About Hayley

Hi, I’m Hayley!

Wife first, proud dog mom, and always excited to feed everyone!

I’m Hayley Ryczek, the cook behind Health Starts in the Kitchen. My husband, Ray, and I split our time between the Laurel Highlands and Lake Erie, and we call all of Western Pennsylvania HOME.

I’m a Clarion University grad who loves being outdoors—whether we’re foraging, exploring on our e-bikes or enjoying Lake Erie. But as much as I love an adventure, I’m always excited to gather friends and family around the table. Feeding everyone is my favorite part!

That love of food is what I bring to Health Starts in the Kitchen. I’ve been sharing original recipes here since around 2012, from everyday favorites to dishes inspired by whatever we’ve brought home from the woods. I want to help you make something delicious and enjoy sharing it with your people.

From my kitchen to yours

My love of feeding people has grown into a career as a recipe developer, cookbook author, professional food photographer and food stylist. I’m the author of two traditionally published cookbooks, Without Grain and Fermented Foods at Every Meal, and I personally did all of the food styling and photography for both.

For me, the recipe and the photograph are both part of sharing the food. I love making something delicious, getting it ready for its close-up and taking a photo that makes you want to dig in! My photography and styling work has also appeared in magazines and is featured around the web.

My culinary qualifications also include Le Cordon Bleu Certified Recipe Developer.

A little of the outdoors on the table

Foraging and gardening are part of our life together, and they often inspire what I cook, much as they did for my grandmother. Bringing home a seasonal find or picking what’s ready in the garden and figuring out how to share it is one of my favorite ways to connect time outdoors with time in the kitchen.

I also hold a Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification and a Wild Mushroom Foraging Permit.

You’ll find that enthusiasm in my wild-food recipes and foraging guides, along with respect for the care those ingredients require. Online articles and photographs are starting points for learning, not a way to confirm that a mushroom you’ve found is safe to eat. Learn with knowledgeable local people, use regional references (I highly suggest joining a local foraging group!) and leave anything you’re unsure about.

Healthy living, without the rigid rules

I’m not dogmatic about food. To me, healthy living is a spectrum, not a destination—and there’s room for that to look different from one person, or one season of life, to the next.

I’ve lived through some very restrictive, regimented ways of eating. The biggest lesson I took from that experience is that more rules didn’t make me healthier. For me, stepping away from restriction and enjoying a wider variety of foods in moderation has been better for both my mental and physical well-being.

These days, we still love a healthy recipe, but we no longer build our meals around a restrictive diet. We make room for nourishing everyday food, favorite comfort foods and the simple pleasure of sharing something delicious.

You’ll find recipes here that reflect different chapters of my life, including grain-free and other diet-specific recipes. They’re options to enjoy, not rules I expect you to follow.

My approach is well-rounded, flexible and rooted in enjoying food. There’s room at this table for different needs and preferences—including anyone who needs to avoid particular foods for medical reasons.

My nutrition and wellness background

My interest in food has also led me to training as a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.

That background is part of what I bring to my writing about food and everyday well-being. These are coaching and practitioner credentials, distinct from physician or registered dietitian licensure. The information I share here is for general education and does not replace individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional.

Pull up a chair

Whether you’re here for a dinner idea, curious about cooking with wild mushrooms or just getting to know me, I’m glad you’re here. Start with the recipes, explore our outdoor adventures or tell me what you’ve been making.

And if you’re coming over? I’m already thinking about what to feed you!

Start exploring

Recipes — Find inspiration for dinner, homemade staples, gluten-free favorites, and more.

Foraging — Explore wild foods, mushrooms, and ideas for bringing seasonal finds into the kitchen.

E-Biking — Come along for rides, outdoor adventures, and practical e-bike tips.

Lifestyle — Browse ideas for home, garden, and everyday living.

Let’s connect

Have a recipe question, want to share what you’ve made, or interested in working together? Get in touch here. I’m glad you’re here!