J.Lo Surprises Kathie Lee, Hoda-Woman & Me on TODAY!

Life is pretty good these days. I’ve not done much of the exciting nature this summer, but a few professional surprises have made up for it. And while there are still a few weeks left in this season, I’m basking in the goodness that’s been so far. If you read Flanboyant Eats, you know I had the super fun chance and really almost decade-long dream of cooking on the TODAY show. But was it was even better than just cooking on my fave show. I got to hook it up on the Plaza with Carson Daly, who is just a charm. And that was amazing. Just over a month ago. Oh, but it gets better.

In between travel to Florida, working on a remodeling project at home, and a picking up a few new clients, thinking my summer fun is dwindling and not really hitting it’s real pique potential, I got another call from the TODAY show… at the very least unimaginable time.

I love how God and the universe work when you think, do, and believe big. I was sitting in my brother’s living room in sunny Miami, watching the 9 am hour of the show (have you gathered by now I’m the corniest peacock fan?!?!) Natalie Morales came on doing a promo for ¡VIVA! TODAY, a week-long series on celebrating Hispanic culture. They were partnering up with Telemundo and featuring their biggest stars, including novela actors, news anchors, Latin-American celebrities and personalities. As I’m watching the promo, on a Thursday morning, I had a conversation with myself: “Wow! How great! Now, that would have been the week to be on the show!” They were covering food, wine, culture, family, and life as I know it, in general.  Almost everything I cover and talk about! How insanely perfect, right? I said that and kept on with my business — probably doing his laundry.

And no less than two hours later, I got that call inviting me on, precisely to be on during ¡VIVA! week. ¿Que, que? En serio? 

I had a moment, thanked God, and gleefully took on the assignment. Oh, because, yes, this is work after all.

So, here I am with Kathie Lee and Hoda-woman, in Studio 1A, last Thursday morning, after our ‘Wines of South America‘ segment.
But let me backtrack. You know the week had already been replete with salsa kind of caliente stars and storyboards on our culture. Ironically, I missed Monday and Tuesday’s shows since I was traveling back to DC. But I knew they were doing the most. And on Thursday morning, I knew they’d have little people dancing energetic salsa on the Plaza in shiny gold leotards and perfectly coiffed hair.  I missed that, too.

I was too busy prepping for my segment with the kind of pressure I know best — super last-minute, with little time, pulling information on what travelers can do in various regions in four different countries and quickly becoming knowledgable about wines yielding from those parts. That was the fun part, but I had more pressure pairing food with my selections. Uruguay? What in the world do they eat? Who even knew they produce a decent wine? A pricey one at that?

And I really only give that you background… well, because when you watch the segment below, you’ll notice I didn’t get to it all!

And that’s because KLG and Hoda (and I) were surprised with J.LO! Yeah, that girl. Good ol’ Jenny from the block was a surprise guest on the 4th hour! And she’d be doing my segment with us.  Talk about a curve ball! But, the best one of them to date.

(My brother’s screenshot as he watched live)

TODAY — Pictured: (l-r) Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina and Bren Herrera appear on NBC News’ “Today” show — (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire)

How incredibly fun! Fun, fun, fun. You already know how it went… straight up chatterboxes and enjoying the wine more than anything else…

Here, watch for yourself!

Notice how J.Lo’s booty cut my segment short. Imagine that! Hers remains a force to be reckoned with. And in reality, she’s more gorgeous than we all see into the tabloids, videos, American Idol, etc…  Ideally, that’d be case for everyone. It’s her reality… whatever she does. La Boricua does in fact have this unnatural glow. From one Latina to another, she is downright stunning. And doing her thing, still.

CHILE: Sauvignon Blanc 

Region: Central Valley

“The Central Valley (El Valle Central) of Chile is one of the most important wine-producing areas in South America in terms of volume. It is also one of the largest wine regions, stretching from the Maipo Valley (just south of Santiago) to the southern end of the Maule Valley. This is a distance of almost 250 miles (400km) and covers a number of climate types. The Central Valley wine region is easily (and often) confused with the geological Central Valley, which runs north–south for more than 620 miles (1000km) between the Pacific Coastal Ranges and the lower Andes.” (source: Wikipedia). 

This prolific region is known to produce super high-end and notably fashionable Bordeaux-style wines. But the region is best known for growing Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, and Chard and Sauv Blanc. When you go, make sure to make vineyard hopping one of your adventures. Enjoy ceviche with it, like the halibut one we enjoyed on the show. It’s the perfect pair.

Label: Oops

This really inexpensive wine has been featured on the TODAY show previously. I thought it’d be a great choice to start the sampling. It has of  apple and citrus fruits and considered a pretty a mellow wine. You’ll enjoy citrus-y grapefruit notes up front and note the bitter finish. It’s an easy wine to drink if you’re a newbie or lightweight. Considered the ‘Cheeky Little White’.

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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