Perfect Popcorn

I love good popcorn and often enjoy it as a snack at home. But I really don't like movie theater popcorn or microwave popcorn. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not above bad-for-you snacks with chemicals, but there is something about the strange artificial taste that turns me off. I loved the air popper our Grandpa gave us when we were kids and I still enjoy that same air popper as it was on our registry and given to us by my Sister-in-Law. It makes popcorn taste good even without toppings. It's a great way to snack guilt free!

Of course my Middle Sister and her boyfriend, ML, have their own version of how to make this treat special. ML is a great cook himself and gets a lot of his good ideas from Chef Alton Brown. He uses Brown's method of cooking popcorn, but made it his own by mixing two different types of corn and his own concoction of spices. You really can't go wrong, so have fun making this your own.               

Happy Popping!

Wasabi, Wow!

I am such a snacker! I think I love the eating between meals more than I do actual meals. My problem isn't that I eat a lot of sweets; my problem is that my snacks turn into meals. Think pizza bagels and tater tots.

So I was thrilled when I found this trail mix at Trader Joe's. I'm usually not a huge fan of trail mix because there is always something in the mix that I don't like: random seeds and strange dried fruit. But in Wasabi, Wow! there are only almonds, peanuts, dried cranberries and wasabi peas. All basic ingredients, nothing funky and with the perfect kick. I usually can't handle spicy foods, but the amount of spice in this mix is just right.

Nuts have a lot of nutrients and are a great source for antioxidants, protein and fiber. This mix is a great way to get all of that. Oh, and it's low sodium! Throw a little bit in your bag so you can snack healthy when you’re on the go. Check it out!