Category: Family

Family

Home Emergency Kit Essentials

Lora Knows...

One of the best ways to improve your household’s safety is to focus on preparation. If disaster strikes, your household could be without power and running water for an extended period of time. That’s why having an emergency kit filled with supplies is an essential home safety measure.

Remember, when packing your emergency kit, disasters can be different throughout the country. Depending on where you live, you could face flooding, blizzards, tornadoes, or hurricanes, so make sure you make your emergency kit personalized to your location.

Food and Water

During a crisis, you may not have access to basic necessities like clean water and food, so make sure you have a supply of these items available. According to the Red Cross, you should keep one gallon of water per person per day. You may also want to pack portable water filters designed to remove waterborne bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water. When it comes to food, the Red Cross suggests keeping nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items handy. If you’re packing canned food, make sure you have a manual can opener in your emergency kit. You should have a three-day supply of both food and water for evacuation situations and a two-week supply for if you’re sheltering in place.

First-Aid Kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you get through an emergency. You should regularly check your first-aid kit and replace any of the contents that have expired. You can buy a premade first-aid kit, or you can put one together yourself with the following items:

  • Adhesive bandages
  • Gauze pads
  • Adhesive tape
  • Roller bandages
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Cold pack
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Thermometer
  • Antiseptic spray
  • Latex gloves
  • Eyewash
  • Emergency blanket

Other Basics
You should consider stocking up on several additional supplies that can help keep your household safe and sound. This list includes:

  • Prescription Medications: Have a seven-day supply available.
  • Nonprescription Medications: Keep over-the-counter medications.
  • Personal Hygiene: Soap, toothpaste, and feminine products are all necessities.
  • Power Banks: A rechargeable power bank can help keep your phone charged.
  • Change of Clothing: Each household member should have at least one extra pair of clothes.
  • Flashlight: One for each member of your family.
  • Radio: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can help keep you informed.
  • Batteries: You should cache a supply of batteries for radios, flashlights and other items.
  • Bedding: Pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags can help your household stay comfortable.
  • Personal Documents: Medical info, passports, insurance policies, birth certificates & more.
  • Pet Supplies: Don’t forget to stock up on items for your pets.
  • Map of the area: If you evacuate, a map can help you navigate your way to safety.

You never know what you’ll face in an emergency, so, depending on where you live, these items can be helpful to keep with your kit.

  • Cash
  • Waterproof matches
  • Rain gear
  • Life raft
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Tent
  • Flares
  • Hand warmers
  • Work gloves
  • Tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench, shovel, axe, utility knife)
  • Needle and thread
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Dust masks
  • Entertainment (games and books)

By taking some time to focus on preparation, you can help increase your chances of safely making it through a crisis.

Family, Holidays

Galentine’s Day

Lora Knows...

Valentine’s Day is spent with my Dean. We always try to do something sweet, and just have a nice dinner together. However, last year I was introduced to an event that happens before cupid’s big day called Gallentine’s. A friend in my office invited all the office women to a Galentine’s event. It sounded like a lot of fun so I accepted the invitation.

We had so much fun wearing pink, having charceuterie, and a signature pink cocktail. We laughed endlessly while talking, playing games and just hanging out. I’m excited to say I have received an invitation to this years celebration and am looking so forward to an evening spent with girlfriends.

If you want to spend an evening celebrating with your girls, here are some ideas!


Parks and Rec-athon
If you and your friends are fans, what better way to commemorate a day founded by Leslie Knope than with a marathon of the show? Obviously, you won’t be able to binge all seven seasons in one night (sounds like a challenge!) but be sure to, at the very least, play the famous Galentine’s Day episode from season 2. Bonus points if you make a plate of waffles for every guest.


Prosecco Picnic Party
There’s hardly anything better than Prosecco —except for maybe Prosecco at a picnic. If you live somewhere that February isn’t frighteningly cold, feel free to take your picnic party outdoors. If not, there’s nothing wrong with spreading a blanket by a cozy fire inside, just don’t forget the snacks!


Song and Dance Soiree
Any excuse to belt out your favorite songs with your BFFs by your side is welcome, and that’s why a sing-off or dance contest (or both) makes for the perfect Galentine’s Day event. Don’t have a karaoke machine? No problem—just print out the lyrics to some of your favorite sing-along songs beforehand. Pro tip: wine is greatly encouraged.

PJ Potluck
Even if you and your friends aren’t the best chefs in the world, it’s always fun to prepare a special meal or baked good to bring along to the party. Encourage your guests to come in their snazziest set of pajamas and socks, too, and settle in for a cozy and low-key evening.

Epic Adventure
Is there a special trip you’ve always wanted to take with your girlfriends but never got around to? Make this special day an excuse to finally make it happen—be it a beach vacay or an adventurous hiking trip out West. There’s no better time than the present!


Watch a RomCom           Go to the movies, or even watch a video on your favorite streaming app and have all the great snacks that are available at the theater.

Try out one of these Galentine’s Day party ideas— or come up with something yourself. Whatever it is, do it with love.

Cooking, Family, Holidays

Gift Giving Made Simple

Lora Knows...

Back in November a few friends and I were discussing the holidays. The talk of writing seasonal cards, decorations, travel and more gave way to gifts. None of us seemed excited about shopping and we all said the same thing, that there isn’t one thing we want for Christmas.

Later that evening, during dinner, I was sharing the story with Dean – and he agreed that there is nothing he wants for Christmas. We decided then that we would set an amount and stick to it, and we would get each other something meaningful to open on Christmas morning.

Having a set amount, and promising not to exceed it, made me put a lot of thought into the perfect gift for Dean. I’m pretty excited about the three little things I got for him, and cannot wait for him to open them on Christmas morning. He will be so happy.

I just glanced over at our tree, it is usually stuffed with gifts underneath, but instead there are 5 beautifully wrapped presents – and it truly feels like Christmas.

Feeling that others may feel this way too, I thought I would share a few gift ideas – but the list was so endless I cut it down to a few kitchen gadget ideas that will fit under the tree or in a stocking.

Digital Food Thermometer

Cooking meat to the right temperature can be a bit of a guessing game. Help your recipient avoid this stress with an instant-read or digital thermometer from Cuisinart or Kizen that gives a fast, accurate read of internal temperatures. They’ll be able to quickly check the temperature of steaks, chicken breasts, or whole turkeys, gaining peace of mind that these meats have reached the right level of doneness.

Beeswax Food Wraps

Plastic wrap can serve many purposes, but it’s also a single-use item that soon finds its way into the trash. This holiday season, consider gifting beeswax food wraps, the reusable alternative to plastic wrap that can seal jars and bowls and protect half-used fruits and veggies. You can find ones in different shapes and sizes from companies such as Bee’s Wrap and Goldilocks Goods.

Garlic Press

From pasta to wings to potatoes, garlic adds a wonderful flavor that enhances any dish. And a garlic press like Zulay’s two-in-one version, which can mince and slice the cloves, makes using the staple ingredient that much easier.

Meat Chopper

You may be scratching your head wondering what this chopper is for, but it’ll soon become your loved one’s new favorite kitchen gadget. This spatula-like tool from brands like GoodCook, OXO, and Farberware has multiple blades that easily chop, blend, or mash meat or vegetables while they cook in a pan on the stove.

Electric Spice Grinder

Preground spices are very convenient, but nothing compares to a fresh grind since it makes the flavors and aroma more powerful. Gift an electric spice grinder like Cuisinart’s electric spice-and-nut grinder, and your loved one may never go back to preground again.

Take gift giving back to what it was – a little gift that will mean something to ones you love.