Meet Rachel Houtteman | Gluten Free and Dairy Free Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Houtteman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my gluten free and dairy free food Instagram @rachylivesgf in 2019, when I was a senior at Michigan State University. I discovered I was gluten free and dairy free in 2015, the summer before I was heading to college. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but in 2015, there wasn’t as many alternatives on the grocery store shelves for those of us with food intolerances. Because of this, I was kind of forced into getting creative in the kitchen so I could still enjoy food that was not only delicious, but made my body feel good too.

Fast forward to 2019 during my senior year pursuing my undergraduate degree, I was always the roommate who was cooking something in our college house’s tiny kitchen. I would plate it on our hand-me-down dinnerware then run to somewhere in the house that had some natural light (sometimes I’d venture onto the front porch) and snap a few pictures on my phone. I started @rachylivesgf as just a fun way to express myself because I loved to cook/bake, and it was a way to show my creativity. I also wanted to share my recipes for those who are also gluten free and dairy free, or just needed some more inspiration on what to cook/bake in their own kitchens!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a LGBTQ+ Seattle based foodie who is proving that gluten free and dairy free plant based eating can be fun! I am passionate not only about creating easy, feel-good recipes that fit my follower’s dietary needs, but also have a large interest in eating at local restaurants and cafes that offer GF/DF items on the menu.

For years I was nervous to put in my bio that I was part of the LGBTQ+ community with fear that the followers I gained would unfollow me if they didn’t agree with how I loved. Over time I realized that the @rachylivesgf community I strive for should not only be there for gluten free and dairy free plant based inspiration, but also should be there in support of me! I wanted to show up authentically on my Instagram and to do that, I need to show the life I am creating with my fiancé Sam! Some people will not agree, but I want to show up on all platforms as my true self so I can provide representation for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and partner with brands that support this representation.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If you’re visiting the Seattle area, here is what you should check out!

If you’re into wine, I would definitely spend a day wine tasting in Woodinville, WA! Some of my favorite wineries are Columbia Winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, DeLille Cellars, and Matthews.

If you’re into hiking, Mt. Rainier National Park is the place to go! There’s so many amazing hikes that you can do that vary in difficulty, so don’t worry if you’re not an avid hiker!

If you want to see Seattle from a different point of view, go see the Seattle city skyline from Kerry Park! On a clear day you can see Mt Rainier! Another option is to rent a motorized hot tub boat with a group of friends on Lake Union and spend a couple hours soaking up the city skyline!

And of course don’t forget the foodie must stops:
-Mr. West Cafe Bar – grab a coffee and a light breakfast/lunch before hitting the city!
-Six Seven in the Edgewater Hotel makes for the best dinner with stunning water views!
-Olympic Hotel – the lobby of their hotel is gorgeous and you can enjoy the architecture while sipping on a cocktail and grabbing an app from their bar that is open to the public!
-Salt and Straw – One of my favorite spots to grab a vegan ice cream! The line is worth the wait!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Shoutout goes to mental health therapy and the support of my parents! I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received from my mental health counselors for my eating disorder, anxiety, and depression, and both of my parents continuously lifting me up when I felt I couldn’t keep my head above water.

In 2015, I developed an eating disorder when I went off to college. Combine the transition of living away from everything familiar, while also learning how to navigate college courses, make new friends, and learn how to eat gluten free and dairy free, while also fearing gaining the “freshman 15” and hearing myself speak the most cruel things to myself in the mirror – I was in a dark place. So what do I do? I focused on what I could control – what I put into my body and how I moved my body. This sounds like it could have been a healthy coping mechanism but I took it to the extremes, causing even more stress on my body and mind. From 2015-now I continue to rely on the supports from my mental health therapist, parents, and now my fiancé when times get tough. I feel truly blessed that I had these supports available to me to help me move through the storms.

Instagram: @rachylivesgf

Facebook: facebook.com/rachylivesgf

Other: rachylivesgf@gmail.com