My name is Nikki Ramos. I decided to write this blog because I love to cook, and it gives something to do to get my mind off of my sickness – Leukemia. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to cook with my aunt and my dad. Now I have been creating my own recipes for family and every-day dinners. My recipes have to be healthy, delicious, and easy as well as approved by my 3 siblings (who are super picky), and my parents.
I was diagnosed with Leukemia on October 15th, 2015. Leukemia is a blood disorder where your unhealthy blood cells take over your healthy cells. Leukemia is typically treated with Chemotherapy. However, Chemotherapy can make you feel weak, nauseous and tired; have painful headaches, stomach aches, and mouth sores; get bruised easily and bleed easily; and you’re prone to infections. Because of treatments, I could not go to school or do sports so I decided to focus on my cooking and writing this blog.
Also, I loved and still do love to watch TV shows on Food Network, particularly Worst Cooks in America, All-Star Academy, and Beat Bobby Flay (which my aunt was on!).
I have been cooking since I was two and ever since then I have had a great passion for it. I have a twin sister, Alex, who has special needs, a 10-year old brother named Andy, a 5-year old sister named Daniella, and my parents Alina and Ozzie. Everyone in my family is a tough food critic, especially Andy (below, that is me feeding Andy a few years ago). So, once I get his approval, I know the meal is good!
I am now teaching my little 5-year old sister how to bake and she is having so much fun.
I just turned 12 years old in April, and I live in Tribeca, New York city. Tribeca is a great neighborhood because everyone is so friendly and there are so many fun things to do. Every year there is a festival called Taste of Tribeca on our street. It is a festival to raise money for the local school my brother goes to during which all the restaurants set up a tent with food samples, and my siblings and I set-up a lemonade stand. It is my favorite time of the year. I also like handing out candy during Halloween.
I go to the The Brearley School on the Upper East Side. My favorite subjects are math and science. I’m in 6th grade and I have a lot of great friends. My friends in and out of school have been super kind, thoughtful and supportive throughout my journey.
Before I got diagnosed with Leukemia, I liked to do many things. Some of may favorite were volleyball, basketball, squash and swimming. In my free time, I love to ski in Vail, Colorado, and surf at the beach in the Hamptons or anywhere else.
When I was smaller, I loved to horse back ride. I was ok, but it was super fun. I also loved to fish with my grandfather, my dad and my brother.
During Summers, I have also gone to a sleep-away camp in Maine called Wohelo. It is a beautiful and rustic camp with lots of activities. My favorite activities are the music performances and tubing.
I played lots of instruments when I was younger. I loved playing the piano for 5 years. I play the viola in school but I’m not very good.
I love to take risks but sometimes they can end badly. One time I was building a zip line but fell and broke both of my wrists. I also jumped off a 20 foot rock in Hawaii – it was super fun! I love trying new things so they’re always worth the risk.
My favorite teams are the Rangers for hockey, Giants for football, Heat for basketball, and NYCFC for soccer. I like both the Mets and Yankees.
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When I’m older, I want to travel around the world and eat the amazing food the world has to offer. I think it would be fun to experience the culture of different countries and see how much work and passion they put into their food. I would love to see how the people around the world make the products that we all eat today like cheese, croissants and many other things.
Most importantly, I really hope you enjoy my blog and please email me if you have any questions or recommendations on what I should cook or write about next. You can reach me at potbellies@icloud.com.
Nikki
potbellies 
Nikki, just wanted you to know that I made your pastelitos recipe and everyone loved them!! Keep up the good work – I can’t wait to see your next new recipe.
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I can personally attest to the deliciousness of the cupcakes and merengue! Hope to get a taste of some of your new recipes on our next trip up to NYC. Good luck with the treatments and keep off those zip lines 😉
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Congratulations Nikki, great blog!!!
Looking forward to more!!!!! You are a very talented young lady and very versatile, that’s
great. Hope to taste one of your dishes.
Keep the faith, you will be fine. Besitos😘
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Good for you Nikki, cooking is a way of connecting with people and loving it at an early age will always bring you good memories. I’m a friend of Carola and remember your mom since she was a little girl. Good Luck!
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So proud of you Nikki! You have done an awesome job with your blog. I am excited to keep reading as you continue to expand it over time! I love you to the moon and back! 😘
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Great blog, Nikki. Keep achieving everything you set your mind to do. You are amazing and very mature. Hope one day I will taste one of your dishes.
Love, Lourdes Aceituno
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Love it Nikki you are a beautiful girl full of live and everything is going to be ok ,Keep fighting and cooking with your Aunt Luly she is great a big kiss. Love Pilar
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Nikki I loved your blog. It gave me an insight of what
A fun loving young lady you are. When I was young I
also loved to do sports. I hope that when that nasty
Leukemia goes away you can continue
doing what you really like and don’t forget your
trip around the world trying the various food.
Keep up your dream! You go girl!
Mari Goicolea
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Dear Nikki, what a grown-up girl you are. Love your blog – Heard about you through FB, I’m a friend of your tia abuela Carola – will definitely follow your blog, always looking for healthy recipes that taste good – not an easy task. Wishing you the very best, sending love and healing energies your way – besos, Alicia
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Nikki
you probably do not remember me, but I am your Mom’s confirmation Mardrina (sponsor) and a very old friend of you grandmother.
you have been on my prayers and now I am looking forward to your recepies!
God bless you,
Techy
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This was so much fun to read, Nikki! Thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with us 🙂 Like many of the people who have commented, I enjoy cooking. But, I enjoy eating even more! (And so do your little cousins Cati and Bibi and your big cousin Victor – he likes it the most!) So feel free to ship us some of your creations down to Miami!!
Love,
Monica
PS. Twins rock! I have a twin sister too 🙂
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Truly a very mature young lady, enjoyed reading your blog. Keep up with your joy and love for cooking
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Wow so impressed with your blog….And I absolutely love,love, love your adventurous side! I completely understand it because I have an adventurous soul as well. I am also part of your Miami connection ( one of your moms cousins) and know your mom & dad well! I imagine they must be very proud of you …as we all are for being so courageous and strong! I have a daughter your same age who also loves to cook and bake especially … So looking forward to seeing some of your recipes so I can share with her …I will be praying for your speedy recovery! And I’m also looking forward to reading more of your blog …
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Hi Nikki, I am your grandfather’s first cousin and I live in Houston, Tx. You are such an inspiration and have done a beautiful job with your blog, keep up the good work and above all keep cooking! Maggie Marquez
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My beautiful Nikki. Can’t wait to see you in the summer. I loved your blog and your love for cooking. You know that I loved to cook and had a catering business for many years. Abo used to love to cook Sunday’s for all the family. So follow the tradition!! Keep doing it. You are always in my prayers. Te quiero mucho Caco
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Nikki this is an amazing blog, I too am one of your Miami cousins and impressed with all that you been able to accomplish. I may not bake well but do love to eat cookies, brownies and so on.
I can’t wait for the next blog.
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Nikki, you are such a strong girl and very smart. I have been praying for you and will continue to do so. Keep cooking, Nikki. I know you make your family proud and your Aunt Luli. God bless you.
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You have already accomplished so much! I’m glad to know about you! Great blog, I’ll be following.
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Nikki,
You don’t know me but I know your mom and your aunt as well as most of your family on your moms paternal side. I too love to cook and find pleasure when others enjoy my creations. I pray for you by name every day and ask God to place his healing hands over you so that you may be cured of your illness. You seem like an intelligent and determined young girl and I am sure you will beat this illness. I hope to taste your cooking someday and wish you the best.
May God bless you always!
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You are always in our prayers, We love you and want you to know that you are an inspiration to all the family and others who read this blog .
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Wow Nikki!!! I am looking forward to reading your blog and delicious recipes!! I too love to bake and cook. We are praying for your speedy recovery.
Love,
Titi
(Another cousin from Miami) 😊
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Love this, Nikki! We may not see you often, but we are praying for your speedy recovery and telling Charlie about his superstar cousin! I love to cook too, even though I never get the time to do so anymore. Can’t wait to read and learn new recipes from you. 😘
Xo,
Jenise
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Awesome blog Nikki. You can add me as another family member that LOVES to cook. Miss you and love you. Can’t wait to read your next entry.
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Hi Nikki,
I really enjoyed your blog, especially all the great photos. I am in awe of all that you do.
You are truly talented. I hope you will share some of your favorite recipes.
I too, like to cook. Looking forward to your next post.
Best,
Lois
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I love it Niki. I’m counting on you cooking me something when you come visit. I love your spirit and love of life. Love you and think of you everyday.
Tia Yvi
PS. Your cousins can’t wait to see you 🙂
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Wow! This is great Nikki! I enjoyed reading all about you. Keep fighting – looking forward to what you write next !
Your always in my prayers .😘
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Love it Nikki, so happy for you, this is great!
So fun to read all you’ve done with your your life and glad to know your heart is still with the Miami Heat 😉
Keep it up, I’ll keep reading, and keep fighting!
Love you!
Albert
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