Costco Food Court Diet Hacks

🤩🍕COSTCO FOOD COURT: DIET HACKS 🌭🍪

Have you ever grabbed something from the Costco Food Court? Their food is a deal and it’s delicious! While it’s tricky to find options that aren’t “cheat day status”, there are some delicious workarounds. In fact, there’s one item on their menu that’s a low carb standout…and I’m not talking about their chicken salad 🥗😉 The big question is… how do we eat at Costco on a diet? I’m here to help ya out!

Between the pepperoni and cheese pizza, the cheese pizza has fewer carbs and calories. However, both are super high in carbs! My hack? Cut out all the carbs and just eat the toppings!

Is the chicken bake or the fully loaded hot dog the way to go? The chicken bake comes in at 840 calories and 80g of carbs! The hot dog comes in at 621 calories and 51+ carbs. Both are not great, but the absolute best thing to do on this menu is make yourself a fully loaded hot dog with no bun. This brings it down to 411 calories and only 14g carbs!

Now, onto the desserts. The cookie comes in at 69g carbs compared to 84g of carbs in the sundae. The sundae however does come in with a little less calories. While the cookie has 11g of protein, it’s not worth it if you are dieting!

In regards to the drinks, you will want to avoid these if dieting! The cold brew mocha freeze comes in at a whopping 115g of carbs!

Skip the drinks and try my low carb creation instead: a bite of the no bun hot dog with some of the pizza toppings on top! It’s the perfect low carb bite at the Costco food court.

What’s your favorite thing at the Costco food court? Comment and LMK! Mine is the pizza without the crust 🤭

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Cutting Board Kitchen Hack!

🤩👩‍🍳 KITCHEN HACK: CUTTING BOARD TRICK 🤯

How many times have you chopped up something only for it land on the counter or worse, the floor when you’re trying to put it your bowl, the sink or compost? Here’s a handy kitchen hack that will give you a slam dunk every time 🎉

Have you ever wondered what the hole in your cutting board is for? Let me tell ya sis- it’s for an easy transfer from the board to the bowl!

Not only is this trick handy and keeps you from spilling, but it’s also fun! How great is this hack?!

Follow along for more handy hacks!

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My Story: 3 Jobs, 1 Dream

❤️ MY STORY: 3 JOBS = 1 DREAM 🍔✈️📺

Struggles are real! But so are DREAMS 💭 There is something to be learned in every job, even if it’s not your ultimate goal, there’s a takeaway from every experience. I spent my time working the McDonald’s drive-thru practicing my news live shots 🎤😂 and that was only the beginning 😉

1st Job: McDonald’s

When I was a senior, I used to work at McDonald’s. I loved it because I got to work the drive-through. It was my first real job, and it came with a microphone!

2nd Job: Flight Attendant

In my 20s, I was a flight attendant… for five seconds. I flew for Delta and although it was fun, my ultimate dream was to work in TV news. Just two weeks into my job, a very popular news anchor here in Los Angeles walks onto my flight. When I’m taking his order, I say to him… I know this is going to sound crazy, but I’m really a journalist. He said call me Tuesday at 2:30! I landed myself an internship at NBC sports. Being a flight attended ended up landing me on TV. The moral of that story? You are going to miss 100% of the chances you don’t take!

3rd Job: The Side Hustle

Flash forward to when I’m in my 30’s. I’m a divorced single mom trying to make it, working in TV news as a reporter. There’s not a lot of money being made in TV news! I took this job on Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Dean Cain was the host, and I would write segments that Dean Cain would track. Then, I would go into the news station at night and work to 3-11 going live! And now… I’m here with LORAfied!

✅ Start visualizing WHAT YOU WANT, no matter how out of reach it may seem, no matter how crazy others tell you it is.
✍️ Write it down! See yourself doing it and block out the negative “noise” from others.
🥰 Always remember: YOU are special, you are here for a reason, you deserve to be happy!
💪 Let’s do this, sister 👯‍♀️

I’m so glad you’re here, YOU make LORAfied possible and I’m beyond grateful 🙏

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Genius Kitchen Hack!

🤩👩‍🍳 GENIUS KITCHEN HACK: BAKING SECRET 🤫

It’s not your recipe, it’s the temp of your oven 🤯 What’s the average baking temperature called for when making baked goods? Around 350F right? Kid 2 and I always joke “when in doubt add a teaspoon of vanilla and preheat the oven to 350F” 😂 While your muffins will look fine at that temp, if you want bakery worthy muffins there’s a SUPER EASY TRICK that will forever change your muffin game and it’s FREE + EASY!

What if I told you these muffins came from the same batch? One looks so much better than the other! This trick I’m about to share with you works with any recipe- your batter doesn’t matter whatsoever… it’s how you bake ’em!

Instead of 350 degrees F, we are going to start one batch at 425 F. Then, at the 5 minute mark, we are going to lower the temp back to 350F to finish. The high heat actually gives them a head start.

Although both batches are great, the kitchen trick makes them turn out so much prettier! Since we eat with our eyes first, I love using this trick for my baked goods. Follow along for more kitchen tips and tricks.

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Save Big: Food that Never Expires!

🤩💰SAVE BIG: FOOD THAT NEVER EXPIRES 🚫🗑️

How tied to expiration dates are you? I used to think the milk magical knew to go bad by the date printed on the top 🤭 Boy was I wrong! While milk is an easy read when it takes a turn, there are some things in your kitchen cabinets that NEVER GO BAD! Here are the things that LAST FOREVER! Forward this to someone who needs it 💕

There are probably a dozen things in your cabinets that never go bad. No more tossing these items sis, and it will save you so much money! Check out this list and see what you have right now.

XO,
Lora

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Williams Sonoma Copycat Secret Simmer Pot Recipe

Have you ever noticed how INCREDIBLE Williams Sonoma smells? 😌 That’s because they constantly have a simmer pot going! While they tweak the recipe depending on the season, THIS RECIPE is their SIGNATURE SMELL that’s on the stove more than any other! And you won’t believe what the SURPRISE INGREDIENT is 🤯

🚨🤩 WILLIAMS SONOMA COPYCAT 👯‍♀️ SECRET SIMMER POT RECIPE REVEALED 🤫

Although they don’t let you get close enough to figure out exactly what’s in the pot, I cracked the code! It’s just 4 simple ingredients, and yes, PEPPERCORNS are in the mix! Definitely unexpected, right?🤯 I’ve got a recipe below, but feel free to measure with your heart ❤️

Ingredients:

8 cups of water

1 lemon, cut into slices

1 tsp. – 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. black peppercorns

3 sprigs of rosemary

This simmer pot recipe will make your house smell like you’ve just cleaned it—even if you haven’t! 🤗 Click here to check out my favorite simmer pot ingredients, plus the slow cooker I use to make it (spoiler alert: it’s my favorite method 😉).

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Genius Rice Hacks: Does Washing It Matter?!

Do you wash your rice before you use it? If yes, how many times? And do you soak your rice? Is any of this really necessary? And is brown rice better for you than white? What’s the best way to cook it? 🤔 SO many questions, luckily, I have the answers 😉

🤩🍚 RICE HACKS: DOES WASHING IT MATTER?! 🍽️

Did you know all rice contains ARSENIC? That means rinsing is a MUST! The absolute bet way to remove arsenic from rice is to soak it. Soaking it overnight is the best way! The most effective way to cook it is like pasta because the extra water allows the arsenic to escape!

Pasta Rice Method:
To cook your rice like pasta, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, approximately 6 cups of water to 1 cup of rice. Pour rice into boiling water and cook until desired texture. Start checking at around 7 mins…may take much longer, like 20-25 mins depending on the type of rice you use. Drain, rinse with cool water and let it sit for a few minutes to let the steam escape. Eat immediately or refrigerate for later.

TIPS: Not all rice is created equal. Long grain rice tends to have more arsenic than short or medium and white rice has less than brown because white rice is basically brown rice with the husk removed. If you’re looking for the lowest arsenic in your rice, look for rice coming out of California, India or Pakistan!

Do you prefer white or brown rice? Comment and LMK! I’m a sticky white rice gal 🤍Click here to check out my favorite rice cooking essentials & other kitchen picks! 👩‍🍳

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Stanley Tumbler Dupes!

💦🥤STANLEY DUPES 👯‍♀️🥊 TUMBLER WARS 🏆

Do you own at least one of these guys? Kid 2 and her buddies are obsessed with these things! If I’m being honest, I don’t really understand the hype surrounding them. I thought I could get away with just ignoring this trend while I kept using what my teens call “an embarrassing knockoff!” But after we missed the special Valentine’s Day edition release at Target and found out they were being resold on eBay for over $200 each, I knew I had to see if this barbell of a water bottle was really worth it… What I found was SHOCKING!

In terms of price, Stanley and Hydro Flask tumblers cost over 50% more than Simply Modern! Simply Modern wins best price.

Next, I conducted a 5 second water test to see which tumbler has the least spillage. 5 seconds upside down and Stanley loses an entire cup of water! Hydro Flask lost 1/4 of a cup, and Simply Modern? Less than 2 tablespoons! Simply Modern wins again.

Now for the temperature test. I filled each tumbler with ice and let them sit for 13 hours. Stanley and Simply Modern both tied at here at 33 degrees. While the Hydro Flask didn’t have any ice left, it was almost 40 degrees.

Of course, none of this really matters unless it works in your car. I’m not gonna lie to you… none of these were home runs in the cup holder department. Plus, all of them are so heavy! We could definitely use these guys at the gym ?

Bottom line, Simply Modern is a winner for me.

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Money Saving Perfume Dupes!

🤩👯‍♀️ PERFUME DUPES: MONEY SAVING COPYCATS 💰❤️

Have you noticed the price of perfume and cologne lately?! ? When Kid 3 casually asked for a bottle of Dior Sauvage for Christmas, I almost passed out when I looked up the price! So I sat out on a journey to find the best dupe I could! Not only did I find an incredible copycat for that one, I uncovered a treasure trove of others you’re going to love as well. Oh, and there is one copycat I suggest you skip ?

First stop is Target. Good Chemistry’s Magnolia Violet is a fantastic dupe for Marc Jacob’s Daisy perfume. While Marc Jacobs costs you $101, you can grab this guy for just $26.99.

Dossier Fruity Jasmine is a fantastic dupe for Dior J’Adore. It brings the price down from $100 to just $29! Dossier Aromatic Star Anise is the dupe for Dior Sauvage and brings the price down from $100 to just $29!

I found the Dossier perfumes at Walmart in store. While there are some Dossier perfumes online, at time of posting, the following two were not readily available on the internet, so go grab ‘em in person ?

At Bath & Body Works, grab You’re The One. It smells just like Miss Dior and only costs $19. 80% off sounds like a deal to me!

Over at CVS, they have something called “perfect scents.” It truly was a perfume treasure trove! The Patchouli Musk scent is a dupe for Creed. While Creed will cost you $265+, you can grab this guy for $20. What a steal!

If you’re a fan of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, try the Perfect Scent in Wood Vanilla. It’s $150 less and a fantastic copycat. And if you are into Baccarat Rouge 540, grab perfect scent’s Cassis Amberwood. You are going to save over $300 with this guy!

Perfect Scent’s dupe for Chanel 5 is one you want to skip. To keep things simple, it smells nothing like my mother-in-law.

What’s your favorite perfume? Do you have a signature scent? Or maybe you’re looking for one. Comment and LMK ?

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Uncovering Costco Secrets

🛒🤫 COSTCO SECRETS REVEALED🕵️‍♀️

Did you if you go to Costco every week you’re more likely to spend less per trip than folks who go less frequently? But no matter often you go there ways to SAVE ON EVERY TRIP TO COSTCO! Here are the secrets Costco has had under wraps until now 🤯

Why is the food such a deal here? Costco’s food court is actually a loss leader and gets you to stay longer. Everything is done to keep you in the store!

On average, people spend $2.70 a minute at Costco! Costco has a higher in-store “dwell” time than Walmart or Target… especially you bring your kids!

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this but there are no signs here to direct you at Costco! Just that alone makes you run into stuff you didn’t know you needed. There’s also no curbside pickup at Costco! By not offering curbside service, that means you have to walk in the door for everything. This means you run into stuff on the way to find the things you need. Items are also constantly moving around.

Costco actually has fewer choices, which means increasing the chances you’ll buy something. The decrease in selection is Costco’s way of avoiding “choice paralysis!” Costco offers only 4,000 items a day, compared to Walmart which has over 120,000 options on the floor on any given day.

Did you know you are 65% more likely to buy something if you sample it? If you can, skip the Costco samples!

When you hit one of the big club stores do you go with a list or do you like the hunt? Comment and LMK!

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Amazon Luxury Bag Dupes!

??DUPE ALERT: AMAZON COPYCATS ?‍♀️ HERMES ?
Did you try grabbing one of the Walmart Birkins last month? Me, too! But no luck! I’ve been looking for a good dupe ever since! Not only did I find an affordable copycat for the Birkin, I found one for the Kelly as well ?

Let’s start with the famous Birkin bag! This dupe from Amazon was way cuter than I expected. What?! If you’ve been wanting one of these, but don’t want to sell a kidney to get one, shop HERE! Less than $100, this guy’s a pretty good copycat. Bag acccessories are included!

If you love the look (but not the price tag) of the infamous Kelly bag, take a look at her! She is a great Amazon dupe, and the twilly scarf is included. At under $50, this Kelly dupe is a winner. Shop HERE for this great find!

I cannot get over the price of the real versions- these dupes are the real winners in my book! Which one do you like the best? Comment and LMK! They are both so cute, but the green is really something ?

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Sephora Beauty Dupes at Costco

??DUPE ALERT: COSTCO COPYCATS ?‍♀️ SEPHORA??
Have you seen the beauty section at Costco lately? All of a sudden it’s full of amazing beauty treasures and the prices are incredible ? These are the Costco beauty dupes that Sephora doesn’t want you to know about. You can shop more of them HERE, even if you don’t have a Costco card ?.

Let’s start with my favorite! These lip balms are a FANTASTIC dupe for the Tarte juicy lip balm without the price tag!
Tarte Juicy Lip Balm: 1 for $26
Costco NYX Dupe: 3 for $15

Three words… Sol de Janeiro! Because it’s so expensive, we might as well call it Sol de Dinero. This Costco dupe is a great way to save money while smelling amazing.
Sol de Janeiro: 1 for $25
Costco Nutrius Dupe: 3 for $30

If you are a fan of the Laneige sleep mask, let me tell you about a fantastic dupe I found at Costco.
Laneige Lip Sleep Mask: 1 for $24
Costco Glowiest Dupe: 3 for $20

This next guy right here is a GREAT dupe for the the super pricey Elemis Cleansing balm and even comes with a headband to go with.
Elemis Cleansing Balm: 1 for $40
Costco Versed Dupe: 2 for $30

This last item right here isn’t a dupe.. it’s the ACTUAL thing but for a great deal at Costco. You can get this entire set of snail mucin for way less… run to grab it!
COSRX Snail Mucin: 1 bottle for $25
Costco’s Price: 4 item kit for $38

Have you tried any of Costco beauty items? Comment and LMK which ones and how you like them ?

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Costco Food Court Diet Hacks

Cutting Board Kitchen Hack!

My Story: 3 Jobs, 1 Dream

Genius Kitchen Hack!

Save Big: Food that Never Expires!

Williams Sonoma Copycat Secret Simmer Pot Recipe

Genius Rice Hacks: Does Washing It Matter?!

Stanley Tumbler Dupes!

Money Saving Perfume Dupes!

Uncovering Costco Secrets

Amazon Luxury Bag Dupes!

Sephora Beauty Dupes at Costco

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