I LOVE Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday and still kind of is. I love that it isn’t about presents. It is about family, love and food. It is about slowing down and cooking real food with the ones you love.
The year Craig was out of a job and our adoption was on hold, many days Craig and I struggled to put on a smiling face. Craig decided to emphasis just what Thanksgiving is about and made the “Thanksgiving Box.” At our family gatherings we often sit around and visit for a few hours before eating. We set out the Thanksgiving Box with strips of paper and have everyone write what they are thankful for on the paper without writing their name on it. I like that we have a few hours before dinner because my siblings and family really seemed to take the time to think about the past year and why they are thankful.
We all gather around my mom’s kitchen island and fill up our plates (buffet-style) then take a seat at the large kitchen table. After we indulge in the amazing meal Craig picks one strip of paper out at a time to read words of thankfulness. The fun part is we then have to guess who wrote each one. Many times the most meaningful words come from someone who you wouldn’t guess.
After a few years of doing this, my mom brought out past years of what people wrote. My other grandpa Jerry who is now past had some really cute meaningful words that brought tears to our eyes.
This year, I am thankful for so many things and one of them is you. Yes, you… when times were tough and it was hard to wake up in the morning, I had this blog to keep me going. It was my reason to wake up.
I want to with you a very Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST ORANGE TURKEY BRINE
To make my easy Orange Turkey Brine, I used Orange Salt LMNT!
It is unbelievable how perfect using LMNT works for a delicious Thanksgiving Turkey!
I always wanted to make an orange brined turkey but it always had too many carbs and sugar with orange juice but when I saw the Orange Salt LMNT, I was so excited to try this turkey!
It’s great having LMNT as a healthy option for people. I have been consulting clients for over 20 years now and in the past, I would get a lot of parents asking me what their kids can drink if I do not recommend Gatorade. Now I recommend LMNT! It is like Gatorade without the sugar or food dye and it works perfect to pack when traveling.
CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE SAMPLE OF LMNT WITH YOUR ORDER!
Note: If brining a turkey breast, which tends to be between 3-5 lbs, you can just cut my recipe in 1/4th. Just be sure to brine it for only one hour per pound.
The BEST Orange Turkey Brine
For a 12-16 lb turkey (see notes for brining a turkey breast).
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Place all the ingredients into a large brining container. Stir to dissolve the LMNT. Gently submerge the turkey into the liquid.
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Cover (completely optional), and refrigerate for 12-16 hours (use the hour per pound rule).
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When the turkey is finished brining, carefully transfer the bird from the brine to a large cooking vessel. Rinse it under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Season it lightly with additional orange salt LMNT, but keep in mind that the turkey is pretty salty now, so go lightly.
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Roast turkey as usual.
Nutritional Information is for BRINE only.
Calories: 8.3 | Fat: 0g | Protein: 0g | Carbohydrates: 1.7g | Fiber: 0.05g | P:E Ratio: 0
Doesn’t Christine look AMAZING? I’m so proud of her!
“I first started following Maria Emmerich in 2015 when I was sick, sad, and miserable. Like many of us, I bumbled around various types of keto.
Honestly, I struggled with the “strictness” of Emmerich keto. After three years and minimal success, I decided I needed to commit to this way of eating or be content as I was. I went all in and immersed myself in all things Emmerich keto!
7 months later, I’d met my weight loss goal and dropped four sizes. I continued to lose in maintenance and lost another 25 lbs.
But even better…
I put 3 AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES INTO REMISSION, went OFF 20+ meds/day, resolved years of chronic inflammation, IBS, and insomnia, and found my healthy, happy self again!
At 62, I feel better than I have since I was a small child. I ride a motorcycle, garden, and exercise. The Emmerich’s changed my life and I continue to grow, learn and get healthier.
I have come full circle and am now one of their Certified Health Coaches, helping others as they helped me! The journey to health and weight loss isn’t always easy, but it is so worth it!” ~Christine