For long life ask Patricia Bragg, called the First Lady of Natural Living, has a number of fantastic strategies that worked for her father, Paul C. Bragg, and herself along with millions of her the Bragg Lifestyle adherents. Here is a detailed interview with Susan Dobra of Natural Health and Living Magazine.

Here is the complete text of the article, called BRAGGING RIGHTS: An Interview with Patricia Bragg, by Susan Dobra



Patricia Bragg, N.D., Ph.D. is a dynamo. Speaking with her can almost get you out of breath, except that she gets you up and exercising along with her, and breathing deeply to invigorate yourself. She's the real thing; a health crusader who lives a totally natural, totally healthy lifestyle-largely because she had a good teacher. Her father, Paul C. Bragg, was America's first true healthy food and lifestyle guru.

He is credited with inspiring Jack La Lanne, Gloria Swanson, and a host of Olympic champions, as well as being among the first to advocate natural foods staples like herbal teas, wheat germ, whole grains, and honey. His daughter is living proof of his wisdom. A paragon of glowing good health, she has co-written, along with her father, a series of 12 books on subjects from fasting and breathing to the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. There is no such thing as "catching up" with Patricia Bragg, but when we spoke with her, she slowed down enough to give us these glimpses into her holistic wisdom.

Can you tell me a little bit about how you would characterize the Bragg Healthy Lifestyle?



The Bragg Healthy Lifestyle philosophy is "You are what you eat, drink, breathe, think, say, and do." What you eat and drink today walks and talks tomorrow; simple as that. Most Americans don't really monitor or watch what they eat; most Americans over the age of 35, unfortunately, over-fuel their body. They are paying the penalty. The bigger the waistline, the shorter the lifespan. It's a proven fact in all the studies that have been done. A person can take charge of their life. We are breathing machines; oxygen is the invisible staff of life. I want people to breathe in the purest air possible, to eat as healthily as possible. And I want people to go organic and don't panic. Demand that the supermarkets carry organic veggies and fruits.

So where does thinking, saying, and doing come into play in a healthy lifestyle?



You are what you eat, what you drink, what you breathe, and what you think. Before you speak, ask yourself, "is it good? Is it kind? And is it necessary?" because words can be stabbing and hurting. Words can make you mean; they can change your whole life. I like people to clean up what they say and what they think. I teach people to make life changes for the better. I want each one of them to be the captain of their life. And I am a living example. If I am doing something that isn't right, I turn around and go the right way. I earn my food by exercise, deep breathing, posture, and activity, and I love brain exchange. I love stimulating people who can stimulate my brain and can learn. I love people that are smart, but still kind and loving.

How important is water in a healthy diet?



Water is key to health in all body functions: circulation, muscles, bones and joints, metabolism and energy. I hardly have any wrinkles. Why?

I have eight glasses of purified water a day. I eat organic veggies, and I have my beautiful fresh salads, which also contain a lot of water. How many people eat raw greens? Do you realize that is one of the richest sources for your blood and iron? Most women dry up during sex because they aren't getting enough water, you see? Do you know the two biggest sellers in drugstores today are laxatives and painkillers? Do you know why? People are not getting enough water. The body is 70% water. Chemical-free water is important for total health. The water industry is one of the fastest growing, and guess who started it all. My father started it all. He was the inspiration for practically all the founders of the water companies.

How should someone get started if all they like to eat is junk food?



It is so simple, dear. What you need to do is, before you put it in your mouth, start analyzing: Is it healthy or unhealthy? Is it going to bring you health or sickness? It is as simple as that. Read the labels. Are there a lot of ingredients that you don't understand? Then you know it probably enhances, stabilizes, preserves, or is in some other way a chemical that you don't want in your body. It is as simple as that. Go organic. We believe in beautiful salads with everything in them-in other words, everything fresh, like broccoli, cauliflower, peas, string beans. They are wonderful. Keep healthy and youthful biologically with exercise and good nutrition.

You don't eat any fried foods?



I very seldom eat fried foods. I sauté. I don't like the word "fry." I sauté in water, and never overcook.

Didn't you ever feel like rebelling against this lifestyle, Patricia?



No, I didn't. My father told me at a young age all of this. Even through school, kids used to try to get me to have a Coca-Cola. I've never had a soft drink; I've never had a cup of coffee; I've never smoked; I've never worn nail polish; and I've never worn a bra. I've saved thousands of dollars. I've talked millions of women, literally, out of bras. They wear chemises. Read the book Dressed to Kill.

I have been seeing your picture for years, Patricia, and it's just a thrill to talk to you - your face is so familiar to everyone who shops in health food stores.



The funny part about it is that when I meet people, I look just like my picture. I live the way I preach. I love it, live it, and preach it. And that is it.

Patricia Bragg Interviewed on Just Between Us Radio Show



About Bragg Live Foods:

In 1912 Paul Bragg opened a small health store in Los Angeles, and from that small beginning an international health products company which as produced more than 365 products came into being. Bragg Live Foods, now run by Paul's daughter, Patricia, Bragg, called the First Lady of Natural Living, is launching a number of 100th Anniversary special events for 2012.

The Bragg Vision for the future is exciting! Continuing on the Bragg Legacy and Crusade, Bragg Live Food Products is developing a one hundred twenty acre organic farm on the outskirts of Santa Barbara, California. The property is in the process of being modeled into an incredible Organic Teaching Farm & Center with facilities to both educate and instruct in the values of growing and eating organics, called the Bragg Health Institute. The Bragg Health Institute was inspired in part by an educational program called "Bring a Farmer to School", in which Dr. Patricia Bragg, the Director of Health Science: Dr. John Westerdahl and Bragg's Organic

Farmers were invited to speak to children at the local elementary schools. The focus of the education outreach is to teach children about the importance of eating more organic fruits & vegetables and how organic farming plays an important role in environmentally - friendly, health plant foods. Last year the Bragg Health Institute donated thousands of

organic apples to the local school districts which were grown on the Bragg Organic Farm.

2012 marks 100 years of since her father, Paul Bragg, set about launching a health revolution that has resulted in whole industries dedicated to creating healthy food products. His amazing legacy, detailed below, began when he was stricken with tuberculosis and found a cure at Swiss clinic. He retuned and founded America's first Health Food Store in 1912 and is known as the Father of America's Health Movement by introducing the benefits of purified water, juices, herbal teas and organic foods to the U.S. market.

Patricia Bragg ND, PhD, is a dynamic speaker and a living, energetic symbol of the healthy lifestyle she teaches. Her father, Paul C. Bragg opened America's first Health Food Store in 1912 and is known as the Father of America's Health Movement by introducing the benefits of purified water, juices, herbal teas and organic foods to the U.S. market. Dr. Paul C Bragg was a pioneer in the health movement in America:

• He started the first modern Health Food Store in America, and originated the name. Now they are popular around the world.

• He was the first person to introduce to the Pineapple Juice, then later Tomato Juice, to the American public. Before this, people thought these juices would be too acidic, but soon these juices became some of America's favorite beverages.

• He was the first person to introduce Honey nationwide by making it available to the general public, before it was available only at roadside stands by the farmer.

• He introduced Juice Therapy in America by bringing the first hand vegetable and fruit juicer from Germany. Now juices are accepted around the world as the ideal health beverage.

• He pioneered Health Radio in Hollywood years ago with his 3 times daily Program of Health.

• He pioneered a Health TV Show – which helped to spread what the name of the show was called – "Health and Happiness." It was a five-day a week, half-hour show comprised of exercise time, health recipes and visual demonstrations and guest time, where famous people shared their health and happiness secrets with the viewers.

Patricia is 100% dedicated to continue the Health Crusade that her father started 100 years ago. She has won international acclaim for her teachings in the health field and has toured the world 13 times spreading physical and spiritual health through lectures and thousands of radio, television, and print interviews. Her Healthy Lifestyle teachings are of worldwide appeal and easily incorporated by people of all ages, nationalities and walks of life. Patricia Bragg has been the health consultant to some of Hollywood's biggest stars including; Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Steve Jobs, Katy Perry and Jack LaLanne, to name a few, and has a monthly health column in The Hollywood Times.

Patricia's library of inspiring self-health books have renewed, rejuvenated, and revitalized the lives of millions worldwide by supporting a change with self-improvement. Her best-selling book Apple Cider Vinegar-Miracle Health System has sold in excess of 9 million copies to date. Patricia's signature products include Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar & All- Natural Drinks, Bragg Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Bragg Liquid Aminos, 3 different Bragg Organic Seasonings, and 4 different Salad Dressings & Marinades; all of which provide many internal and external health benefits, and have been recognized as the Best in the industry.