Natalie Hardage

West Austin mom debuts salsa line
By Yvonne Lim Wilson

When Natalie Hardage became a stay-at-home mom four years ago, she started spending more time in the kitchen. And that’s when the thought occurred that the fresh salsas she had been creating could be marketable.

“Just being in the kitchen all the time brought me back to food,” she said. “Your focus in life is totally different when you’re a mom.”

The Hardage family, which includes Natalie’s husband Phil and their two daughters Olivia, 4, and Diana, 1, lives in Highland Park.

After about a year of creating recipes and developing a brand, Natalie’s Naturals debuted on grocery store shelves in August.

The line currently includes four salsas: Edamame Bean and Mixed Veggie Salsa, Edamame Bean Green Salsa, Fresh Herb Garlic Salsa, and Cilantro Black Bean Salsa.

Not only do the salsas make a great dip, but they also are an easy way to make quick and healthy dinners.

“My salsas are so chunky they’re almost like side dishes,” she said. “We’ll pour it over chicken or on a baked potato. It’s more convenient rather than cutting eight different vegetables.”

Making salsa had occupied a significant portion of Hardage’s life since Hardage’s family founded Jardine Foods in 1978 and sold the business in the late 1990s.

And now, Olivia has dived right into the new family business, taking on the role of salesperson, taste tester and she even helps her mother cook. With each trip to the grocery store, Olivia will run over to the salsa isle, telling shoppers to buy her mommy’s salsa, Hardage said.

“It’s great—they’re very yummy,” said Olivia, slurping a bit of salsa from a corn chip. The Edamame Bean and Mixed Veggie Salsa is Olivia’s favorite.

Hardage said she believes you receive more energy and vitality from natural and whole foods. And with a name like Natalie’s Naturals, the focus is on nature.

“I feel like Mother Nature knows best,” Hardage said. “The less I tamper with it, the better it will taste. My recipe is original, so you’re not going to taste something you’ve tasted before, and I use only the very best premium quality vegetables and herbs. It’ll translate to your taste buds.”

And with the green and red labels of the green and red edamame salsas, Hardage said the salsas make great holiday gifts.

Look for Natalie’s Naturals at Whole Foods Market in Austin, throughout California and into the Northwest.