It's funny how some people can come into our life when we are so young and we have no idea that they will be the ones that help shape us, that love us, that hold us up when it's hard to stand. 

Sometimes we have no idea just how important someone will be on our journey. 

But then we grow and through adventures and heartache and laughter and memories, one day you look around and that person is still there. Flying through life with you, laughing beside you and making more memories. 

I have very few people in this special circle in my life, and today I celebrate one of my favorites. My very best friend, Jessica. Jessica and I met online before a Britney Spears concert. (Don't judge, we were aspiring popstars.) haha. She went to a local highschool and I was homeschooled for music reasons and to attend a Christian program. I moved to California at 19 and she would come visit me, making some of the funnest and funniest memories of our lives.


She became part of my heart. Life has moved us around and she's currently living it up and being adventurous in the gorgeous state of Oregon. Wishing I could celebrate her 31st year with her, I wanted to write a special post to say "I love you Miss Jessica" - Your my best friend, my honorary sister & one of the kindest, gentlest, funniest and warmest people I've ever met and I'm so blessed God picked you as my best friend. 

One of the ten characteristics of being a Proverbs 31 wife points to health. 

Today, after Mr. Charming and I wrapped two extremely productive but crazy workdays, I went to the kitchen to see what I could prepare for dinner. Excited to kick back and enjoy the evening after staring at a computer screen for what felt like 24 hours, my poor husband walked in from work totally sick. I am thankful, not for his illness, but for the fact this is one of two times he's been sick in almost three years. 

We use to catch EV-ER-Y-THING when we were eating the Standard American Diet, but since going primarily Paleo and upping our vitamin, probiotic and fruit and veggie intake our immune system has gotten a much needed boost. 

We came to find out that many of those who attended a party we hosted this weekend were sick and he couldn't escape the bug. 

So I popped back into the kitchen with a new goal in mind: Healing. 

While I always aim for nutritious, when one of us is battling the ills, I always like to find things that are rich, green and full of vitamins. I opted for a large pan of roasted asparagus drizzled in a little olive oil and plenty of minced garlic for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. I had already planned to cook turkey tonight, so I added onions and red & yellow bell pepper for vitamins & of course - more garlic. Normally I cut out grains when fighting germs to let the gut heal, but since he has to take medication this time around, I wanted sustenance in his stomach, so I made some organic brown rice pasta tossed in a healing both broth for flavor. 

I served all this up with plenty of fluids & a refreshing bowl of cubed watermelon for dessert. Cool on his sore throat and detoxifying for the kidneys. 

What are your go to dinners when you're fighting something? And how do you show your husband and family 'health' as it pertains to Proverbs 31? 

For the third post in the Guy Behind The Blog Series link-up hosted by the beautiful soon-to-be-newlywed Betsy of Heavens to Betsy, the topic is love.

So very fitting. 

This month Mr. Charming gives us insight to love in the past, present and our future.

Enjoy! 




  #GBTB: August Edition

1 // Share a funny wedding story with us - it could be from your own or one you attendended.
It would have to be my sisters wedding. My brother in law Randy was at the alter, and he said "I Do" before the pastor was done asking him the question. The pastor then had to stop and ask if he could continue, and asked that he agree and say "I Do" once he knew everything he was agreeing to. [laughs]

2 // On the topic of love, who was your childhood crush?
I would have to say a little girl named Malia in Kindergarten or first grade. She pinned me down as kissed me on the playground. 

Mandi's Note: I totally did this to a boy, Eric, when I was in kindergarten. Mr. Charming just seems to like women who know what they want ;) [laughs]

3 // What is your top love language? What is your significant other's love language?
We've glanced at the book briefly, but we serve each other in all ways. We didn't have to pick just one path of how we show our love. 

4 // How did you meet your significant other? 
We were very good friend a long time ago, over 15 years ago, we lost touch, and 9 years ago we reconnected. We'd both been through career changes, school and former relationships and knew that what we wanted in life was each other.

5 // How did you propose?
I had a lot of fun planning it and I knew it would be something very memorable for the both of us due to the things we love to do together. You can read the full story here.

Facebook is the fast-food restaurant of social interaction.

Quick, cheap & convenient. Have a busy day and only have a minute to catch up with someone? Write on their wall. Don't have money to go to lunch or out for drinks, send a private PM with a hello. Need to RSVP to their party, wedding (gasp, please don't ever do this.) or other social event, hey why not, Facebook is right here, the mailbox is waaaaay over there. Click. Send. Etiquette out the door. 

Now. I'm not dissing social media as a whole. I LOVE being able to catch up with family that lives in an entirely different time zone than me. Reconnect with family I haven't seen since I was in Pre-K, or get to see updated photos of all my loved ones. It's great for business marketing and meeting new people.

Week One: Plan one outting this week with a friend. Whether its meeting for coffee on a work lunch break, seeing a late movie or even running and errand together - make time for at least one hour this week. 
Week Two: Aim for two friend outings this week - or one outing and one phone call with two separate friends. 
Week Three: Write a letter to a friend, at least one full page long and mail it in a cute envelope to cheer her up. 
Week Four: Plan an event - dinner party, a night out for a drink, group pedi's, a poker night, anything - and send out  an invite (social media ok for this) to get everyone together. The point is to not just think or plan but to put it into action so you can start making more memories. 

Sounds simple - but I know with our group, weeks can go by before we realize we've got so caught up in our "busy".

Let me see how the challenge is going for you! I will be doing the same! Snap photos of you and your besties together, snap photos of your event planning or of your cute stationary/envelopes and put them on Instagram using the hashtag #NNSocialChallenge. 

Let's bring back REAL connection. One moment at a time. 

1 // What is your all-time favorite food?
Hot wings. And I enjoy a really good meatloaf or pot roast.  

2 // Who is the cook between you and your significant other?
I would say we split the responsibility of cooking. We both really enjoy cooking great meals for one another. She has taught me a lot about clean eating and how to alter recipes with good ingredients to make them more healthy.

3 // What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
My dad used to make me mayonnaise and banana sandwhiches. My sister and my mom were disgusted at the fact I ate them.

4 // Are there any foods that you absolutely detest?
Coconut. I am a texture person. I don’t like sauerkraut for the same reason. I don’t like grittiness.

5 // What is your favorite local, little-known, or hole in the wall place to eat?
My wife and I love the Veggie Grill in Long Beach, CA. It has a wide array of foods she can eat and it has a good atmosphere. 

Coming soon - the July edition, where Mr. Charming talks all about his love of being a foodie! 

I was honored to receive a Liebster Award Nomination from the wonderful Tiffany of The Golden Letter. An award that helps to support & promote fellow bloggers, she has sent me questions to answer in receiving my nomination. Below, you can see the answers to my questions to get to know me a little better & I have also nominated six of my favorite bloggers. 

Do you have a favorite blog or blogger you'd like to see nominated in the future? Leave their links in the comments & I'd love to check them out! #SpreadTheLove. 

Where do you see yourself in a few years?
I use to have a problem with putting too much focus on the future. The "now" was never good enough and with each accomplishment came an expectation for the next "bigger" and "better" thing. So while I believe it's healthy to have goals and there are things I pray are in my future, I leave it in God's hands and focus on what I can do with the time I have right now. 

What motivates you to blog?
Living healthy & helping others to see the truth in what it's all the things we put in our body on the day to day. Whether it be the food we consume to the makeup we use to the things we are cleaning our homes with, I hope to help girls and women learn the value of what God has put here for us and the benefits of using organic products. 

What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas. Hands down. Just feeling Christ so close throughout the season, time with family, baking, cozying up by a fire with a mug of dairy-free cocoa and a Christmas movie with my hubs. It's my favorite season overall. 

A book recommendation?
A book I try to read every single morning with breakfast is Jesus Calling. It helps me to stay in the Word when I'm not diligent about reading the Bible. It gives me a chance to read an inspirational  devotional that applies to modern life that is inspired by scripture. 

What is one goal you are working towards?
My friends call me Slash because of all my various titles and I'm usually working towards multiple goals at once. The main ones at this time are finishing my certification in Personal Nutrition, continuing to grow Nosh & Nurture, working on my first film screenplay and starting our family. 

If you had one superpower, what would it be?
I'd like to teleport so I could see Europe and Australia without having to take really long flights. I'm not the biggest fan of airplanes even though I toured for years. 

Tell me something you love about yourself. 
My drive to create beautiful things. 

If you could create your dream job, what would it be?
I feel blessed that I'm doing that now. Working full time as a journalist, musician and health blogger is a path God created for me, and one that I love. 

Your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
With my husband, cooking a healthy breakfast, if we are traveling where there is a beach nearby, even better. Spending quality time with our fur babies and getting caught up on reading or one of our favorite shows. 

A great piece of advice you've been given?
"Create a life you love". While God writes our story, we were given free will and have the ability to make choices and create moments and opportunities for ourselves with the talents He gave us. 

Your favorite quote?
One that I've held on to since I was a teenager. Elanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." If you take leaps of faith to go after what's in your heart, you can be an inspire, a world changer, a difference maker. You just to believe, and start. 

I nominate the following bloggers for a Liebster Award for their dedication to their little place in the online world. For their creativity, beautiful aesthetic and awesome advice on their niche. Without further adieu.. 

Danielle of Thyme Is Honey
Madison of The Wetherills Say I Do
Merry of Sunshine On My Shoulder
Betsy of Heavens To Betsy
Jessa of In Wealth & Health
Megan of Wit & Wander



Rules of being nominated. Below are the eleven questions you must answer when accepting your nomination on your blog and comment your link here when it's posted so I can read your answers! You must also acknowledge who nominated you and link back to my blog - www.noshandnurture.com - nominate 5-11 of your favorite bloggers and write 11 questions of your own for them. Easy breezy. 

1.) What is your ultimate goal for your blog?
2.) If a celebrity played you in the movie of your life, who would it be?
3.) Favorite easy recipe to make on a busy night?
4.) Best memory you've created in your life?
5.) Name a simple pleasure that brings you immense joy.
6.) Favorite ingredient that makes any dish better. 
7.) What's the best live performance you've seen?
8.) Your #`1 piece of advice to bloggers?
9.) What's your dream vacation destination?
10.) Favorite fashion accessory?
11.) Where do you feel most creative?

I love days that surprise us. Currently residing in Arizona, today is one of those days, when it's been hitting temps exceeding 90 degrees and God sends us a few breezy, 80 degrees days that remind me of us being on the beach just one short week ago.

Speaking of location changes, in just a few months one of our nieces will be heading to the City of Angels for the first time. Our niece Amber received an offer to work at Disneyland for their college program and I couldn't be more proud of her. If you met this girl you'd understand, she's a Disney Princess come to life.

Today' post is dedicated to her because today, Amber graduates from NAU. It's amazing and crazy how FAST time flies. When I started dating Mr. Charming, Amber was just starting highschool, and now, all these years later, she's all grown up, heading out into the world on her own and I can't wait to see her spread her beautiful fairy wings and fly.

I always say how blessed I am to have married into such a big, wonderful and lovely family, and Miss Amber is so special. I've always seen so much of me in her. Her angelic voice allowed her to tour with me to promote my first album as my backup singer and she's worked on all my tracks since, she's been my friend before she became my family and she even stood up with us on our wedding day as one of our bridesmaids. Getting to share those parts of my dream and life with her was so special. She's also an amazing artist and continues to inspire me to live like a kid and dream big every day.

So, Amber, here's to you. I'm sorry I couldn't be in Flagstaff with you. Getting to see you live another moment larger than life. But I send all my love and hugs and kisses and can't wait to celebrate you when you're home for the summer, before you head off to get your very own pair of mouse ears.

I love you and am so proud of you. You may continue to reach life's beautiful milestones along your journey, but if I've learned anything about you through becoming your friend and your family, I know you'll never truly grow up. ;)

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write this story on here. Maybe it's because I felt like I already did. I told it on our old blog, Me & Mr. Charming, and I wrote it for our previous wedding website. And to this day, I still tell my girlfriends who ask or bring it up. But I wanted to share it here, and share our story, because as I meet more people at expos, and blog events, they all ask about Mr. Charming, which is so very kind :) 

To start I guess I should go back to how we first met. You can read all about that here. It explains how long ago I knew this man and how we got back together after nine years of not speaking. That's where our story and our journey together really starts.

My heavenly Father gets all the credit for the love story He has written for us. Never in a million years could I have written something so beautiful, and never in a million years if you would have told me at fifteen that Mr. Charming would be my future husband would I have ever believed you. 

But back to the story of our engagement. I can start this by saying I absolutely, positively had NO idea that it was coming when it did. Mr. Charming and I had been dating five years before he asked me, so I had kind of given up on the "hoping and waiting' aspect of the whole proposal thing. Not to be taken in a negative way, I hadn't "given" up on the idea, just on the getting hopeful part. Every holiday or vacation that would come all my girlfriends and family members would get in a tizzy - telling me that since it was "Christmas, my birthday, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day.... or that he was taken me to Prescott.. or Hawaii... or the grocery store.... it was so that he could PROPOSE. So, that was in no way his fault, that I decided to just let it be, and let him make that choice.

Every year we try to plan one big vacation. Something where we both take a full week to disconnect from work and home, and travel together. In 2010 we decided to make that place Disneyworld. We saved all year and in October we got a room at the Disney All Star Movie Resort for six nights and park hopper tickets for all the parks for a week. If we were going to do Disneyworld, we were gonna DO Disneyworld. We had both been once with our families, but I had never gone to Epcot and I wanted that to be the first place we went since I LOVE Europe and all things to do with world travel. 

The Food & Wine Festival was taking place the week we went, and it was right as I was getting sick (and had no idea why I was getting so sick) so we tasted... everything. 

After a wonderful flight and checking into our hotel, we got ready and headed to Epcot. It was night, and as we entered the park, Mr. Charming asked what "country" or "land" I wanted to see first. I spotted the Eiffel Tower in the back right corner of the park, and breathlessly I answered, Paris!!!!! 

Everything was so sparkly & magical. I was starving but Mr. Charming said he wanted to set up the camera and get a picture of us on a bench in Paris. I didn't think anything of it, because we are huge photo takers when we are on vacation, ok and also when we aren't, so I let him guide me to a bench down a flowery walkway where there were no other guests. We sat down and he started to clean his camera lens, and asked if he could clean my ring for me. (he does this all the time, so I took off the ring from my ring finger and handed it over.) Except when he gave me back the ring it was a horse of a different color, as he got down on his knee and proposed with the engagement ring of my dreams. 

I was so in awe by the moment, I remember crying. I remember it stealing my breath away. And I remember the love. ALL the love I felt for this man. I felt the world fall away. I felt my prayers being answered. And I said yes without a shadow of a doubt that this man, my best friend, my Mr. Charming was my one. 

I think one of my favorite parts of the whole story was that he had told me that he found the bench on Google Earth prior to our trip and knew exactly where he'd propose in the park. Finding a place in my favorite "country" that would be secluded, beautiful and romantic. 

After I answered the best question I've ever been asked, we got some amazing French food and I called our families. I don't think we were even off the Disney property before I found the first kiosk where I could get my newly decorated hands on a bridal magazine. 

Throughout the duration of the trip we totally became "those people" and got matching shirts made. And Mr. & Mrs. pins and anything else that screamed "I was engaged at Disneyworld"... Because. When in Disney....

The trip was incredible and I will be documenting more of it when I cover the food finds at Disneyworld. So check back on more on our trip. 

We ended the trip with spending our last morning at the Grand Floridian Resort for our first Engagement Shoot in a hammock on the beach. To see our official engagement shoot that took place later, click here. 

 
I would love to hear your engagement story, or favorite moment from when you were asked :D Feel free to share in the comments below. I'm kind of a sucker for a good love story.... 

Even as a writer, this is one of those stories I just don't know to capture with words. It's a beautiful story of God's that He's written over the last 15 years of our lives. And it's probably why I haven't tried to write it on the blog, or anywhere. 

Mr. Charming and I first met years and years ago. I was almost 16, and he was 18, and we met on AOL. My friends and I use to hang out in good ol' Phoenix chat, before the days of Tinder, Facebook and all the other social media sites, we'd chat using our fun colorful fonts and talking to kids from school and dance. One evening my girlfriends and I started chatting with some people who hung out at an arcade and pool hall where we'd been and we decided to all go play some pool. As you can guess, Mr. Charming was one of the boys at the pool hall. Still a pool shark, he had mad skills and was crazy cute, and became an insta-crush. 

I so wish I had photos from back then, but as we only had pagers and no digital cameras, there was no documentation of our early days hanging out, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. We both were dating other people at the time, so we never got together, but we did flirt and it was talked about from time to time. We hung out for months, making lots of memories we could later reflect back on. Late nights getting Italian food. Spending hours playing pool, and cruising down Mill Ave. the local college town street where it was "cool" to show off your car, (there wasn't much else to do here). I started music right around the time we were hanging out, so he knew about my website and I had sung to him a couple of times. Due to our other relationships, teen life and me starting to perform and move into my career more, we fell out of touch. 

For nine years. 

In those years, we grew up, we had relationships, and school, and careers. Little did I know, our story didn't leave off in a pool hall in Arizona. 

In 2006 I was offered a contract to tour the Caribbean as a headlining singer for six months. It was a huge blessing because I had come out of a bad relationship, lost my apartment and just wanted to escape. Touring some of the most beautiful parts of the world, was wonderful, although lonely and I couldn't believe my eyes when, 5 months into my contract, from an internet cafe in Aruba, I would check my email and get a message from him. 

He had found me by my website, (so if there's any reason to have a website with your name on it, this would be my biggest argument for it.) haha, Just touching base we talked back and forth a bit and decided to have dinner when my contract ended and I came back to Arizona to visit my mom (at eighteen I moved to California to work in entertainment and had been living there since.) 

When we met up for dinner, it was like nothing had changed. I was more comfortable with him than with anyone I'd ever been with. By our third date, I knew I was in trouble. He was everything all my friends told me I was crazy to wait for. And I was supposed to leave for another 6 month tour just two weeks after our first date. 

While I was excited to see new countries, and experience new things with my music, I was heartbroken. I was reunited with a man who I was falling for and a part of me didn't want to leave. But I did. And we decided to keep in touch and planned to meet in Manhattan six months later and see where we were at.

But cue me being oversees, in South America and listening to Michael Buble's "Home" on repeat, living on chocolate and crying in my hotel rooms. Yeah, I know, sad. But I realized i was no longer where I wanted to be.

He was where I wanted to be. He had started to become "Home". It turns out a month into my contract, my new manager for the second tour was a not-s0-great person and the working conditions overseas were making me dislike music and what I was doing, so I left the tour, paid almost  a months salary on a flight home from where I was and surprised him, at his door, 5 months early. Lucky for me he was pleasantly surprised, because, let's be honest, a move like that could have gone either way, and he's been my Mr. Charming ever since. 

What our story has taught me, and what I wanted it to teach the cynics who laughed at me for waiting for my person, is that, love is real. God can bring you together with the one who will support you, love you, laugh with you. And that living out my wild & crazy dreams and taking my adventures around the world, are much better with my best friend by my side. 

To read our engagement story, click here.