Being in the blogging world over 6 years now, I have had the pleasure of meeting some very incredible people along the way. But some, they walk into your life and you know that they were placed into your path with a purpose. I met Amie Valpone last year, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy conference. We spoke like half-witted high school girls, catching up, giggling, sharing and connecting over our personal healing journeys. Amie has an infectious lust for life and for living that instantly resonated with me. As someone that has spent the past 10+ years dealing with various (though very minor in comparison) health struggles, I very much appreciate how Amie has chosen to use her struggles as a means to help others, through her website thehealthyapple.com, I also admire that she has used her very challenging healing journey to fuel her passion to teach others that your health and vitality lies in your hands and that you DO have the power to overcome. I feel like the word “inspiration” is hardly enough for this firecracker.

When Amie and I finally met in person I was smack in the middle of elimination diets, gut healing and my own health and autoimmune challenges. These times can feel very lonely and isolating, so connecting with someone that “got it” more than anyone has ever before, was so refreshing. Keeping a positive mind and a focused approach through a healing journey, while it’s always been my attempt, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy. I was quite literally walking the aisles of this particular conference, feeling overwhelmed and alone, frustrated with my current state and up walks Amie. In that short time I sat and chatted with Amie, I found myself invigorated to keep on fighting the good fight, to continue following my intuition and to know that it would all be worth it, though it may not always feel like it. Amie herself has dealt with over 10 years of very serious health struggles, but by the smile on her face and the light from her spirit, you would never know it when you meet her.

Amie’s brand new book Eating Clean is more than any other cookbook you will ever get your hands on, it is a guide to living well, to fighting inflammation, detoxifying and resetting your body. Amie isn’t perpetuating these fad-based detoxes and cleanses we are being inundated with, instead she brings the knowledge, experience and the care of a natural healer but also a level of compassion, empathy and truth as someone that has lived it, all. Eating Clean outlines the journey of how Amie healed from a decade of chronic illnesses and how she went from living in survival mode to living a life of joy and pleasure. Through food and detoxification, she saved herself and now she is handing over her secrets to you. Eating Clean features over 200 detox-approved plant-based recipes free of gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, eggs, corn and processed ingredients.

“The majority of my healing came from listening to myself, trusting myself and knowing that I know my body best.

My journey to wellness and vibrant health has made me realize that overcoming struggle is about looking for solutions in a different, creative way. I learned that if we don’t make a plan to get out of the pickle that we’re in…we become a statistic and I was there for way too many years.

I went from wanting to die in my bed a few years ago with more pain than you can imagine to the healthy, radiant woman I am today. It’s not easy to live with pain but it is easy to lay there and watch your life float away…that’s one thing I knew I wouldn’t let happen and that’s how I started to allow by body to heal.”

Visit the website to read a bit more about Amie’s story and to learn more about Eating Clean.

I wanted to share a recipe with you from Eating Clean, one that I just adore, as it’s truly the perfect illustration of how simple healthy and clean eating can be. Making this commitment to your health it doesn’t have to be overcomplicated and you don’t have to miss out on a thing. This delicious spiralized veggie noodle recipe can be made as a year-round staple using zucchini, if you can find it or the perfect summer side using yellow summer squash. I actually used both here, as I love the colors together. The flavor of this dish is bright and fresh with just a kick of spice. Best part, it’s ready in under 5 minutes.

[print_this]Grain-free Basil and Mint Zucchini “Noodles” {Gluten-free, Paleo, Vegan, Nut-free}
serves 2

A terrific summertime staple that’s full of flavor and fiber without any grains. Did you happen to notice the simple directions for this recipe? Combine ingredients and serve. Easy as it gets.

• 3 large zucchini and/or yellow summer squash, cut into thin strands with a vegetable peeler, spiralizer or julienned
• 1 large celery stalk, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint
• 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, toss to coat, and serve.  [/print_this]

Text excerpted from EATING CLEAN, © 2016 by AMIE VALPONE. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

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