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3 Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Kitchen Smell Great

kitchen smell

Does your kitchen have a lingering odor you just can’t seem to get rid of? Here are my favorite hacks and simple fixes you’ll be using on repeat!

 

kitchen smell
kitchen smell

For the dishwasher, add a cup of vinegar while it’s empty and run it on a hot cycle!

kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell

A bowl of lemon wedges, white vinegar, and water is magic for microwave odors! Warm up for 2 minutes on high then let it steam.

kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell
kitchen smell

Sprinkle the base of your drain heavily with baking soda and follow that with some white vinegar. Once the fizzing stops, rinse the drain with hot water. Drops some lemon wedge ice cubes in there and run your garbage disposal!

 

These hacks will leave your kitchen smelling perfectly fresh!


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4 Recipes to Make This Year’s Best Thanksgiving Sides

thanksgiving sides

BYA: Because You Asked! Here are 4 of my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving sides to make this year!🦃

LORAfied Thanksgiving Sides

thanksgiving sides
thanksgiving sides
thanksgiving sides

The World’s Best Jello Salad 

Orange Fluff

Ingredients:

2 boxes tapioca pudding (3 oz. each)

1 box orange jello (3 oz.)

3 c. water

1 can mandarin oranges (drained)

8oz. cool whip (1 container)

Directions:

Put dry pudding mix and dry jello in sauce pan. Stir first cup of water in slowly until liquified, then stir in other 2 cups of water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly so it doesn’t stick and scorch.  When thick, remove from stove and let set one hour to cool.  Then stir in cool whip and mandarin oranges until everything is blended well.  Refrigerate for several hours, overnight if possible.

NOTE: You can also add mini marshmallows if you desire, I prefer it without.

thanksgiving sides

Thanksgiving Dressing

Ingredients:

4 c. dry cornbread cubes

4 c. dry sourdough bread cubes

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp rubbed sage or 1 Tbsp of fresh

1/2 stick butter

2 c. chopped onion

2 c. chopped celery

4 c. chicken broth

4 eggs, beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Grease large baking dish. Combine bread cubes, salt and sage in large bowl and set aside. Melt butter in sauce pan, adding onion and celery until soft. Pour butter mixture over the bread cubes. Add broth and eggs, mix well.

Depending on the type of bread you’re using you may need more or less of the chicken broth. Bake at 350F covered with foil for 30 mins. Uncover and bake approx. 10 mins more

Adapted from a book called Giving Thanks.

thanksgiving sides

7 Layer Dressing

Norma Jean McLaughlin – Lora’s Mom

Ingredients:

1 head of lettuce, chopped (you can use bagged lettuce shreds)

6 or 7 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

1 bag frozen peas, do not thaw

1 lb. bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled

1 lb. shredded mild Cheddar cheese

¾ c. mayonnaise

¾ c. miracle whip

1 red onion, either sliced very thin or chopped

Sugar

Salt

Pepper

Directions:

Make 24 hours in advance

Place the lettuce in an even layer in a 9 X 13 glass pan. Layer egg slices over lettuce in bowl and sprinkle with salt, pepper and sugar. Top with crumbled bacon. Sprinkle entire bag of frozen peas over bacon. Spread a layer of onions over the peas. Combine mayo and miracle whip and spread over onions.  I mix in a baggie, cut off one end and pipe over onions. Sprinkle cheese over mayo mixture. Cover and place in refrigerator for 24 hours.

Tip: you can substitute turkey bacon for non-pork eaters.  Also, make sure you layer exactly as directed above, otherwise it won’t turn out the same.

thanksgiving sides

Corn Pudding

Ingredients:

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can creamed corn

8oz. cream cheese

1 egg

1 box cornbread mix (8.5 oz)

1 small onion, diced

3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl, combine everything, except the 1/4 cup of cheese. Pour into prepared dish, 8×8 or 9×9 works well. Bake 25 minutes, remove and top with remaining cheese, bake another 20 minutes. Found this on All Recipes years ago and it’s a keeper!

I hope you love these Thanksgiving sides and your loved ones do too! Happy Thanksgiving!


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How to Make my Fancy and Frugal Steak Dinner

steak dinner

Here is my fancy and frugal steak dinner that is SO EASY! This steak dinner is also low carb and keto. Meat prices have skyrocketed, so this is the perfect hack to treat you and your family for less. 🤗

Elevate any cut of meat with this super simple marinade:

3 INGREDIENT MARINADE:
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce (I use GF)
1/4 Cup Avocado Oil
2/3 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

Optional add-ins:
1 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce

Place meat in a baggie.
Salt and pepper well, I use my Magic Seasoning, recipe on LORAfied.com link also in bio.
Pour and marinate in the refrigerator 1 – 4 hours, flipping halfway through. Can marinate longer, just not longer than 24 hours.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE:
1 C. packed parsley leaves
2-3 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp dried oregano
2 TBSP red or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 C. extra virgin olive oil

steak dinner
steak dinner
steak dinner

Now for the star of the show- this beautiful green chimichurri sauce. Place everything in your blender except the olive oil. Drizzle olive oil in while blending, blend until smooth. Spread over your meat and serve this meal with corn and a salad!


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How to Make my Starbucks Lemon Loaf Copycat Recipe

Starbucks copycat

Here is the Starbucks copycat you have all requested- the Iced Lemon Loaf! This Starbucks copycat recipe is easy, affordable, and tastes just like the real deal. I’m pretty sure I nailed it!

LORAfied Iced Lemon Loaf🍋💛

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups flour

Small box instant lemon pudding (3.4oz)1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt 

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup avocado oil (any kind will work)

3/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl add flour, dry pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda & salt, whisk to combine. Then, in a separate large bowl, mix sugar and lemon zest together, then add eggs, butter, vanilla, lemon juice, oil and sour cream. 

Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat

Preheat oven to 350F. Blend the wet mix well with mixer. Then, slowly add the dry mixture to the wet until smooth. Pour in prepared pan, making sure to leave 1 1/4” space between the batter and the top. Bake for 55 mins.

Starbucks copycat

Cool 10 minutes, remove from pan and continue cooling on rack.

NOTE: I used a 9X5 loaf pan and had a little extra batter left over, I made a mini loaf with that, which was done in about 35-40 mins. 

Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat
Starbucks copycat

Frosting:
3 Tbsp softened butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 Tbsp lemon juice

Using mixer on low to medium setting, mix until creamy smooth.
Pour over cooled loaf, and cut into even slices.


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The Best Ever Turkey Hack

turkey hack

Introducing the turkey hack I can’t live without. Get your turkey moist, brown, and perfect. The best part? No basting needed!

turkey hack
turkey hack

Start by removing your oven’s middle rack, only leaving the lowest rack you have. Preheat the oven to 350F.  Next, take the turkey out of its bag. Remove the bag of giblets, and set aside to use in other recipes, if desired. Place your turkey on a roasting pan. If you don’t have a roasting pan, placing your oven rack over a baking dish and parchment covered baking sheet works great.

turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack

Time for the butter massage! Butter outside, inside and under the skin (I use 1 stick of butter). Salt & Pepper outside and inside of the bird. Next, fill the cavity with citrus, veggies & herbs (I use an orange, onion, celery, rosemary & thyme). Cork cavity opening with half an apple to keep the bread open and moist. Tie legs and dress the wings.

turkey hack
turkey hack
turkey hack

Now grab your cheesecloth- it’s time for the magic! Soak 1 package of cheesecloth in 2 sticks of butter and drape over your turkey, completely covering your bird.

turkey hack

Bake the bird, 13 minutes per pound. My turkey took exactly 3 hours. Internal temp should read 160-165. Let rest for at least 20 minutes, longer if possible to get the best possible turkey.

NOTE: Do not open the oven while cooking. You don’t need to check it and more importantly, you’re not basting it! Resist the urge to peek, just let the magic happen 🤗

Happy Thanksgiving!


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The Best Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipe You Need

Chick-fil-A copycat

This is the copycat you have been waiting for! Here’s how to make the Chick-fil-A sandwich and sauce at home, even on Sundays! The best part is that this Chick-fil-A copycat tastes just like the real thing.

LORAfied Chick-Fil-A Copycat 🐓❤️


INGREDIENTS:
4 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup milk (works with DF milk, too)
1 egg
1 cup flour (can sub GF)
2 tbsp powdered sugar (I use sugar free Lakanto)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
Few drops of hot sauce, you can skip this, but I think it’s key.

Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat

DIRECTIONS:

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400F OR regular oven to 375F. For your wet batter, whisk egg, milk and hot sauce together. In another dish, add the dry ingredients, mixing well. Powdered sugar is key!

Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat
Chick-fil-A copycat

 Next, dip your chicken into the flour mixture, then into the egg and back into the flour, flipping to coat both sides. Lay chicken on oiled baking tray, spraying the top of the breasts with more oil. Bake in air fryer for 15 minutes OR in a regular oven: 375F for around 30-35 minutes.


Chick-fil-A copycat

Chick-fil-A Sauce:
1/4 cup Mayo
1 Tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tsp. Mustard
1 Tbsp. Honey
Just mix all 4 together & serve.

Chick-fil-A copycat

Serve on a bun with pickles, unless you don’t like pickles. Don’t forget the sauce!


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Here are my Essential Money Saving Pantry Tips

pantry tips

Is your pantry a mess? You could be sitting on a grocery goldmine! Here are some tips to save money on food and clean your pantry.

pantry tips
pantry tips

Start by putting things into groups and trying those things you’ve already opened. If it’s stale, throw them out! This part takes a little bit of patience and an empty stomach.

pantry tips
pantry tips
pantry tips

Did you know that expiration dates aren’t always accurate? Condiments and dry goods for example are going to make it 2+ years past their expiration dates. Canned goods will pretty much last forever.

pantry tips
pantry tips
pantry tips

Cereal is going to make it about 8 months longer if it’s closed and 6 months longer if opened. Crackers will make it 9+ months or longer. Baking mixes will last 4-6 months past the date and chips will last 2-3 months.


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My Viral No Peel Mashed Potato Hack

LORAfied viral mashed potato hack🥔 🤯 MASHED POTATO HACK • NO PEELING! NO DICING! 🤎 Where does peeling potatoes land on your list of life’s joys? It’s not very high on mine and boy is it time consuming, right? This is THE BEST POTATO HACK EVER! I can’t wait for you to try it 🥰

LORAfied Mashed Potato Hack

INGREDIENTS:

Bag of Yukon gold potatoes, approx. 3-4lbs.
1/3 cup butter, melted
Approx. 1 cup half & half, warmed (use less for thinking
1 tsp. Salt or to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Boil potatoes 20-30 minutes (depending on size), until you can easily insert a toothpick.
Remove from water and set aside.
Slice in half, placing cut side down on top of baking rack and smash!

 

Add butter, half & half, salt and beat until fluffy with a blender.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!


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The Best Holiday Travel Hacks

holiday travel hacks

The holiday season is almost here! That also means it is officially Holiday Travel Season. Here are my free and easy holiday travel hacks that are essential for the upcoming season.

First, grab an extension cord. Those hotel outlets are always in the darkest places and are hard to find, so this is an easy fix. That extra cube with extra plugs will also come in handy if you have more than just a phone you are trying to charge.

Next, protect your holiday luggage while traveling! Even if your bag isn’t checked, add a fragile sticker on all of your bags for extra protection.

holiday travel hacks
holiday travel hacks
holiday travel hacks

Finally, use an empty chapstick container to safely store your emergency travel cash. All you have to do is fold your cash, roll it, and store it in the container. Trust me, no one is going to steal this!

I hope you love these tried and true holiday travel hacks for taking off or hitting the road during this season! ✈️🚘🧳


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My 3 Free and Easy Holiday Kitchen Hacks

Happy Holidays! Today, I am sharing 3 of my favorite holiday kitchen hacks with you all. These hacks are free, easy, and time-saving!🦃🎄

holiday kitchen hacks

Did you know your dishwasher can be used for more than just dishes? Skip scrubbing your potatoes in the sink and instead place them on the top rack of your dishwasher. Now, run a quick rinse cycle without soap. It seriously works!

holiday kitchen hacks
holiday kitchen hacks
holiday kitchen hacks

Here is hack number two! Pop your beaters through a paper plate. This will help keep platters in the bowl and not on you when mixing.

holiday kitchen hacks
holiday kitchen hacks

And finally, hack number three. Freeze your butter. Instead of wasting time cubing it for recipes, grate your frozen butter like cheese. It’s fantastic especially on those potatoes!

I hope you love these holiday kitchen hacks!


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3 Ways to Use Leftover Halloween Candy Throughout the Holidays

Leftover Halloween Candy Hacks

In this post, I’m sharing my 3 FAVORITE ways to use your leftover Halloween candy! These recipes are sure to be a hit in any household or for a holiday party! 🤗

LORAfied Leftover Halloween Candy Hacks🍬🍫🍭

1. CANDY BAR LATTE

Drop any chocolate and/or caramel mini sized bar in the bottom of your glass. Add espresso or strong coffee and top with hot milk.

2. CANDY COCKTAILS

Infuse vodka with Jolly Rachers. Place candies at the bottom of a jar, top with vodka of choice and let the candy melt. Use for fun and festive cocktails!

3. SURPRISE CUPCAKES

Bake 1/2 a mini candy bar into your favorite cupcake recipe and freeze. Thaw and decorate as holiday parties pop up!


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An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins

An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins

Here’s the secret to my easy and gourd-geous critter proof fall porch pumpkins. I absolutely 🧡 doing this every year! It’s budget friendly, preserves your pumpkins for months and best of all, the critters won’t touch ‘em!

An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins
An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins
An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins
An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins

Start by wiping down your pumpkins with a solution of water and bleach to clean. Next, use an old box as a spray station and grab one of your masks. Grab your spray paint of choice and cover every inch of the pumpkin, making sure to get the bottom.

An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins
An Easy Hack for Gorgeous Fall Porch Pumpkins

These are going to make it all the way through November so I always pick Halloween and Thanksgiving colors. For natural looking fall porch pumpkins, you can preserve those too with a good clear coat. Happy Holidays!


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