Rachel
Rachel has lived in Arizona for 13 years, deeply loving all that the desert has to offer. She is originally from Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in print and photojournalism, exactly 60 years after her grandmother graduated. Rachel married her husband Scott, an engineer, in 2013, and they welcomde the sassy Dottie Grayce in 2016, on the hottest day of the year. Rachel is a professional chef, food writer and photographer, food stylist, and baby led weaning advocate. After working in many restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and resorts, Rachel decided to launch her own company, Pistol Whipped Pastry, in 2011. Rachel has been a contributor for Arizona Vines & Wines Magazine, Stratejoy.com, Phoenix New Times, and Chow Bella blog. She has written pieces for the Christian Science Monitor, Green Living AZ, Phoenix Magazine, and YourZenMama.com. When not working, Rachel is hanging out with Scott and Dottie, fixing up their new home, traveling all around Arizona, drinking Arizona wine, gardening, and cooking for friends and family. You can also catch up with Rachel on her personal blog, Croissant In The City.
4 Tips for Eating Better in the New Year
I'm not a dieter and I'm not really into resolutions. I just don't feel like I can ever make either work for me.
So, here are a couple of my tips, that I try to...
5 Pie Tips from a Pastry Chef
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
And mostly because of pie.
In my pastry business, pie season is one of my busiest times of year. If you are in need of a couple tips...
8 Entertaining Tips from a Pro
As far as I'm concerned, as soon as the calendar flipped to October 1st, my mind clicked into entertaining mode. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas, I'm ready for cooler weather (ie dinner's on...
A Primer on the Birth Center Experience
Birth and everything concerning it is a very emotional and personal topic, so please let me preface this opinion piece with a disclaimer. Please remember that these are: 1) My opinions, and 2) When...
Everything You Need to Know About Baby Led Weaning
Maybe you have heard of it via social media or perhaps a friend is into it, but baby led weaning is sweeping the baby scene. What is this magic, and can it help my...
5 of the Best Parenting Books for Crunchy Moms
I never thought I would be a parent who reads parenting books. They obviously never appealed to me before I was a parent, and now I’m dropping them in my Amazon cart like they...
Will You Be My New Mom Friend?
Dear Potential Mom Friend,
I’m the mom over in the corner, not quite sure who to talk to. I don’t know how to be a mom friend. I miss my two mom friends who moved...
How to Detoxify Your Life :: Use Cleaner, Better, Safer Products
It has taken me about 8 years to detoxify my life, and I’m still not done. We live in a world where we don’t make or grow or produce the majority of the things...
I Really Love Baby-Led Weaning, Here’s Why …
I used to be a dancer. I danced for about 20 years. I lived to dance. I went to a high school that had an amazing arts program and I danced in the company...
Sorry, Not Sorry… Why I Do Not Have a Guest Room
I do not have a guest room, and I do not stay in guest rooms.
This is bound to cause controversy and I’m assuming it may also bring out my fellow closeted non-guest room loving...