Laurie Bachran, 79, of Kane'ohe, was recently voted the Readers' Choice winner of AARP's 2008 Faces of 50+ Real People Model Search. She was whisked off to Minneapolis for hair, makeup and photography and will appear in the March/April 2009 issue of AARP's magazine. We decided to find out how she keeps herself looking — and, more importantly, feeling — so fabulous.

The mother of six, grandmother of 10 and soon to be great-grandmother of six (a baby's due next month) is an associate pastor for New Life Church Honolulu. Her husband of 59 years, Bill Bachran, still works as an independent public relations consultant for golf tournaments.

Bachran proudly proclaims that she does not take a single prescription drug. She maintains her excellent health with exercise and detoxification programs.

Three times a week, Bachran goes to Curves in the Windward City Shopping Center and does the full circuit twice, for an hour of strengthening exercises. She walks a great deal in her daily life. Twice a week she visits a chiropractor for spinal alignments.

In 1978, armed with the knowledge that she has a family history of cancer, Bachran opened a health-food store called Living Foods in Kane'ohe. She made smoothies and sold organic foods long before it was trendy. She fed her family healthfully, including lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes and tofu in their daily diet. She has continued healthful eating throughout her life and drinks at least eight glasses of water a day. She does admit, however, that the Hawaiian in her gets 'ono for kalua pig and poi sometimes.

Bachran believes the secret to her exemplary health lies in her thrice yearly fasts, which she considers detoxification programs. For a minimum of three days, she drinks a mixture of lemon juice, pure maple syrup and distilled water (a half gallon a day) and takes herbal supplements. She does not eat anything.

"You have to be mentally prepared and committed," she said with a grin.

It also helps to use the buddy system. "Thinking about food is the biggest block to success on the first day," she said. "But after that, you don't even think about food." She has been doing these detoxifications since 1985.

Of course, no one should attempt any kind of fast without consulting their doctor first.