SKANEATELES - Ann Miller-Cohen agrees that eyes are windows into the body.

The author of three books is a certified iridologist, meaning she studies the irises of people's eyes to determine their overall health. She is also an organic health food expert, and through the years has developed a nickname: Organic Annie.

Saturday afternoon, Organic Annie made a return appearance at Creekside Books & Coffee to deliver a presentation about eating healthy foods that detoxify one's body.

Nearly 30 people attended the program in the bookstore's main area. Annie describes herself as a “green gourmet,” or a person who attempts to “combine taste, wholesomeness and sustainability” in the foods they prepare.

A true “green gourmet” realizes a person can't change nature, simply learn about how to work with the natural principles. In addition, Annie is the founder of the Green Gourmet Cooking School, which provides training and hands-on experience for those who desire organic diets.

“I suggest your food be as close to its natural state as possible ... with much of it eaten raw and the rest minimally processed and/or cooked for safety, palatability and digestibility,” she stated.

Browsing the bookstore shelves while she waited for the program to start was Skaneateles resident Nancy Cihon, who said she has known Organic Annie for years.

“I took the cooking classes from her at her home in Baldwinsville,” Cihon explained. “I've always been impressed with her enthusiasm, and the simplicity she uses to make her food.”

When the program began, Organic Annie explained the origin of her nickname.

“I used to have an organic garden, way back before many people really knew what 'organic' was, so they started calling me Organic Annie, and the name just stuck,” she said.

Thereafter, Annie explained how avoiding common allergens and maintaining a diet containing “good” fats, fiber, fruits, vegetables and adequate proteins can help detoxify the body.

The liver, she told the group, is the most important organ involved in detoxification.

“And the standard American diet - which, ironically, has the initials S. A. D. - is very bad for the liver,” she said.

“But if we use all the channels, like deep breathing, drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of vitamins and eating raw foods, our bodies start to hum and really work well.”