AAbout the AuthorVanessa s journey toward abundant health began when she was a little girl, growing up in a typical American family, eating the meat, starch, and sugar-laden fare that was standard everywhere. Fast forward to 2008. Vanessa had tried low-fat, low-carb, fen-fen, grapefruit, cabbage soup, and every other fad that grabbed the public attention. The ah-hah moment came when she read The China Study, T. Colin Campbell s ground-breaking work that de-bunked almost every Western food tradition. The next day, literally, Vanessa changed her diet for herself and her family. In an instant she said goodbye to unhealthy food, and hello to a plant-based diet that she now calls Plantfire! Today, Vanessa is dedicated to bringing the message of wellness to as many people as possible, and her Fire-Driven Lifestyle includes a TV series, several books, and various events centered on the PlantFire cooking and cuisine she loves. She is a sought-after speaker and coach, and also owns Vasari, a luxury clothing and shoe boutique in Las Vegas. In order to better understand her newfound appreciation of healthy whole foods, Vanessa widened her studies to include nutrition and coaching certifications from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, The Institute for the Psychology of Eating, Cornell University, SUNY Purchase, and the Wellness Forum, where she is Certified as a Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner. She is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), is a member of the national charity league and is a board member of both Create A Change Now and The Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization. Throw in her certification from the Yoga Alliance, and Vanessa is uniquely qualified to bring the Fire-Driven lifestyle to a public sorely in need of powerful, meaningful change. Vanessa lives in Las Vegas with her husband Josh Houssels and has three lovely daughters.