Rock chick wives aren't usually renowned for drinking beetroot juice, growing their own vegetables or concocting their own skin products.

But Jo Wood - wife of legendary Rolling Stone wild man Ronnie Wood - has embraced the good life. She believes it has helped save her husband's life and transform hers.

At 51, the glamourous former model is positively glowing with health and joie de vivre.

"I have had a great life. I have travelled the world, watched my husband play to millions, met lots of interesting people, seen fantastic places. I have been very lucky," she says.

But her luck apparently ran out in 1989 when aged 36 she collapsed with excruciating stomach pains and was (incorrectly as it later turned out) diagnosed with the incurable Crohn's disease - an inflammation of the intestine.

While desperately looking for a way to recover, she became "a self-confessed organic nut". Since then she's successfully lived a healthy lifestyle using principles and secrets which she's now revealed in her new book, Naturally.

"I was introduced to an organic lifestyle and made aware of what the pesticides on our food do to our immune systems," Jo says.

"The more I thought and read about it the more I realised that I was slowly killing myself with my diet. And let's face it, my busy lifestyle touring the world wasn't exactly helping me. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired."

She completely revamped the family's diet - she and Ronnie have a son each and a son and a daughter together - and now believes the that fact her husband has only eaten organic food for 15 years, even when on tour, has helped offset the damaging effects of his drinking.

"Since my conversion from someone whose mantra used to be 'pass me the ciggies' to 'who wants more beetroot juice?' I have delved more and more deeply into what it really means to be organic.

"I've looked at what a healthy, natural lifestyle entails, not just in terms of shopping and gardening, but in the kinds of foods you put into your body, and what you surround yourself with. I still love to party, but now I feel more grounded.

"Some people call me a rock chick, but I prefer the term 'chic nomad'," she smiles.

Follow Jo Wood's tips for a healthy start to the New Year.

Food

Ideally only buy organic food or opt for fruit and vegetables that absorb fewer pollutants and pesticides, such as asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kiwi, mangoes, onions, papaya, peas, pineapples, and sweetcorn.

If you do buy non-organic veg, ensure you peel it or remove outer leaves of vegetables such as cabbage. Wash vegetables you don't peel using a produce wash product (available from www.veggie-wash.com) Trim the fat and skin off poultry (organocholoride pesticides tend to be stored in animal fat).

Try to eat what's in season and avoid imported food which may not have the same controls on use of agricultural chemicals.

Foods in season: kale, kohlrabi, leeks, swede, winter radish, winter cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, rosemary.

Healing drinks

"I love juicing, and I use my juicer daily, whatever the season. Just add the ingredients to your juicer and drink immediately - they don't keep," Jo says. Each recipe serves one: Jo's Detox: "Beetroot is a great detoxer and gets the gut moving, carrots soothe the lining of the intestine." Use three large carrots and two medium sized beetroots.

Cool Runnings: "A brilliant decongestant for the snuffles. The coriander leaves should be stirred in at the end rather than put in the juicer."

Use two carrots, two oranges and 4tbsp chopped coriander leaves.

Healthy breathing

One of her favourite breathing exercises is alternate nostril breathing - which aims to restore the natural balance of breath, which in turn balances the sides of the brain and re-energises the mind and body.

Place your right thumb over your right nostril and inhale for four counts. In a swift movement close your left nostril with your right ring finger and little finger, while removing your thumb from the right nostril and exhale through this nostril for eight counts.

Inhale through the right nostril to the count of four seconds. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left nostril to the count of eight seconds.

Beauty boost

Wheatgerm Cleansing Scrub: A refreshing, bracing scrub that will leave your skin glowing. Warm 7-8tbsp milk, pour into bowl, then add 8tbsp wheatgerm, stirring until you have a paste.

Massage into the skin, paying particular attention to any dry or rough areas. Rinse off with tepid water.