Do you know the perfect way to grill salmon?

I love variety when I cook! Especially when it comes to grilling. Sometimes you get tired of the staples: steaks, ribs, hot dogs, chicken. You may want a little something different, like grilled veggies or turkey burgers or salmon. Here’s a quick video on how to grill salmon like a pro!

Are Cupcakes Still Hot?

I think so! I can’t get enough of sweet treats on the go, I guess that’s why I love cookies so much. Even though others may say that the fad is over and whoppie pies are the new cupcake, I disagree. And after having an  original cupcake from Naticakes, you’ll be singing the same tune as me.

From the mouthwatering S’more cupcake to the chocolate raspberry truffle, your tastebuds will dance with joy after just one bite! There are so many to choose from, you’ll spend at least 30 minutes trying to decide!

The cakes are a little pricey at about $3 a pop, but they are well worth it. Don’t you think you deserve a little treat every now and then?

Have you ever had one of Naticake’s cupcakes?

It’s a dog’s life…

Technically, it’s a pet’s life; they have some of the cushiest lives of all beings on this planet. Especially house pets. In recent years, pets have become more than parts of our family, they’re like our children. We feed them, train them, play with them, and love them, all things that we tend to do with humans. So it’s only natural to take your doggy child to a daycare when  you’re away right?

Don’t give me that look! Doggy daycare is actually a great idea. At least you know that little Daisy won’t be chewing on your couch while you’re gone; she can chew on things to her hearts content somewhere else. Dogtopia of Nashville is only 22 minutes away, straight up 65.

Prices vary depending on the service that you require, and Dogtopia has many! From daycare, to training, to a doggy spa, your pooch will be fully pampered and tuckered out by the time you pick them up. That way, you both can relax from a trying day.

It’s something to consider.

Would you put your dog in daycare?

Gotta Need For Speed?

Hey South Wind! Do you have a need for speed, and aren’t really NASCAR inclined? Well worry not. I’ve found a list of the fastest cars under 50K. Now you don’t have to spend your life’s fortune on a Lambo to get a little more giddy up. The Nissan 370Z, Ford Mustang GT500 and Infiniti G37, for instance, each cost less than $50,000–and they all get to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds. Here’s a few:

1. Chevy Camaro SS
   • Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
   • Top Speed: 160 mph (estimated)
   • Details: RWD, 6-speed manual transmission
   • MSRP: $33,945
2. Audi TTS
   • Zero to 60 mph: 4.9 seconds (coupe); 5.1 seconds (roadster)
   • Top Speed: 155 mph
   • Details: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
   • MSRP: $45,900
3. BMW 135
   • Zero to 60 mph: 5.1 seconds (135i)
   • Top Speed: 130 mph
   • Details: RWD, 6-speed manual transmission
   • MSRP: $36,050

Can you see yourself driving any of these cars?

Photo credit: brokentrinkets

Free Beer & Hot Wings Hootenanny for Flood Relief

What goes better with hot wings and cool drinks than some fantastic music?  I don’t think there is anything that tops that. If you know of something, be sure to post it in the comments section for everyone to see.

What am I blogging about today? Well, radio station 102.9 The Buzz has redone it’s annual Free Beer & Hot Wings Hootenanny concert to benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and it’s flood relief efforts.

The concert will take place tomorrow, May 21 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.  Want to know what to expect when it comes to great music, well, performers include Three Days Grace, Apocalyptica, Halestorm, Three Doors Down and 7 Day Binge, which includes members of Three Doors Down, Kid Rock’s band and Muzik Mafia.

Like I said, it can’t get any better right?

Tickets have been discounted to $20 since the performers donated their performance fees to support the relief effort. (How noble )

Looking to add a new member to your family?

Meet Picasso! He’s a 1 1/2 year old Border Collie looking for a good home! He’s not the only one, there are plenty of loving animals for you to choose from! If you’re looking for a furry addition to your home, make sure you consider the South Wind pet policy, and also research which animals would work best in an apartment. Where can you find these great animals? Why, right over at Happy Tales Humane Society.

What’s your favorite pet?

photo credit: Happy Tales Humane Society

Building a Better Burger

Grilling is one of my all time favorite things about summer time….  I grew up with my father making a pretty amazing burger.  Before going to college, I made sure to take plenty of mental notes of his prep methods, ingredients, and cooking strategy.  The tricks to his amazing burgers are their simplicity.  When I found this recipe for “A Better Burger”, and it looked almost exactly my dad’s, I had to share it.  The only addition he would add would be bleu cheese.  He’s a nut for that stuff (as am I… Thanks Pops!).  The recipe will help you if you’re cooking indoors too!

Check out the full article for more details on How to Cook a Better Burger:

Makes three

photo credit: rentvine.com

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chuck
• Salt and pepper
• American cheese
• Buns

Step 1

• Remove ground beef from the fridge an hour before cooking. Gently form three patties, each about an inch thick (don’t over-pack). With your thumb, form a small well in the center of each. Season on the outside with salt and pepper.

Step 2

• To cook indoors, place a cast-iron skillet or a nonstick or regular frying pan over medium-high heat. When it is nice and hot, add a dash of vegetable oil and add the patties. Do not move them and do not press down with a spatula. Let cook for about 4 minutes, or until nicely browned. (An open window or a vent over your stove comes in handy at this point.) Flip, add the cheese, and cook for about another 4 minutes. You may have to fry a few patties to get the timing and heat level right. You want your burger well browned on the outside and juicy in the middle.

Step 3

• Remove the burgers. Drain excess fat from the pan. Place the buns in the pan, facedown, and let them get crispy. Assemble the burgers. Go easy on the condiments. Repeat.

So…Is it Summer Yet?

Hey South Wind! Don’t let this ridiculous weather that we’ve been having lately get you down…summer’s almost here, and it’s going to be HOT! So go ahead and get your mind right for all of those yummy summer treats! Here’s a list of some great places!

5 ways to relax in 5 minutes

Stressful days are the easiest ways to gain gray hair. Age really isn’t a factor anymore. So, what do you do when stress threatens to claim your entire being? Try these 5 easy steps that’ll take 5 minutes or less to complete:

1. Have a cup of tea: Pausing for a cup of tea (or coffee or even a glass of V-8 — whatever floats your boat) is a relaxing ritual you can include in your everyday life, no matter what drama is swirling around you. Wrap your hands around a warm cup, breathe in the steam, and for just a few moments you can enjoy a moment of peace.
2. Write it down: Sometimes the best thing you can do to quiet your mind is to directly confront it. Whatever you feel is cluttering your mind, jot it down; you’ll feel loads lighter. Don’t try to find solutions at this stage, those will come later. Just focus on addressing the problem.
3. Stretch: Stand up, and keeping your knees unlocked, bend at the waist and hang your head and arms loose. Let gravity do the work of pulling you down. Then, stand up straight, clasp your hands behind your back and stretch your shoulders and upper back. Gently stretch your neck with slow, easy neck circles or by hanging your right ear towards your right shoulder, then left ear to left shoulder.
4. Breathe: Obvious enough. Deep breaths work best.
5. Sing your favorite song: I recommend doing this at the top of  your lungs…when you’re alone. If you’re in the presence of others, humming works as well. As long as you’re singing a song that inspires you, you’ll head towards having a stress free day in no time.

What do you do to relieve stress?

Make sure you unplug your phone chargers at night

Honestly, I didn’t know that phone chargers took that much juice. Since I was on a go green kick last month, I learned that even when your phone is not connected to the charger, electricity is still flowing, and running up your electricity bill.

If you want to know how much energy each appliance in your place draws, GE has come up with an interactive chart that will show you. It tracks 53 devices; you can choose to see how much power does each appliance consume in watts or kilowatthours; alternatively, you can see how much does each appliance cost to use in dollars, and how much it consumes converted to gallons of gas.

If I were you, I’d check it out, and start thinking twice about leaving your computer on over night.

Do you have any energy saving tips?

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