Five Things Friday: Lesson Learned

This weekend, the Towpath Marathon will be run along the picturesque Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.  Between the full marathon, half marathon, and 10k distances offered, over 2000 runners will sweat it up and work it out along the trail - and thanks to my efforts over the past couple months, over 100 volunteers will be on-site at aid stations, in the parking lot, along the course, and at the finish to ensure every one of those runners has a great experience.  I've spent a LOT of time as this race's Volunteer Coordinator lately, and I have learned some VERY important lessons about working as a race event planner!  Here are my top five lessons learned about working as a race coordinator!

5. Timeliness Can Never Be Expected.

Not even for a t-shirt. Half the time I only DO things for the t-shirt, so I half expected the threat of not getting a volunteer shirt to ensure I would have everyone's volunteer waiver in by the first deadline.  NOT SO.  Apparently some people volunteer for the good feels or because it's the right thing, not because they get a free shirt - who knew?  I kid, of course; I'm thrilled we have so many people, including last minute signups, who are willing to donate their time to this race...  I just wish I wouldn't have to spend weeks after the race following up to ensure I have all proper documentation!

Lesson Learned: Accept that even free stuff isn't always enough to get people on your schedule and things WILL come in late.

4. Communication is Key.

I received empty waivers, slow responses, total silence, questions that could have been answered by actually reading the information I'd already sent...  Though it's true for far more than just this race, giving and receiving clear communication can make or break just about any endeavor.  Important information can easily get lost if it is not clearly labeled or tagged, and a quick phone call isn't always the best way to ensure something registers!  I had to up my own communication game to fill in the holes left by volunteers who have their own lives full of work, family, and other issues.  I suppose that's why there even IS a Volunteer Coordinator position!

Lesson Learned: Organize your inbox, flag follow ups, and get everything in writing as soon as possible.

3. Late Nights Are Going to Be a Thing.

At least for me.  For some reason, I can't get myself to spend hours of mindless data entry while the sun is up.  Maybe the glowing spreadsheet screen is more romantic by moonlight, or maybe there's less interesting television when it gets late, or maybe I'm just plain busy during regular hours, but I have stayed up all night a few times doing the dull but necessary organization tasks that will be so important for post event record keeping and next year's follow ups.  Late nights aren't foreign to me (after years and years of collegiate and grad school all-nighters) but it's been a long while since I actually needed to use those hours productively.

Lesson Learned: Either find a way to pound out the grind earlier, or make sure you keep your Netflix subscription current because late night TV stinks.

2. Preview the Course and Be Ready for Changes.

We actually considered this one in advance, and scheduled a bike ride to cover the full marathon course almost two months prior to the event - while the weather was still gorgeous.  Actually covering the whole route helped us identify potential problem spots and helped us correct the errors in our labeling.  For example, we had named some of the aid stations according to previous years' course names, but found that the anticipated locations did not match with the landmarks for which the stations were named, sometimes by a long shot.  We were able to make corrections, get a visual, and have loosely formed backup plans should issues arise.

Lesson Learned: Don't trust the maps or the old info; nothing is more accurate than first-hand knowledge.

1. Send Out WAY More Requests Than You Think You Have To!

I asked a lot of people for help.  A LOT.  This race series is lucky to have a 20+ year history and quite a few dedicated teams that help year after year, but that doesn't mean there aren't gaps to fill.  I blasted volunteer requests through many channels, and only barely managed to fill all my big spots!  Either I was asking the wrong people (quite possible) or the success rate is really just that low.  Regardless, I was struck by how much poking, prodding, pestering, and polling it took to fill my last few stations.  I'm very lucky to have made some connections earlier this summer that came through big time in the past couple weeks; here's hoping that same luck holds out for race day and everyone shows up!

Lesson Learned: Spam is your friend sometimes.  Embrace it and try not to feel bad.

Alright - after all those lessons, it's go time.  Expo tonight and tomorrow, then race on Sunday, then I'll probably sleep for a few days once that stress is off my shoulders!  If you're running the Towpath, find me and let me know how your experience was, I should be lingering around the finish line area for most of the day!  GOOD LUCK!

Also, there's this other race this weekend, something going on in Chicago I think?  GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY CHICAGO FRIENDS AND FELLOW BLOGGERS, AND MY COUSIN, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IS RUNNING THE CHICAGO MARATHON!  GET ITTTTTT!

Product Review: Foxy Box Subscription Boxes

My quest for the perfect subscription box service has been ongoing since my first less-than-perfect experience with one of the most popular boxes a couple months ago.  These types of monthly sampler sets are becoming more and more popular - and for good reason!  It's an ideal way for consumers to be introduce to the VAST range of products available these days, especially if you're interested in a niche product or prefer to support smaller companies that can't afford the in-your-face advertising of the market dominators.

One of the more interesting box companies I found is Foxy Boxes.  They offer four different subscription options to meet the varied needs of healthly lifestyles.  You can choose from paleo, vegan, endurance, or gym-goer options; each category provides a different set of products, making the experience much more customized than other services that send the same items to all customers.  Since I have been spending so much more time in the gym while I've been building my boxing strength and teaching more boot camps, I opted to try the Gym Goer Foxy Box.

Disclaimer: I received one Foxy Box Gym Goer box free of charge in exchange for my review.  No additional compensation was provided.  All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

The first thing I noticed when I opened my box was how much stuff there was!  Other boxes send a few tiny samples, but Foxy Boxes send either larger sampler packs or full size products for just about everything included.  I had a full bottle of coconut water!  I also had a few non-consumables; it was nice to find that the box branched out from "snacks and supplements".  In fact, the Bondi Band headband and Popband hair tie were probably my favorite products out of this box!  I've always wanted to try Bondi Bands but never got around to ordering one - so Foxy Boxes definitely started out with a notch in the "win" column.

As I picked through my box and started using more of my products, I started to notice that about half the box was REALLY on-theme for a gym-goer box.  Besides the hair products, I received a few protein products (gel, chips, pudding, snack bar), joint health chews, pre-workout drink mix, and portable body wipes.  While things like the protein pudding and chips were a little odd, they were definitely products I wouldn't have found myself and offered the kinds of benefits for which I as a developing gym rat am searching.  The other half of the box seemed to be much more general-wellness-y.  Almond butter, anti-aging skincare and supplements, coconut water, a tea infuser...  Some of these products could probably fit any of the Foxy Boxes, which isn't unexpected when I think about it.  For an independent company to piece together four completely separate sets of items every month while retaining quality, there probably will end up being some crossovers.  Otherwise, they'd pack every possible gym-specific goody into one box, and have nothing new for next month!

In fact, I started thinking about what types of goodies the Foxy Box might include in the future, if I were to continue my Gym Goer box subscription, and I realized there are actually LOTS of box-able products out there I'd be curious to try!  Having received such a wide variety of products in this box, I have faith any following boxes would also offer the same plethora of items.  With a mix of brands I recognize and companies I've never heard of, there are endless possibilities for the future!

What it comes down to is price - Foxy Boxes are $30/month (less, if you commit to a subscription term) and claim to contain $50-$100 worth of product in each box.  Having seen the joint chews in stores for $25/bag, I definitely know I got far more than $30 worth of product in my box!  What I'd be curious to see is how often the products are repeated in subsequent months.  After seeing a couple other reviews posted about a month prior to when I received my box, I noticed there were quite a few similarities between my box and theirs - but I'm not sure exactly which month's box I actually received!  It's possible I got a leftover from a prior set since I'm new to the company, which would account for some of the overlap.  If Foxy Boxes can come up with totally unique boxes every month, it's going to be one of the best subscription sample services out there, especially for women since these boxes are designed for us!

As always, you know I love passing on discounts on products I enjoyed!  I think Foxy Boxes offers more than ample value for the cost of a subscription already, but it's even better when you get to use a discount code, right?  So now you can use FITNYX10 for 10% off your subscription to any of the Foxy Box options, and have exciting health, wellness, and fitness samples delivered right to your doorstep every month!  This code will only be active through October 31st, so don't wait!  Of course, the only thing better than getting something at a discount is getting something FREE - and thanks to the generosity of Foxy Boxes, I get to give away any one Foxy Box to a reader!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway ends October 13th at 11:59pm.

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Have you tried a subscription box service yet?  What types of samples would you like to see in your box?

Towpath Marathon - One More Week of Crazy

When I first moved back to Cleveland, I picked up an interesting opportunity to work as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Towpath Marathon (after I had run the Towpath Ten-Ten and enjoyed working with the company).  I hadn't known at the time what other work I'd manage to find or how busy I'd be come marathon time, but wanted very much to dig deeper into what it takes to actually put on a big race event.

At first, there wasn't much to do.  Compile some email addresses, get familiar with the course, think about ways to incentivize volunteering...  It was an hour or two a week, at most, and it gave me plenty of freedom to work on building my fitness presence in the area while also picking up some more full-time work to pay the bills in the meanwhile.

Now, we're a week away from the race, and I'm up all night over and over again compiling volunteer information and making sure we have enough coverage!  There have been course route changes and unexpected dropouts and all the other confusion that of course comes with relying on volunteers - but somehow we're looking like we'll be ready next Sunday!  There are a few more pieces to fall into place, and next weekend I'll be working my butt off on-site, but the excitement is building as the chaos starts to take shape!

That being said, well...  There's still MUCH to be done, and that might mean this will be a slow week here on the blog.  Hopefully my Om Booty review will make it up on Wednesday, and since it's the last week to register for the Doggy Dasher virtual race (get 10% off with FITNYX10) I'll try to send out a few registration reminders, and maybe I'll even find some time on Friday or Saturday to share some pictures from the marathon expo...  But it's probably safe to assume that I'll be last-minute stressing to ensure that every last detail is in place for an AMAZING RACE!  So, catch ya on the flip side, and be sure to let me know if you want to come out and help on race day, I can guarantee I have a spot for any willing hands!

What inspires you to volunteer, either for race events or anything else to which you donate your time?  What's your favorite volunteering experience?

Race Recap: Insane Inflatable 5k

So...  It's been a little while since I last ran more than a mile or two.  Sure, I've taken the dog for a jog occasionally, but actual training runs have been almost non-existent since mid-July when I last participated in a race event.  And while I've been spending plenty of time on fitness, I'm definitely not in distance shape anymore!  But since it's been months since my last event, I've definitely been feeling the itch to get back out there, and turned to obstacle course races (OCRs) once again as a fun, low-pressure way to get back into the racing world.

A friend asked me about a race called the Insane Inflatable 5k, which happened to be stopping in Erie PA, about an hour and a half from my current home.  I'd never heard of it, but did some research and was excited to find a growing company with a slew of successful events already under their belt.  I'm always cautious of OCRs, especially if they haven't been on my radar previously, because the OCR industry is becoming notorious for scams, disappointments, and even injuries - general warning, do your research on any adventure race or OCR company before you get swept up in their hype!  But the Insane Inflatable passed check, and I eagerly signed up to give it a go.

Disclaimer: I was provided a comped entry for the event in exchange for my review.  I have not received any additional compensation for this post, and all views and opinions herein are my own.

I headed out to Erie early, with my mom along for the ride (she hopped over to the casino while I ran, it was a win-win).  The drive went quickly and I arrived more than an hour early for my start time, as advised in the pre-race email.  For the first few waves, though, this was probably an unnecessary precaution!  I waltzed right up to the row of registration tables, picked up my bib and wristband, and was done in less than a minute.  Leaving me a LOT of down time before my scheduled wave (the first of the day).  This meant I had time to poke around the festival area without having to fight through crowds!

As promised, the little midway offered some inflatable playthings such as games and bouncy houses.  The venue provided food booths, and a couple local sponsors had set up tents.  Erie is not one of the race's primary markets and receives relatively low registration (compared to the metropolis races, which obviously have a larger pool of participants), so the festival area was properly scaled to the size of the event.  The main feature was the Air National Guard station, which offered mini fitness competitions throughout the day.  Race participants and spectators were all welcome to pick a fitness challenge such as planks, wall sits, sit ups, push ups, chin ups, and more, then do their best to set the day's record.  A couple girls had stepped up to set the first few numbers, and when I saw the current record was only three chin ups, I knew I could beat it.  I managed seven chin ups before my start wave was called and I had to head to the start line - but after the race I came back to see how my number had held up.  I'd been beaten!  Someone had done 10 chin ups, so I hopped back up on the bar and gutted out another 10 of my own, but couldn't quite get that last one for the record!

Anyway, I was there for the run, so let's talk about that!  I was in the first wave at 8:45am, and it was chilly and damp when we started.  This made the inflatables pretty slippery, which was an immediate concern since even the starting line itself is an obstacle!  I was impressed right off the bat, though, when volunteers and race staff cautioned participants to use ropes and handholds when climbing to prevent slipping.  This same focus on safety lasted for the entire course, and was probably the most noteworthy aspect of the whole race!  Every worker along the course was vocal and clear, including letting racers know which side of the slide would have puddles at the bottom!

My shoes got damp quickly from the dew, but the middle third of the course was on pavement and they dried out without much fuss.  Obstacles were kept on the grass, which meant they were grouped at the beginning and end of the course since the that paved mile was actually partially ON the Lake Erie Speedway racetrack!  My dad has autocrossed on the same track a few times but I got to tackle it on foot!  I of course had to stop for a quick selfie.

The early wave had a surprisingly good turnout for a place like Erie, which is a little out of the way for big city runners, but we still spread out quickly and I was rarely running near anyone else, which meant the obstacles were quick and easy to tackle.  Later waves didn't look so crowded as to cause line issues at the inflatables, either, which has been a chronic problem in other OCRs.  In a larger city, this might still be an issue but Erie was the perfect size to keep things moving.  Or perhaps it only seemed that way because Insane Inflatable does a great job metering out wave registration to ensure there's no overcrowding...

I made it through the 5k course in about 30 minutes, which surprised me because I thought I was taking it pretty easy and there were obstacles...  I didn't track the distance but it's possible the course was a little short - it's also possible I ran a little harder than I realized.  One thing is for sure - I was WIPED for the rest of the day!  Between running and participating in several of the fitness challenges, I was tired and sore in that exquisite way that proves you're getting stronger.  I received my medal and t-shirt at the end of the race, mingled with the crowd for a while (and met some fun people), then picked up my gear and headed home, exhausted but exceptionally pleased with my experience!

Organization: As I mentioned, I was there very early, and that affected my check in times, but even later I noticed that registration was moving efficiently.  There were ample volunteers and staff in place to handle the size of crowd I was seeing, and everyone was willing to be helpful.  The course was well marked and laid out creatively to maximize the space available at a tight venue, and crowd control was actually pretty well done.  This is the first race I've done with wristbands designating wave time, and I was surprised to see they not only checked wristbands but were strict about people entering at the right time.  Having witnessed the problems overcrowding and wave switching can cause, I'm grateful for the level of control that was exercised in the interest of keeping the event consistently fun and safe for everyone.

The Course: Lots of obstacles!  Another chronic problem in the OCR world is overpromising and underdelivering on things like number of obstacles, but the Insane Inflatable had plenty of fun things to try along the course!  Some of the inflatables were relatively similar, but there's only so much that can be done with bouncy technology at this time, I suppose.  Every one of them was fun, which is the most important thing - there were no lame components that looked cool but then ended up being a total bore.  My favorite part was probably running on the Speedway, though, which has a lot to do with dad's history on the track, but can also be attributed to being a very unique feature of the venue.  Not every race gets to run on an automotive racetrack!

The Swag: Every runner gets a t-shirt and a medal as they cross the finish line.  I thought this was interesting, as you usually receive your event shirt at registration so you can wear it while you run, and therefore show up in your event photos with the race shirt.  Receiving the shirt at the end is logistically easier on the race organization: it allows check-in to move more quickly, and uses the finish line as a way to space out participants so the t-shirt line does not get overcrowded.  As I never wear the event shirt on the same day, this certainly didn't bother me!  I love the medal, which actually features one of the obstacles instead of just the event logo.  I was also very appreciative of the full size Kind bar I received with my medal, as I had yet to eat any breakfast!  Boy did I scarf that thing down...  Post-race, the Insane Inflatable offer FREE race photos, which is a huge value for any event.  They had several photographers out on the course, even early, and took some great shots!

The Bottom Line: This was a great OCR for the family!  It's not hardcore like Spartan or Tough Mudder events are, which is totally fine for me right now.  The draw of these races would be the emphasis on having fun while moving a little more than usual, and I think that's one of the best things happening in the world today.  Anyone can get through a course like this and get a positive fitness experience out of it, and the obstacles and festival make for great stories to tell later!  If you're thinking of spending more time moving, but you're intimidated by timed races or intense OCRs, the Insane Inflatable is the perfect introductory race to get you started.  If you're a regular runner and you're just looking for a change of pace, this is the event to keep yourself training but with an added element of silliness that'll make your workout seem like a party!

Did I get you thoroughly juiced about the Insane Inflatable 5k?  Go try it yourself and get 15% off your entry fee with promo code FITNYX15!  And be sure to have a BLAST!

Product Review: YogaFlexCo Yoga Wheel (GIVEAWAY)

***UPDATE: YogaFlexCo has expanded and become Breathe Life Yoga!  You can still get the same fantastic product from YogaFlexCo, but if you're near Tom's River NJ, you can also stop in to the new Breathe Life Yoga studio and meet the beautiful mind behind this great company!***

This past month I joined the Move More Yoga challenge on Instagram, and thoroughly enjoyed finding ways to work yoga into all of the many adventures I've been blessed with throughout September.  Organized by weekly themes, this challenge dared me to try some new things and bend in ways I didn't know my body even could!  I was most intimidated by the week of backbends, though.  I've had chronic back pain from an injury years ago, and my flexibility leaves a lot to be desired; needless to say, backbends don't always sound incredibly appealing to me!

But as I started following more and more yogis on Instagram, I started seeing photos of people with an interesting prop: the yoga wheel.  There are several companies making these wheels on the market, but the YogaFlex wheel in particular caught my eye.  With a wide variety of colors and padding thicknesses, and some of the best pricing available, these wheels seemed to be a great investment for advancing my yoga practice and finally overcoming some of the hesitations and fears I had about my body's abilities.

Disclaimer: I received one YogaFlex wheel free of charge in exchange for my review.  No additional compensation was provided.  All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

I was surprised and grateful to have received a new style of wheel: this model not only has thick mat padding around the exterior, but also has two strips of material on the inside, to provide better grip if you're holding on to the wheel mid-pose.  I found this especially helpful with poses like camel and one-legged bridge.  The padding is plush and soft, so resting on the wheel is very comfortable and allowed me to actually relax into some of the poses that otherwise would have strained my back painfully.  Backbends ended up being my favorite week of the challenge, now that I finally have the right equipment to help me learn and grow!  You can even see my progression in the photos below - by the time I took the bottom photo at the end of the week, I was MUCH more comfortable with backbends and with my wheel.

The yoga wheel is helpful for more than just backbends, though!  Any pose that needs additional support can benefit from a yoga wheel: forward bends, low lunges, goddess squats...  You can even use the wheel to make a pose a little more challenging, helping you push yourself past a plateau in your practice!  Try sticking a wheel under your feet in plank pose, for a little extra core work, or in wheel pose to really work those arms!  And of course, you can use the wheel for a better stretch and range of motion in restorative poses such as child's pose.

Especially for beginners, the yoga wheel should be a go-to piece of equipment in your yoga practice.  My wheel bolstered not only my back but also my confidence, which has helped me grow in leaps and bounds.  As I broke down barriers within my mind and body, as yoga is meant to do, I found myself more and more willing to try new things and push my boundaries in other practices.  I would highly recommend a wheel to anyone who is looking to build more yoga into their lives, and couldn't imagine a better wheel than the YogaFlex grippy wheel to get started!

Wanna see for yourself?  YogaFlexCo has generously offered to give away a yoga wheel to one of my readers!  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!  Giveaway ends October 6th at 11:59pm; winner must be willing to provide valid shipping address.  And even if you're not the lucky winner (or you just can't wait to find out if you won) you can still get 15% off with promo code FITNYX15 on the YogaFlexCo website!  With the holiday season approaching, yoga wheels make great gifts for the yogis in your life - and they even make yoga wheel ornaments too!

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Do you use props in your yoga practice?  What poses intimidate you, and how have you overcome those fears?  What's your favorite yoga pose?

Need another great gift idea for your beloved yogi?  Snag a promo code for the Sapphire Soul Mindful + Mystic subscription box from my review earlier this week!

The adventuring continues!

I realize the past few weeks haven't seen many posts about adventures, and after all, this blog is called "Adventures with FitNyx", so there should be more adventures, right?  Truth is, I've been having LOTS of adventures lately!  I just haven't had as much time as I'd like to sit down and write about every one of them!  So here's a quick recap of some of the fun I've been having around Cleveland lately:

Geauga County Fair - A favorite of mine, my family used to go every year.  It's been a while since I lived in the area, but now that I'm back, there was no way I was going to miss it this time 'round!  As a kid, I'd go watch the horseback riding competitions (back when I used to ride); as I got older, the focus switched more towards the incredible variety of food available.  This year, I managed to do just about everything the fair has to offer, including watching the riding competitions, playing some games, eating all the foods, enjoying the circus, checking out all the crafting submissions, watching a magic show, and grooving to the musical stylings of some of the excellent bands.  It was a weekend full of excitement and smiles, and I'm so glad I can do it again next year!

Boxing - Anyone following my Instagram feed knows by now that I've started boxing.  For right now, I'm just taking some general heavy bag classes at Title Boxing, but I'm also studying technique and working to build my upper body a little better, with the hopes that in a few months I can afford some one-on-one training to enter the realm of competitive boxing.  Or MMA, but I'm trying to start slow and learn one thing first.  Classes are a great way to get used to the feel of the gear and the impact of actually hitting something, so I think I'm off to a good start!

Biking - I've started doing a little biking lately, in some of the area's amazing Metroparks and down the Towpath Trail.  So far I'm not very good at it, but I'm enjoying the beautiful scenery and I get to share it with some great people, so I'd call it a win!  Plus, biking the Towpath was actually part of a job I've been doing: working as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Towpath Marathon, which will be run on October 11th.  I hooked this job up after running in the Towpath Ten-Ten one of my first weekends back in Cleveland, and fell in love with both the Towpath and the people who work for Canalway Partners (the organization behind the Towpath Trilogy race series).  We're shaping up to have an amazing event this year, so if you're looking for a run in October, come try the Towpath!  We offer full and half marathon distances, plus a 10k, all on the gorgeous trail.

Autocross - While I have yet to actually drive the Corvette, I have gotten to take a few ride-alongs with my dad when he races!  I've also been allowed to ride along with some of the other drivers in other souped-up autocross cars, getting a feel for the different types of cars and how they perform.  Eventually I might even take my little Hyundai out on one of these courses, just to give it a try.  I'll be sure to post any and all hilarious evidence once I do this!

Indians Games - The past few years without any kind of television service (just Netflix), I haven't really been able to enjoy televised sports games, which has been a longstanding tradition in my family.  Now that I'm back with my parents for a while, though, almost every night we gather 'round the living room with whatever delicious dinner mom makes (orange chicken mmmm) and throw on a game, usually the Indians.  Since I returned home, the team has turned their season around, and they're quite fun to watch thanks to some of their young prodigies!  I finally got to attend a game at Progressive Field The Jake on a dollar dog night, where I happily stuffed my face, we won 12-1, and I even managed to pop a pose for the yoga challenge I've been doing all month!

Shooting Range - It's been a long while since I shot much of anything, but when my aunt's boyfriend invited us all to his gun club's member appreciation picnic, I was pretty excited to handle some firearms again.  We started with perfect weather, and though my experience in the past was almost exclusively with handguns, I stepped right up for the shotgun challenges and gave it my best shot (pun intended)!  We were able to shoot for a little while, but sadly the skies opened up and we had to spend the rest of the evening indoors - but there was steak and grandma's pineapple cake, so I suppose it wasn't the worst that could have happened!

Whew!  It's been an exciting month for me!  And I'm happy to say that while my schedule will even out a little over the next few weeks, I still have plenty of interesting things on my plate to keep me busy and to provide great experiences.  I'm certainly finding ways to make the most of my time and energy, and some of these things are helping me build towards an even better future.  My adventures are about to take off to even greater heights, and I couldn't be more thrilled!

What exciting adventures have you had this summer?  Did you have any particular standouts?  What do you have planned for fall that's keeping you juiced?

Product Review: Sapphire Soul Subscription Boxes

When I received a Bulu Box for review last month, it was my first experience with a subscription box service - and it didn't go as well as I would have liked.  I liked the idea of a monthly box that would expose me to a wider range of potentially awesome products, but Bulu wasn't quite for me.  I set off to find other options to investigate, and came up with some really interesting finds.  The most interesting I found was the Sapphire Soul Mindful + Mystic series, which offers a monthly set of mindfulness, yoga, or meditation focused products.  While most other boxes are packed with small product samples, the Mindful + Mystic boxes actually contain beautiful decorative and usable items to grace your home and your spiritual practice.

This month, the Mindful + Mystic box was created around an interesting theme: the Hamsa Hand, a multi-faith symbol for protection.  Hamsa history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, and is found prominently in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African cultures.  Originally used to ward off the Evil Eye, the Hamsa has become a more generalized protective amulet, and is also associated with blessings, power, and strength.  I opened my box to find myriad Hamsa products, as well as several items that can be used with the Hamsa to generate protective energies - as indicated by the box's insert describing how to utilize the items for a purification and protection ritual.  Every box comes with information about the individual items as well, including pricing and discount codes if you want to purchase more from the partnered vendors.  In a $33 box, I received over $70 worth of items, making this a phenomenal value!

Disclaimer: I received one Sapphire Soul Mindful + Mystic box free of charge in exchange for my review.  No additional compensation was provided.  All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

As you can see, I got a LOT of really nice stuff!  Honestly, I was BLOWN AWAY when I was unpacking my box.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but this much beautiful was far more than I could have anticipated.  What really impressed me was how on-theme everything was - I've looked into some boxes where about half the items were perfectly on point, but the rest seemed to be more like filler items.  For my Hamsa box, as you can see, just about everything had a Hamsa on it!  The other items, like the gemstones and the cleansing mist, fit nicely into the protection theme and can be used as supplemental items in related rituals.  The only thing that seemed a little out of place was the Earth Magic Oracle card, though stunningly my Wolf card actually suits me pretty well, as several times it has been suggested to me that the wolf is my spirit animal.  Certainly my puppy, who is basically me as a canine, seems to align with that possibility!

My favorite item in the box turned out to be the hilarious "Talk to the Hamsa" coffee mug, which I can already tell will get me through many long nights as I continue to pack my schedule.  The amulet and votive holders are very close second and third favorites.  One thing to note, however, is that not every box will contain the same items.  Sapphire Soul designates a little "pool" of items for each month's box, and subscribers receive a subset of those products.  For example, while I received hematite and malachite gems, another subscriber might have received smoky quartz and snowflake obsidian.  I received the oracle card, but others would receive a spirit animal gemstone.  I think this variation idea makes for a wonderful surprise, so your friends can't completely spoil your excitement if they happen to receive their box first!

Years ago, when I was still in school and religious studies (especially alternative and Asian religious) were my heavy focus, I spent a lot of my time getting in touch with my spirituality.  Over the years I have lost touch with so much of that, and when I returned to Cleveland, I made a promise to myself that I would find my spirituality again.  One thing I've wanted to do is create a household shrine for myself.  What better way to start than with my Hamsa items?  The first thing on my list is energy purification, to remove the negative energies that followed me from the past, and the items in this box are perfect for such purpose.  Not only was the box a wonderful surprise, but it is also a timely convenience, as if Sapphire Soul knew exactly what my soul needed!

Here's maybe the best thing about Sapphire Soul: the Mindful + Mystic box isn't their only product!  They have a wide range of boxes to suit any spiritual needs.  For crystal healing, try the Treasure Box.  Love essential oils and dreamy fragrance?  The Potions Box is your own personal apothecary.  If you like to wear your spirituality on your sleeve (or wrist or neck), the Adornments Box is for you.  There's even a Chakra Crate option, a series of seven boxes shipped one month at a time, to help cleanse and balance your chakras!

Perhaps better still!  Who doesn't love a good ol' discount code?!  I've got not only one, but THREE discount codes available for readers!  Hop over to Sapphire Soul and get your own Mindful + Mystic box sent right to your door, with a different theme every month, or give the gift of mindfulness to someone special in your life!  These boxes would make amazing gifts!

• FALL2015: Receive a FREE gemstone bullet necklace with any Original or Large Mindful + Mystic box (Retail $33). The code expires 10/25/15.
• 2016SHINE: Save 10% off any 6- or 12-month subscription for any box option! The code expires 10/25/2015.
• PINKSHAKTI: Receive FREE shipping on the special edition Pink Shakti Warrior Breast Cancer Box. Items in this box are created and customized specifically to show support for the fight against breast cancer, and to help lift up and inspire women who are currently going through breast cancer treatment or have won the fight. A portion of the proceeds from this box will be used to create additional boxes to give to women who are going through treatment and breast cancer charities.

How do you channel your inner mystic? How does spirituality play a role in your life? Which Sapphire Soul box is calling out to your heart?