Loving Our Home | Home Tips, Advice, and Easy Recipes

Simple Home Tips and Solutions

Parties, Events, Holidays, Fun

An Air Fryer Thanksgiving: 4 Easy Meal Ideas

By 2 Comments

When you are living alone or just with one other person, it makes very little sense to plan a Thanksgiving where you will have to make a huge spread.

Thanksgiving prep and cooking comes with its benefits and challenges. You have to marinate things, chop vegetables, decide on the order of baking or frying various dishes. Then you have to make room in the refrigerator for your leftovers.

One benefit that is surely now clear is that you can use your air fryer to create a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for you and your loved one, or just yourself, that will require minimal effort. See these easy meals that you can make in an air fryer to make Thanksgiving easier.

*You might want to use a small aluminum baking pan that you can buy at your local dollar store for these cooking ideas for your air fryer.

Turkey Wings with Juicy Sliced Potatoes

It can take an entire family to finish off a whole turkey. Not to mention, you have to start thawing it out, brining it, and cooking it very early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day. So instead, if you are celebrating Thanksgiving on your own or with one other person, get a couple of turkey wings. If it’s frozen, thaw the turkey out, which should take a few hours, and brine it in some kosher salt and water. Create a seasoning mixture with garlic powder, onion, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper and any of your other favorite seasonings. Work it into the meat along with some olive oil and let it sit in the fridge for a while. Cook it for about 30 minutes in a pan to get the juices flowing, then place each turkey wing in your air fryer. Cook on medium at about 300 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, then increase the temperature as needed so that it has a nice crisp.

If you must have stuffing with your turkey, just cook it quickly in a pan on your stove and then add to the air fryer in the turkey juices afterwards. You can also use the leftover juices in the pan to make a quick turkey gravy using flour or corn starch.

Air Fryer for Thanksgiving

Air Fryer Lasagna

What is lasagna except some pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce that is baked together? Why not bake a small pan of lasagna in your air fryer?

Prepare your lasagna as usual, layering it with sauce, pasta, and cheese, and place it in a small baking pan that will fit in your air fryer. Cook it for about 45 minutes on medium, then increase the temperature as needed so that it has a nice crisp on top.

Grilled Veggies

Chop up a mixture of your favorite veggies to enjoy during Thanksgiving dinner and grill them in your air fryer. So quick and simple. Douse with chicken or vegetable broth along with some olive oil. Keep an eye on the veggies so that they don’t get overcooked. You might even decide to add sliced sausage or kielbasa to the mix—just grill them on medium heat for about 15 minutes beforehand, then add veggies.

Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer

Transfer your favorite mac and cheese recipe for Thanksgiving into a small pan and bake it in your air fryer. Again, so simple. You just want to make sure that your noodles are 80 percent cooked and all of the ingredients are mixed in before you add them to your small pan.

What else do you think you can make in your air fryer for a single Thanksgiving meal, or just for you and a friend? I’m sure you have some ideas!

US Women’s Soccer Team Makes History Again – Winning, Inspiring Young Women and Girls

By Leave a Comment

Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger and team fall on the right side of history while winning the 2019 World Cup in women’s soccer.

It’s been a while since I watched any sports game with as much enthusiasm as I watched the 2019 Women’s World Cup final game on Sunday, July 7, 2019. It was one of the most thrilling games I’ve seen in a long time.

Megan Rapinoe recently made news for her public, political stands on issues of social justice. Her teammate Alex Morgan backed her up (as teammates should). Then they all went out on the field on Sunday and backed up their words with action. They won the game against the Netherlands 2-0, snatching the World Cup for the fourth time (second time in a row). And let’s be clear — the Netherlands had a great defensive squad, including one of the top goal keepers in the league.

Inspiring Young Girls

I’m not the sports buff I used to be, but I know how inspiring it can be to see someone who looks like an older version of you winning, working hard, and doing the right thing. I know that the impact of this women’s soccer game and all the politics that surround it will likely be far reaching.

One of the issues currently being argued after their win is fair/equal pay for women sports players. All sorts of justifications have been made for why the men’s soccer team still makes more than the World Champion women’s soccer team. But those excuses are finally starting to fall by the wayside. Not only does the women’s team bring in more revenue, they also have the top selling gear (jerseys, t-shirts, etc) and consistent viewership. On what planet do you work harder, produce better results, but get paid less?

Personally, I’m proud of the USWNT Women’s Soccer Team, not just for being great athletes and winning the World Cup, but also for being a group that stands up for what they believe in. They are the types of roles models I think we need for young girls to help them achieve great things as adults.

Posted by Jade

The Classic Canopy Chair

By Leave a Comment

Ten seconds after I first sat outside with my new canopy chair I started getting stares. People actually stopped right in front of me, they asked “what is that and where did you get it?” I let them know that it was a canopy beach chair that someone I know had found. The canopy chair is like a regular beach chair except that it has a removable hood that can be pulled up to cover you from the sun.

Canopy Beach ChairNow, the canopy beach chair is widely available on Amazon.com. There are several styles available with varied shapes, sizes and features. You will definitely want to add one to the top of your list of outdoor summer products to purchase for fun outings this summer. It’s amazing for keeping the sun out of your eyes and your skin safe from UV rays.

This canopy chair can be packed up in a bag or folded down to be carried along with you on your outdoor adventures this summer. Convenience is key when you’re navigating the hot summer months. As far as outdoor products go, this beach chair with canopy is priceless when you find yourself on a summer outing in a location that has absolutely no shade (pretty much any beach). And hey, don’t leave your chair alone for one moment–someone in your group will surely try to take your seat to get some temporary relief!

A canopy chair is the perfect item to bring along with you to a picnic, the beach, a little league baseball game, or a barbecue. Keep in mind that a lot of hot summer products are in short supply as the season progresses due to high demand. Don’t be left out in the sun with the everyone else who missed out on this great addition to the outdoor products category.

Posted by Jade

Avon Skin So Soft – One of the Best Mosquito Repellents

By Leave a Comment

I’m convinced now. Avon Skin So Soft is one of the best mosquito repellents.

After hearing about the recent mosquito concerns, I knew that it was even more important to protect myself and family from potential mosquito bites. Products advertised in stores don’t always work. In fact, if you go to some regions, like the South USA, bugs look at common mosquito repellent sprays like seasoning on their “meal.” So I decided to go back to an old-school, throw back solution for keeping mosquitoes off of you: Avon Skin So Soft bath oil. This has been the most effective solution for me this summer — especially since I do a lot of gardening.

Avon Skin So Soft Mosquito Repellent
This stuff works.

Benefits
– effective mosquito and gnat repellent (I guess they don’t like the smell)
– makes skin feel soft and conditions skin
– gives off a clean refreshing smell
– often safe to use on or around animals
– less harmful than other products on the market; more natural

I used this product as a teen and now will continue to use it as an adult every summer. After using it I began to notice that when I came back into the house after a long day, little to no bites. Just smooth skin. I definitely feel more protected when out in the yard working. It’s important to slather the oil on liberally on every area of your body–including under your shorts. Spray or rub some on top of your pants or shorts as well because sometimes mosquitoes can bite through the fabric. Skin So Soft might not be 100% effective, but I’ve found it to be more effective than other brand name repellents.

When visiting an aunt who lives in the deep south where temperatures sometimes reach over 110 degrees, she confirmed that she uses Avon Skin So Soft for protection from mosquitoes. I’ve now passed this suggestion to my family and friends so that they can also be protected.

I totally recommend using Avon Skin So Soft to manage concerns about the Zika virus and also just to enjoy the summer bug and bite-free. It comes either in a large 24 ounce bottle or in a smaller spray bottle (I prefer the oil you can rub on). I give this product 4.5 stars out of five.

Posted by Louise

 

Meaningful, Affordable Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

By Leave a Comment

You’ve watched week after week as your friends, family and strangers braved the chilly weather and crowds to take care of their Christmas shopping. Now it’s getting closer to December 25 and you’re officially a last minute shopper! Here are a few affordable last minute Christmas gift ideas for the procrastinators out there:

Dollar Store Care Basket

Who doesn’t love browsing the aisles at the dollar store? Go in there, grab a pretty $1 basket and fill it with a mixture of the following items:

– Spa gear, like foot scrubbers, bath soap and nail clippers.

– Candy and gum (the dollar store has those really great candy boxes for a buck).

– Scented candles and decorative items.

– A nice mug or cup tied with a bow (the bow is also available at the dollar store).

– Useful knickknacks like lighters, pens, mini notebooks and cellphone accessories.

Once you get in the store, you’re going to be overwhelmed with PLENTY of ideas for your dollar store care basket. It’s an affordable gift that will cost you around $20-$25 and be worth every penny. It’s a great idea for a young person who’s at college or someone who has just moved into a new apartment.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

An Inspirational Audiobook

Inspirational AudiobooksAround the holidays people need a whole lot of inspiration. They are busy, distracted and sometimes stressed about their finances or work. One simple yet very meaningful gift idea is to send someone you love an inspirational audiobook. Amazon has an audiobook service called Audible that allows you give books as gifts electronically. Just click here, redeem your free membership, log into Audible with your Amazon ID and find the title that you want. Press the button on the product page that says “Give As a Gift.” You can also gift someone a membership—scroll down to the bottom of the page at Audible and click the “Gift Center” link.

Fully Loaded Gas Card

If you have a friend who drives a lot, she’ll love you even more than she already does if you buy her a fully loaded gas card. Even if it’s just a $20 card, that is going to make a huge difference to someone who has to spend a lot of money every month on gas. Visit a popular gas station chain to ask about gas gift cards.

A Gift to Promote Good Health

yogiteaMany of us don’t take the vitamin supplements and nutrients that we need for good health simply because we don’t have them in our house. One simple last minute gift idea is a package of vitamins and health supplements (like teas or green powder). Put together a small gift basket containing a multi-vitamin, vitamin C, D, Omega-3 fish oil and other necessary nutrients. Add in health teas like hibiscus and antioxidant rich green tea. Someone who either doesn’t know much about health products or is having health concerns will appreciate this gift, and it may encourage him or her to start new healthy habits in the New Year.

Encourage Their Passion Project

Everyone has a passion project, whether they will openly admit it or not. A passion project is something that you would pursue with great passion and interest, whether it’s painting, writing or traveling the world. Think about what may be your recipient’s passion and then give them a gift that encourages them to pursue it. For instance, if their passion is to travel the world, you might give a gift of a foreign language class, a book about world destinations or an Airbnb gift card toward an international room. If their passion is painting, buy them a couple of canvases and a starter paint set. Your passion project gift can be under $35 and still be priceless.

Meaningful gifts are possible, even if you’re short on time. Use these ideas as inspiration when you’re shopping for affordable last minute Christmas gifts for someone you love.

 

Quick Halloween Safety Tips and Reminders

By Leave a Comment

With Halloween around the corner, kids are excited to wear their costumes and collect candy for as long as you will allow during the evening. Halloween has been a fun day for kids for many generations. You want your children to have fun, yet it’s also crucial to make their safety your top priority. Here are some Halloween safety tips for kids to keep in mind in advance of October 31.

Reflective Costumes

It’s important to make sure that your child’s costume has some reflective properties so they are easily visible at night. If the child chose a dark colored costume, simply purchase plenty of glow sticks that will make their presence known while trick or treating. These glow sticks can be hand held or fashioned into a necklace or bracelet. Explain to them why these reflective elements and glow sticks are important, so that drivers will be able to spot them easily when they’re trick or treating. It’s also a good idea to provide each child with a flash light for added safety.

 

Trick or Treat
Well Lit Neighborhoods Only

Choose a well lit neighborhood that is child friendly for trick or treating (preferably a neighborhood that has speed bumps and plenty of stop signs to force motorists to slow down). When a house is dimly light, it’s probably a good idea to pass it up because they may not be Halloween-friendly. If the neighborhoods that surround you are not well-lit or child friendly, no worries. Call you local libraries and malls to see if they are giving out candy to children.

No Candy Until It’s Checked
The most important Halloween safety tip is that your children are not allowed to consume ANY candy before it is checked by you or another trusted adult at home. When you and the children arrive home, empty the bag of candy on a table and inspect each and every piece of candy. Look for any open wrappers or punctures in the candy wrapper. If ever in doubt, just throw it out! Your child’s safety always comes first. Only allow your child to keep candy that has a wrapper. Any candy without a wrapper should immediately be thrown away.

Trick or Treat Right After School

If your child is still in elementary or middle school, always accompany him or her when trick or treating and go right after school is out. Most schools encourage kids to come to school dressed up in their costumes, so it’s just a matter of having a quick after school snack and heading out the door. Finish up your trick or treating activities by sunset.

In our modern times it’s extremely important for parents to discuss Halloween safety tips and rules for the evening of October 31 with their children of all ages. Make it clear to your kids why these rules are necessary — because they are for their protection.

Posted by Eve