When Western doctors failed her, Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP, healed herself.

After a decade of chronic illness, she was looking at a lifetime of taking medication. Instead, she looked to alternative healing modalities like acupuncture and at her own diet and began to find a way out of her discomfort.

Now, the celebrity chef of gluten free snacks, culinary nutritionist, writer and motivational speaker is the editor-in-chief of detox-focused website, The Healthy Apple. She has contributed to publications including Glamour Magazine, Shape and more. And her upcoming cookbook, Clean Eating and Detox, is set to hit shelves in January 2016.

Here, Valpone shares her inspirational healing story:

Live The Process: How did your interest in the link between food and wellness develop?

Amie Valpone: I suffered for ten years from chronic illness and learned how to heal myself when doctors could no longer help me, and they wanted me on pharmaceutical drugs for the rest of my life. I was on disability from my corporate job and I never went back. I healed and I'm still healing my hormones from chronic Lyme. I also started my own business to help inspire people to remove toxins from their lives so they too can heal.

My cookbook will be available in January 2016. It includes over 200 recipes without gluten, dairy, soy, corn, sugar and eggs and a handbook for how to remove toxins from your lifestyle, so you can detox and feel great!

LTP: How and when did you realize that you might be able to heal your own chronic illnesses?

AV: After seeing almost every top doctor in the country, I realized that, while Western doctors are amazing (and I have honestly learned something from each of them), they're not trained like acupuncturists and other alternative healers. So, I decided to make a move and do the research myself on detox. I work with Integrative MD's to heal my Lyme and candida and then with acupuncturists for hormones and body balance.

LTP: What are your personal self-care rituals?

AV: Epsom salt baths, skin brushing, lymphatic drainage and lots of acupuncture.

LTP: What would be the first step towards wellness for people who wish to shift their unhealthy diets?

AV: Eat whole, one-ingredient foods and stay away from processed foods. You can make a meal out of avocado, salad greens such as Earthound Farm organic arugula, organic chicken, olive oil, salt and pepper. Those are all whole one-ingredient foods.

LTP: Do you have a current recipe obsession?

AV: Yes; here it is: It's from my blog!

Irresistible Detox Kale Salad

Ingredients:

Salad:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. honey

Pinch ground cinnamon

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 head kale, stemmed and chopped

1 Tbsp. pomegranate arils

1 tsp. sesame seeds

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Pinch ground cinnamon

2 chives, thinly sliced

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Toss sweet potatoes with oil, honey, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a large bowl; transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.

3. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Remove from oven.

4. Meanwhile, whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

5. In a large serving bowl, combine sweet potatoes, kale, pomegranate arils and sesame seeds. Drizzle dressing on top; toss to coat and serve.

LTP: What does happiness look like to you?

AV: I'm finally in my happy place after years of chronic illness! I'm not perfect but I'm happy, and I've learned balance. Lots of rest and quiet time, but also seeing friends and family, laughing, being in nature and eating amazing food.

LTP: What does it mean to you to “Live The Process” and how do you do that every day?

AV: “Live The Process” to me means living what you believe and not worrying about what others think. You have to make yourself happy and only you can do that. You can't look outside of yourself for things to make you happy; you'll set yourself up for disappointment.

Editor's Note: other interviews you might enjoy either A Moment With Dr. Gabrielle Francis or A Moment With Alejandro Junger.