Our relationship with Wellness in the Schools (WITS) has given back to us in so many beautiful ways—including getting to know Shani Porter, chef liaison for WITS, as well as a personal chef and mom of two. Below, what receiving the Sakara Scholarship, and nourishing with Sakara for four weeks, meant to her, in her own words.
Her Pre-Sakara Well-Being Rituals
Before I had my son, I was pretty active. Then, once you have kids, life just slows you down. Your priority is your children, and it's not you. But during the pandemic, I was able to take my time at home and focus on myself. I worked out every single day and I lost 20 pounds. I was also able to be really present and to cook for myself and my family, which is not what I normally do because I’m always cooking for other people. That really helped a lot.
Then, the world opened back up and, once again, I just didn’t prioritize myself. I was so happy to be back out into the world and working and helping other people that I totally neglected me. I was feeling sad. I was feeling tired because I knew that I was not taking the time off for myself. I just felt defeated at one point. I couldn't—as much as I tried to get back on schedule and get back on track—I just couldn't do it. There was always something.
Receiving The Sakara Scholarship
I said to myself, “I don't have the time to cook for myself and I need to find something that will help.” And that's when I was like, wait a minute, Wellness in the Schools and Sakara have this partnership. Let me see if I can try to get this 30-Day Reset Scholarship to really help me push myself to not only get healthier, but also to reach my fitness goals.
I got the scholarship, and it was a great jumpstart for me. I definitely prioritized my eating, myself, and just being able to have time for other things.
The First Sakara Delivery
When I opened that first box of Sakara, it was a relief. You know how [when] you meditate and you center yourself and you close your eyes and take that deep, cleansing breath? That's exactly what it felt like when I opened that box. I was like, “Okay, now I feel like this is a start.” I feel like I committed to something that I was going to see through and I just felt happy.
I know that [with Sakara] I'm going to have clarity and my mind is going to be very focused throughout the day. Knowing that I'm eating something healthy—and that I'm going to have a healthy breakfast, a healthy lunch, and a healthy dinner—it just helps me get through my day. That's one less thing that I have to think about.
Having my nutrition taken care of is the best thing ever because I am constantly cooking for other people. That’s my profession. That’s what I do. It's very rare that people cook for me, so having it done for me is the best feeling ever. I can take a deep breath and I feel like I can get through my list of things that have to be done for the rest of the day because I've already taken care of myself. I prioritized myself.
Realizations and Rituals
When I'm nourishing myself, I feel like I'm adding years to my life. I want to be around for my kids. I want to be able to see them get older and get married, and I want to be a grandma. So, knowing that I'm adding years on to my life, every time I make that healthy choice, that really pushes me.
I was giving so much of myself to everyone else that I didn't realize that the only way that I could continue to do that was by taking care of me first. If I don't take care of myself, I'm hurting myself. My body, my mind. I’ve learned that it's okay to be selfish with yourself—especially if you want to continue to give to others.
Doing It All, Too? Here’s Shani’s Advice
If you are having a hard time making that first step to prioritizing you, to putting yourself first, to being a little selfish? Do it. I don't regret making that decision for me, because no one else could have. If I want to see change, I have to want that change. You're going to have to want that change—and it's okay to take that leap and put yourself first.
Sakara is and has been a gateway for me to prioritize me. Sakara made me realize that I can't be the best me if I don't take care of myself first.
Listen to Shani's Sakara Story here:
