As a mother of six children, I have never used health insurance.

And, except as a requirement for college admission/loans, neither have my children. My health insurance premiums are best described as investing in my own holistic education and paying for the expert services of authentic healers ranging from Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Shamans, Naturopathic doctors, yogis, body-workers and learning how to prepare the healthiest possible food & thoughts for body and mind.

Self care is not only being prepared when crisis arises but also taking ongoing actions toward self empowerment. Our bodies are designed to function within a natural balance of work vs. rest, proper nutrition, exercise, emotional and mental awareness, etc. This health insurance crisis is a sign that it’s time to wake up and start investing heavily into our own health assurance. This task isn’t nearly as daunting as the pharmaceutical and HMO’s would like you to believe.

Clean water, fresh air, whole foods, rest, play, relaxation…. is that so difficult? So many of our health issues can be resolved with drinking enough water and refraining from the consumption of sugar, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods/additives, preservatives and other chemicals that strip nutrients and minerals which our bodies need to be healthy. Now is the time to wake up by rallying Dream Teams of support for our health.  The traditional voices of authority are not going to help.

Heck, the FDA food pyramid still supports bread/grain/pasta as the largest section of food consumption. Keep in mind, these guidelines dictate what our school kids are taught, what they eat, what our military eats, and on a larger scale, what the food manufacturers pump out of their factories, which they aggressively advertise as “good for us.”

Here are a few basic guidelines from Embodydream’s Food Pyramid to ASSURE your Health & Wellness and my book “Four Alignments of Self Care”.

In the EmBodydream™ Food Pyramid, the outer ring represents the primary foods in your life. The pyramid itself represents our nutritional needs or secondary foods. Your Spiritual, Relationships, Physical & Career are most important. Included in this pyramid are the Four Alignments (Presence, Gratitude, Creativity & Grace) as well as the four seasons signifying qualities of what supports our integrity & cyclical nature. This pyramid is a holistic structure which is all-inclusive & what is indicative for optimal Self Care. Click here for the full article.

• Water: At least your bodyweight in ounces/day If you drink coffee, enjoy salt and sugar, increase water intake.

• Daily exercise.

• Learn if you are lactose, gluten or nut intolerant.

• Complex Carbohydrates which includes Vegetables & Starches such as potatoes, squash & whole grain

• Vegetables: Abundant amounts of local, organic veggies raw or cooked. The mainstay of ones diet is best as a plant-based diet!

• Fruits: Local & organic instead of sugary foods

• Good oils: cold pressed olive oil, coconut oil, fish oil, hemp seed and flax oils

•Fats: nuts, seeds, (If you want dairy, try goat or sheep milk products)

•Protein: Grass fed, organic, wild meats/fish/poultry (Buffalo,goat, lamb, haddock, salmon, cod, antelope, elk, venison, etc) red meat only 1-2/bimonthly Minimally processed

• Little salt

• No fast food

• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation

• Control caloric intake to manage body weight

Now is the time to wake up and use the supposed health insurance problem as an opportunity to reclaim and empower yourself with extraordinary health!