Robin McGraw is 53 and proud of it! She shares her beauty secrets with Rachael, and she answered your questions about beauty, relationships, life with Dr. Phil, and more.

Q. Robin, I know that exercise and diet are two very important parts of your life, and I think you look FABULOUS because you do make them a priority. I would like to know if you could tell me what your typical diet is. Are there certain things that you totally avoid and why? Also, I am interested in learning of any natural/organic/healthier type foods you recommend. Thanks so much for your time, and keep up the work - you are a HUGE INSPIRATION!

Robin: Thank you! Yes I always, 100% of the time, avoid dairy products and have not had them for 20 years because I'm lactose intolerant and my body can't handle them. I also avoid sugar and gave that up when I started menopause and began putting on the pounds around my middle. I was a sugar addict and gave it up completely. I try to avoid sugar completely, but don't deny myself. I will allow myself my favorites like wedding or birthday cake on special occasions, but not always. My real love is bread and I never give that up - I enjoy it too much!

Because I love bread, one of my favorite meals has to be sandwiches. And my favorite sandwich is one that I created: whole grain 7 or 9 grain bread, I love Ezekiel bread--it's a very dry bread. I have a yogurt cheese (lactose free) and it comes in plain or jalapeño and I love jalapeño. I add course ground spicy mustard, sliced cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, sliced tomatoes and sometimes I add more veggies.

As far as healthy or organic, I do like everything natural as much as possible, especially with my supplements I take, but my favorite snack is always raw almonds. I found that if I buy them sliced, I don't consume as many during the day, so I try to buy them whole. They're also really good to eat with a sliced up apple.

Q. Hello I saw you on Rachael's show and I would like to know if you have any tips for getting rid of cellulite? I enjoyed your other at home spa tips I'm planning on trying them all!

Robin: Well, no, I wish I did! Everything I've ever read about cellulite is that it's seems to be pretty much genetic. I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what I've read. Now I don't have any cellulite and I have three sisters that have battled weight and they don't have any either.

But I cannot see how those creams on the market can really work because cellulite is a layer of fat that sits just under the skin. Poor diet can make you have more of it, but unfortunately, I don't know how to get rid of it.

Q. I made your oatmeal scrub and it made so much. I also had to use additional honey. Will this keep or do I have to toss out what I don't use? If I can keep it, does it need to be refrigerated?

Robin: Absolutely keep it! I do keep mine in the fridge stored in a large Ziploc bag and I put a couple of day's worth in a Baggie and take it up to my bathroom to use. As the scrub sits though, it tends to get denser, so I add a little water or more oil (avocado) or soap right before I use it to get a better paste going. It's a little easier to use that way, but you don't want it to be too thin. It should still be coarse and grainy.

Q. My husband is very ambitious and is almost always wrapped up in his work. How were you supportive of Dr. Phil when he was going through school and then started his company without feeling like he was putting you last? Did you feel like you had to organize your schedule around him and that it wasn't fair? What helped the two of you stay close while he was pursuing his doctorate and starting his business?

Robin: When Philip was going to school and starting his practice and I was a new mother, we were both very very busy, but I never took it as a personal insult that he was so focused on work and studies because I knew he was a focused and driven man and that was what I loved about him! And I knew we were both doing what we had to do for a common goal: to create a happy and healthy home and family for us. Because we were both so busy, it was very important we not forget each other, so I do think we had to work a little harder at finding time to be together and to appreciate each other.

Q. Robin, You always look so great. My question is can you tell me what you eat in a normal day. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks). Thanks!

Robin: Thank you very much, I really appreciate the compliment!

Let me start off by saying food has always been very important to me. In fact, Phillip has lots of times called me a chow hound, which I think is adorable because it's a way of saying I do not starve myself, I never have and I never will. I start the day with breakfast which usually consists of oatmeal filled with blueberries and sliced bananas or I'll have Ezekiel bread toasted with almond butter and fruit on the top and I love to have grapefruit. I snack on raw almonds, fruit and blueberries. For lunch, I usually have a sandwich or a big salad with either beef or chicken in it. I'm not crazy about seafood, so I don't eat a lot of it, but I love beef. And dinner is always beef or chicken, veggies, salad and then I always have a snack in the evening like an apple with nuts. One of my favorite snacks is a graham cracker with peanut butter on it. I've never been crazy about protein drinks or smoothies, but once in a while I'll do something like that. A smoothie is a good way to get in flax seed oil and fiber into your diet. I try to focus on eating really well at home and splurge when we go out to dinner.

Q. Hi Robin, I have always believed that what you give, you get back. I am one of those people pleasers and try every day to do something kind for the people in my life. Maybe I am being whiney or selfish but I do not see it coming back to me. How can I make my loved ones appreciate me more, or at least some. I rarely get a "thank you" or "gee, that was nice of you." What am I doing wrong? Did your two sons and Dr. Phil always appreciate what you did? How did you make them understand how hard you were working?

Robin: Don't stop being who you are if it brings you joy to give and be a giver. But at the same time, if you feel you're being taken advantage of or being taken for granted, then step up and let them know. It doesn't have to be a huge emotional blowup; in fact, just the opposite. Sit them down and make eye contact with all of them and tell them, "Guys I feel like you are taking me for granted. I love you and I need to tell you how I feel. And this is what I need from all of you." If you don't tell them, they won't know.

Q: I would love to know how Robin and Dr. Phil found time for each other when their first child Jay, was born. I have a 6-month-old and I am feeling like my husband and I are losing time for each other. We love our daughter to death but need to remember to focus on our marriage as well, how do I do this?

Robin: One of the first things Phillip and I did when we learned I was pregnant was to agree that we would be husband and wife first and parents second. In other words we made sure that we never forgot how important our relationship was to us. Sometimes I think we can get into the "mother role" and forget about being a wife and the same for husbands. Phillip and I always made sure that everything we talked about was not just about Jay. We flirted with each other all the time. It is the little things that mean so much and we made sure to talk during the day, to sit down and spend time together at home and go out once in a while. We love being at home so I would plan special dinners or he would run a bubble bath for me so I could relax. I think it is important to find out what makes you and your mate happy and focus on that.

Q: I've heard you say before to take care of yourself. What's the best way to take time for yourself? Also got any budget friendly ideas for date night with my husband? You're beautiful inside and out by the way!

Robin: Some people say it sounds selfish to put yourself first, but I do not agree. We women live very hectic lives and we have to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. My favorite way to take care of myself is through exercise. My mother died very suddenly at 58 of heart disease, so I make sure to stay "heart healthy." I do cardio on the treadmill or walk outside ... I love Pilates also ... I also love to soak in a bubble bath, it is time to myself to relax and reflect on whatever is going on in my life.

Q: Hi Robin, I am 27 and I wanted to know what you think should be my beauty regimen to look & stay young. I want to start taking care of myself now, so I can look this way into my older years.

Robin: I think a very important step to taking care of yourself is to concentrate on your skin ... it is one of the first places that shows signs of aging. I believe the reason I do not have any deep wrinkles at the age of 53 is because I have always protected my skin. I always have on sun block. I NEVER expose myself to the sun so I can get a "tan." I always drink lots of water and exfoliate weekly!

Q: I had a life-changing accident. While doing a skydiving demonstration jump I had an awful landing accident and broke my sacrum. At first, doctors thought I would not live because of the trauma and nerve damage (Neither did I as the pain was so great I just wanted to die). I've spent over 9 months in various hospitals and have had 21 surgeries with my last one on April 3, 2007. While doctors told me I would never walk again I have proven them wrong. Through hard work and perseverance ("I can't" is not in my vocabulary) I am able to walk with a cane but for short distances I can go without. Through all of this, I cannot tell you how much my family has meant to me. They have been there for me all the way and I don't think I could have survived without them. Needless to say, I have been able to see life through eyes that most others never will. Now, everyday is a good day. Problems are not problems, but challenges instead. I have gone back to school and am pursuing a degree in computer information science. I'm able to do things that I never thought I would be able to do again. Fishing, snowmobiling and hanging out with my friends are within reach now and I look forward to skiing next winter. My question to Robin is: My body is not what it used to be. I have a lot of scarring on my abdomen, back, and buttocks and am a little self conscious about it (I don't take my shirt off at the beach). Is there anything natural I could use to heal scars and how can I be less self conscious about them? Thank you and say hi to Rachael and Dr. Phil for me.

Robin: First of all let me say how sorry I am for everything you have been through. I am humbled by your bravery and the ability to work through the pain. My sister Cindi experienced a horrible "act of violence" by a complete stranger -- she has written a book called_ A Random Act_. I am sending you a copy. She had acid thrown on her and endured years of surgeries and rehabilitation. She too had scars from her skin grafts and I found a product that helped her a lot. It is pure leaf aloe. There are a lot of aloe products on the market, so just make sure you get an ointment made from the pure leaf. Please do not be self-conscience of your scars. My sister is the most beautiful woman I have ever known. I promise you people look past your scars and see only the brave and courageous human being you are!

Q: You obviously have a great outlook on life and relationships. Men and women have different physical makeups and while you look phenomenal, do your secrets for skin care work equally for men and women or should men take other steps than women?

Robin: I think men should concentrate on the same issues women do. Their skin may be a little tougher than ours, but they still need to protect it from the sun and keep it hydrated. They have the benefit of exfoliating when they shave, but they should follow up with moisturizers. I encourage Phillip to cleanse his skin and moisturize it every day.

Q: I was wondering what about your feet? Mine are rough and I want to know if there is something that I can do to get them soft once again. Thanks in advance.

Robin: Because I work out in sports shoes and thick socks my feet get dry too. Especially my heels. I found a product at my local drug store that is the best -- and I have tried a bunch! It is called FLEXITOL. Use it at night with socks and in no time you will see a difference. I also use something you get at the feed and grain store! It is called Bag Balm ... Yes, it is the ointment they put on cows udders!!! But trust me it is great!! :)

Q: Robin, how can we get rid of 'age spots' on the hands or make them lighter?

Robin: I'm not a doctor, so you might want to consult your dermatologist, but I believe the best way to get rid of age spots is to have them lasered off. But you can also use a cream with hyaluronic acid in it to lighten them. You might have to get a strong one from your dermatologist. AND KEEP THEM COVERED WITH SUN BLOCK.

Q: Robin, I have excessively dry skin since beginning menopause. The problem areas are my elbows and knees. My elbows are a mess. They have a really dark color and sometimes the skin is so dry it looks white. What can I do? I have used every lotion on the market and even used a home remedy of vitamin E, baby lotion and Vaseline combined with no results. Please help me if you can.

Robin: The vitamin C cream I talked about on the show would be very good. But also the Bag Balm I talked about above would be great!

The views and opinions expressed by Robin McGraw are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Rachael Ray, the television series Rachael Ray_, King World Productions Studios Inc. or any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates or employees._