Hi, I'm Rachel!

Certified Natural Foods Chef & Culinary Instructor

Chef Rachel Zierzow, Cook Love Heal

Sharing a meal with someone is one of the best ways to connect.
- Rachel Zierzow

I created Cook Love Heal after 10 years of cooking for clients, teaching hundreds of culinary students, and working on my own healing. I wanted to share my experience with natural foods and daily health practices with others to help bring their lives into balance. 

I believe that no one diet fits all, and that no diet fits anyone for all time. Paying attention to the signals your body gives you, and making adjustments as you go is the key. Expect your diet to change over time, as you learn, get older, take on new challenges, and reach new health goals.

My food philosophy. I eat for health and vitality, and what brings balance to my life. For me, this involves eating a mixture of raw and cooked whole foods, lots of vegetables, soups, and simple meals like curries, stir fries, and salads. It can be confusing to figure out what foods work best for you, due to all the conflicting information out there. I find restrictive diets are usually more harmful than helpful, and recommend a slow and steady transition to whole foods based eating to bring vital nutrients to your body. 

Eating in a way that is both cleansing and nourishing is a good goal. This way you feel satisfied by your meals, but you are eating in a way that does not bring stress to your body. This is one of the main principles I apply to my cooking.

So many people are suffering from mystery illnesses, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, infertility, and hormone issues, as well as more traditional ailments such as diabetes, digestive issues, and heart disease–conditions usually not easy to treat with conventional medicine.

How can our bodies stand a chance against all of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis? It’s fundamental to eat well (no processed foods), in order to nourish our bodies and boost the immune system, and also continually cleanse from environmental toxins. This is what led me to learn how to cook healing foods for myself, and ultimately to share my knowledge with people dealing with similar issues as me.

In my journey to heal from leaky gut, heavy metal toxicity, and chronic fatigue, I have tried different diets and searched for root causes. Over time, I’ve learned what works best for me, and always keep an open mind so I can make adjustments along the way. I have to be more careful about what I eat in order to stay healthy, but it’s worth it.

I’m here to help you navigate the confusing world of food and healing through my healthy cooking blog,  my new cookbook (coming soon!), and cooking classes and lessons (online and in-person when possible).

I wish you the best of luck on your journey to build a solid foundation for your health with healing foods and  lifestyle choices.

  • My Passion
    I’m committed to teaching women and their families how to improve their health in a way that is fun, sustainable, and non-judgmental. When we enjoy health and happiness, we can truly thrive, help others, and follow our dreams. This is my wish for all of us!
  • Where did I learn how to cook?
    As a child, I followed my mother around the garden and observed how she transformed food into meals. She taught me that FOOD = LOVE. At 30, I took a 3-year healing chef training course in macrobiotic studies and natural foods cooking at The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas. Shortly after that I taught plant-based cooking there for over 10 years.
  • Diet Preference
    My diet evolves over time according to my needs. Now it is primarily plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free, with lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and olive oil, with some wild caught fish and pasture-raised meats.
  • Health Challenges
    Health challenges such as leaky gut, IBS, heavy metal toxicity, low thyroid, and chronic fatigue led me to search for alternatives to conventional medicine and then to a career in helping others improve their health naturally.
  • Fitness Routine
    I gave up running and going to the gym years ago, as it was too intense for me while I was working on my healing. Now I prefer yoga, walking in nature, and swimming outdoors.
  • Favorite Food and Drink
    GT Gingerberry kombucha, Loire Valley wine for special occasions, and all kinds of fruits and vegetables— artichokes, avocados, kabocha squash, mangoes, and oyster mushrooms top the list.
  • Favorite Food Movies
    My family and I all love the documentary “Miso Hungry!” It’s a wonderful look at an Australian comedian and filmmaker who goes to Japan to learn about the healing aspects of Japanese cooking and lifestyle. I also love “Big Night” and “Julie and Julia.”
  • You might not know about me…
    I studied ornithology for many years and got an MA in Ecology and Evolution. If you’d like to go out birding on a cool spring day, call me up!
  • Travel
    I love traveling to see family and friends. I especially love travel when I can be in nature, visit with friends, and cook delicious food together!
  • Where did I grow up?
    I was born and raised in Connecticut, went to college in Maine, and moved to Austin for graduate school. It was a big switch, but now I feel at home with the live oaks, spring-fed pools, and vast open skies, and having friends from all over the world.
  • Credentials
    I hold a BA in Biology and an MA in Ecology and Evolution, certifications in Natural Foods Cooking and Macrobiotic Counseling, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance.
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Send me a message here or feel free to call. I love meeting with people, and I’m always happy to chat!   

(512) 217-1259, rachel@cookloveheal.com