Lilly

Meet the newest member of our family, Lilly!

We adopted Lilly from Lee County Animal Services a few months ago, but I've yet to introduce her here on the blog!  She was found wandering the streets of Fort Myers and was such a sweetie at the shelter we couldn't resist her.  She's a (now) 1 year old black lab-cocker spaniel mix.  Since she's a mix, the spaniel in her is going to keep her small forever.  She's got that eternal puppy look and we love it.

Lilly loves to play and really loves to chew on rope toys.

She also really loves to play with her sister Daisy.  She's always following her around and laying next to her too.  Daisy plays hard to get sometimes, or pretends not to notice Lilly.  But when they go to the groomer's, we're told that Daisy freaks out when she can't see Lilly.

So now we're a happy little family of 4 with Daisy & Lilly.

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Asian Turkey Sliders

This post has been a long time coming.  Ever since the Blogger outage and fiasco of last May, my post on Asian Turkey Sliders has been missing.  I was continuously told by Blogger that it would be restored, but seeing as it has now been 10 months, I'm giving up hope on that one. 

So, the Asian Turkey Sliders are back!  I saw these on Katie's blog over at Spirals & Spatulas and loved adding my spin to them.  These sliders are juicy, savory and really easy to make.  Easy is one of my staples as a busy working grad student, so if it doesn't get the easy stamp of approval, it doesn't make it on the blog.  Or in my stomach usually. 

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To make the sliders, you'll need ground turkey, soy sauce (I always use the low-sodium version), ground ginger, garlic, green onion, and slider rolls.  You can top the sliders with lettuce too, but I've been making them with sauteed mushrooms, Asian aioli, and a carrot/cucumber slaw.  To do this, you'll also need mushrooms, mayo, sriracha, hoisin sauce, carrots and a cucumber.
 

Start by combining the turkey with the soy sauce, green onion, garlic and ginger.  Mix until just combined.  Overmixing can make your meat tough.

Shape the meat into sliders.  I use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to help control the size and shape of the sliders.  Cook the patties in a skillet (or on a grill) for about 4-5 minutes.  If you're like me, you're a serial turner.  I flip my patties about 4 times, but really they probably only need 2 flips.  Also, I usually end up with 8-10 sliders, so I cook them 4 at a time in my skillet.

After they cook, place the patties on a plate with a paper towel under them and keep them in the microwave to stay warm.  But while they're cooking, prep the aioli, mushrooms and the slider rolls (unless you're using already baked rolls).  I use the Sister Schubert's frozen rolls, so just bake those following the package directions.  I like the sweetness of these rolls a lot.

For the aioli, combine the mayo, hoisin, and sriracha.  Mix until well combined, adding more sauces to taste.  It's a super simple topping that really adds to the flavor of the sliders.

For the mushrooms, saute in the soy sauce over medium heat for approximately 4 minutes.  Another super simple topping that really adds to the depth of flavor.

When everything is done cooking, build your sliders and enjoy!  I put the sliced carrots and cucumber on the bottom (not pictured), top with the patty, add the mushrooms and finish with the aioli. 

I've also adapted this recipe for another simple variation - Asian turkey meatballs.  Instead of forming patties, shape the turkey mixture into meatballs.  Place on stir fried veggies and noodles.

Asian Turkey Sliders
Recipe adapted from Spirals & Spatulas
Makes 8-10

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 green onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (may also substitute 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp ground ginger
6 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, divided use
Rolls/buns for sliders
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced

Directions:

Mix the turkey, green onion, garlic, ginger and 5 Tbsp soy sauce just until combined.  Form mixture into patties, approximately 1/4 cup each.  Saute over med-high heat for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally.  Saute mushrooms in remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp of soy sauce over medium heat for approximately 4 minutes, or until tender.  Prepare rolls according to package.  Cut in half and top with the slider patty, mushrooms, carrot, cucumber and aioli (see aioli below). 

Asian Aioli
Makes approx. 8-10 servings

Ingredients:
5 Tbsp mayo
1 tsp hoisin sauce
1/8 tsp sriracha

Directions:
Mix all ingredients until well combined.  Add more hoisin or sriracha to taste.  For a slightly sweeter variation, add a 1/4 tsp of teriyaki sauce.

Best & Worst Dressed: The Oscars 2012

Sadly I didn't get to watch any Oscars coverage or the ceremony at all yesterday since I was writing like a man woman on my masters thesis that was due today.  But two thumbs up for the first draft being turned in and moving into edit mode!  Also on the life changing school note, I'm officially all signed up to graduate on April 30 with my Master of Science degree!


But I did check out all the dresses online and I have my best and worst dressed list for you!


Best:

Octavia Spencer - she makes really smart and flattering choices, and I love her sense of classic style.  This dress was no exception and this photo really doesn't do it justice compared to some I saw.

Berenice Bejo - I'll admit, I'm a sucker for Elie Saab.  I don't think I've ever not liked one of her dresses.  But I picked this look before knowing it was Elie Saab (although I thought it might be).  The color is on trend with the pale look, but something different.  And the details are lovely.  I do think she could have revved up the accessories though, maybe just some more bold earrings.

Kristin Wiig - Most of the people I follow on Twitter apparently disagreed, but I actually like this look.  I think it's one of the more appropriate, flattering and classy choices she's made for public appearances, so maybe it's the improvement that's biasing me.  While the dress is pretty, the styling needed work.  One, the nail color is not good.  Two, the hair is odd to me.  Lastly, if you're going with a pale dress, give me some bold makeup.  She needed some lip color. 

Runners-up: Penelope Cruz, Michelle Williams and Jessica Chastain

Worst:

Melissa Leo - This isn't the most terrible look of awards season, but it's just not very good.  The sequins actually look really cheap instead of glitzy.  The collar seems very matronly, the bow sash is not flattering and the slit is in an awkward location.  I like her shoes though.

Glenn Close - Honestly, if she would have just lost the dated suit jacket it probably would have been gorgeous.  But I just can't get past that jacket and the way she's got it pulled back in every photo.  Glenn, you're gorgeous and you've got curves I wish I had in my mid 20s, show it off!

Rose Byrne - Proportions got the best of this one.  It's just a bit strange how it sits on her, definitely not flattering. The shine of the sequins only draws attention to all the awkward spots too.  You should see the back of it too, just gets worse.  Especially the length.  Plus she's looking super thin these days.  It makes me sad her and Glenn Close are on this list, because I love them both in Damages.

Note: I definitely would have bumped Glenn Close to the runner up category if I could have found a usable photo of Sherri Shepherd, who would have won Worst Dressed hands-down.  Google it.  This is where I would say you're welcome, but instead I'm sorry.

Runners-up: Jennifer Lopez, Maya Rudolph, Stacy Keibler

All images from Pop Sugar.

Who made your best and worst list last night?

Best & Worst Dressed: Grammys

I heard that there was a lot of black and white on the red carpet of the Grammys last night in honor of Whitney Houston.  I don't know if some stars changed their look to be in one of those colors or not, but it definitely did seem to be a theme.  Overall, I thought this red carpet was pretty conservative, perhaps that was a nod of respect.  Nonetheless, there were some definite triumphs and cringes last night.

Best Dressed:

Who would have ever thought I'd have Paris Hilton on a best dressed list?  Not me!  But she looked really lovely in this gown.

At first I wasn't sure how I felt about Carrie Underwood's dress, but it really grew on me.  Everything is just right.  Doesn't she seem to be channeling a little Faith Hill?

I really liked this dress on Lily Aldridge.  She looked beautiful and it was something I think any pregnant woman would love to wear.  Or any woman probably.  I wish I could find a photo more from the front though, because I think it looks even better from that angle.

Worst Dressed:


The hands-down winner, Fergie.  The color alone was a poor choice to me, not only because I hate orange, but it just didn't flatter her skin tone at all.  Second, need I even comment on the actual style of the dress?  You're probably cringing too much right now to even read the comment anyhow.

Source

Ok, wait.  Maybe I was a little over zealous to exclaim a winner in this category.  Because then you have Nicki Minaj.

Anne Vyalitsyna, model and Adam Levine's girlfriend, really showed off a little too much.  It's the red carpet, on tv.

All images sourced here.

What were your best and worst dressed looks from the Grammys?  I didn't get to watch the show since I'm desperately writing my thesis every spare moment I'm at home, but did you have a favorite performance?

Best & Worst Dressed: Golden Globes

It's awards season again!  I love checking out all the gorgeous, and the not-so gorgeous dresses every year, so here is my annual best and worst list.

Best dressed:

Evan Rachel Wood.  While this dress is definitely different, I think it worked just right for her.

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Octavia Spencer.  Flattering and elegant, it was the perfect dress for a winner.

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Helen Mirren.  She is just the epitome of classy and beautiful.  She rocked that dress like she was 20 again.

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Worst dressed:

Sarah Michelle Gellar.  It looks like a poofy tye-dye parachute.

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Julianne Moore.  The eighties are over.  The end.

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Ariel Winter.  I don't know who she is, but her dress choice is just not flattering.  Why would you want to make your hips look 5 feet wide?  And then the tulle hanging out the bottom, yikes.  That screams bad prom dress.

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Kelly Osbourne.  Geometric Mermaid Barbie.  With odd silver hair.

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Sharon Osbourne.  At least Kelly outdid her Mom.  The print on this dress is what kills it, although the strange pick-ups in the skirt and the sleeves don't help.

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I almost included Lea Michelle on the worst list and Taissa Farmiga on the best list, so they get to be my runners-up today.  Did you watch the Golden Globes?  Who was on your best or worst list this time? 

Healthy Eating Questions & Weight Loss Challenge

In the last year and a half since our move to Florida, both Mr. Puma and I have put on a significant amount of weight.  We both like to spend time in the kitchen and we both love to eat, so food has become a sort of hobby or entertainment for us.  Since we have less time to spend doing things with our busy schedules, and fewer friends to spend our spare time with, we find ourselves centering a lot of life around food.  That has translated to a lot of unhealthy pounds added on.


But now we're both really tired of our unhealthy lifestyles and we've been trying to make changes for a little over a month.  We did a "soft-roll" diet plan between Thanksgiving and Christmas, where we took baby steps to eating healthier and semi-dieting.  Now that the holidays are over, we're kicking it up a notch and we want to really start eating right and exercising more regularly (or at all).

So I'm joining the 10 Pound Challenge to lose 10+ pounds by April 9th hosted by the Newlyweds on a Budget blog.  But I have a lot of questions about eating healthy, sort of like the myth or fact debate.

First, let's talk about sweenteners.  I've been using Splenda in my coffee for over a year now.  But I've heard it's not really good for you.  I know things with aspartame have a weird metallic taste, but Splenda seems much more normal to me.  Then there's Stevia, which is supposedly natural and the new best thing to use.  Or should I just stick with plain sugar?

Then there's bars.  I like lots of Clif, Luna and Lara bars, but what I've never been sure of is if they're supposed to be a meal replacement or more of a snack.  If they're a snack, how can one justify eating them because they pack so many calories, carbs and more into one bar?  This is probably my most perplexing questions.

Image from Wikipedia

Desserts.  I'm addicted.  Seriously, what will I do without sweets?  I guess it isn't really a question per se, but if you have healthier sweets ideas or dessert recipes, I beg you to share.

I want to start drinking more water everyday.  I'm pretty bad at getting the recommended amount, so I'm trying to work on that.  My biggest barrier is that I like filtered or bottled water, but when I'm at work I have access to a sink and that's it.  I saw Bobble has a filtered water bottle, but I was a little hesitant at the cost since not only do you have to buy the bottle, but also replacement filters for it.  At Kohls the bottles were $18 and the filters were $8.  Anyone know of a more efficient way to get filtered water out and about?

Ok, that's the first round of my confusion and questions.  I'm sure there will be more on the way, but I really appreciate any help and suggestions for now!  And come over to join me in the 10 Pound Challenge!

Trends from 2011 to 2012

Happy New Year!  A little late, but 2012 is still fairly new, right?


I've been (mostly) joking on Twitter lately about some trends or fads I've seen and they just keep coming to me.  I'm really ready to say goodbye to several 2011 trends, and I'm looking forward to at least a few of my predicted 2012 ones.


Out with 2011:


Keep Calm and Anything posters and sayings.  I never liked these anyways, so can they please go away now?  I don't want to "keep calm and juggle Easter eggs" today.

Image from Etsy

Salted caramel.  Salted caramel has been a delicious pairing for many years, but lately it has become such a fad.  Bobby Flay actually was the first I'd heard say he was over this trend.  This one is what started the whole trends topic between Mr. Puma and I too.  He said anything that gets a specialty drink at Starbucks has become an overdone fad.  While I love my Starbucks, amen to that.

Photo from Starbucks

Chalkboard stuff.  This one I like, but it definitely seems to be sliding downhill in it's trendiness as of late.  Personally, I like dry erase better, so can that replace it?

Pinned onto my Pinterest from Crazy Wonderful

Deal websites.  Groupon and Living Social seem to have plateaued recently, but I have a feeling they'll be able to stick around for a while.  However, I think we'll see a continuation in the drop off in using flash sale sites like Gilt, Invino or SniqueAway.  My inbox could use the break from daily messages urging me to buy 67% off facials, trips to the middle of nowhere in the Appalachian mountains and yoga pants anyway.

Image from Groupon

My predictions for 2012 trends:

Brown butter.  The other half of the trends conversation that inspired this post.  I said that browned butter is the new salted caramel and it made Mr. Puma laugh.  We just heard it on Top Chef recently, I've seen it on countless blogs lately and it has crept onto Pinterest too.  Another example of common food things turned into rash fads, like cupcakes and salted caramel.

Photo (with a great tutorial) from Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn

Regular fit jeans/pants.  Thank goodness!  So glad to have less emphasis on skinny jeans and see a return of boot cut pants.  Those of us who spent 10+ years playing softball and have enormous calves (or are short and squatty, or have big butts, or just look like me in general) are thankful for the return of this trend.

Photo from J.Crew

Social media incentives.  With sites like Klout gaining popularity, incentives from sponsor companies for social media users are going to be a hot form of advertising.  Facebook has already started it with Moo, giving certain users free business cards just for having an account.  I know I love getting free stuff from Klout, but I have a feeling this trend may get annoying.

Image from BlogWorld

What do you think?  Any trends you predict to get left in 2011 or any you're glad to see go?  What are your 2012 trend predictions?