Now single and 41, the Body, Elle Macpherson has found new confidence and health through her totally organic diet.

Splitting from her millionaire Swiss financier partner seems to have done Elle Macpherson a world of good. The supermodel, businesswoman and mother-of-two is brimming with confidence and loving her new single life.

At the age of 41, she looks better than ever, as lithe and toned as a 20-year-old.

"It's wonderful," says Elle, barely two months after she and Arki Busson parted company and revelling in her newfound freedom. "I find it a boost to know I still look good enough, even at my age, for women to be reacting as if I was about to steal their man. I'm not, of course, but the sense of mischief gets you motivated!" Elle has recently said that she and sons Flynn, 7, and Cy, 2, are coming home to Australia and she's looking forward to the future.

Healthy attitude

"It might be a cliché, but it's all about attitude," she says. "A year ago I heard the phrase '40 is the new 30', and I decided, 'Yes, it sure is'."

Elle is determined to hold on to her title of the Body for as long as she can, but her fight against ageing will not see her heading for the nearest cosmetic surgeon. Her secret weapon is her healthy organic diet.

It's been such a success for her that she is desperate to spread the word. "I eat organic and I'd encourage everyone to give it a go," she says.

So what made Elle change her diet? After the birth of Cy, she felt there was a lot of pressure to lose weight fast.

"It's ridiculous," the model remarks. "It's like there's this competition — who can lose weight the quickest after a baby? It's unhealthy for both mother and child."

So instead of choosing a diet that meant she had to go without her favourite foods, Elle chose to simply cut out the chemicals. She found that she lost the weight easily and as an added bonus, her skin and hair regained that supermodel glow.

Natural beauty

"The reason she looks so good for her age is down to toxins — or rather, a lack of them," organic food expert Michelle Smith says.

"Organic food contains 50 percent more minerals and vitamins than mass-produced food. Your body craves these essential nutrients and will continue to tell you to eat until it has enough of them.

"So if you are overeating, it could be because your body is not getting what it needs ... by eating organic you'll feel fuller, so you'll lose weight and feel better."

Michelle adds, "Elle's hair and skin are both in top condition because she doesn't take in the dangerous cocktail of chemicals and poisons that can be found in so many of our meat and dairy products. These chemicals can affect our energy levels, age our skin and leave hair looking lank."

Naturopath and nutritionist Suzi Grant agrees that to feel and look as healthy as Elle, you need to follow a diet that is as natural as possible.

"You will lose weight, feel lighter and brighter, sleep better, have more energy, balance moods, have clear and glowing skin, increase mental clarity, reduce stress and improve digestion," Suzi promises.

If that isn't enough, she adds that cellulite-free thighs are a long-term benefit!

Daily diet

Breakfast

A detox smoothie or ready-made smoothie with linseeds
or
Organic muesli or porridge with organic, soy or rice milk
or
Organic free-range egg and wheat-free toast.

Lunch

Homemade organic vegetable soup
or
Avocado sandwiches (with lemon juice, pepper, garlic and a little olive oil)
or
Tuna mixed with tomatoes, spring onions and organic mayonnaise, with a baked potato
or
Brown rice and organic vegies with tahini sauce

Dinner

Salmon baked in foil with fresh dill or tarragon and white wine and fresh steamed broccoli or spinach. If you want more bulk, add basmati brown rice or a baked potato
or
Organic baked beans on wheat-free toast
or
Stir-fry with soy sausage and vegetables fried in water, adding linseed oil at the last minute. Add garlic, tahini paste or a little white wine.

Snacks
Pumpkin, sesame or sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts, dried figs, apricots, dates or raisins or fresh organic fruit.

These dishes are from Suzi Grant's 48 Hours To A Healthier Life. For further advice on natural eating, see Suzi's website: www.suzigrant.com

Want to go organic?

Organic food is a booming industry, with more and more Aussies wanting to avoid chemicals, hormones and additives in their food.

"It's a growing trend in London and America and it's happening here now," says Sara Henderson, owner of Melbourne-based organics store Organica. "Eating organic used to be very hard. It was what you could find in the little corner of a health-food store — dried apricots and 'hairy armpit' stuff. Now the number of suppliers has increased and it's becoming a big industry." Organica sells readymade organic dishes, including baby and children's meals, and a wide range of organic groceries. For details, call (03) 9510 6787 or visit www.organica.com.au

Try these sites for more on Australian organic food:
To search for organic suppliers: www.theorganicsdirectory.com.au

For organic food delivered to your door in Sydney, visit the Organic Grocer: www.theorganicgrocer.com.au

For home delivery in Brisbane, try the Farm Fresh Organics site: www.freshorganics.com.au