Mmmmmmmm, popcorn!

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's FRIDAY!!! The week-end is almost here. Woo-hoo! Today I thought I would share a homemade snack recipe for you all to enjoy this week-end.
 My youngest son takes after his Gigi, in that the two of them would eat popcorn every single day if they could. For a while, Darwin would only ask for popcorn - morning, noon and night! While there are many different ways to make this tasty snack, I think the most popular (and most convenient) is by using the microwave. But did you know, in addition to kernels, salt and maybe some butter (or butter flavour), those little packs of microwave popcorn contain harmful, cancer-causing chemicals!?


"Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize—and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in labratory animals."


Many manufactuers have voluntarily promised to phase out the use of PFOA by 2015. Until they do this, you might to think twice about popping yourself a bag of this not-so-healthy-after-all-snack! You can invest in an old-fashioned electric popper (oh how thinking of one of those brings me back to slumber parties with my sister in the basement!) or the stovetop kind. OR - you can follow this super quick, super simple (and super cheap!) way to make your own bags of microwave popcorn, without the nasty, hidden ingredients!

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

• 1 brown paper bag
• 2 staples (don't worry - this isn't enough metal to cause harm in the microwave!)
• 1/4 cup popping kernels
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt to taste (1/2 tsp is a good amount)
• Optional seasonings you may want to add - herbs, chili powder, sugar (tastes like kettle corn!), etc

1. Place kernels and salt/seasoning in brown paper bag. Pour oil on top of kernels
    and give bag a good shake.
2. Carefully fold top of paper bag over (about 1/2") twice, to make a seam.
    Staple closed.
3. Lay bag on it's side, allowing kernels to spread into a single layer.
4. Microwave on high, 2-3 minutes (or until popping slows - I'm sure you know
    the drill!).
5. Carefully open bag - watch out for steam!
6. Top with butter and/or anything else you would like. (parm cheese = YUM!)


That's it! Enjoy!