Christina Pirello, host of Christina Cooks television show. Q+A

Today Christina Pirello is the thriving host of Christina Cooks, a food and lifestyle program on public television and on Comcast. In 1983, however, she was a freelance illustrator and self-described "Snickers-bar vegetarian.  "Then, at age 26, Pirello was diagnosed with leukemia and given three to six months to live.  She declined chemotherapy, turned to a macrobiotic diet, and continued to have her blood count monitored by a physician; 14 months later Pirello was cancer-free.  Inspired by her experience, she trained as a macrobiotic and whole-food chef and began teaching cooking classes in her home.  Last fall she began the seventh season on her TV program, for which she won a Mid-Atlantic regional Emmy award in 1998.

Q: Did you always believe you would survive cancer?
A: No. I decided against chemotherapy because I thought, "If I'm going to die anyway, why would I want to spend the time bald and nauseated?" I didn't know about alternatives.  I didn't know I would get well, and it took a while to feel that way.

Q: How did you respond to people who are skeptical about your approach to recovery?
A: Well, I didn't do anything but change my diet, and I'm still here 20 years later.  Was there divine intervention too? Of course. But I didn't meditate or anything else-just changed the way I ate.

Q: What advice would you offer to healthy people who want to prevent cancer?
A: Get rid of saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and simple sugars.  Add more vegetables, whole, unprocessed, in-season foods; and foods like miso, avocados, blueberries, and dark leafy greens.

Q: What are you having for dinner tonight?
A: Belgian endive salad, fresh corn on the cob, white bean soup, carrots al latte with soy milk, and dried cherries.

Corinne McKay
delicious living, March 2004 issue