I help busy women reconnect with their magic and recover from burnout using holistic nutrition, herb
The African Heritage Food Pyramid emphasizes the importance of eating a balanced and culturally diverse diet. Incorporating the foods and ingredients that have been traditionally consumed by African people promotes optimal health and wellness for those in the diaspora.
Fibroids, are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Symptoms may include heavy, painful periods and pelvic pain.
They can be challenging to diagnose and manage but with fibroid awareness, you can better understand how they affect your overall health.
For Black women and menstruating people there is a psycho-spiritual, emotional and ancestral element to the development.
We have lot's of resources to support you alongside your Medical practitioner to reduce symptoms related to Fibroids
* Statistics source: Society for Women's Health Research
EPISODE 3 - The Power of Menstruation with
Saran James-Vaughan is the Founder of Wellness By Saran, a full-service Holistic Wellness Education platform dedicated to Menstrual Health and a decolonized approach to well-being. By combining the latest evidence-based research on diet & nutrition, ancient alchemy tools and herbal medicine, Saran supports the journey of identifying the root cause of chronic illness, helping the body, mind and soul return to balance. Saran is also a Cultural Curator, Educator and Advocate, creating safe learning spaces for Afro-diasporic Youth at the intersection of wellness, art and culture.
In this episode Saran teaches us about menstrual wellness, how it impacts our energy, mood and daily lives and how we can harness the power of our own cycles.
Watch ๐บ YouTube
Listen ๐ Spotify, Apple, Google.
Link in profile โ๐ปโ๐ฝโ๐พโ๐ฟ
There has been lots of talk about deleting period tracking apps.
Here's why you might want to consider it.
๐Embody your Goddess energy by tapping into the power of your Menstrual Cycle. ๐
Youโre always on a journey to becoming the best version of yourself. The same is true for your bodyโs health.
Hormonal fluctuations during the monthly menstrual cycle have a significant impact on our body's responses. Did you know you can control how you treat your body during each phase of your menstrual cycle? ๐ค
This post is the perfect opportunity for you to learn how to align your cyclical phases and your diet. โจ
If you are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, tend toward seasonal allergies experience digestive issues or notice that you are more vulnerable to illnesses, this workshop is for you. Join me as we talk about all things Digestive health and creating healing strategies that work for you!
Your Menstrual cycle is more than just the 3-5 days of your period.
Let's get back to loving the beauty of our bodies and all it's capable of
We've had questions about Ezcema come up since we launched our "What's causing
your Acne" quiz.
Do you experience ezcema flares at different points during your menstrual cycle?
Remember, it's always a good idea to make note of when you experience changes in your body and create these connects between your hormones, and your cycle. We have tons of resources to get you started on your wellness journey.
Think about some of the emotions that come during your period. Often you will find that these are cyclical themes that occur throughout your lifetime. Is it recurring feelings of grief, anger, sadness? These emotional cycles are attached to thoughts you've probably repeated many times throughout your life. This can be your opportunity here to start to observe these feelings and begin reframing thoughts, retelling your story differently.
I suggest that you note the dreams you have and any recurring themes coming up because we often process many things that we experience in our waking lives
Do you experience vivid dreams and are curious about what they mean? Comment what you notice coming up for you.
Have you ever heard the term, shrinking violet?
This beautiful Springtime herb has been used to help relieve constipation and urinary tract infections. Its demulcent properties help bring moisture to the skin and soothe conditions like Ezcema.
Have you seen violets popping up near you?
What you eat ends up on your skin ๐
Food and nutrition is the foundation of hormone health and thus skin health. If you've ever noticed a breakout after a weekend of pizza and ice cream - then you're already clued in. (No shade, a little ice cream is good for the spirit) ๐
Hormonal birth control can also also disrupt your gut microbiome and change your skin.
Do you get acne during you menstrual cycle? Which phase? PMS? When you are bleeding? Pay *close* attention to WHEN it appears.
There may not always be a single cause for acne - take my quiz to uncover your potential root cause. ๐๐
It's time for PART TWO of the Menstrual Health Workshop hosted by the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities!
Anyone can join this free community event (even if you didn't participate in Part I)
Here's what's on the agenda:
๐ Choosing the right Menstrual Hygiene Products for you
๐ Traditional Menstrual Hygiene Practices for Hormone Balance
๐ Detoxing for Hormone Health
๐ Healing the Root: Womb Stories
Register in my bio or here: https://tinyurl.com/mtexwkwm
Spring is a time of growth. Stepping into new cycles and visualizing your expansion. Spring represents your ability to tap into your creative self. Vision and planning dictates the direction of growth, just like a plant extends it's leaves towards the sky. Spring can also feature growing pains and a sense of frustration if your vision doesn't match what is manifesting in front of you. Spring is the time for planning, while summer is the harvest - where the fruits of your spring labor are ready for enjoyment.
The four phases of the menstrual cycle and their corresponding seasons are:
โ๏ธ Winter - Menstrual
๐ฑ Spring - Follicular
๐ฅ Summer - Ovulation
๐ Autumn - Premenstrual
The Inner Seasons course is now available at a discounted price
Spring is the time of vision! Planning! Seedlings! Beginnings! Hope! New chapters!
What are you planning? What seeds are you planting? What do you hope to see grow and mature in the summer?
Serotonin & Estrogen.....What do you know about them? ๐
They key neurotransmitter Serotonin and hormone group Estrogen play a super important role in our health and mood. While it may be common to seek out how to "balance" these in the body, perhaps it's more important to first understand their cyclical fluctuations. ๐ธ
This upcoming THURSDAY.... I will be participating in the Women's Empowerment Event 2022: Black Women GLOW hosted by The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program.
This event will celebrate Afro-Caribbean Black (ACB) Womenโs Empowerment on the themes of Healing, Empowerment & Growth. The goal is to address the impact of anti-Black racism and its effects on Black Women while providing Hope through sharing resources, educational support, and guidance from Black women experts within our community.
We will be discussing:
๐ผDating & Relationships
๐ผAcademic & Career Advancement
๐ผMenstrual, Sexual & Reproduction Health Education & Myths
๐ผMental Health & Meditation
๐ผMedical Racism and Equality in Healthcare
๐ผSkin Care Tips
And the best part .....it's free! ๐ Read more details and sign up with the link in my bio.
When it comes to Fibroids, there is more than meets the eye.
Many unseen factors contribute to the development of Fibroids. I work with several clients with Fibroids and wanted to share some of the common connections I've observed along the way.
A combination of medical and holistic treatment may help you manage symptoms, heal, and work through root causes of disease.
๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ก:
๐ NSAIDS
๐ Tranexamic Acid (reduce menstrual bleeding)
Hormonal Contraceptives
๐ GnRH receptor Antagonist (regulates Estrogen & Progesterone)
๐ Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic myomectomy)
๐ Open Surgical Procedures (Myomectomy, Hystorectomy)
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ก:
๐พDiet & Nutrition Counselling
๐พPlant/Herbal Medicine
๐พSpiritual Practice
๐พCircle of Support
๐พTherapy
๐พMovement & Exercise
Connect with us in our Menstrual Health & Wellness community chat for more discussions on Menstrual Health. https://tinyurl.com/5n86h49a
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month ๐
Take time to listen to the real, lived stories and experiences of folks living with Endometriosis. Use the hashtags below to explore.
Join me in my upcoming Menstrual Health Workshop hosted by the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities!
You will learn:
๐ Is my cycle different from normal?
๐ Destigmatizing Menstruation
๐ Decolonizing Menstruation with Traditional Wisdom
๐ Menstrual Health outcomes in Afro-Diasporic Communities
....and its completely free! Sign up today ๐
**es
Seasons and ceremonies ๐ธ Wishing you gratitude and peace today and every day.
Some simple reminders for embracing the season of winter. Spring may be on the way, but it has yet to arrive. Keep conserving your energy ๐ธ
Pain is one of our greatest teachers because it calls attention to something that is out of balance in our bodyโs.
Pain related to the menstrual cycle from a purely physiological standpoint, is often due to inflammation, reduced circulation and low tone in the pelvic muscles. Psycho spiritually, menstrual cramps indicates that weโve been pushing hard in the three weeks prior to menstruation. It also reveals the wounds and unexpressed emotions and represents an invitation to honour and meet or shadow selves.
Herbal medicine for pain, supports the physiology by reducing inflammation and improving circulation but also invites an openness to releasing and processing challenging emotions. They promote flow and gently support you as you work through the root of your pain.
Do you have a favorite herb for menstrual pain?
If I asked you if you could remember what your mother or grandmother did when you came down with a cold, would you remember? I have vivid memories of Fever grass tea, tepid baths, and plenty of attention and care.
How do we preserve the wisdom in traditional healing as we explore how science has innovated to create longevity?
In this blog post I explore the intersection of accessibility in health and relevant, culturally appropriate resources. How can Web3 tooling empower health practitioners AND meet real-time needs of community members?
What if we could provide real-time access to traditional medicine practitioners, address food insecurity and access some of the innovations in Biohacking while creating economic incentives for community members?
Read more in my blog ๐๏ธโ๐จ๏ธ
Have you heard of mindful eating? ๐
It is the practice of bringing awareness to the eating experience through engaging our senses.
Mindful eating refers to the act or of being completely present when your eating. We're often distracted when we eat; we might be looking at our phones, watching TV, working on something and not really paying attention to what we are putting into our mouth.
Mindful eating brings the joy back into food and also improves digestion. It also allows you to develop a relationship with food that is highly intuitive. You'll be more conscious of what foods are right for you and what's not by merely observing how your body responds.
What are your experiences with mindful eating?
Do you track your period?
There are so many benefits to tracking your cycle.
1. You can observe patterns and make predictions. When you know when your period is going to arrive you can plan accordingly. During ovulation it might be better to plan more outward/energetic activities or travel. During menstruation it might be best to block off your schedule and carve out rest.
2. If something changes, you'll be the first to know. We are so busy...so, so busy. Tracking illuminates even subtle changes so that you adjust your lifestyle, diet, exercise, medicine or alert your healthcare provider.
3. Tracking is a must if you have cycle goals. Whether you're looking to reduce PMS or time your ovulation, you should keep track of all your signs and symptoms! When you have menstrual cycle goals, sometimes it can take 3-6 month to experience significant changes. That is a lot of data ! Keep it all in one place so you can see the big picture.
Which period tracker method do you use? If it's an app, drop it below. ๐
Here at Wellness by Saran we have been having a lot of conversation about community. We believe that community is a cornerstone of wellness. When it comes to evaluating mental health, emotional health, do you consider your "community health?"
Examine your relationship to community. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
You are likely involved multiple communities with varying interests. Maybe you're in an herbal circle, or dog park group, or parent of a school age child.
We have been looking very closely at digital communities. Do you connect with people from across the world on social platform? Do you idly consume their "lifestyle" portrayed on Instragram? Do you wander into digital spaces and make new friends? Are you in Discord communities? Twitter spaces? Where are you???
We'd love to hear where your digital community hangs out and what keeps you stitched together.
Join me at the WE Ignite Virtual conference!
I will be presenting on Friday the 11th on A Holistic Approach to Stress Management.
Stress has been at an all-time high since the start of the global pandemic leading to an increase in Mental Health issues and other stress-induced illnesses. Learn practical tools and strategies for managing burnout including diet, nutrition, distress tolerance techniques and how creating routines you can stick to will optimize your wellness.
A ticket to the conference also gets you access to several other speakers and events. See you there!
๐๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก. ๐ ๐ฅ
Inner Seasons is a four week course designed to give you all the tools you need to understand and manage your period. We are now offering it to you at a lowered price of $444 for the whole course.
Online learning is go at your own pace. Journey throw the seasons and your menstrual phases with curiosity and guidance. If you want to learn more about the course and who it's help - link in bio ๐
Join us on Monday for the ACMP Mental Health Month ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐: ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก workshop!
Featuring myself and Meghan Stewart !
This workshop is available in both English and French.
This is a FREE event. Please register for your tickets at www.weareacmp.com
See you there ๐
Something to warm you up....
If you're like me, you probably love the warmth and vibrance of the summer months. As someone who lived in a tropical climate for half of my life, I can reflect on how this season invites us all to witness the beauty of creation. This is when we are in the fullest expression of ourselves.
An example of this in nature is the flower with all its beautiful parts on full display for us to see. Now: we are like the flower. Magnetic and attracting the attention of those who can appreciate our beauty's outward expression. This external expression is magnifying the internal work we've in the winter and the action we've taken in the Spring.
Estrogen and Serotonin are at their peak, and we feel on top of the world. So, if you imagine a wave, you are at the pinnacle of that wave. We can support others and begin to embody the energy of the mother archetype.
You are invited to explore what it feels like to share your gifts. The energy here is creative and biologically speaking, our bodies are primed to conceive. The act of conception itself is not an active one. We are in an entirely receptive space; the egg simply waits for that potential energy to spark the physical manifestation of new life.
You've done that active work, and now you can take a pause at ovulation time to allow for the divine to work, for the universe to do its magic. You are currently in place of Co-creating with the universe.
Lovely artwork by .en.lion
ใ๏ปฟ๏ผฅ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ
๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝใ๏ผฉ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝใ
We all have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around us. I believe that at the root of what ails us, is the need for balance between the spotlight on our personal health and wellness and our collective wellness.
This year Iโve selected a phrase instead of a word to anchor my actions for the year ahead. Iโm so grateful for all the learning and support received in 2021. Iโve been reminded of the importance of deep and compassionate listening. Essential Impact moves intention into action on the most crucial issues faced as a collective.
Iโd be so grateful to have you come along on this journey to playing a more active role in your own well- being and for those who need support most.
We will be sharing more on what our active participation will look like in the coming weeks. More details to come on innovative new ways to support the Menstrual Health Programme.
Let me know in the comments what initiatives are of most interest to you!!
๐ in bio to view programmes, courses and to join our community๐โจ
The archetypical energy associated with Winter is that of the crone, the wise old woman, or the philosopher, so think if you will, about someone in your family, a grandparent or a wise one that you look up to or even characters in stories and mythology. The crone's wisdom comes from going through a full life cycle and learning life seasons along the way.
We have the opportunity to recognize what really matters because when everything is shed, we realize that we all come to a point in our lives when we make peace with the death process.
Winter is not an active energy... Gestation is a quiet, subtle activity, with a lot happening beneath the surface while everything above is serene and calm.
Some say that the veil between the physical and spiritual world is thin during menstruation, so the crone is close to the spirit world. She straddles this liminal space between worlds and divines messages from the spirit realm in the form of visions and dreams.
Here we can observe Winter's paradox- The death and peaceful clarifying energy of the crone and the potential new life that gestates beneath the surface. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with your ancestors and honour the life/death/life cycles of living on this planet.
Artwork by .en.lion
Ready for another reset? ๐ฅ
I'm running a 10 day New Year Wellness Reset. This reset was specially designed based on feedback from the sugar detox challenge! If you are looking for a short term commitment to yourself with the support of community....this is an excellent start.
Even if you're not into the "New year, new me" hype.... we encourage community-centric shifts towards healing in ways feel best for YOU. The challenge will take place in Geneva (a chatting app similar to Slack.)
It helps to not be alone when you're making changes. ๐
If you're ready for a shift - DM me to learn more ๐ฌ
Wellness By Saran is taking a winter break..... and we hope you are too!
We wanted to lead by example. Wellness folks alike all understand the importance of rest, rest, rest....but it can be a challenge to actually DO IT!
If you feel called to take a break from social media this holiday season we are right there with you.
We will be resting and replenishing our reserves in order to bring you some ** really exciting ** things in 2022.
Until then....be safe, happy, healthy, warm, and well.
How do you conserve and nourish your energy?
How do you settle and move energy inward when it's time to nourish?
Personally, I give myself full permission to just lay in the bed and rest, and I'm grateful I have the freedom to do this because I am self-employed. I can schedule my time in a way that allows me to do that.
If you aren't able to do that... see where you can make minor adjustments. I.e. not scheduling big meetings on day 1 of your menstrual flow. I can promise you that once you come into alignment with your cycle, your life will start to change to allow for this time of rest and restoration.
You may not have a full day, but plan ahead and take a few hours for yourself, especially those first 2 days of bleeding. Take this time to sign off from socials; it's a really great time to do a digital detox. To reduce any kind of extra stimulation that you might not need when you are feeling quite sensitive.
How do you conserve energy?
Artwork by
When was the last time you looked to an Alternative Health Practitioner to help support your well-being and healing journey and what was the experience like? Many of our modern ailments have ancient remedies. We can choose to understand that we are not separate from the natural world but a part of the ecosystem. The complexity of the human body is reflected in nature and many traditional medicine practices look at the person as a whole to understand the imbalances that create disease.
Colonization has led to us vilifying our traditions and cultural practices that promote our well-being. We view the body as a machine with parts that periodically need fixing or even replacing. It is important that we do the necessary work of unpacking our understanding of what it means to be well. How we choose our care team, particularly for those of us in the Afro-diasporic community is of critical importance.
Letโs amplify this post to bring awareness to alternative health, traditional medicine and spiritual practitioners, many of who are shadowbanned or simply do not show up in your feeds due to discriminatory algorithms. Tag your favourites in the comments and share in your stories๐โจ
a few of my favourites
๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ก๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฅ๐.
The online course focuses on recommitting to living well and transforming your health by tapping into the power of your menstrual cycle. We use the four seasons to map your menstrual cycle and heal with holistic nutrition, herbal medicine, alignment with the moon, and explore archetypal energy for personal expansion. Share this with a friend who might need help with their menstrual cycles ๐
Winter is a time of settling, the energy moves downward and inward as the world lays dormant and still. Winter is for gathering silence and rest. Winter represents a deeply internal time. It contrasts greatly with the vibrant, lively energy of summer. Are you comfortable sitting with the stillness?
The four phases of the menstrual cycle and their corresponding seasons are:
โ๏ธ Winter - Menstrual
๐ฑ Spring - Follicular
๐ฅ Summer - Ovulation
๐ Autumn - Premenstrual
What phase are you in now? โค
When you think about your 1st menstrual cycle what comes to mind?
You might be scrolling....but I like to do an exercise with you. ๐
I invite you to take a moment; take a deep breath if you're sitting down, plant your feet on the ground and feel the Earth rising to meet the soles of your feet. Imagine that there are roots anchoring growing from the bottom of your feet and anchoring you. Take a deep breath. I invite you to go back to that 1st period.
Can you remember what you were experiencing? Seeing? Smelling? Hearing?
Do you remember feeling any inclination that something was about to start what was going on in your home environment?
How did you feel when you first saw it?
Did you tell anyone?
What were some of the emotions that came up?
Did you experience cramps or heavy bleeding?
Menarche is a rite of passage and also an initiation. It sets the tone for your relationship with your future cycles and your body. Do you feel any connection with your me**es now and then? If so, where do you feel it in your body, are there associated emotions?
Thank you for taking this journey with me ๐ If something came up that feels important I definitely recommend you write down your reflections. ๐ Feel free to share them in the comments!
Artwork by
Markham, ON
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