For years I tended to a natural-based life.  I often created my hair products from foods and herbs.  My lotions contained minimal ingredients.  Or, I mixed herbs and oils.  At 19 I did the big-chop removing every strand of chemically-processed hair.  And I usually handled problems with prayer, community support, and journaling.  I rarely used conventional medicine; only relenting for menstrual pain.

In August 2017 my ob-gyn re-diagnosed me with fibroids and a right ovarian cyst.  I'd lived pain-free for six years following a myomectomy in 2011.  But to advance my career, I neglected myself with months of ...

• ignoring aches and pains 

• neglecting my spiritual life 

• pushing exercise off to study

• eating crappy food, when I did eat

• neglecting self-care and stress management 

• suppressing the desire to eat so I could study 

• not asking for help to manage my grandmother's care until the last minute

That level of stress pushed my body into an irregular period pattern, similar to the one I'd experienced in medical school where I had my period for 22 days.  My period came back a few days after ending.  And at night the headaches and neck-pain kept me from restful sleep.

(By the way, the homeopathic remedy Sabina 200C stopped the 22-day bleed and re-energized me.  Two days after taking the five pellets I flew to Jamaica for a week-long internship - despite having been discharged from the hospital because of the abnormal bleeding earlier that same week.  And being too weak to climb the two flights of stairs to my place when I returned home from the hospital - by myself.)

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I felt so dejected when I left her office - I'd failed myself.  Because I feared failure, I wouldn't get a massage, take adequate breaks, exercise, or stop to prepare healthy foods while studying for my board exams.  

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I did pass my board exams in August.  But the latest ultrasound in October revealed more fibroids.  By February 2018 they'd grown another 4 cm - up to the size of a grapefruit.

Neglecting the foundations of health and well-being (you reap what you sow) created the soil for tumors and cysts to grow. 

So, I started from the beginning and returned to my roots of natural living in order to heal.  But this time around, I also made mindset changes, lifestyle shifts, and spiritual renovations.

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I used to...

• stay home on the first three days of my period from the pain and weakness

• bleed through my skirts and dresses

• fall asleep with a heating pad on my abdomen

• struggle with exhaustion from the anemia

• exist on Excedrin or Aleve and Tylenol

• faint or have dizzy spells (with the requisite ER visit)

• avoid yoga or barre for fear of falling during a pose because I was so weak

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Although I'm still healing, I've overcome those symptoms. And I've stopped the growth of the fibroids with natural medicine and lifestyle choices.  Now I'm working to shrink them. 

But that's all possible because I learned from my first mistake - don't take myself for granted.  Plus, healing is a comprehensive body, mind, and soul process.  Not a diet or a slew of nutraceuticals alone.

Personal

I love mac & cheese!  The gluten-free one I made rivals my grandmother's (No lie!  My dad agrees.  No, he's not biased). 

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I also love tiny homes, Chicago steppin', and art journaling. 

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I have one fake tooth because the original was knocked out by a man running from the police while stealing a huge television.  He ran into me.  Then he got caught by the cops.  

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I grew up in a Christian home as a pastor's kid and received the Acts 2:38 biblical experience at the age of seven.  As a result, I've grown to enjoy my relationship with Jesus Christ and feel it's a partnership and not a dictatorship where I try to make him happy by fleeing sin at every twist and turn.  I don't mind living the way he thinks best.  

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I believe in physical, mental, and emotional healing by a natural and spiritual approach.  That underlying belief drives all the things I do.  I'm a woman learning to use her God-given power to overcome every obstacle.  I believe that God promised it and I want as much of those promises as I can get.  I'm kinda greedy like that.

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My Super Powers

Clients and friends tell me...​

• They feel safe 

• I'm optimistic

• I'm easy to talk to 

• They feel I can relate

• I simplify complicated topics

• They're encouraged to keep going

• They feel good about themselves

• I'm not shocked by people's "failures" 

• They gain clarity from our conversations

• They end up sharing more than they expected 

This means when we work together you can expect more than a structured, personalized treatment plan.  You can feel safe to be yourself and have your needs met both professionally and personally.

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Thank you for visiting!

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Sign up for the weekly-ish newsletter.  Isn't it time to learn lots of practical things you can do right now to start working on fixing your period problems today?

I also offer naturopathic medicine consultations online to improve your health dramatically once the root cause has been established and brought out into the light.

Feel free to poke around and check out the blog and any other written material.  If you read something that resonates with you or triggers you, let me know.  I'm here for conversation and whether we agree or not, I'd enjoy hearing from you. 

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Most importantly, I hope that you leave here feeling inspired and empowered, maybe even a little challenged.  Whatever you feel, I hope it guides you to examine your life and see what you can do with the power you have.   

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Education

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• Spelman College: B.A., English/Pre-Med - 2000

• Cambridge College: M.Ed, Education - 2006

• Institute of Integrative Nutrition: CHHC, Holistic Health Coach - 2007

• University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine: N.D., Naturopathic Doctoral

Program - 2015

Licensure

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• Licensed as a Naturopathic Doctor in Washington, D.C.

• License no: NP-0074

• April 2018 - Present

• NPI: 1841773843