9 Reasons You Need a Maui Gold Pineapple in Your Life
Did you know that you can bring the sweetest taste of Maui home? Since I can\’t travel right now, I have been going through my bucket list and checking places off (for now anyway) by making a traditional recipe from the location or having a sweet treat sent to me. Since I am not traveling to Maui anytime soon, I thought it would be fun to bring Maui home to me with a Maui Gold pineapple.
If you know me, you know my love for pineapple runs very deep. From it being my favorite fruit to a traditional expression of \”welcome\” throughout the South, pineapple holds a special place in my heart. And, now Maui Gold pineapples have added another reason for me to love pineapple.
Hands down, Maui Gold pineapples are the BEST pineapples I have ever had. I am grateful that they\’re easy to order online because I am going to need a few more in my life soon. Honestly, once you try a Maui Gold pineapple, I don\’t know how you\’ll be able to go back to one from your grocery store.
9 Reasons You Need a Maui Gold Pineapple in Your Life
1. Maui Gold pineapple has an extra sweet flavor, that can easily curb your sweet tooth.
2. You\’ll forget about candy with one taste of a Maui Gold pineapple.
3. Low acidity makes your pineapple eating experience more enjoyable.
4. Brings the sweet taste of the islands to the comfort of your home.
5. Enhances the taste of any fruit salad.
6. Freeze it and then blend it up to create the most delicious dessert.
7. Adds a little bit of delicious island sunshine to a dreary winter day.
8. Maui Gold pineapples are the sweetest gift to give.
9. It will enhance your pineapple upside-down cake, pineapple fried rice, and more.
Friday Favorites 1.15.20
TGIF, did anyone else feel like every single day this week was a new day and the week was never going to end? It was definitely a rough one! We made it to Friday though, and that\’s something to celebrate. We still have NO snow, not even a little bit joking. Water isn\’t frozen and the grass is completely exposed. The weatherman insists that we are getting some this weekend, but we shall see. Here are some of my favorites from this past week:
I discovered Maui Gold Pineapples from Maui, and I never want to eat pineapple from the grocery store again.
The Calm app really helped me through the week.
How cute is this mug for a girlfriend?
These cookie filled containers are darling.
I am going to sign up for this Run for the Trees virtual race.
12 Microadventures You Need to Go on this Year
2020 was a hard year for many. Instead of sulking about what I couldn’t do, I took advantage of what I could do. Among the many things I learned during these surreal times, the biggest thing was to appreciate exploring local, parks, neighborhoods, and nearby places. That brought me on 100+ microadventures over the course of the year.
You never know what you might discover right out your front door. I found creative ways to challenge myself, learned new skills, just enjoyed getting outside
Last year, the microadventures were planned on the fly, and while I loved that I also know I like having things to look forward to.
That is why this year I am planning out 12 micro-adventures, one each month. That way I will have something to look forward to each month. I wanted to share my micro-adventures with you in hopes it will bring you inspiration to create your own micro-adventures throughout the year.
What is a microadventure?
A microadventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, and cheap, that is still fun, exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Microadventures make adventure accessible no matter what your level of outdoor experience is.
Microadventure ideas:
1. Chase the sunrise
While your co-works are still tucked in their beds, you can be enjoying the sunrise from the lake, nearest mountaintop or forest clearing.
2. Take the road less traveled
Taking the long way home can be an adventure itself. Add dirt and gravel roads for a change of scenery. You might be surprised by what you discover when you take the back roads. Last summer I discovered this super cute honest shop while taking a backroad.
3. Embrace the dark
Go for a hike, or find a local park with a large open space, bring blankets, something warm if its chilly and lean back and enjoy the night sky. Even better, look up when the next meteor shower will be and head out to witness the amazing show if the skies are clear.
4. Perfect your camping cuisine
Whether it’s Friday after work or a weekend morning, start a fire or grab your camp stove to perfect your camping cuisine. Not only does this cooking adventure get you outdoors it allows you to experiment with ingredients that will have you ready for your next big trip.
5. Turn happy hour into adventure hour
Rather than heading to a local bar or enjoying drinks at home why not head out onto the trail. As the seasons change, happy hour adventures take on new characteristics. From headlamp-lit snowshoe journeys to kayak sunset endeavors.
6. Find a spot on the map and go there
I have always wanted to go up to a ticket counter at an airport and say “I’ll take a ticket for your next available flight,” and going there, no matter where it is. Sadly, I am not that spontaneous to do something like that solo. However, I used that concept for one of my favorite microadventures. I grabbed a map for my area and selected a spot I have never been to. I was actually able to bike to it, which made the journey even more fun.
7. Hang up a hammock
Select the perfect location, hang up a hammock, and enjoy the sounds of nature. Bonus points if you decide to sleep in the hammock.
8. Try bird watching
One thing I never thought I would love doing is watching birds. I happened to be out in the woods during a bird migration last spring and it was one of the coolest experiences. I cannot wait to watch birds migrating this year.
9. Hike in the woods
Nothing is better than getting out in nature for an adventure. Whether you drive a couple hours away or find something close to home, nothing beats a good nature cleanse.
10. Head out onto the water
Canoe, kayak, paddleboard or take a paddleboat out onto the water and explore. Many local parks offer rentals to make it easier. This year I really want to take a rubber ducky looking paddleboat out.
11. Eat around the world
No travel plans? No problem! Eat around the world at home. Grab Asian, Thai, Mediterranean, Indian, Greek, and more from local restaurants around your area. I am going to do this each month throughout the year.
12. Try something new
Every wanted to try cross country skiing? Give it a try. Fly fishing? Take a lesson. The possibilities are endless.
10 Tips for Surviving a Michigan Winter
Michigan is such a beautiful place to live. If you\’re not about the hustle and bustle of city life, simply head Up North for a calmer more relaxed lifestyle. During the winter months, Michigan is typically covered in a picturesque blanket of snow (this year is a little different – I\’m not sure where the snow is).
Something you\’ll hear often from people out of town and Michiganders alike is It\’s so cold here in Michigan, and the winters in Michigan are so long and gray too. I personally love the cold, snow, and winter adventures. But, for someone who doesn\’t love the cold, it can be tough to survive a Michigan winter. I understand that you may find winter to be miserable, however, staying inside isn\’t good for you either. That is why you need to rely on ways to survive the winter, shorter days, and subzero temperatures.
Below are some of my tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the winter months ahead.
10 Tips for Surviving a Michigan Winter
1. Stock up on warm socks.
Whether you\’re lounging around the house or layering up to head outside, a few quality, cozy socks will come in handy. These socks from Darn Tough are my personal favorite.
2. Fall in love with an outdoor activity
When you discover a winter activity you love you\’re more likely to bundle up and head outside to play in the snow. Try out, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross country skiing, skiing, snowboarding, and more.
3. Warm up your car
I let my car warm-up for at least 15 minutes on cold mornings. For those of you who have remote starters, I envy you.
4. Take advantage of the sun
Michigan winters are notorious for being dark and gloomy. So if the sun decides to make an appearance, take advantage of it. Whether you head outside for a brisk sun-filled walk, or sit by a window and read a book, soak up those rays of light.
5. Keep a supply of hot drinks
Fill your pantry with teas and hot cocoa. I personally stock up on apple cider from Yates Cider Mill and freeze it so I can have cups of mulled cider all winter long.
6. Cozy throw blankets
Hygge is all about cozy and is also the key to handling winter. When it comes to throws, the softer, the better. I personally love All the Feels blankets.
7. Invest in good winter gear
A hooded jacket, insulated boots, warm mittens, thick scarves, and a beanie to cover your ears.
8. Winter tires
Seriously, make sure you have good tires on your vehicle when winter hits. Winter tires definitely make a huge difference, and might even help prevent a collision.
9. Moisturize your skin
I always apply moisturizer to my face in the morning and at night, as well as lotion my body morning and night and my hands throughout the day.
10. Try a craft
Winter offers a slower pace, which makes it the ideal time to learn a new craft like knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, and more. When it\’s too cold to head outside, doing a craft is a great way to pass time.
Friday Favorites 1.08.21
With the fresh energy of the New Year upon us, I have been busy making plans for 2021: adventures/microadventures, projects, personal and professional goals, to name a few. Over here at Fashion meets Food, I am thrilled to share another year with you. Where I\’ll continue to write more about my adventures – especially the ones around the Great Lakes state!
In 2020 I started following a specific cadence of what I would post on my blog and will be continuing with that this year. If you haven\’t caught on, here is a little more insight.
Michigan Mondays
Michigan-specific posts, adventures, food/restaurants, lifestyle, and more.
Travel Tuesdays
Posts about travel, including road trips, weekend getaways, day trips, adventures, must-sees, and more.
On Wednesdays, We Eat
Restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie favorites, and more.
Thursdays
Anything goes! Thursdays will be the potpourri day of the week.
Friday Favorites
Favorite things and links, shops, places, and anything else I am loving that week.
I look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks to come. Be sure to connect with me over on Instagram to see what Jack and I are up to.
Now let\’s talk about 11 favorites from the past week:
1. Night hikes and snowshoe adventures around Michigan.
2. Have you made a winter bucket list yet? Despite Michigan lacking snow I still made a pretty ambitious one. You can view it here.
3. Hot cocoa bombs are still all the rage, if you haven\’t made any yet I am sharing all the details on how to make gorgeous and seamless hot chocolate bombs here.
4. Valentine\’s Day is just around the corner, and I am loving these cards for girlfriends!
5. Looking for a hearty and delicious meal? Have some pasties sent to you from Lawry\’s Pasty Shop in Marquette. P.S. These are my favorite pasties ever.
6. I started this five-year journal written one line at a time, and always write in it before I go to bed.
7. OmNom Chocolate in Reykjavík, Iceland released their Love Collection and I am super excited.
8. Speaking of chocolate, have you tried Seattle Chocolate yet? Double Chocolate Trail Mix Truffle is my FAVORITE.
9. Reid\’s Gourmet Honey Peanut Butter will change your life.
Fashion meets Food 