Tell us about your show, Extra Virgin, on the Cooking Channel.
My husband, Gabriele [Corcos], and I create the recipes, and I write the fun comedic sketches to drive the food segments. It’s almost the best role of my life: to write comedy, cook, eat, be with my family…and get paid for it!

Check out Debi's Zucchini Bread recipe

What led you to team up with Truvia?
I’ve always tried to eat as healthfully as possible. Truvia has the sweetness of sugar but is all natural. I use it often; my daughters, Evelina [9] and Giulia [5], love chocolate milk, so I make my own version using skim milk, chocolate and Truvia.

Are your daughters good eaters?
They’ve developed a preference for natural-tasting foods, versus overly processed foods. As a mom, that thrills me. When your kids are young, that’s the only time you have to educate them and get their taste buds to accept the flavor of garlic or extra-virgin olive oil. One of my proudest—and scariest—mommy moments was when Giulia was 3½ years old and was expertly chopping an onion with a 7-inch kitchen knife!

What’s your advice for parents of picky eaters?
Parents need to be more diligent about what their children eat, and it doesn’t take a lot of work. Keep introducing new foods and flavors–eventually your kids will like some of them. I try to make meals that the entire family will eat, but this is my philosophy: If you don’t like what I put on the table, then you don’t eat. You’ll be hungry tomorrow. Then you’ll eat.

What’s your favorite cheat food?
I love BBQ-flavored potato chips. My daughters will eat chicken nuggets from Trader Joe’s, but then I’ll pair it with broccoli. If we have a cheat day, I try to balance it with something healthy the next day. Although we try to eat healthy most of the time, no one is perfect.

With your acting roles and cooking show, how do you keep it together as a working mom?
Well … I’m very stressed out! I only sleep four to five hours a night, and I haven’t taken a nap in ten years. But I’m happy. If you’re in love with your partner and your family, and your work is fulfilling, you don’t need much else in life.