have came into my life these past couple of months because of this…it’s almost as if after you cut all the bullshit out of conversation what opens up is a space to become friends, mentors, and more to each-other.  I find their accountability authentic and I find myself showing up more for them.  

    Another topic is the business, it’s been wonderful the feeling of waking up each day and knowing that I am picking a battle bigger than myself I am taking a stand for health, for proper nutrition information/education, and I’m taking a stand for the homeless.   These are the things that enliven me, and these are the things that separate the mediocre from the great.  I once was timid about the vision I had for this business (a month, a few weeks, a few days ago), but day-by-day this wanes and now I become present to the fact that I have no excuses, no timidness…it is what it is and what it is, is great.  I am excited for everything to come and I come to see that my vision is not to be a baker of bakery, but be a key player in eliminating the issue of people not having a healthy home.  I’ve talked to a couple of people while trying to resolve the “am I am baker, a business person, or more internal dilemma” and I come to realize that you need to have some skin in the game for it to mean anything.  Sticking to what I know (being a day-in-day out baker) isn’t going to help people, opening up the possibility of the unknown is what impacts and surges change.  After that, the choice was easy.  

    Last few notes, after my alpha reset and paleo month (100% Paleo!)…I’ve been feeling great. I recommend juicing to everyone, but I do know that it is not a cure-for-all…there are other things that I am trying and testing to see how my body responds.  I love experimentation with the next level of health, I have been soaking up information like a sponge and can’t wait to write and share!  

    Anyhow, I still have a mid-term to study for tomorrow…creating the possibility of an A! ;)

     

  7. 20 Jul



    If you’re really listening, if you’re awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold evermore wonders.
    — Andrew Harvey…this quote was said to us during our Advanced Landmark Course, quite simply beautiful!
     

  8. 17 Jul



    Week Two: Juice Cleanse

    Wowza, week one was a BREEZE…I managed to do yoga everyday during Landmark and drink my juices. My favorite juice so far is the all greens drink…it’s amazingly refreshing!  Now on week two I am suppose to drink juices for breakfast and lunch, then have a paleo dinner.  I’ve just been drinking for lunch currently as I have managed to have low-key mornings.  I’ll talk about Landmark on another post but I have to say it has been such a transformational week.  Juicing has seriously improved my cravings. Even on paleo, I still felt cravings for chips and frech bread (<— serious weakness).  But after last week of juicing all I want to eat is healthy food…I crave salads, grass-fed beef and organic chicken, cage-free eggs… I am actually craving one right now.  I feel leaner and stronger.  It’s amazing, I have been 100% paleo these last 8 days and feel so so great.  And as for my yoga challenge, it is still going strong!  I feel so in tune with my body; I use to only do vinyasa flow for the workout of yoga…now I am doing yin and hatha when my body feels tired, then switching to vinyasa when I am enpowered. Anyhow, off I go!  Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! 

     

  9. 13 Jul



    Alpha Reset: Day 4

    Day four!  I woke up and consumed 2 tablespoons of psyllium husk with 7 oz. of water.  I also consumed one cup of hot water with half a lemon squeezed in.  I woke up excited because day four means: egg whites, boy was that fantastic…I woke up not feeling hungry, just excited to be eating something solid (plus I love eggs).  Drew and Mae (his biz partner) suggest 4-6 egg whites for breakfast and again at dinner.  One egg white is around 10 calories, I chose to stick to 4 because I am on the petite side. I cooked them, scrabbled with no oil and sprinkled himalayan pink sea salt and black pepper.  It tasted great!  It was weird not eating them with ketchup though :/ I left for work (my last day at AjA ever!) and Justin took me and a couple of other interns out for lunch since it was my last day.  I chose a Mediterranean grill that I would never have chosen if I was on my regular paleo diet.  My only reasoning was because it was the closest place to the office with a juice bar.  I ordered the garden fresh juice that contained carrots, parsley, and cucumber.  It was half the price of a Juice Me When juice ($4.99 vs. $8), but with not even comparable nutrients…bummer. But it was fine and filled me up for a good while.  

    I also consumed a bottle of kombucha at the office from my favorite brand Kombucha 2000 (well second to favorite to Local Habit’s kombucha).  It was nice and strong.  I also drank 2 cups of herbal tea today and a green’s juice drink when I was hanging at eBoost in the afternoon after work and before class. 

    Things I am noticing: 

    • The egg whites definitely made my brain function better today, I’ve felt alert and strong all day long.  
    • My body is changing a little, I do not feel bloated at all and the line in the middle of my tummy (that I wish was a beginning to defined abs) is really defined (AWESOME!) 

    Overall, I am loving this juicing cleanse and I feel great.  Tomorrow I am heading up to Los Angeles (Landmark Advanced Course) and excited to eat white chicken for dinner.  Yeeee!!! Until next time :) 

     

  10. 11 Jul



    Alpha Reset: Day 3

    So I’m on my third day of my detox…no big side-effects!  Hooray!  I have heard that some of the eBoosters are not fairing as well (I’ve heard of light-headedness is going on) :(  

    The only problem I have these three days is consuming three juices a day…They recommend you not consume any juice if you do not feel like you need it.  That is exactly the problem!  I do not feel hungry at all…yesterday I consumed the juices I stated (2 liters water, jasmine tea, 1 kombucha, and one juice).  Yes, just one juice.  I came home from school around 10pm and did not feel like drinking a juice for dinner.  My head was feeling fine, my energy levels were normal, and I did not feel hungry.  I drank one cup of jasmine tea instead…and slept until morning like a baby. I woke up this morning feeling great and not hungry.  I debated skipping morning juice, but decided that in the absence of my “dinner” last night I should probably juice.  I juiced and consumed 1/2 of the juice when I started feeling really nauseous…the type of nauseous that I was sure to throw up on. I was not that nervous, because heck, if I threw up it would only be water. But the nauseousness subsided and I was fine again (I’m pretty sure it was due to a strong jalapeno in my juice), I did not finish the rest of my juice until about 12 in the afternoon.  Drinking the other 1/2 of it filled me up and I did not feel the need to drink lunch.  I worked on some bakery orders and got cravings from the chip smells that were wafting from the oven…paleo chips, my weakness!  But alas, I did not consume any and was on a roll.  I just now picked some fresh lemons from the backyard and added that to some hot water with a tiny bit of himalayan sea salt.  I also just juiced my dinner, but it is currently residing on the side of my futon waiting for me to be ready to drink it.  I omitted the jalapeno pepper in my dinner juice, as I think that’s what caused my upset stomach in the morning.  

    Things I’ve noticed:  

    • My taste buds seem to be changing…as I juiced the lemon into my water I sucked on it and it tasted insanely sweet!  The lemon tasted delicious, similar to a juicy orange. Very strange.  
    • My cognition levels wane throughout the day, I am not as mentally sharp at particular times.  Drew said this is normal on days 1-3.  
    • My body has not changed that much, but I do know that my water weight has dropped.  I feel leaner, not bloated, etc.  
    • My skin glows…it makes my teeth look whiter.  I swear either my skin is glowing and emphasizing my teeth or my teeth are getting whiter.  
    • I crave juicy, healthy looking foods…I can’t wait to eat again and eat a wonderful big salad!!!

    I am surprised at how easily my body adapted to this type of cleanse…it feels normal.  Tomorrow I start eating again, I am suppose to consume 4-6 egg whites for breakfast and dinner.  Lunch is suppose to be juice again.  

    I have not done my yoga for the day, yet but I am off to take a shower and do that tonight.  It is going to be great!  Going to kick this Alpha Reset in the butt.