These days it's cool to be ethnic and to be different, but when I was a kid, it was not cool - at all. My friends would come over and my mom would make crepes with eggs, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and spinach. And they'd be like, 'What is this?'

I'm comfortable in my own skin. I know I'm not going to ever be Cindy Crawford or Elle MacPherson.

I was so nervous to turn 40, but the last year and a half has been the most fun I have ever had.

I want my daughter to see a strong woman who goes after what she wants.

My grandfather gave me inspiration to cook, and love food and flavors. My Aunt Raffie, gave me creativity and the inspiration to create new things. My mother inspires me to find simplicity in food.

These days it's cool to be ethnic and to be different, but when I was a kid, it was not cool - at all. My friends would come over and my mom would make crepes with eggs, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and spinach. And they'd be like, 'What is this?'

As long as you're eating well and moving your body every day, age is just a state of mind