Looking back on her pre-cancer diet and fast forwarding to her present-day fare, Melissa Etheridge will be the first one to tell you it has been a complete 180-degree turn. The rocker chick is all about living in the moment as healthfully and positively as possible - and from the looks of this OK! interview, it seems to be doing wonders for her!

I looked at food differently," the lovely Melissa, 48, tells the mag. "I stepped back, and found that our bodies were like batteries. Our bodies run on alkaline. We need alkaline enough to survive. Of course, the Western diet is mostly acidic, and that is what causes our bodies to be acidic. Acid is where cancer grows. I realized we have to eat more alkaline, which, of course, is fruits and vegetables and whole grains. I shifted my diet."

But don't think for a minute that she doesn't give herself some leighweigh. Melissa is a firm believer in rewarding yourself once in while for a job well done with...treats!

I'm not one to tell myself 'I can never have another cup of coffee, or I can never eat a hot fudge sundae.' No. That has to be the treat – the once a week or the once every two weeks – and the rest of the time is spent eating good, healthy salads, fresh fruits and vegetables – and trying not to eat things that come out of buildings. I try to eat things that come from the ground. I try to eat something that's grown, and comes right to me, because that's where the life force is. That's where the energy is. I looked at my food differently," Melissa said.

As for snacking, Melissa is crazy for almonds!

They're very good for you, they fill you up, they're alkaline and they're easy to eat.”