It's that simple to cool down on a humid sticky day in Houston.
A whole watermelon is a lot in my house so after filling the ice trays I had a few pieces leftover to enjoy later.
If you don't own the nutribullet, a blender will work too.
These ice cube trays are awesome! They were just under $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond.
ENJOY!!
I'm honored and humbled to be featured in the current issue (Spring 2016) of Texas State University's, Hillviews Magazine.
My parents and two sisters are alumni too. It's a family affair!
"The program prepared me well to be in front of the camera..."
To all those aspiring journalists, remember to relax, everything will be OK. Enjoy the ride!
Eat 'Em Up Cats!!!!!!
My father is my corner man. I've expressed before how he always speaks about life as if it were a boxing ring.
Doing what we do best... Relaxing. Grilling. Talking.
You can be the best, have the talent and the dream, but without a corner man you're at a disadvantage.
My parents are educators and have spent their lives encouraging me, learning about the media business and keeping up with my progress!
I can't thank them enough for the strength to go through the motions. On this #FathersDay I thank my dad for all his love, strength and most importantly, ADVICE!
There is a reason why people say "the older, the wiser."
Below are the top 5 things my father has taught me. Even today he continues to remind me of these when times get tough.
1. Gratitude
Always remember there is a higher power. You need to count your blessings and never forget where you came from.
2. Positive thinking
"Doubt" will get you every time, so remember to dream. It's the first step to making it a reality.
3. Accountability
Aside from putting your mind to things you want to do. Remember to live by your word. If you say you will do something, you need to follow through.
4. Be assertive
Don't be afraid to ask. If you live thinking about the consequences or, "what if it doesn't work?" you'll never succeed!
You need to live in the "now" because you don't know about tomorrow.
5. Challenges build character
There is a lesson to be learned out of every failure. Even if you can't see it, plan to grow and always remember it's only a sign that bigger things await you.
Thank you dad for raising me to be all of the above and reminding me that a little sweat never hurt anybody.
1. The 1:30AM wake-up call never gets easy, in fact some mornings it's really darn tough!
This little tube of eye cream has been my savior and notice where it's stored!
In between the cream cheese and sour cream you'll find my MAC fast response eye cream.
I keep it in the fridge so that when I apply it under my eyes it's refreshing & cool all at the same time. A little goes a long way so this small tube (believe it or not) will last me a couple months.
2. I spy my EYE MASK
Behind the spinach is another one of my favorites found in the fridge
I'll wear it about 5-10mins after I apply my under-eye cream. This is not an every morning ritual but I'll use it a couple times a week.
It's cold on the face and just another way to get the day started before packing on all the TV makeup.
3. HEAT protectors
I use the blow dryer & curling iron every single day so I'm the perfect candidate for dry damaged hair. I've also been dealing with major breakage recently so these two products are REQUIRED.
The serum I use right before bed since my hair is wet. The chi 44 iron guard works well on dry hair so I'll spray it on the ends in the morning for extra protection.
I have noticed my hair won't curl as well some mornings because of all the product but for the most part I've seen a difference and my hair feels healthier by the end of the week.
4. Eye shadow Primer
This is by far my secret weapon when it comes to keeping my eye shadow in place all day long!
It's a very small tube but once again, a little goes a long way. I've noticed if you use too much it does smear so a dab on each eye is perfect.
Check out my eyeshadow 13 hours after I applied it at 3AM.
5. Moisturizer with SPF
Dermatologists constantly stress the importance of wearing sunscreen and I've noticed over the years using it in products has helped with preventing lines on my face. Plus my skin glows even hours after long work days.
I apply this every single day under all the makeup. This particular brand is from Target, reasonably priced & non- greasy.
Remember, vitamin D is good but don't overdose on the sunshine.
These are my absolute favorite and it's simple to turn them into a toasty snack.
This bag was $6 at Trader Joes. It's a little pricey but they will last a good month.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and while you wait, place the almonds on a cookie sheet.
I usually set the timer for 15mins and then flip them over for another 15.
After this batch, I bet you will do this all the time!
Enjoy this healthy snack without getting bored with plain raw almonds.
Despite physical obstacles Doyle Waller has found the perfect balance between school, social life and raising awareness about Morquio Syndrome, a rare disorder he was born with.
Teaching life skills and empowering young teen girls is the mission of the Project Beautiful Me organization.
I had the privilege of moderating the 4th annual power panel at Willowridge High School.
Panelists: Miss Mykie (TV Host/Recording Artist); Candace Ford (PBM Founder); Devi Dev (TV/Radio Host); Mariah Houghton (Worship Leader/Lakewood Chirch); Corey Nelson (Broncos Linebacker)
Of all the questions from the dozens of teenagers here are a few responses from our panelist that hopefully you can apply to your career path.
Q. How important is it to network & know the right people?
'What you know is incredibly important. You can know everyone in the world but you still have to bring something to the table.' - Devi Dev
Q. How do you build confidence even as a teenager?
'Confidence comes from knowing your flaws & embracing them.' - Mariah Houghton
'Treat confidence as a muscle. Keep doing it, practice it & always remember, what other people think of you is none of your business.' -Devi Dev
Q. How do you deal with negativity and mean comments online?
'You've got to keep it moving.' - Miss Mykie
After a full day of character building & workshops all the girls had the opportunity to choose a donated prom dress plus accessories. Needless to say, they went home feeling fabulous and hopefully, empowered.
Mom is here and I'm craving nopales so I asked her to whip up a traditional meal for me.
I can't take any credit for this final picture but I did watch closely so I could learn for the next time.
First mom diced the cactus. She cut them into small squares but says the shape really doesn't matter. You can chop, dice, even cut the green plant length wise. Your preference.
I helped season the nopales while they were sitting on the stove (medium heat).
We used a teaspoon of each: garlic, cumin, chicken bouillon & chile powder. Mom says the chili powder is to add color.
After the nopales simmered for 15 minutes she added 1/4 of a can of stewed tomatoes & a few slices of onion.
At this point if your nopales start to dry up you can add a little water.
Finally we added a sliced jalapeño for a more spicy & tangy flavor. That's it! Let it sit on the stove and simmer for about 15-20mins. It depends on the consistency you want.
We served it over Mexican rice but you can do anything. Beans, white rice, tortillas etc.
One last thing, my mom mentioned nopales are seasonal and best during the spring. Now would be the perfect time if you've never tried them.
'Best Sip' & 'Best use of Secret Ingredient' goes to...(DRUMROLL PLEASE)
Team Tyler, Chef Ara & me!
It was another successful Rodeo Roundup! This year organizers changed things up & decided on a friendly cooking competition. Media personalities teamed up with a charity of their choice to whip up a BBQ side dish & cocktail or mocktail.
This is what we came up with.
Creamy Cheesy Corn Grits with a refreshing mojito to wash it down (pictured below).
Here are the rules we were given:
- Dish must include 10 ingredients or less.
- Each team has 30 mins to cook & present their dish.
*Organizers threw us a curve ball when we were given a Dr. Pepper to incorporate into the dish.
Our list of ingredients is as follows:
Butter garlic yellow corn grits
Heavy onion cream
Sharp Chedar Cheese
1 can frozen limeade
Light White Rum
2 Limes
Mint leaves
TopoChico
It took the judges about 30mins to get through all the entries before they announced the winners.
The contest didn't end with the friendly cook-off competition. We were then sent in a scavenger hunt throughout the fair grounds. It was a blast.
All prize money will go directly to the nonprofit Urban Harvest. They promote good nutrition through teaching and supporting organic gardening. For more information check out UrbanHarvest.org.
They stain everything RED but the health benefits are so worth it! Studies show beets are rich in vitamins and fiber so they're good for your immune system.
Every time I'm checking out at the grocery store someone will ask about the raw beets in my basket. I think it's because they look like big brown pebbles so people are curious enough to ask, "What are those?" Or "how do you eat them?"
I always have a HUGE smile on my face when I explain how simple it is to cook beets and then incorporate them into your diet.
First boil them in water. They're kind of like potatoes so they'll be on medium heat for a good hour. *Sometimes they'll have to boil for much longer, it depends on how big they are.
I usually stick a fork in them too to determine how soft they are. That's how you'll know they're ready.
Then run them under cold water and they should be pretty easy to peel. Make sure you get all the skin off before slicing into pieces.
I enjoy beets in salads and smoothies so I'll just store them in a tupperware & keep them in the fridge until I'm ready to use.
Told ya it was easy!
In no time at all whip up a yummy dish so you won't show up empty-handed to your next gathering.
This literally took me about 30 mins to prepare.
Here's what you need:
Cream Cheese
1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
2 tsp of Garlic
2 handfuls of fresh spinach
Italian or Parmesan Cheese
1 small can of artichoke hearts
1 small can of Hearts of Palm
Mix the cream cheese with your choice of Greek yogurt & sour cream before adding the garlic.
*I took the cream cheese out of the fridge about an hour before I started preparing so it was easier to work with.
Meantime, chop your spinach, artichoke hearts & hearts of palm.
Now you're ready to mix all your ingredients while heating up your oven. Set the temperature at 375 degrees.
Once you've spread everything onto your oven pan add another layer of shredded cheese. I used Italian style but feel free to change it up. Cook for 20mins.
That's it! Enjoy and remember, we used Greek yogurt, if you over indulge on this Super Bowl Sunday you'll feel a little better!
Only 13 delicious calories ya'll. I've never seen these before & to my surprise they are so yummy! It's carrots & celery wrapped in a sheet of jicama.
I drizzled some lime on them but I'm sure they'd be just as great with any type of your favorite hot sauce too.
Plus I snacked on them right after a workout, awesome way to rehydrate and jicama is a good antioxidant.
If ya spot them at your nearby HEB they are definitely worth a try.
It's the perfect combination on any given night! I didn't have spaghetti noodles in the pantry either so I used what I had and came up with this...
VIOLA!!! (Keep in mind, you can always swap ingredients, it just depends on what you're in the mood for.)
Here are the ingredients used:
Olive Oil
4 cloves of fresh garlic
red pepper flakes
2 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 package of pasta shells
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2lb of broccoli
handful of spinach
1/2 onion
1 whole fresh tomatoe
1/2 can of Italian style diced tomatoes
*Total cook time is about an hour plus prep!
First, thaw your chicken before boiling for 30-40 mins. Boil your pasta in a separate pot at the same time. (I usually add about a tablespoon of olive oil so the shells don't stick)
Meanwhile sauté your fresh tomatoes, onions, and red bell pepper with olive oil & fresh garlic.
I like to add broccoli and spinach to my pasta sauce but it will get soggy pretty quick. For that reason I only keep it on the flame for a few minutes. You can add Italian seasoning like I did; for more flavor use half a can of Italian style diced tomatoes.
Once the chicken is done boiling toss it on the grill for about 5 mins. I sprinkled black pepper on it and let it sit for a few.
Once everything was just about ready I added very little Prego sauce to my sauce. Notice in the picture the mushrooms? (Found them in the pantry at the last minute and tossed them in)
Here's the FINAL! I sprinkled parmesan on top and added some red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Hope you enjoy! It's always fun mixing things up in the kitchen. Leftovers are good too...
That's usually my request every time I'm home with family.
It's my all time favorite comfort food anytime of the year. Last night though, I felt it was extra yummy because it was still cool outside.
Here's the recipe:
1 Box of Vermicelli
1 can of stewed tomatoes
3 cloves of fresh garlic
1 Onion
1lb of Chicken (this may vary depending on how many you're feeding)
Olive oil
Chicken bouillon
Brown the fideo in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. It should be a nice golden brown color before adding a few slices of onion, fresh garlic & about half of the can of tomatoes (you can add the juice, it's optional)
Meantime, boil your protein. I used 4 drumsticks & 1 boneless chicken breast. Add the chicken flavored bouillon to the broth so you can use it when your chicken is ready.
Finally add your chicken and broth to the fideo. Keep in mind I enjoy mine very soupy so I'll add broth as I go (Be sure to cover your pan so the fideo can finish cooking after you add your chicken) Let it simmer for about 15mins.
That's it friends! Enjoy & keep in mind you can always substitute the chicken for ground beef or any other type of protein ya like!
"Don't mind me if I fall asleep. I'm not a fan and its early."
That's exactly what I said to my date before walking in to see the new movie in 3D. To my surprise I loved every minute & wanted more when the credits rolled. Here's why....
1. 3D was AWESOME
The first couple of minutes into the film justified why we paid a little extra for the silly glasses.
Plus the lightsaber scenes & weather elements in the movie were intensified with the 3D effect.
2. No need to see previous Star Wars films
Probably the best way to recruit new fans since movie goers like me just wanted to see what all the hype was about.
In fact, after the movie I was curious to see older films so I could really connect the dots but it's not necessary.
This picture was taken about two weeks after the premiere & still it's dominating at the box office.
3. BB-8
I fell in love with this character or droid in the movie!Not to mention anytime I head his name 'BB-8' I kept thinking of BBVA! It made the feel like there was a real Houston connection.
Enjoy & of course, may the force be with you!
In the world of television every second counts and the same applies for getting to work on-time. Here's what I practice every night/morning.
Good Luck!
1. Check the weather
Always know what to expect so you're not scrambling at the last minute looking for your umbrella or rain coat. Keep it by the door even to make sure you don't forget it.
Personally, I keep a sweater in my backseat at all times because I'm ALWAYS cold & ALWAYS prepared rain or shine.
2. Decide on your outfit
Now that you know whether it will be a short or long sleeve kinda day decide what to wear. No need to debate or even second guess yourself at the last minute.
(Sometimes I'll try my outfit on if I'm questioning whether or not I'll like the way it fits.)
3. DON'T FORGET accessories
Believe it or not looking for a pair of earrings or digging around for the matching one can eat up A LOT of time!
Get away from the whole "I'll look for it in the morning attitude" find it now. It'll save you time later.
4. Prep your breakfast & coffee
Try to make your morning routine as easy as possible by doing as much prepping before going to bed.
I know some people will set the coffee maker to brew automatically but I chose to physically press the button because it forces me out of bed!
Cutting up fruit, looking for pumpkin seeds, reaching for the apple cider vinegar. All of this smoothie making can eat up at least 15mins that I don't have.
Do what you can to make sure all you have to do in the morning is blend.
5. Keep the clock on the accurate time
DONT set the clock a few minutes ahead! You're guaranteed to be late because it'll be in the back of your mind that "you have plenty of time."
It use to be a bad habit of mine but was easy to break once every single clock was set to the correct time.
There were a whole lot of firsts beginning with the Texans WIN against Tampa! The team also played their very first home game on new AstroTurf (artificial grass).
It was also my first experience at an NFL football game and the energy was incredible! The crowd was pumped and naturally I learned a few things as a newbie. Hopefully these tips will help if you've never been or are planning your first trip to the stadium.
1. Get there early
You probably want to post pictures on social media so early is key! Once the stadium is full it's pretty impossible to get a cell signal but if you're there before the crowds, post away. Obviously during the game you can't really tweet in real time but at least you can 'check-in' and get a pic on Instagram pre-game.
We had the privilege of walking on the field pre-game. What an experience to see the team warm-up.
2. Check the forecast
It started to drizzle on our way in and out of NRG. Wear a light rain coat if you can because most umbrellas aren't allowed inside. It depends on whether or not they fit under your seat.
3. NO purses unless it's a clear plastic bag.
No exceptions. I just took my phone, ID and a lip gloss. Security will turn you around to leave your stuff in the car. (It's a far walk so leave the valuables at home)
4. Use the bathrooms at the right time.
Ladies, there is always a line so leave your seat a few minutes before half time. 5 mins before the end of the 4th quarter is a good time too in order to avoid a long wait.
Waiting on the Texans to make their grand entrance before taking on Tampa Bay.
5. DON'T count the calories! You'll spoil your game day experience so plan to order the nachos & hot dog! It's all in moderation...right?
Texans WON their first game of the season 9-19.
I'm talking about the Julienne Peeler! It's under $20 and super easy to use. I'd seen it before on cooking shows but never really thought I'd love it as much as I do.
I sautéed mushrooms in a little bit of garlic & soy sauce before adding the zucchini but you can also use carrots or potatoes.
Spaghetti is one of my favorites and I'm pretty good about sticking with the wheat pasta because well, let's face it, I feel better about stuffing my face since its fewer carbs.
Zucchini pasta however is just as good, maybe even better! It's got the same texture spaghetti noodles have and you could even sauté a few other vegetables for a nice side dish.
Leftovers were good too! I was surprised the veggies still tasted crispy and fresh.
Enjoy!
I recently read this article (@InStyle) and for $22 decided to venture off to Sephora in search of this magical new beauty product.
After about a month of using it I've really really enjoyed the width of the curler.
Just like the article says, it gets every single lash, even the tiny ones in the corner of your eye. In fact I switched back to my old eye lash curler (the $30 one) and I may have lost some lashes trying to get every lash! I actually found myself missing the less expensive one!
My only complaint!?
It takes awhile for it to mold to your grip!
I personally think my lashes curl better with one that's been used several times and by now I would have thought it would feel "broken in" but nope.
Otherwise, it's worth every penny.
Fresh, hand delivered, California peaches have been sitting in my fridge for the last couple of weeks. I tried to eat two a day but it’s too much so I decided to put my baking skills to the test and whip up a peach/nectarine cobbler.
Usually, I buy all sorts of healthy alternatives for baking sweets but this time, I decided to reward myself and everyone else who is willing to partake.
I started off by peeling about 8-10 peaches and nectarines (I left some of the brown ripe stuff for extra sweetness)
I used regular butter on the oven pan so that they wouldn’t stick and tried my best to mix and spread the spears evenly.
While that sits, don’t forget to preheat the oven to 350 degrees, combine all your ingredients in a medium size bowl and whip the mixture until it’s smooth and fluffy. (I don’t have a mixer so I used a big spoon & whisk)
Ingredients:
1 cup of granulated suga
1 cup of regular brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon of baking powder (Last minute I realized I didn’t have any, I used 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of vinegar)
2 tablespoons of lemon
I personally added cinnamon and honey before but you don’t have too. I just wanted more flavor before putting spoonfuls over the peaches.
Pop the cobbler in the oven for about 35 mins and …. VOILA!
After the 35mins I wanted more oats so I added some on top plus bread crumbs just to give it a more crunchy texture.