Bloom Institute of Holistic Living & Learning

12/24/2025

Essential in my home and clinic apothecaries for dealing with bacterial infections.

70% alcohol extract, chop, let steep for two weeks then strain.

Tastes like the forest.

12/03/2025

Drop in delayed until 1 pm today.
I'm waiting for the weather to shift before driving to the city.

Drop in December 3, 10 & 17, then closed until January 7

When you purchase herbs at drop in, your name will be entered into a draw for a herbal holiday gift basket.

I am collecting items for the Parker St. food bank.

11/25/2025

Herbs blend well with creativity!

Level 2 students presented their fall semester plant projects; whether through song, dance or spearmint chocolate chip cookies, herbal knowledge and celebration came in many forms.

Holistic Immune Health was the focus in our November herb classes. I always love sharing this material — it’s incredible to discover how much our immune systems do to keep us in balance.

This helps us know when and how to work with “immune herbs,” so we can support the body in a way that feels collaborative rather than reactive.

A central theme in our conversations was the importance of informed, empowered self-care. Our healthcare system has its challenges, our day-to-day wellbeing truly starts with us — with the small, consistent choices we make and the supportive communities we build around ourselves.

And I’m honoured to offer the Bloom Institute as one such supportive community — a place to explore holistic herbal care together.

11/20/2025

Student-lead herbal clinic -
Opening Friday, 2:40 pm
In person or online, $25

Register via the Bloom website.

11/11/2025

I sometimes take my basic stability for granted.

Even amidst peri-menopausal mood swings and a turbulent society, I don’t lean too far off centre, or if I do, I am able to regain my balance.

I have two wise old teachers who nurtured this ability, from a young age, they are the Ocean and Nature.

I am eternally grateful for their presence at my doorstep, and their ongoing guidance and reminders of the natural rhythms of life.

Ocean tides tell us that change is inevitable, and occurs several times a day. It keeps harmony through consistency.

Nature reminds us, through the seasons and the life cycles of plants, that large scale change is natural. There is a greater balance within the flux.

The word stability comes from the Latin stabilitas, which means firmness, steadfastness, or security.

My stabilizing force is a connection to my Soul and Life Purpose. It permits me to surrender to change, welcome it; I ebb, flow and grow.

These teachers are available to all of us; they only ask that we slow down and observe.

💚🌱🩵🌊

11/10/2025

Did you get your ticket yet?
The Canadian Herb Conference is this week, Nov. 13-16, online.

Connect with the Canadian herbal community and expand your knowledge of herbal medicine thanks with an incredible lineup of teachers.

Code for a discount: Bloom25

See you there!

🌿 The herbal community is gathering! 🌿

We’re thrilled to share that 35 teachers + panelists are already confirmed for the Canadian Herb Conference 2025 ✨ with even more still to come.

This year’s theme, Diverse Minds, Common Ground, dives into how herbalism supports the brilliance of neurodiversity and the full spectrum of nervous system health.

Here’s what you can look forward to:
📚 40+ in-depth workshops & panels
🌱 20–40 CE Hours (continuing education)
💬 Live chat + global herbal networking
🌿 The Mycelial Marketplace

📅 November 13–16, 2025 | Online
🎟 Tickets are on sale now → https://herbconference.com/tickets/

11/07/2025

What better place to contemplate the cycles of life-death-rebirth than the garden!

10/27/2025

Bloom launched into a new year of herbal study in September.
I am delighted to welcome students to levels 1-4 holistic herbal wellness programs. 💚

We've met twice in Halifax, Blue Forest and online.
So far we've met many local plants, walked through forests and vacant lots, made tinctures, syrups, glycerites, juices and liniments.

We've dug roots, peeled bark, tasted hips and haws directly from the branch. We've plucked seeds from their nest and learned about poisonous look-a-likes. Giant old birch and apple trees have cradled us through dream journeys.

We've determined our Ayurvedic doshas and are all set to relate to herbs and health through the lens of energetics, and our taste buds. Withania milky tea is now a staple in the fall diet.

We've made new friends and shared common ground, which is our love of plants and quest for holistic wellness. 💚

"Dear Savayda, The long drive back gives the advantage of having time to reflect on the amazing day that was. Thank you so much. The energy of Blue Forest and having the possibility to spend time there is a gift. The strong smell of pine and sweet forest from our walk stayed with me and this morning, gray and rainy, still has me longing for more time in the woods. It has only been two classes and already I feel I'm learning so much, a whole world is quietly opening and inviting me in. I really enjoyed my nightly ritual of ashwagandha withania decoction. I'm not sure it helped me sleep, maybe in the first week or two, but I felt (still feel) more grounded for sure. I look forward to adding rituals with aromatherapy and routines to keep in balance my strong vata tendencies... haha. I'm also discovering my little backyard has more treasures than expected." ML

10/27/2025

10/23/2025

This will be a great herbal learning opportunity and occasion to connect with the Canadian herbal community.

I'm presenting a video tour of my home and herbal retreat centre, Blue Forest Shores.

Receive a discount by using coupon code: bloom25

10/21/2025

Student-lead clinic openings this week:
Thursday 1 pm & Friday 4:20 pm
$25, in person or online

Register via the Bloom Institute clinic page, link in comments.