Melody Hecker and her husband, John, recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary this past December. The couple met through mutual friends, got married, and have two children—Madison Kate (10) and Jake (7).
The Heckers have called Auburn home for the last four years, living close to John’s family. John is currently a pilot for the United States Marine Corps Reserves, and Melody runs her own beauty and wellness business. She is also a Nourish the Children ambassador, helping feed hungry children monthly.
“We attend Church of the Highlands Auburn campus, plugging in after a friend invited us. John and I are members of several small groups there and have helped lead several as well,” said Melody. “I also volunteer in the kids’ ministry most Sundays.”
The Heckers are involved in various extracurricular activities. Madison Kate is in dance, plays piano, participates in Girl Scouts and Bible Club, and plays tennis, soccer, softball, and is in gymnastics. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, making jewelry, and reading. Jake also plays soccer, tennis, baseball, and basketball. He is active in Bible Club, takes guitar lessons, and recently joined Boy Scouts. He loves playing with all things Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Transformers. The family adores animals and has many rescued pets—dogs, cats, and even some Beta fish they welcomed this year.
Originally from Texas, Melody loves Tex-Mex cuisine. Making it helps her stay connected to home.
“I’m sharing a Healthy Raw Diet Chunky Style Texas Guacamole because it is my favorite and reminds me of home,” she said. “We are trying to eat whole foods at our house this year, and this recipe includes many of them. I don’t make it as spicy as I normally would so the kids will eat it. It’s super healthy, and we often enjoy it with tacos, Mexican beans, and rice.”
Dinner is the one time of day when the family makes it a priority to gather around the kitchen table, schedules permitting. They use this time to catch up and discuss their days. For Melody, the best part is that no electronic devices are allowed at the table, helping everyone stay engaged and enjoy each other’s company.
Healthy Raw Diet Chunky Style Texas Guacamole
Ingredients:
- 8 large avocados (add more if on the smaller side)
- 4 Roma tomatoes—cored, toss out the middle and seeds (add more tomatoes if they are smaller)
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped, no stems
- 4 jalapeños—cored (add some seeds for more spice or all the seeds for extra heat)
- 4 limes, halved and squeezed for juice
- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Dice the jalapeños, red onion, Roma tomatoes, and cilantro, then mix well in a large bowl.
Add the lime juice to the mixture and give it a quick stir.
Cut the avocados into chunks—do not mash.
Gently stir everything together and taste test with a tortilla chip. Add salt and pepper if desired. Add more lime juice if it’s not mixing well. Add extra cilantro for flavor and more jalapeño seeds if you want more spice.
Cover, refrigerate, and serve chilled or immediately with your favorite chips. Mix again before serving to ensure the lime juice is well incorporated.
Reminder: Gently mix to keep the guacamole chunky—do not mash.
Pro Tip: Adding an avocado pit helps keep the guacamole’s color fresh.
