Up North

Up North 

noun 

The Northern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. 

For those residing in the lower half of the Lower Peninsular, it's the location of the cottage you go to every summer.

Nick and I went Up North to his parents' second home (used to be his grandparents) for Labor Day. We started the 3.5 hour trek on Friday night after work. We were unsure if other family members would be there, but we ended up being alone all weekend! It was so nice to just turn off electronics and just hang out together.

After arriving late on Friday night we slept in on Saturday and went for brunch at The Iron Skillet.

We enjoyed sitting outside with the dog and reading and napping.

In Nick's LBA (Life Before Ashley) he was a race car driver. Some guys he knows from racing have a house about 45 minutes from Nick's parents. They invited us for a fish fry on Saturday night. The house was about 4 miles into the woods and we got to see amazing wildlife. It was great to FINALLY meet Nick's old friends.

Sunday was more of the same. We took Scout on a few walks as we are trying to leash train him a little better (at 7 years old, haha), and ate some amazing pizza at a small pizza joint in town.

We headed home late Sunday afternoon and got some great sleep in our own bed on Sunday night. Monday, Labor Day, was spent doing chores and other such things around the house. We ended the the weekend with some US Open tennis.

I hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day!

Welcome, Fall!

Five Things for Friday

//1// Say what you want about the Duggars, but their daugthers show that you can dress modest and still look absolutley beautiful!

//2// Our Bachelor 2017 has been annouced and it is none other than Nick Viall! You may remember him as the runner-up on both Andi and Kaitlyn's seasons! He is also known for having sex with both of them and was on Bachelor in Paradise this summer.

I have mixed feeling about this one. I really love Luke from JoJo season's and was pulling for him.

However, Nick is super handsome and if he finished second twice, there has got to be something good about him. He's 35 now and deserves love. Here's to hoping the producers give him some age appropriate girls. No 23 or 24 year olds please!

//3// I love layered taco dip. I could eat the whole batch myself. I made Skinny Taco Dip for a co-worker's farefall this week and really went to town on it. YUM! Recipe coming soon.

//4// Would you be interested in get some half price and free products from Younique?

Right now I am booking online Facebook closed group beauty bashes for our new Semptember Royalty Skincare and Cosmetics launch! Super simple, I do all the work, and show your friends and family tips and tutorials for our naturally based products.

Every person who books a party with me in September gets a special hostess gift!

//5// 

It was cooler already yesterday! It was in the 60s in the morning and only got up to 77 in the afternoon. We were able to open the windows and enjoy some fresh air!

Delicious Food Pairings for Health Benefits

When certain foods are eaten together, already nutritious picks can be even better for your body.

//1// Red Bell Peppers + Black Beans

Black beans are an excellent source of iron, protein, and fiber. However, they contain acids that can inhibit your body's absorption of the minerals. The Vitamin C of of red bell peppers counteracts the effects of the acids. Eating the peppers and beans together will help boost absorption of the fiber, protein, and iron from the black beans.

Try: Southwest Quinoa Salad

//2// Meat + Rosemary

Marinate your beef, chicken, and pork with rosemary. Cooking meat a high temperatures on a grill or by pan frying can lead to the formation of harmful compounds called heterocyclic amines which may increase the chance of cancer. Rosemary has powerful antioxidants that can keep heterocyclic amines from forming during the cooking process.

Try: Rosemary Garlic Marinade

//3// Eggs + Cheese

Calcium is a nutrient our body needs for healthy bones. However, it is a very hard mineral to absorb when your body doesn't have enough Vitamin D.  Two eggs deliver 20% of daily Vitamin D needs and cheese offers the calcium the body needs.

Try: Spinach, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Bites

//4// Spinach + Olive Oil

Just one cup of spinach offers more than half of the daily recommendation of Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with eye sight and keeps your immune system in tip top shape. Eating spinach with a small amount of monounsaturated fats will help the intestinal cells absorb the Vitamin A. 

Try: Baby Spinach with Warm Olive Oil and Walnuts