Monday, September 3, 2012

Labor day is not the end of Summer.

Labor day=end of summer?  Really? NowayIdontthinkso!
As long as it is still >70 and the sun is out majority of the week, we shall not wish it away! 

Long weekends are THE best though, huh? Makes the weekend feel great, and the week feel short.

The farmer's market this weekend had APPLES. Now that seems like Fall... Ok ok ok, Let me clarify. Ilovefall, like 1,000 times over! I LOVE APPLES (and pumpkins and squash) <--more on this to come.
SO it seemed like the best of both worlds. Warm, sunny weather + Fresh locally grown apples.  
You with me now?  Ok, phew. Didn't want you to think I was going cra cra.

My aunt had her annual pig roast on Sunday, and I made my Aunt's favorite dessert requested of me... mini cheesecakes with cherry filling on top.
I have found this recipe from Bakerella to be spot on good!

I also made these little gems, which you may also recognize from the post about my sister's bachelorette party. I did not make them for the bachelorette, in fact this was my first attempt at them! Super easy, and a definite keeper!  Here is the recipe I re-pinned from pinterest from Banner Boutique. (I added a little vanilla and sugar to my filling, and topped with only one big, fresh raspberry)  They were a HIT! Great presentation and great bite-size treat!
Sorry, I get a big FAIL at remembering to take photos of my creations :(


Take Away: Don't wish Summer away!



xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Monday, August 27, 2012

mental clarity. essential.


Have you ever just needed a weekend to yourself?  Like one where you have no plans, no schedule, no one to cook for or take care of?  YUP. I needed one, and thank GOD I got one!

My husband was gone for his high school friends' bachelor party, and I chose to stay home (instead of travel somewhere...) I felt I needed some time to myself! Not greedy (maybe?)... 100% pure SELFISHNESS!

After experiencing this weekend, I am firmly passionate about everyone doing this at least once every couple of months, that is, if you don't get the chance to do this at a more frequent interval :)

(Side note: It was kinda scary being home without my hubs (first time ever).. he does have a way of making me feel safe.. I just had to get over it real fast)

Saturday involved the usual morning run followed by a trip to the local farmer's market.  It gets better... I laid out at the pool the rest of the afternoon! HA! How sweet is that!? 
I meal planned, got my grocery shopping done for the next 2 weeks and was able to spend Sunday afternoon on a cruiser bike ride to the beach!
Down time=peace=mental clarity=minimal thinking=ahhhhhhhhhh
This 'equation' is MANDATORY. And I am a Dr. so that is your order! Serious. Stress is linked to some 99% of all illness and if you don't ever take time to get your head clear and have some mental clarity in your life... Sickness is what you will have!

My cruiser, Lake Charlevoix, and clear skies= :)


I hope you get one soon, and I look forward to my next one!

Take Away: It is essential for good health (mentally, physically, socially) to take some time to yourself every once in a while... No plans, no one to bother you!  It will be healing to your body, and is the perfect ingredient for a healthy lifestyle.


xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Monday, August 20, 2012

bachelorette party.

bachelorette mayhem. somuchfun.

Bachelorette parties.. a gathering filled with penis shaped food, penis straws, penis-like objects, and penis talk.. sounds about right.  Oh yea, and pure mayhem!
There really is no better way to send off a single lady, than to throw her one hell of a part-ay!

This past weekend we sent my big sister off in STYLE :) I mean, I love planning and throwing parties... but DAMN they are so much work! It paid off though, because like I said before, everyone needs to have a great sing-life send off.

We went to Grand Haven, MI and stayed at the Serendipity Resort.  We were a 2 block walk to the cutest little down town area (and just so happened to be there during side walk sales! BONUS!).  The bar scene is quaint and unique and with Lake Michigan and a private pool..oh and SUN, we had it all in a fingers reach (...or a legs walk)!


Friday night we had a fondue & wine party and played Pictionary.

Chocolate and Cheese fondue.. and all the 'dippers' one could as for!



Saturday was a pool day, with home-made catered dinner (sorta), a party bus ...and lots of alcohol.



Cute little pool tiki bar.. we brought granola, yogurt, and fruit for fruit parfaits, along with mimosas and my homemade zucchini bread. (Saves time / $ / hassle for everyone to just bring breakfast foods to a party)

Dinner. Chicken tortilla soup, deviled eggs, strawberry pretzel bars, Jimmy Johns, and buffalo chicken dip... all of the faves of the bride-to-be!

Desserts. Since the bride is gluten intolerant, we purchased GF cupcakes from a local baker, made strawberry champagne cupcakes, penis-shaped fruity pebble treats, and mini fruit tarts

The ladies all dressed up!

MUST PLAY GAME= The 'underwear game'. Elegant decor, doubles as extra gifts for the bride!

My sisters, mother with sleeping nephew, and I


(Just had to reminisce MY bachelorette party which took place over a year ago :) )

Cute sign my sister made.. and the underwear game!


My posse on the sunset party boat cruise

:)



Well..if the bride-to-be was extremely hung over on Sunday, I suppose that means the weekend was a success! 

Happy Almost Wedding Big SisterSarah!




Take away: Never slack on party planning.  Someone will appreciate it.




xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

w.o.w.


OK, so this wonderful little store in Boyne City has this amazing.. thing ? that they do.  Every week, the owner (Ed) sends out an email educating his followers on a wine 'kind' and then a wine of that 'kind' is the featured wine at a discounted price; known as the wine of the week (w.o.w.).  

Ed is a wine guy..and knows LITERALLY everything there is to know about wines. He is such a unique gem of a resource to us in this beautiful town.  He can answer every question you have about wines, and foods, and pairings, and flavors, and grapes, and regions, and.........

The most awesome thing is that he and his wife hand select EVERY bottle of wine sold in their store. They do not carry a bottle of crappy wine. Seriously. It is like every wine in the store is a child of his, and he wants to see it succeed; just like any other good parent would.  He takes pride in his selections, and puts thought into his individual recommendations.  The one thing you hear over and over again from fellow Wine Emporium shoppers is, "We have yet to purchase a bad wine from Provisions"  ...Now that would give another buyer confidence!

So back to the W.O.W.  Since I am shy (I guess you could say when it comes to purchasing wine) I have made a vow that I will always purchase the W.O.W. and let you know about it!  I know, I get the best part of this. But my hopes is that in trying all these varieties of wine, it will expand my horizon when I go to the store and want to buy a bottle (and don't have Ed to help me).  Like the idea?  I love it :)  I will also try and save Ed's emails and add his professional take on the featured wine... it's nice to know you are drinking quality, even if you don't know/taste exactly what the professionals are talking about ;)


This says it all!



Take away: Shop & Support Local! You might just find a diamond in the rough!


xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Friday, August 3, 2012

my favorite 'pins'.. to date.


Some of you may know my slight obsession with Pinterest.  I know I am not alone. 
I have created a menu board in my kitchen, (I will post about my love for that at a later time) and in my will to stick with menu planning and minimal grocery store trips, I turn to Pinterest for recipes to aid my planning.
I LOVE pinning and re-pinning great sounding recipes, and on a weekly (daily) basis, we actually cook them.
Here are a just a few... (I promise more to come). 
PS: If I could be hired to test and blog about only recipes I found on Pinterest ... I would be in HEAVEN! It is definitely a guilty pleasure. (I feel like each new recipe brings me a new challenge... and my competitive edge tells me I am always up for a challenge)
AND no, I am not a chef.  AND yes, I promise to be honest. 

Black Bean Tacos from Endless Simmer.
Oh so good!
We have implemented 'meatless Mondays' so I am usually in search of good meat free recipes. My husband (and I quote) said "I usually dread meatless Monday's but this recipe is awesome!" So there...even from the meat-lover.  These have great flavor and are EASY to make.

~

Next, is Balsamic Chicken, Spinach, and Tomato Pasta from Multiply Delicious
(AKA tortellini make over)



The way this recipe is so flavor-ful and fresh tasting, it blows your mind! We made it and ate it hot for dinner one night, then packed it in the cooler and at it on the boat, cold for lunch. SO VERSATILE. Basic ingredients that just work together! Again...not very time consuming either!

~

Last, but not least, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells from Eating Well
These little gems are a little time consuming, but oh SO SO SO good!


Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe EatingWell


I followed the recipe to a T and had some left over noodles, but a large serving of stuffed shells and we ended up freezing some (which turned out good).  I doctored up some jared sauce... adding green peppers, onion, and mushrooms; and one time we made this I added ground turkey to the sauce for more of a 'meal'.

Welp, I hope you try some of these keepers!  And happy pinning!!


Take away: Go out on a whim! Try something new!!





xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

what's with the name?

You may, or may not have wondered why the name of my blog.. adJust. Right.

Well let me tell you, so you worry no more! 
(After all, worrying is wasted energy!)

~~Being a Chiropractor, the adjustment is the most powerful thing I can offer.  The adjustment is the most powerful thing (in my beliefs) that the human hands can give.  AND to be adjusted correctly, or 'right' is another gift that many, but not all, possess.  I know that my husband (also a Chiropractor) and I possess the power to give the 'right' adjustment, or adjust the right way, whichever way you want to think of it.  A bad or poor or sloppy or lazy adjustment is well, just that... And when we are talking about taking care of the one system in the body that controls every other system/organ/tissue/cell....... the NERVOUS SYSTEM, poor, bad, sloppy, and lazy, should absolutely NOT apply.~~

We can chat more about chiropractic, I mean I could talk on and on about it... And I probably will :)
Back to the name... The reason the J and R are capitalized is because, you probably already guessed, the J is for Julie (ME!) and the R is for my man, Ryan.

So now you know why the name adJust.Right is what it is.

More on Chiropractic to come... As one of the things I am most passionate about, I pledge to continually educate you on it.






xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Saturday, June 16, 2012

proving a point.

Just to prove how awesome my cruiser bike is (which I have previously babbled on about)...


...Yep, that is my bestie, with the addition of her basket :) Best $70 (steep price, I know) I have spent.


Take Away:  Very simple.  If you have a cruiser, I front basket is a MUST!



xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Sunday, June 10, 2012

welcome to auntie-hood!

My younger sister (Amy) gave birth to my beautiful nephew on Friday the 8th of June!! What a day! What an amazing accomplishment...for her...
She was the kind of pregnant person, where for the first 6 months you questioned if she just had a beer belly, or if she was actually pregnant... then in months 7 & 8 it actually was evident that there was a baby in there...that is, if you were looking at her from the side.  She was super cute all throughout, and only purchased about 3 actual 'maternity' labeled clothing articles... i know, right? Ridic.
Anyways, welcome to the world Mr. Emmitt Ryan McPhee (his daddy's name is Ryan). Cute name, huh?
Well he is a doll, and aunt-hood...well it seems pretty easy up to this point!

officially the best auntie

my beautiful sister, baby emmitt, and daddy

our precious little gem!

My family, I have to say, is pretty sweet.  We were all there in full force... waiting in the wings for that little gem that had been hiding out for the past 9 months.  I guess you could say we were a little excited.


new grandma and grandpa with all the aunties :)


Our family has officially entered a whole new stage in life. BABIES!! HOW COOL?!?!




Lesson Learned: Be a healthy pregnant woman. Your body knows exactly what to do... just  give it what it needs, and the fruit will be wonderful!!




xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Monday, June 4, 2012

HBD! to my sister christy.

This weekend we celebrated my beautiful little sister Christy's birthday in style at a Detroit Tiger's game.  Large tailgate followed by a great game played against the New York Yankees.
Advice on planning a tailgate: Have everyone show up at the proper time, and have an established 'dinner' time... We had people showing up with their 'dish to pass' 15 minutes before game time, 
and wasted food=frustrating=happy homeless guys=better coordinating 
on our part for next time.

Overall, huge success, and looking forward to someone else's birthday falling on an awesome sporting event day! 
GO TIGS & HAPPY BIRTHDAY (not so) BABY SISTER!

the birthday girl! (with her gluten free cupcake)

two of my sisters (Lt-christy, Ctr-sarah) and i

overview (somewhat) of our set-up


xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~



Tuesday, May 29, 2012

HBD! to the best mommy.

If you have ever met my mommy, you would agree, she is the best there is!
Of course, I am partial that she is THE best, but that is in part due to the fact she carried me very graciously in her womb for 9 months, and shared her Mother's Day with me when I decided to take the center spot light, and come into this world.
I feel it necessary to celebrate ... well, everything ... but especially her birthday, because birthday's should be special, and she is special, so it just make's sense!! duh!
She is beautiful and caring, and has alway been my #1 fan, even when if feels like everyone else is looking at you funny.  She never misses a thing, and in fact, I think she has at times, spread herself so thin, I never quite knew how she was going to survive.
So since her birthday was actually on Memorial Day this year, we threw one big cook-out!
I LOVE YOU MOMMY!! ALWAYS WILL!

birthday girl (ctr) with her two sisters

three of us daughters with our mommy

daughters, mom, son-in-laws, and future son-in-law


Take away point: Do not forget birthdays, especially not your mommy's!



xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Friday, May 25, 2012

cruiser bike=best thing ever.

In my personal list of 'best things ever' this one hits right at the top.  Seriously. Best investment one could make.   My husband and I recently got these bikes for our birthday's and are madly in love (with the bikes ;) ).  Trek has completely outdone themselves with these, and a shout out to our local bike store North Country Cycle Sport and their great staff who have helped us, and more recently, even added a basket to mine! 
Trek's website says 'the good life. bike style.' so true! Biking really is the good life...doesn't matter what kind or style.  Taking your bike to the farmer's market, grocery store, for exercise, to work, or for sight seeing the city; you can't beat the open air feel that you get from being on a bike!
...ok, I think you get my point.  
If you are looking for an investment...INVEST IN A BIKE! You will definitely get your $$'s worth, and they never go out of style* :) 
*important*









xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Monday, May 21, 2012

sore tush Monday.

This weekend we rode in the Zoo-de-Mack 50 mile bike ride from Boyne Highlands to Mackinaw City.  What a trip! Weather was a whopping 80+ degrees and not a cloud in the sky! Not only is my butt sore (I don't know what a hemorrhoid feels like, but I feel like I have one) my sunburn is reminding me I should have found some shade, post-ride. 
My family is the best, and showed great attendance for the ride, as well as two of our best-est friends from Wisconsin- Tim & Katie.


While I thought I had prepared enough for this ride, my behind is telling me otherwise... and my running shoes will be set aside for awhile as my hubs and I MUST prepare better for our next long ride coming up on June 9th
Our ride ended with great camaraderie and brews (like every good race should), and a trip to Mackinaw Island.  Our friends (and my hubs) have never been to the Island, so I played 'fudgie' along with them, and we had a great time:) 
['fudgie' is a term we (locals) give those who are tourists in the Mackinaw areas, because they buy the one entity in surplus... FUDGE!]

Happy Monday to everyone, and hopefully you don't have a sore buttock! ;)  

Lessons learned: proper training is never overrated; no matter how much work/planning/hectic-ness surrounds an event..you can't beat quality friend/family time






xoxo.



~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~

Friday, May 18, 2012

in the beginning.



The idea of blogging is one that i have tossed around... and around... and around. Finally I have landed the idea, and procrastination has ended! (How great of a feeling is that?!)  There are a few reasons I wanted to take this venture... Like many others, I feel my opinions and views are AWESOME and I think it is necessary for them to be shared!  I have a lot of passions, interests, loves, and hobbies, as well as one hell of an education ...thereby I feel I'm entitled to blog :)
I am a practicing Chiropractor, a loving wife, devoted family member (soon-to-be Aunt), and an avid proponent of increasing every American-being's fitness level.  My husband and I find every reason possible to stay physically fit (side note: surprisingly, 'body image' stays low on the list because that alone as a priority makes things not fun... and we love fun!). 
I hope my blogging brings multitudes of emotions to you, and I hope I can teach you, or enlighten your day, in some way... 




xoxo.

~Because there is no such thing as perfect, or never.  
Our goal should be to find what is Just.Right. ~