Conversation with Rachael

Please tell us a bit about yourself? Rachael is a classically trained chef and health enthusiast. She worked in digital media for 12 years while also attending culinary school at the French Culinary Institute in NYC and catered on the side. She now owns Kinney Lane an organic prepared foods service.  She is a mom of a 19-month old son, named Finn, and has one on the way in early 2020.

I view you as a guru in your field, which means you've paved a way no one previously had, or you're paving a way much different than the rest. What is your path or your journey, and what does it represent?

Moms are busy being bosses. As a mom, I know how hard it is to get healthy meals on the table for your family. When you’re working all day it’s hard to find the time to shop and cook -and foods that are convenient aren’t typically healthy. My goal is simply make healthy food convenient, easy attainable and, most importantly, delicious.

What does health & wellness mean to you?

I believe health and wellness means taking care of yourself. The food you eat is obviously important. Keeping things organic, removing foods that are high in sugar or cause inflammation are of primary importance to me. However, the food we eat is only part of the equation. Regular exercise is equally important, as is the level of stress in your life. There are so many studies about health, but very few focus on the impact keeping close connections, finding ways to keep stress low, etc. Health isn’t a one-step solution, it’s holistic and needs to integrated into all aspects of life.

My personal path to making health my life.

Since I can remember, I've always been interested in health and wellness. It wasn't until I tried to have kids that I took my interest to the next level. After trying to get pregnant for a few years, with no luck, I finally sought out the advice of a doctor. I was told at age 32, that the chances of having a baby were nearly impossible. Doctors put me on serious treatments as soon as I went in. After several fertility treatments left me exhausted both physically, emotionally, and financially, I decided to stop treatments and change what I put into my body. I was always a healthy eater but took it to a whole new level. I worked with nutritionists, endocrinologists and did a lot of research on my own. I took every known chemical out of my household and began to treat food as my medicine.

Six months after giving up completely, I got a positive pregnancy test. I couldn’t believe it. The doctors couldn’t believe it. Not a single person (doctor or friend) said congratulations until I got my 12-week tests that determined that my (now 19-month old) son was as healthy. I knew that I needed to take my personal experience with food and health and my culinary degree to help people who wanted to eat healthy. Food can change lives and Kinney Lane is only the start of my journey. I’m now pregnant with number two.

Everyone needs a little “me” time, how do you practice self care?

I don’t have a ton of time these days between running a small business and being a mom, so one quick solution that I love is taking a Epsom salt bath at night after my son is asleep. It gives me a little time for myself -and a face mask! And, no matter what, I always find time for exercise at least 4x a week- it’s a non-negotiable.

What is one beauty product you can’t live without?

My Chanel color pallet. I bring it with me wherever I go.

Your favorite cocktail?

I only have it at the US open, but my all time favorite cocktail is the Honey Deuce. I try to make it at home, but it’s never the same!

One guilty pleasure?

Real Housewives of New York. Can’t help but love it.

Last book or series you enjoyed?

I read Little Fires Everywhere over vacation and loved it. Reese Witherspoon is turning it into a Hulu series and I’m excited to watch it.

Saying or Mantra you live by?

People who love to eat are the best people

Let thy food be thy medicine.

You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.