Lovely Mimi

Mimi Kirk of the San Diego area is the beautiful woman known for recently winning PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarians Over 50” contest. Now 71, she was the oldest contestant. Kirk told Fox 5 she feels like she is in her 20s because of the raw foods diet she started two years ago when age-related diseases, high cholesterol/blood pressure, and arthritis were making appearances.

“Even though I was very healthy and a vegetarian for the better part of 40 years, I did not want to take drugs. So I researched and found the raw food diet,” said Kirk.

She lost weight, took care of the aging-related diseases, and now feels full of energy.

“My skin looks great, not like someone in their 70’s. I couldn’t be any happier about the way I feel,” she added.

She suggests people interested in changing their diet start by adding some raw foods, not taking things away, and says a green juice or smoothie is paramount for starting the day. For lunch she recommends a very large salad, which is chewed very well.  At night, though Kirk eats 100% raw herself, she suggests others transitioning their diet may want to have very lightly steamed veggies and a grain like quinoa. The key is to not let yourself get hungry; fruits and veggies make great snacks. She believes in a 5-7 day detox to help make the transition. Kirk said once someone is raw for awhile, they will feel great and not have cravings for unhealthy food.

A couple favorite meals are parsley salad and kale salad. When traveling, Kirk orders an entrée-sized salad with all raw vegetables:  broccoli, asparagus, etc., with olive oil and lemon on the side or another dressing. If there is a set menu, she asks to replace the chicken on a salad with avocado, and leave off the cheese or anything not raw.

“When my meal arrives, everyone at my table wished they had order the same thing.  I actually don’t like eating food that is not organic, but I try not to be particular when we are traveling,” said Kirk.

Besides traveling, this lovely vegetarian is very busy keeping up with her growing Facebook page, often answering questions about the raw foods diet. She’s also writing a raw “uncookbook.”