Thanksgiving Banana Pudding
This is NOT a family recipe, I found it online (link is below) and added my own twist to the dessert. Every year I usually have to work the holiday so I’m always rushed & looking for an easy fast dish to take to the party.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/allrecipes.com/recipe/22749/the-best-banana-pudding/amp/
Thanks for watching & let me know if you give it a try!
Oyster Girl + Lust = My Lipstick Recipe
This is the perfect example of how I often mix & match brands & shades. I decided to kick off the work week wearing a pink/nude lipstick. What do you think of this color combo?
I often choose matte colors (for tv) but I'm obsessed with lipgloss so it's part of my daily routine too. I personally think it helps keep my lips hydrated.
Shades seen above:
Sephora lip pencil: Light Brown
MAC lipstick: Metallic Lust
MAC lipglass: Oyster Girl
'Naked Lunch' & 'Espresso'
What do the two have in common? They are The colors of my eyeshadow! Lately I've received quite a few compliments on my eye makeup so I thought I'd share this 'recipe.'
Below are the colors I used and also, check out the video of the whole process.
Espresso - Use on your outer V. *Try to use a thin eyeshadow brush for precision.
Cork - this color goes in the crease of your eye.
Orb - brush it on your brow bone, right below your eye brow.
Naked Lunch - brush on as little or heavy as you'd like on your eyelid.
(MAC colors are listed top to bottom; in the or der used.)
Excited. Happy. HUNGRY.
This pretty much sums up how I feel when visiting the RGV. I consider South Texas home. I attended HS there and the majority of my childhood memories stem from there.
I don't visit often, but when I do, it's UNLIMITED tacos, tostadas and Mexican food.
Here are my top 5 favorite must-haves!
Breakfast Tacos: all of them are delicious & big enough to share. This one I ordered has egg, potatoe, bacon, cheese & a side of refried beans.
This monster taco was so unforgettable, I decided to post this picture too. By the way, I shared this taco with my sister! IT WAS ENOUGH for both of us!
ELOTE: white corn with butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, cheese and garnished with chile on top!
I have yet to find a place in Houston that serves elote like this.
If you know of a place...let me know!
Tacos, tacos, and more tacos!! There's different variations (fajita, trompo, bistek, etc.). While in the RGV...I get to eat all the variations!!...not on the same day though. Lol!
Tostadas!! Another of my favorite eats! Check out these fried tortillas with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado & topped with sour cream.
When in the RGV...It's a MUST to visit South Padre Island! And after a good swim at the beach, you've made enough room for peel & eat gulf shrimp. Of course I always ask for extra lime & HOT sauce!
So here you have it!...My top 5 eats while in South Texas! I ate just enough to hold me over until next time!!
If you have a trip planned, enjoy your eats!!
Arroz con leche
So quick, easy & most importantly, I like to call it "feel good food" since it brings back so many childhood memories.
Last night I made white rice (1 cup of rice & 2 cups of water) and had so much leftover I turned it into breakfast with just a few ingredients.
I mixed rice, coconut milk (you could use soy, almond or even cashew milk too) then added a little bit of cinnamon.
Heat it in the microwave for about 2 minutes and that's it!
*You can also add raisins, almonds or even some honey if you want it a little sweeter.
Texas hair falls flat!
People always associate Houston with the humidity in the air and it's no joke! I was out on assignment recently and it took 10-20 minutes for my nice curls to fall, literally.
Ladies, we all have days like this! Check out how I went from having really tight curls to looking like I used a flat iron.
Keeping tradition alive with CAPIROTADA.
It's that time of year again! CAPIROTADA, also known as bread pudding, is in the oven and we are ready to eat!
This is a traditional dessert that we have every year during lent specifically on Friday's.
My mom was telling me that often times people will substitute the dish as a meal because as you're about to see it's "meat-less" but heavy enough to fill you up.
Did you hear my mom? She said "Rita, we expect this every year."
I'm more than happy to keep this tradition alive and pass it on.
Enjoy!
Ingredients as seen in the video:
French Bread (sliced, buttered & toasted to a golden brown)
1 C raisins (1 C cranberries...optional)
2 C nuts (walnuts or mixture of other nuts)
Butter (enough to put on French Bread to toast)
2 C water
1 1/4 C brown sugar or piloncillo
2-3 sticks cinnamon
Cloves 3 or 4
Anise (pinch)
Recipe for syrup & bread pudding:
Boil 2 cups water along with piloncillo, cloves, anise and cinnamon sticks. Let it thicken a bit once it boils.
Layer the French Bread on a 8x8 casserole and soak with syrup. Layer the raisins, then the cheese, and soak with syrup after each layer.
Bake in 350* oven for 20 minutes.
*Serving suggestions: ice cream, topped with whipped cream.
Fresh - Fabulous - Fun
TV news isn't always glamorous. Sometimes you'll have to be out in the elements (we experienced temperatures between low 40s to 80s) for a long period of time. That's exactly what happened during our 10-day coverage leading up to Super Bowl 51. It was AWESOME but below are 5 items that kept me looking & feeling good on TV.
1. Curling Iron
I wasn't sure if I'd find space or an outlet to plug in my curling iron but regardless, I always kept it with me.
The humidity really dropped as the sun came up so I'd redo my hair in between shows and my hair always looked freshly done.
2. Hairspray
This particular brand, Kerastase, is a little pricey but if you can swing it, it's totally worth it.
It has been the best so far when it comes to that "flexible hold" and it never made my hair feel yucky and stiff.
*BONUS it smells amazing!
3. Scarf
This scarf served a dual purpose. Houston weather is crazy, one day it was hot & the next it was cold and windy. Bottom line, if this wasn't wrapped around my neck to keep me warm I'd use it to tuck my curls in for "extra hold."
*Don't get me wrong, the humidity is brutal but the scarf helped to keep my curls tight for a few extra minutes.
4. Hand Warmers
Ohhhh my goodness, these hand warmers saved me on the very cold days out at Discovery Green.
Sitting at the news desk I couldn't really wear gloves since I was constantly on my phone and using the computer. These were perfect to slip into my jacket pockets.
5. Comfy shoes
I opted for the block heels, rain boots & UGGs the majority of the time.
Yes, heels would've been cute but there was so much walking & the last thing I wanted to do was sink or ruin the beautiful green grass.
Overall, the 10-day outdoor experience was incredible. Definitely required extra work, but worth every minute.
Super Bowl Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients as seen in the video:
Jalapeño peppers (I used a total of 5 but this will vary depending on how many people you plan to feed.)
1 block of Philadelphia cream cheese
1 package of bacon
Recipe:
Preheat your oven to 350 and while you wait cut the stems off the jalapeño peppers.
Be sure to wash them and clean out all the seeds before filling them with cream cheese.
Then, wrap a bacon strip around the peppers and gently place them on your oven pan.
Cook them for 15-20 mins on both sides.
Once your timer rings let them cool for about 5 mins and finally, ENJOY!
Annual TAMALADA 2016
Family traditions have always been really important to my parents so as usual we planned our annual "TAMALADA" in early December.
Take a look at this short video of the process.
People always ask about the "process" and the time it takes to make tamales, I can tell ya we spent about 6 hours and worked with 25 pounds of masa.
Time certainly well spent with loved ones before we all devoured the delicious tamales!
Happy Holidays!
Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
Every year my usual is preparing a big bowl of fresh fruit & so I wanted to do something different.
Watch as I make a "cranberry millionaire fruit salad."
Ingredients as seen in the video:
Ocean Spray Fresh Premium Cranberries
H-E-B Cinnamon Sticks
Pineapple chunks
Trader Joe's Raw Pecan Pieces Trader Joe's
Organic unsweetened coconut chipsFage Plain
Greek yogurt H-E-B Miniature Marshmallows
Recipe:
Boil 1 cup of water before adding 2 cups of fresh cranberries. Add 2 cinnamon sticks and 3/4 cup of sugar to the mix. Let it simmer for about 10 mins before allowing it to cool.
Meantime, in a separate dish add the remainder of your ingredients: pineapple chunks, pecan pieces, marshmallows, coconut shavings and 2 cups of Greek yogurt.
Once your cranberries combination has cooled you can add everything together and stir.
Put the fruit salad in the fridge, overnight, and serve chilled.
Condition + Regular Trims = Healthy Hair
That's according to Tippi Shorter, beauty expert & celebrity hairstylist. If you're always on the go and there's never enough time to style your hair try the "non-braid-braid."
Check out the video below for a quick tutorial on how to get the look plus Tippi offers advice to ladies with all hair types.
Tippi, based in Atlanta, has worked with Lady Gaga, Houston's very own BEYONCÉ & currently says she working with Alicia Keys.
Thrifty Thursday
Compliments of the "Too Cheap Blondes" and their thrifty skills at the Family Thrift Outlet. Pippa & Jen shop at the locations on Hillcroft, Almeda & Little York. Below are some of their fab finds with good-looking price tags!
Brand: Pippa $2
Brand: Kenneth Cole $2
Brand: Cache $2
Brand: BCBG Black Jacket $2
Brand: J.Crew $2
Visit the TooCheapBlondes.com for more of their fantastic finds. They've also posted tips on when & where to shop. Happy Shopping!
Monday Morning Must-Haves
1. LIP GLOSS
This is 'deelight' (cremesheen) from MAC.
2. PRIMER
Smashbox photo finish foundation primer. (I apply this after my daily moisturizer. Keep in mind, it's a good idea to let your moisturizer set in for a few minutes before applying.)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer potion. (Apply this all over your eyelid and again, let it set for about a minute before you use eyeshadow.)
3. EYELASH CURLER
My eyelashes are just as straight as my hair so I keep this handy all the time!
Any brand from Sephora is usually pretty good but this one in particular is Surratt beauty relevee lash curler.
4. HEAT PROTECTOR
Kerastase (Ciment Thermique) is by far the best product line I've tried! Every morning I use hot tools on my hair so I make it a point to apply this the night before. I use about a quarter sized amount and lather it in to the ends of my hair.
5. BIG ROUND BRUSH
This is key to adding extra volume in the Houston humidity! It's my secret weapon before using the curling iron after the blow dryer.
Homemade Salsa Verde
Ingredients seen in video are listed below video.
15 Jalapeño Peppers
Fine Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Ground Cumin
Minced Garlic
Distilled Vinegar
Canned (diced) Tomatoes
Corn Tortilla Chips
Baked Chicken & Steamed Zucchini
Ingredients seen in video are listed below video.
2 Chicken Breast
1 Boneless Chicken Breast
Season All
Pepper
Lime
1 tablespoon of Garlic
2 Zucchini (sliced and ready to steam)
Fashionable. Fierce. Fun.
Since I can't dye my hair purple (obviously) I go for the pops of color while on vacation.
It's always fun to spice it up in a new place or on a new adventure & this time we're crusin' to Alaska!
Check out my 5 favorite colorful statements.
1. Blue Mascara.
It matched perfectly with the glaciers behind me. This brand is benefit (beyond blue) from Sephora.
*Since I have dark eyelashes I had to apply several layers. It's a little difficult to show up in pictures too but in person it's visible.
2. Pink Earrings.
Be sure to check out your local shops for a piece of jewelry to add color. These were purchased in Sitka, Alaska. They are handcrafted, made from glass & inspired by the northern lights.
3. Nail Polish.
My sister told me the dark blue reminded her of the deep blue sea and that's why she picked a dark color. I went with light blue because it reminded me of the Alaskan sky.
4. Green Eyeliner.
I packed my usual black liner but thought it would be fun to go green. Notice it's got glitter in it too for a little something extra.
*This is also from Sephora & the color is glitter green.
5. Luscious Lips.
Lipstick is just fun! I usually pick the pink and nude colors but on vacation I go BOLD! It's liquid lipstick by Anastasia (Beverley Hills) called Carina, from Sephora.
Calabaza con Pollo
Ingredients:
Whole Cut- Up Chicken
2 Calabaza (Mexican Squash)
2 Yellow Squash
2 cans of Whole Kernel Corn
1 can of Crushed Tomatoes
Half an Onion
Avocado oil
Chicken & Tomato Bouillon
Recipe:
Boil your chicken in 1 cup of water and 2 teaspoons avocado oil.
Let it simmer on medium heat until the water evaporates so you can fry the chicken.
Once it's golden brown add your seasonings (to taste), drained cans of corn and half a can of crushed tomatoes then 2 cups of water.
Now add your squash.
Let it simmer for a good 20 minutes.
Feel free to garnish with lemon/lime or avocado on the side if you want to kick it up a notch (but strictly a personal choice).
Buen Provecho!
Breakfast is BLENDED!
Thumbs up to a burst of energy every morning!
Since I don't have a lot of time before work I prepare my smoothie the night before.
Ingredients:
A handful of organic power green
1 gourmet baby seedless cucumber
1 strawberry flavored Activia yogurt
1 banana
2 teaspoons of chia seed
2 cups of water