The Right Way to Make Popcorn

A lot of people don't realize that popcorn is actually a whole grain, meaning it is unrefined and has all of the grain components, providing the most nutrients. If you make popcorn the "right way" then it is a great snack to have that's packed with whole grains.

Most people buy bagged popcorn that is full of butter and chemical additives. Instead, pop your own with plain old popping corn kernels, and a brown paper bag! It is so quick, easy, and way less expensive than the pre-bagged microwave popcorn, and it so much better for you. By popping your own, you can control how much butter, how much salt, and how many additives you put in it.






See all the added ingredients in this bag of microwave popcorn? If you pop your own the only ingredient is popping corn!

So here is how you pop your own popcorn...


Step 1: 

For about one serving, use 1-2 Tbsp. of popping corn kernels, and dump it in a brown paper bag.

Step 2:

Roll up the bag, make sure you leave room for the corn to pop!

Step 3:

Put the bag into the microwave, and microwave it for about 1 minute and 45 seconds, or until you hear it stop popping.

Step 4:

Take the bag out of the microwave, and pour it in a bowl.

Step 5:

Flavor your popcorn! I love spraying mine with a little cooking spray (olive oil, or coconut oil) and sprinkling on some cinnamon. Other topping suggestions are sea salt, chili powder, parmesan cheese, cocoa powder, honey, garlic and basil. Get creative, and see what kind of toppings you can think of!

Step 6: 

Enjoy your deliciously natural, one-ingredient popcorn! (I chose to enjoy mine by the fire, yummmmm!)

Orange You Glad You Came?

While on vacation at Disney, I took advantage of the Florida produce, and made sure to stop for a few minutes to get some delicious Florida oranges. On our way to Disney World on the first day, I noticed a HUGE building that was shaped like an orange. I started freaking out, and knew that was the place I wanted to go to get some oranges.

On the last day we were in Florida, we stopped at Orange World to check out their oranges. Unfortunately, the building wasn't filled with fruit (like I thought it was) but there was a beautiful selection of freshly picked oranges and grapefruits. There were also samples of all the fruit that was being sold so we were able to taste to see which types of oranges we like best. After trying all the different types of oranges, my mom and I decided to go with the Valencia oranges. They were big, juicy, and very sweet. We bought a huge bag so that we could share some with family back in North Carolina.



  


Take advantage of your vacation location, and take home some food souvenirs that will bring your vacation back home with you!

                                   

My Favorite: Vegetables

So here is another favorites post, where I basically try really really hard to choose my top five favorites....this time it's vegetables.

Disclaimer: in my mind, sweet potatoes have a category of their own, so they aren't going to be included in this list. Also, I won't include greens in this either for the same reason.

     1. Carrots
I would definitely choose carrots as my top favorite vegetable, because of how it has such a great flavor. Carrots are one of the sweeter vegetables, which I think is especially brought out in roasting them. Also carrots and hummus....need I say more?

 

     2. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is my number two choice because of its versatility. Cauliflower is amazing steamed, made into cauliflower rice, roasted, and even cauliflower mashed potatoes. It has such a buildable flavor which I think is key part in making it a "perfect" vegetable.

     

     3. Peas

I hate to generalize peas, but due to my indecisiveness I am going to. Sugar snap peas, garden peas, snow peas they are so delicious! Super sweet and so great to snack on. I could (and have) eat an entire bag of sugar snap peas, I think its the crunch that is just so amazing. Also, garden peas (frozen, not canned....never canned) are great in salads and also just right out of the bag, out of the freezer. 

     4. Brussel Sprouts

When cooked properly, brussel sprouts are to die for. They are sweet and hearty all at the same time. The key to brussel sprouts is to roast them, if you give me steamed brussel sprouts I won't touch them....but I can easily eat an entire pan of roasted brussel sprouts. They are packed with nutrition and always get so much hate from, as I'd like to call it, the "steamed brussel sprout" generation. But honestly, my discovery of roasted brussel sprouts definitely changed my life. yummmmm...

  

     5. Tomatoes 
Tomatoes are so sweet and juicy, and they are even better in the summer, and even better from my garden. I love just eating them like an apple, or slicing them up with some sea salt and black pepper, or even making a basil tomato sandwich with just a basil leaf in between two slices of tomato. Cherry tomatoes are also perfect because, like peas, they are great to just eat like candy.....right out of the carton.

 

So there it is...my top five favorite vegetables of all time. Hope you enjoyed!