Instagram Message: Happy Popcorn Day? These guys were with dad so I'm sure there was no butter on the popcorn or raisinettes mixed in.
When I looked at the calendar for this week I saw that National Hug Day is on January 21st (aw, how cute?!) and National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd (get your pens out). But today, January 19th, is National Popcorn Day (now that's just plain fun!). Who could pass up the opportunity to write about popcorn? It’s such a great pinch-worthy topic.
With everyone eating gluten free these days, popcorn makes a great, safe choice for those who avoid certain foods or are allergic to everything. Unless of course you are allergic to corn and then it would be the worst choice. Anyway…popcorn is easy to make (microwave) or reach for (Skinny Pop) and it comes in any flavor you wish (check Pinterest because it is loaded with EVERY flavor). I remember college freshman year the smell of popcorn filled the dorm halls because most of us had an air popper. I learned for the first time that you could put anything on the popcorn to make a low calorie, no fat treat. Soy sauce. Cinnamon. Garlic salt. Parmesan cheese (good ole Kraft was cheap and didn’t need refrigeration). It was a beginning of a new world for me.
When I worked on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, I would have to walk by Garrett’s popcorn store. The line of people and heavenly scent would be out the door and I always wished that not only did I have money, but time to stand in the line. Nowadays, I send a tin of this wonderful popcorn for birthdays or Christmas thoughtful pinches and I live no where near a Garrett's. Ahhh, the beauty of online shopping. Or another option for popcorn gifts which is easy and maybe a little less expensive is Popcorn Factory. I love getting Grandpa the UCLA bucket so he can sit in his lounge chair at home and snack on it while he watches his alma mater play.
Whether donating money or picking up items on a wish list, we make an annual commitment to give to families in need during the Holidays. This year I got wind that Harbor Light Center: Salvation Army in Minneapolis wanted to run holiday movies all day long on Christmas day and pick up every homeless person off the streets so they could spend the day inside the chapel. They wished to serve popcorn to go along with the movies. I decided to make that wish come true. Our family donated a popcorn machine that they could use for many events, for many years to come. Thanks to the president of Kernel Concession Supply, Tim Eischens, the popcorn to make 200+ bags was donated for Christmas Day. I’m hoping that a safe, warm space, a movie and a little bag of popcorn helped to brighten someone’s day. I’m also hoping that Harbor Light could be fortunate enough to pass out popcorn today in honor of Popcorn Day.
My friend Sharis introduced me to her popcorn recipe during her Souper (Super) Bowl party three years ago. The kids and the adults could not get enough of it! I wanted to pass along her little pinch to you today because it’s so delicious. This snack is full of nutrition and flavor. If you have a popper just place 3/4 cup of kernels with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and pop as usual. After the sound of popping starts to slow down, pour a desired amount of Wilderness Family Naturals popcorn oil on top. Salt generously, sprinkle with plenty of nutritional yeast and serve in a big bowl. For the stove top method put in 3 kernels of corn to test the heat of the coconut oil in a large pan with a lid. When those 3 kernels pop, add the 3/4 cup of corn and continue as the directed above with the WFN, salt and nutritional yeast.
Speaking of movies...thirty-one days after Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out in theaters, we finally took the kids to see it. Much to my hub's dismay, my daughter and I had real butter on our popcorn and I'm POSITIVE that it added more to the movie than the 3D glasses. May The Force be with you and your popcorn on National Popcorn Day!
Pinches,
Barb