My 3 Tips for a Consistent Workout Routine

This is probably one of the questions I'm asked the most-- What does your weekly workout routine look like? And I usually respond with this: "Consistent." Off the top here, I will say I'm not an expert, certified trainer or nutritionist...But these are the tips that have made me feel good over the years. And hopefully they'll work for you! 

1. DECIDE WHAT EXERCISES AND ACTIVITIES YOU REALLY LOVE.
If you know from the get-go you hate running--cross it out, you won't stick with it. Once you come up with your list, incorporate them into your every week! My list includes: personal training, running, walking, biking and yoga. All of these activities bring me happiness and the majority I find to be meditative, too. 

2. SCHEDULE YOUR WORKOUTS LIKE YOU WOULD A WORK MEETING. 
On Sunday, I look ahead to the coming week. What meetings/lunches/shoots do I have? What does the weather look like? And then it's just a matter of putting the puzzle pieces together. If we have a rare 75-degree winter day around the bend... You can find me outside running or walking that afternoon. If it's a rainy day, I'll likely want to do yoga. I also schedule in two afternoons a week with my trainer. And if it's a slow week for me, I go straight to the gym after work-- An object in motion stays in motion! I think of it as an extension to my work shift. And if I'm being honest, the more time I leave to myself to twiddle my thumbs and figure out which workout I want to do that day...The more likely I am to look up four hours later and realize I just watched eight episodes of Chopped Champion on Food Network. Not kidding. So I schedule.

3. KEEP MOVING...EVEN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.
Unless you've reached an unhealthy point of exhaustion and illness, I have found this suggestion to be helpful. Of course, always listen to your body. But be able to differentiate between being lazy and needing to take a break. Waking up at 2am, I DEFINITELY have days where my energy levels aren't where I need them to be. If it's a day where I'm really lagging, I make myself read a book or magazine on the bike for an hour! It's not going to be a calorie-scorcher, but it's better than nothing. Or I'll go on a 4-mile walk if the sun is out. Decide what will work for you on your sluggish days--you will never regret getting a workout in! 

What do you do to stay on track? Let me know--I love hearing your feedback and experimenting with new suggestions! 

xo,
MM 

My Weeknight Chinese Chicken Salad

Don't get me wrong, I love a good Chinese-takeout night--I had one over the weekend (shoutout to Chow's in OKC on May Ave!) But that next-morning sodium hangover I always wake up with, no matter where I order from, always reminds me why I let myself indulge that way so rarely. So this is my healthy answer to a meal that will give me that fix and last all week. 

I've shared this Chinese chicken salad recipe on social media before, so some of you already know my affinity for this dish. The amounts I use here make enough to last me all my lunches throughout the workweek. Feel free to alter some of the ingredients according to your liking--I know a lot of people don't like cilantro, you could use mandarin oranges instead of mango, etc. 

Protein + veggies + fruit + grains. It's simple and delicious. And I get everything from my local Whole Foods. Let me know if you try it! Share comments and photos on social media so I can see them. xo, MM

RECIPE

1 classic rotisserie chicken, shredded
2 packages of microwaveable long-grain, brown and wild rice
1 package of trips-color coleslaw cabbage
1 mango, cut in chunks
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
2 avocados, cut in chunks
1 bottle of organic peanut sauce

DIRECTIONS

Mix it all together. That's it. Ridiculously easy. Enjoy!

Dermaplaning: The Winter Revival Facial

I will preface this post by saying I might be more protective of my skin than anyone you've ever met. I'm neurotic about it. I have a mom who is always experimenting with new products and serums--so I suppose it's hereditary. But who isn't trying to locate the fountain of youth, right!? Especially when you're someone whose alarm clock has gone off at 2am for three years. 

I tried dermaplaning for the first time this past weekend, and I am HOOKED. I had read about it recently, and when I heard rave reviews from friends who were loving the results, I decided to book my first appointment. I now don't remember what life was like before this facial! Shoutout to Ashley Hale at Gimme Sugars Medical Spa in OKC. 

It sounds scary, but just trust me on this one. It's a type of exfoliation where your aesthetician uses a surgical scalpel to, essentially, shave off the top layer of skin and peach fuzz. And I already know what you're asking--nope, didn't hurt at all. Ashley used hot towels, organic masques and serums from Eminence throughout the process. I could honestly feel my face coming back to life mid-winter! 

If you're wanting to try out this facial, I'd recommend doing it during a weekend where you don't have to wear a lot of makeup and can let your new skin breathe. My face was pretty pink for about 24 hours. To maximize "the glow," I didn't stay out late that weekend, drank lots of water and meal prepped really healthy food for the week ahead. My makeup goes on effortlessly now. Real game changer for my job. Ashley recommended getting a dermaplane every 6 to 8 weeks.  

What are your go-to facial treatments? I'm always up for new beauty suggestions--please send my way! And if you decide to go try this method, let me know what you think. 

xo,
MM

Weekend Notes: Foxtrot Tango Whiskey.

This past weekend was a dream. For starters, it was a three-day weekend. Usually if I have a long weekend, I try to book travel to see friends. When you go to college on the East Coast, you wind up with people all over the place, which makes life really fun! This time around, however, I decided to force myself to relax (something I'm trying to get better at) and enjoy a Staycation. But what would you know...The travels came to me! 

Erin Conrad and I met when we both worked at KTEN in the Texoma market back in 2013. Instant friends. You know the kind where all you have to do is look at each other and you can communicate? That was us in a newsroom. Both of us have since moved on to different markets-- me to Oklahoma City and her to Tulsa. But thankfully, close enough to see each other regularly and continue on with the laughter. Speaking of-- remind me to dedicate a full post to our road trip to Eureka Springs... 

Her good friend Sam is a pilot like me, and we decided to surprise her with a day trip down to Fort Worth on Friday! FTW (foxtrot tango whiskey) is the airport code. I was waiting on the tarmac in OKC with coffees to surprise her and the adventure was ON. The three of us together are trouble in the best way possible. 

Once we landed, we went to lunch at The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, which was so perfectly Texas. My sister who graduated from TCU told us it was a local hotspot. Longhorns on the wall, hide-backed menus, etc. The food was incredible--and we went all out. If you find yourself there, we can highly recommend the ribs, bison sliders, tostadas, burgers and crispy salmon. After all, wouldn't it have been sinful to simply order a bed of lettuce on a day like this? I think yes. 

Afterwards, we went and did a little shopping, learned about cowboy hats and saw the Stockyards for the first time! And then it was back home. Cheers to good friends, day trips and weekending! 

xo,
MM

Winter in Paris at Sur La Table

A couple Christmases ago, I started a new tradition. One of the gifts to each person in my family is an experience I want them to share with me. Good memories and laughter are worth so much more than anything you can stuff into a stocking. And I now have some amazing ones to look back on. This year for Dad, I took him to Sur La Table for a French cooking class! 

Dad is my fellow foodie in the family--he is always up for new dishes, wine with dinner and accompanying me in restaurant hopping. So I thought this experience would be PERFECT. And for those who have never been, Sur La Table is one of my favorite shops in Dallas. It's where I go to find beautiful kitchenware. Plus they have cooking classes, and this was my first time signing up for one! 

Once you get to the kitchen, you're given your own apron and cooking station. You feel like the real deal from the get-go! We were paired up with one other couple--who was extremely kind in sharing their Bring-Your-Own-Vino--and then the chef took us through the entire meal step-by-step. And since we were learning about French cuisine, two syllables: BUT-TER. The indulgence was real. 

If you'd like to try one of their classes, look at their schedule ahead of time, as the classes start to fill up quickly. Not only do you get to enjoy what you've made, but you also learn technique. AND everything in store is 10 percent off the day of your class--I made off with a decanter and egg poacher before leaving! Also feel free to bring your own beverage for the class-- Dad ended up walking down the street to get a red halfway through. I can't recommend this kind of experience highly enough. We left happy and FULL. 

ON THE MENU

PEAR + HAZLENUT SALAD with CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE
BEEF MEDALLIONS with RED WINE PAN SAUCE
POMMES FRITES
MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT

Monday Meal Prep: Turkey-Stuffed Peppers

Usually, my meal prep happens on Sunday afternoons-- right after I've gone grocery shopping and am gearing up for the week ahead. This week, I got a late start because I was away for the weekend. But better late than never... I have the most delicious stuffed peppers to eat for work lunches through Friday! 

I tweaked the recipe to make them amazingly healthy. I'm on TV from the time I get to work until it's time for me to go home--so whatever I pack is what I'm forced to eat. A blessing in disguise! And the healthier I eat, the happier I am about anchoring in a fitted news dress in front of thousands of viewers :) These are full of flavorful ground turkey, veggies, brown rice and cheesy goodness. Bon appetit! 

INGREDIENTS
5 bell peppers (whichever colors you prefer)
1 pound lean, ground turkey
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 small can of tomato sauce
1 packet of microwaveable long-grain, wild rice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup of nonfat Mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS
Cut the tops off the peppers and throw out the insides. 
Dice the tops so you save 1/2 cup of pepper to add later. 
Cook the whole peppers in salted, boiling water for 5 minutes to soften. 
In skillet, cook ground turkey, diced peppers and onion until browned and tender. Drain off fat.
To turkey mixture: add salt, Worcestershire and tomato sauce to your liking. 
Add microwaved rice packet to the stuffing. 
Stir in cheese and stuff peppers with the mixture. 
In a baking dish, bake peppers at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with cheese the last few minutes. 

Dinner is served, my friends! In total, this recipe takes about 45 minutes. Would love to hear your versions! 

xo,
MM

Oklahoma Roadtrip: Pioneer Woman Mercantile

I might be a health-nut, but I'm also a Food Network FIEND... And every now and then a girl's got to remember what butter and cream taste like! So this past weekend, mom and I took a day trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma-- home of Ree Drummond's country-cooking empire. We were also with our good family friend Janet (we are the Three Musketeers. The last time the three of us were together, we were in Italy!) The day was perfectly fun, filling and memorable. But I DO have suggestions if you plan on going in the future... 

1. Be Cognizant of When You're Visiting
We went on a Friday the first week of January--school is back in session, out-of-state holiday visitors have gone back home. There were virtually no lines, which we were not expecting. If you can avoid the weekend crowds, the better. Pick a day when you're fine with the weather, since there is some outdoor walking involved throughout the visit. 

2. Go On a Day When You Can See the Lodge
This is where she does her filming for the show! Check her website for dates you can tour it. She announces the dates sporadically--and it was my favorite part of the entire trip! When you check out at The Mercantile, they'll give you printed directions on getting to the property. The landmark directions take you several miles into her property--the land is so expansive and something in itself to take in. It's more than 400,000 acres, which is roughly the size of Connecticut! 
Once you're in the lodge, you can roam freely to check out her kitchen, pantry, guest bedrooms, etc! It was like Ree had left for the weekend--leaving shoes and half-empty wine bottles lying around--and said "Ya'll come over if you want. We'll be gone!" No security, nobody checks you in, you didn't feel like you were being watched or asked not to touch anything. Really welcoming! 

3. Check Out the Upstairs Cafe at The Mercantile
We were expecting the restaurant line to be three hours long, so we had lunch in OKC before heading that way. BUT only because we knew there was a cafe upstairs that many people might not know about. If you go on a day when the wait is forever and the crowds are horrendous, go upstairs and get a boxed lunch, pastries and coffee. It's much quicker and also delicious! Mom and I both agreed that the play next time would be to get a sandwich to go and eat it at the Lodge! I had an espresso and brownie. 

My real camera was, of course, dead when we got to Pawhuska. So my pictures aren't the best--but hopefully these give you the gist of the road trip. I think it's important to remember that "vacations" don't always have to be week-long trips to destinations on the other side of the world. A day trip is sometimes just what you need--a chance to see something new, but still be close to the comforts of home. Happy eating and traveling, my friends!

xo,
MM

Mom and Janet-- best friends since junior high! The three of us have become travel partners, and we make each other laugh.out.LOUD. 

Here Goes Everything!

The PRESSURE to craft the perfect, premier post! It's a rainy Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City, and I'm perched at my favorite coffee shop table-- headphones in, Halsey and Sylvan Esso on repeat, white mocha within reach. And the possibilities are endless with the launch of my new site! I've been working and contemplating hard on this, so thank you for stopping by. 

Writing has always been my first love. At six years old--at camp writing letters home to friends and family during Quiet Hour--I realized the therapeutic power it has over my life. Despite being on TV, I still think the way I communicate best is through written word. Over the course of time, mix in a love of photography, travel, cooking and what I believe to be the most interesting job in the world... You've got the perfect recipe for a personal blog. And hopefully you'll stick around for what is to come! 

My wish is to use this space to document what I've got going on in my life. I want you to get to know me, and I hope to answer your questions along the way. In my line of work, I get daily "viewer questions"--'Markie, when do you wake up?' 'Where are you vacationing next?' 'What lipstick do you use on the news?' This was a personal favorite--'Do you date grandpas?' The answer to that, good sir, is a resounding no. But thank you. You name it... I've been asked it. And I plan on turning your inquiries into posts! 

Before me are a million adventures left to take, meals to prep, milestones to reach and new people to meet and be inspired by! So here goes EVERYTHING. 

xo,
MM