November 21, 2014 – KJ Taggett

Happy Friday!!! 🙂

Since it is Friday, that normally means pizza, popcorn, and a movie! Those fun family nights where everyone is having a blast playing games, watching movies, talking, and eating all those yummy goodies! Because when we are having fun and doing stuff on weekends, we tend to not stick to our healthy meals like we do during the week. We are also tempted more to eat different treats because its the weekend.

I have heard so many horror stories on how bad microwave popcorn is. The oils that it is popped in can cause cancer and all sorts of craziness! BUT…I found a healthier way!! 🙂 🙂

Here is the nutrition facts on microwave popcorn, Orville Redenbacher, Movie Theater Butter cause we all love BUTTER…

The front

Top of Nutrition Facts

Bottom of Nutrition Facts

NOW the healthy way:

Make your own!! It is so much better for you.

Here are the ingredients for the healthy version:

Popcorn Popping Oil

Popcorn

With the healthier way, there is still fat but it comes from poly and monounsaturated fats = good fats! It also has no sodium!!

What you will need:

2 Tbsp popping oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Directions:
Place oil in the bottom of a medium sized saucepan
Then add the 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels on the top
Move saucepan around so that the popcorn kernels are spread even
Place lid on the top

Once popcorn starts popping, lightly move saucepan back and forth. If the popcorn starts to overflow, put the popcorn into a bowl so that there is room for the popcorn still popping.

**1/2 cup makes quite a large bowl of popcorn so you could lower the amount to 1 Tbsp oil and 1/4 cup popcorn kernels. **

When the popcorn is done you can add 1-2 tbsp of butter IF you want or you can use coconut oil or olive oil for an even healthier alternative. To add flavor you can use different seasonings like cinnamon and nutmeg for something sweet. For something savory use chili powder, paprika, pumpkin spice, red pepper, and more.