Liz Della Croce

1. I am a mom to two flirty boys ages 2 and 4 who have thick heads of hair, dimples for days and smiles that light up the room.

2. My husband and I met over 12 years ago in Boston.

3. I was born in Arizona while my Dad was doing his internship at the Tucson Medical Center.

4. Grand Rapids, Michigan became my home at the age of three. After graduating from East Grand Rapids High School, I
moved to Massachusetts to attend Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration.

5. I was the class speaker at my college graduation in May of 2002.

6. After graduating, I began my career in hospitality sales with Marriott International.

7. In 2006, I began exercising regularly for the first time in my life. I have maintained a 60 pound weight loss for over 6 years.

8. Group exercise is my favorite way to break a sweat – kickboxing, weight lifting and boot camp make me happy.

9. Although I am admittedly addicted to exercise, it is no secret that I exercise to eat.

10. My Dad introduced me to ethnic food from around the world including authentic Mexican food (heavy on the cilantro, easy on the cheese), “Sushi Saturdays”, dim sum in San Francisco, Greek food in Chicago and Vietnamese food in Berkeley.

11. My Mother’s grandparents were born in Syria and as a result, I began learning how to make Middle Eastern food at a very young age from shadowing the women in my family.

12. I am the oldest of 3 girls and my sisters live just down the street. Despite the 10 and 4 year age gaps, we are extremely close.

13. In 2007, my husband moved back home with me to Grand Rapids, Michigan to buy a house and start a family. I am forever indebted.

14. My middle sister and I were pregnant together twice and our children are both less than 4 months apart. They will grow up like siblings even though they are cousins.

15. I thrive around others and prefer a group setting to being alone.

16. In 2009, I read Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels and committed to eating clean. As a result, I haven’t had a diet coke since 2009.

17. I traveled to Africa 10 years before I made my first trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan.

18. To say that I am obsessed with Someecards would be an understatement.

19. Fall is my favorite season- the smell, the apples, the air, the clothes, the food, the holidays.

20. In January 2012, my dream of appearing live to cook on the TODAY Show came true.

21. I have no idea how to garden and envy those with a green thumb.

22. Sriracha is almost always on our dining table.

23. People often describe me as “easily excitable.”

24. My favorite breakfast involves coffee, eggs and fresh fruit.

25. Ellie Krieger is one of my inspirations and I was lucky enough to meet her in 2011.

26. Cooking makes me happy but not as much as being a mother which is why I never became a professional Chef.

27. I am a city girl at heart. Boston, New York, London, Chicago and San Francisco are a few of my favorites.

28. I don’t have a sweet tooth. Cheese is another story.

29. I have had the pleasure of visiting over 25 countries around the world including Norway, Spain, Morocco, Greece and Mexico.

30. I love champagne.

31. My friends mean the world to me.

32. Farmers markets and fruit stands make me insanely happy.

33. Lake Michigan is my favorite place to unwind.

34. I thank God every day that I am living my dream.

35. I thrive to pay it forward every single day.