Hi there! My name is Natalie, and when I'm not busy being a Mom, you'll find me busy in the kitchen creating new recipes for my family to try! I grew up in New York, always pushing the boundaries of fashion as a small kid. Whether it was really high to the sky bangs held with a gallon of my mother’s Net hairspray or big baggy pants with scrunchy socks and high tops, I was the ultimate fashionista.
My Mom and Dad immigrated from Portugal to this country in the 1960s not knowing a lick of the English language. I was born in Yonkers, NY, and was always that little girl in dresses and braids but also loved being a tomboy, making mud pies in the back yard and getting as dirty as I could. When I was 18, my parents retired and moved back to their country, leaving me in the “concrete jungle” to get things done. I was officially on my own, got my bartending license, and started working at NYC night clubs and went to college by day.
In late 2000, I met my amazing husband “Normand” that’s right with a “d.” He’s Cuban and Peruvian, so his mama had to add a twist to his name. We have been married for 16 years and together for almost 19. We have a great “love story” on how we met, and I will definitely share that with you later in one of my blog posts.
We had our first son in February of 2003; his name is Devan (pronounced like Devin). He came five weeks early, and we had many complications, but he has grown to be an amazing healthy boy!
We loved Florida so much that in 2005 we made the move and officially called it home. I got a job with the University of Central Florida while my husband worked at a local TV station. In 2005, I became pregnant with our beautiful daughter Vivian Baylee, and then again one last time in 2008! I gave birth to our last son Aidan James. It became very challenging to work and raise three kids, so we decided that it was best for me to stay at home, become Super Mom, and help raise our kids. It was one of the best choices we’ve ever made. I was able to be there for them all the time. It was a blessing.
When the kids got older, I decided to go back to school and get my skincare degree. I work part time as a skincare specialist at a local spa and wellness center in Orlando. I love helping people learn how to take care of their skin, and living in sunny Florida, it's very important to know how to do that. You only get one set!
To get a little more personal, in the last few years I had gained a lot of weight more than what I want to admit. In August of 2017, I started a ketogenic lifestyle, and I love it! I have my husband and family eating the same way. My husband and I have lost a total of 75 pounds, and we love the way we feel.
Through my journey, I have found so much joy in food, cooking, and creating great recipes!