Embrace The Rainbow…Live with Intention (Integrative Wellness Piece from Ilene Webster)

Embrace The Rainbow…Live with Intention. By my colleague Ms. Webster

(Mardy's note -- This piece embraces the aspects of integrative medicine so it appears in all the forums related to body, mind, spirit approach to wellness it discusses.)

I am….the food I eat, the water I drink, the air I breathe, the thoughts I think, the way I move, the sounds I hear, the words I speak, the emotions I feel, the energy I generate AND the creatures with whom I surround myself. This rainbow of factors comprises Life Experience, permeating Body, Mind and Spirit.

Health is a CHOICE — a foreign concept prior to my “wake-up call” in the early 90’s. Until then, I didn’t listen to my Mind, my Body OR my Spirit. The frenzy of single parenthood and working in a challenging, male-dominated industry took center stage. My priorities were skewed. The treadmill lifestyle controlled my life, compromised my self-esteem and, eventually, sacrificed my physical, mental and emotional health.

Disabling symptoms left me recumbent 18 hours a day. Diagnosed with FM/CFS, an auto-immune disorder, I learned precursors were poor diet and STRESS. I heard “There is no cure. All we can do is treat symptoms.” Root causes went unexplored with no mention of DIET or the mind/body connection.

“How is your spiritual life?” asked an Integrative Internist six years later. A Harvard-trained MD, this man honored Mother Earth. He led a sustainable lifestyle, even raised his own cattle. He walked the walk and changed my life forever:

“Irene, due to STRESS and all the meds you’ve been taking, your immune system is seriously compromised. Drugs will not cure you; vitamins can’t! The only way to strengthen your immune system is: EAT whole foods – fruits and vegetables of all colors and whole grains; Exercise (whatever you can do every day); Reduce Stress; Nurture your mind with laughter; Hydrate with pure water; Reconnect with others and with the Earth and Meditate.”

Recognizing I Am What I Eat, I became intentional about eating more fruits and vegetables. I eliminated most processed food. After many months, with the help of a support group and a nutritionist – I gave up pizza, cookies and hoagies.

Sometime later, I awakened to a clear, sun-drenched morning — the Sunday after 911. I looked out the window and it hit me, “I am very fortunate. My family is alive and safe and I have been feeling better. I am not taking as many drugs for the joint pain.” At that moment I realized my illness was a blessing in disguise. I had reset my priorities, becoming Intentional about life. At the end of that year, thanks to a healthful diet, I eliminated ALL synthetic vitamins and pain meds.

By 2006, encouraged by a doctor who asked for literature about my food program, so he could “share this success with other patients”, I was inspired to help others take control of their health. With a holistic approach and Intention on disease PREVENTION, I now share my experience, presenting Wine and Wellness events and providing health education programs which empower people to embark on the journey.

A graduate student in Holistic Spirituality/Healthcare, I feel blessed to be helping people with their Longevity. As Hippocrates said, “Internal forces have the power to heal. Let food be your medicine; let medicine be your food.” As a community, let us set the intention to Live Well.