That's Fit: Had you eaten raw foods before?

Norwood: I had eaten raw foods, just like most people do -- fresh fruit, cut veggies and salads. But I'd never intentionally eaten only raw foods before. This was a whole new concept for me. It felt like such strange territory at first. There was so much to learn about what to eat and how to prepare it. And I had a lot to learn about nutrition and how my nutritional needs could be met on a raw food diet.

That's Fit: Was it a difficult adjustment? What were the benefits?

Norwood: It can be very tempting to grab something quick that's not healthy. Preparation is key. One of the things I love to do is to have fun in the kitchen re-creating the flavors of my favorite cooked foods. It's amazing what you can do by getting creative with herbs and spices. Cravings do diminish over time. It's been said that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. That's why going raw for 30 days is so powerful. You can get past the old cravings and start craving beneficial foods.

I released 15 pounds in my first 30 days. Chronic aches and pains disappeared in the first week. I had more energy, better mental clarity, better sleep, a better spiritual connection. My blurry vision cleared up. I felt happy most of the time, for no particular reason. And, miraculously, I ended up on stage at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem attending a Brand New Heavies concert, wearing my showgirl costume, on Halloween. I was asked me to come up on stage during intermission, along with a few other people they selected who were in costume. They had us introduce ourselves to the audience and talk about our costumes. I danced my way on and off the stage.It was a dream come true.