Meet Amelia Steed

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Steed.

Hi Amelia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The vision for Lotus Lane was inspired over 16 years ago in 2004 after spending several years working simultaneously as a Supervisor in the Federal Government and as an Esthetician and Nail Tech in numerous spas throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. I have always been a firm believer of multiple streams of income so it was not uncommon for me to always have a side gig while holding down and succeeding at my day job!

While working in high-end salons and spas throughout the DC area I was able to see firsthand the stress women encounter in managing both work and home. The spa for many was considered a luxury and while my clients understood the importance of taking time for self-care, those whom I knew truly needed a moment of solitude and care were not availing themselves to this healing modality. My clients did not reflect a diverse cultural or economic demographic yet I knew from my own personal balancing act that women of color in particular who are at a higher risk of suffering from stress-induced medical conditions were in need of the services offered.

The vision was drafted in 2004, however, in 2005 after I married, the written draft sat dormant in my files until my health forced me to embark on my own wellness journey. I have battled health issues since the age of five when I was diagnosed with an unknown condition that was later named Hodgkins Disease. Black and blue bruise marks would appear on my body without warning and without any known cause. Continued battles with weight gain culminated in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as a young woman. The stress of professional achievement and an unhealthy marriage further exasperated this condition and I struggled with infertility, excessive weight gain, and hair loss. I divorced in 2012 and relocated to North Carolina where my mind, body and spirit found peace, however in 2014 I was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer and at the age of 39 was forced to decide between saving my life by removing my womb or risk the unknown in order to fulfill my desire to birth children. I chose my life and it led to numerous surgeries, procedures and treatments both traditional and holistic. But it also led to my own personal Lotus Lane of discovering who I am and my purpose.

Following my cancer diagnosis, I immediately returned to a plant-based diet to help my body heal and once well, I made the decision to fulfill a lifetime goal and attend culinary school. I attended the Natural Gourmet Institute (NGI) in New York traveling every weekend from NC to NY for over a year. NGI, now part of the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), focuses on health-supportive cuisine training Chefs to be at the forefront of plant-based, vegan and vegetarian cuisine. After completion, I relaunched my catering company in NC, Amelia Irene Catering and Events (www.ameliairene.com) which now focuses solely on plant-based, vegan and vegetarian cuisine for intimate affairs and small weddings. The pandemic effectively. shut down all catering services which forced me to pivot and focus on virtual wellness workshops and culinary classes. I began teaching donation-based culinary classes via zoom on a weekly basis which led to the creation of my curated spice blend line.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road but that is what makes it worth it in the end. The name Lotus Lane is symbolic of the journey of the lotus flower rooted in mud and murky water its stalk is constantly reaching for the light and as it travels through the dark uncertainty of murky water it ultimately reaches the top where it blooms. That journey or “lane” is the same path we must take to discover our own wellness journey because it is not one size fits all. You must discover what works for you to live an authentic whole life mind, body and spirit. Illness came in many forms (PCOS, Cancer, Thyroid Issues), divorce happened, a pandemic and other challenges, however in every loss I experienced I discovered a treasure. I learned something about myself and what worked for me. I learned to trust my intuition and to heal and grow at my own pace. In addition, I also gained tools that helped me heal! Culinary school led to an Ayurveda training program, visiting a holistic doctor while there in Brooklyn led to my daily meditation practice, a yoga class led to African Kemetic Yoga teacher training in Egypt. Everything has a purpose and will lead to unlimited blessings and abundance which is on of the affirmations that guide my business. There are definitely miracles in our muddy places if we take the time to learn from them and are resilient enough to grow.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a native of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and relocated to North Carolina over ten years ago. I have a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Coppin State University and a Master’s Degree in Management with a concentration in Health Administration from the University of Maryland. Despite a successful Federal Government career that now spans over 27 years in Congressional Affairs, Public Relations and IT Portfolio Management I always had the desire to pursue my passion of health and wellness. As a trained Chef, Esthetician and Ayurveda Specialist. and certified African Kemetic Yoga Instructor, I am able to combine these skills and years of knowledge to educate others on health and wellbeing. My culinary focus is plant-based cuisine and my food is always a fusion. of global influences with a Southern twist! I am a firm believer in food as medicine and intuitive healing through food, movement, our senses, herbal therapy and meditation.

As such, I founded both Lotus Lane Culinary and Amelia Irene Catering and Event Design. Both businesses enable me to share health-supportive cuisine when life’s journey requires retreat and healing as well as celebration. My mission is that my culinary gifts bring vibrant life and healing to all who partake in. it. I am most proud of that mission and my goal of ensuring everyone has access to healthy food and lifestyle options that enables them to live a vibrant life. My free/donation-based classes and serving as a vendor in local markets, in particular, the Black Farmers Market in Durham and Raleigh have also been my greatest joys. When I receive feedback that something I taught or prepared changed someone’s perception on eating plant-based or their health overall it warms my heart and confirms I am fulfilling my purpose.

What does success mean to you?
Success is knowing that I did everything within my power to complete my purpose and to do it with integrity. I have lost many things in my life material possessions, loved ones, even parts of my body due to illness. In that loss, the greatest lesson I have learned is that health is true wealth. When the doctor sat across from me and informed me I had cancer, nothing I had achieved or acquired mattered in that moment. I simply wanted to LIVE! From that moment forward everyday matters and I was determined to live each day on purpose and to live my life unapologetically and authentically me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lotuslaneculinary.com; www.ameliairene.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chefameliairene; www.instagram.com/lotuslaneculinary
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/chefameliairene
• Twitter: @ameliairene

Image Credits
Kiara Harris Photography Raquez Rouse Photography Arie Gold Photography Svetla Prat Photography