Pop to the Corn

Popcorn makes a great snack!

My mom has told me in the past that she craved popcorn whenever she was pregnant with me.  I believe it.  I love the heck out of some popcorn. 

Not all popcorn is created equal though.  Humans have a way of putting everything under the sun in different food products and not always for the better.  Ever read the calorie count for a bag of buttery popcorn at the movie theater?  You'd have to watch the movie on a treadmill to burn off maybe half of those calories.  The ingredients list in the artificial buttery spread alone is longer than the Declaration of Independence too.   

But, have no fear.  There are plenty of ways to enjoy a snack of popcorn without all the artery-clogging ingredients.  The hardest thing about eating popcorn, though, is pacing yourself.  Savor it!  And if savoring it is hard for you, have a piece of string cheese or small handful of nuts before enjoying the popcorn.  The protein will help fill you up quicker.

There are MANY options for popcorn lovers.  If you love the sound of popping corn, try an air popper.  The popcorn machines are fun to use and you get to determine what ingredients you use to season or flavor it.  If you are on the go and need something already made, try pre-made bagged popcorn.  I like the Fit brand (sea salt flavored), but there are plenty others too.  The ingredients in this one are: popcorn, non-GMO canola oil, & sea salt.  And what about boxed microwaveable popcorn?  Well, some aren't that great for you and there is a simpler way to make microwaveable popcorn (cheaper too!).  Read this recipe for a way to make popcorn in the microwave with a brown paper bag...  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Microwave-Popcorn/ 

Different flavors or seasonings I think sound tasty:

• Dark chocolate shavings
• Parmesan cheese (with or without a drizzle of olive oil)
• Drizzle of olive oil & sprinkle of favorite spice
• Black pepper & lemon zest (or squeeze of lemon)
• 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder & 1/8 teaspoon of chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon cloves, & 1 tablespoon each of 3 of your favorite nuts or seeds (think pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, chopped pecans, etc.)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons each of coconut butter & coconut sugar plus 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

How do you eat your popcorn?  Feel free to share!

Eat well,
Bri