Deirdre Imus: "Get rid of all the phony stuff in your life"

Deirdre Imus, accomplished author, environmentalist, and child activist, joined her husband this morning to discuss her latest book, "The Essential Green You: How to Detox Your Diet, Your Body, and Your Life," published by Simon & Schuster. This book is the third in her "Green This!" series, which have generated one million dollars for the Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer.

The book, Deirdre said, is about "getting rid of all the phony stuff in your life," including, but not limited to, cleaning products, cosmetics, food, and people.

"It sounds overwhelming," Imus said, a notion his wife swiftly rebuffed.

"Suck it up!" she said. "So much of this we've been told for years, and it's amazing how people don't do it."

Since the prospect of changing an entire lifestyle can feel overwhelming, Deirdre recommends starting with food.

"We all eat every day and you consume a lot of toxins that way," she said, adding, "Most people are not vegetarians, so I say make the bulk of your diet-80-85 percent-fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and make those organic."

Her husband pointed out that most people don't have time to do any of this, and instead opt to throw something in the microwave. The alternative, Deirdre said, is simply a matter of organization.

"Make a menu every week—not only a grocery list, but a menu. It saves you money and time," she said, and suggested that people take the food they eat most, and make that an organic item.

Calling this "a hideously unrealistic way to approach your life," Imus was informed that this was, in fact, the way he lives his own life.

"Well, I have no choice," he said. "I live in a house where you can't even walk in the door without taking your shoes off."

Asked if he would prefer to carry the junk from his shoes into his house everyday, the elder Imus had no comment. Then the attack turned towards Charles McCord, innocent bystander, who, according to Deirdre, eats mainly synthetic, chemical-laden, diet foods that are causing dementia, among other neurological problems.

"I'm sick all the time," Charles confessed.

Imus offered that he too is sick all the time, even though he leads an entirely organic lifestyle. Deirdre attributed this to his chronic respiratory problems, and said he had been worse off when they met.

"I was smoking Marlboros and eating tuna," Imus said. "I was happy."

Beyond turning her husband's life around, Deirdre also changed the lives of nearly every patient who visits Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. At her suggestion and because of her vision, the hospital transformed their entire maintenance program. They now use only non-toxic cleaning agents, including Deirdre's own Greening the Cleaning products.

"It extends to everything in your life," Deirdre said. "The Essential Green You" also lists specific brands that are healthier than others for products like nail polish, makeup, and other "lady" items.

"I have a whole thing about feminine hygiene, about using non-chlorine bleached tampons," Deirdre said, enthusiastically.

"Oh gosh, we're out of time," Imus said.