Is Microwave Popcorn in Your Pantry?

This popular snack food most likely is on the shelves of many American’s pantries.  Unfortunately, this fast snack is laden with chemicals and has been recently hailed as a top 10 food to NEVER eat by health gurus.   Heres why:

“Microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFOA, and when they are heated the compound leaches onto the popcorn. These chemicals are part of an expanding group of chemicals known to disrupt your endocrine system and affect your sex hormones. The EPA has ruled PFCs as “likely carcinogens,” and has stated that PFOA “poses developmental and reproductive risks to humans.” “

But, if you are a popcorn lover like myself, here is a super easy & healthy way to have your popcorn!

 

Kettle popped corn

1/3 cup organic popcorn kernels

3tbs coconut oil

in a skillet melt the coconut oil and add kernels.  Turn heat to medium and put on a lid.  Done.   Now you just wait for popping.  This takes about 5 minutes.  Once your kernels are done transfer to a bowl and add melted pastured butter  or melted coconut oil and seasonings.

To add a health punch to your popcorn, you can sprinkle on some nutritional yeast, which has a cheesy taste and is high in B vitamins.

And heres my favorite midnight snack:

Tequila Lime Popcorn

1oz tequila

1/3c  pastured butter

juice of 1 lime

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)

Pop your corn as described above.

mix above ingredients in a small bowl.  Pour over  popped corn and mix well.  Pour popcorn in a 9×13 pan and bake on 300 for 5 minutes and enjoy!

Smoothie Madness

Doesn’t it seem like everyone is CRAZY over smoothies these days?  Green, fruit, protein you name it everyone is having them.  And why not? They are easy, packed with nutrients and can be an on the go food.  So, for all of you smoothie lovers, here are some simple add-ins to give your smoothie an extra health punch!

1. Chia Seeds– These little bad boys are high in omega 3 and fiber and have recently been hailed as the super seed!  Be sure to buy them organic and in the refrigerated or frozen section and store them in yours.  You can add these whole to your smoothie or grind them up.  About 1TBS per 8-12 oz smoothie is great.

2.  Non-denatured, minimally processed,  grass fed whey protein powder:  (whew, that’s a mouth full) This is the purest form of a protein powder you can buy!  Watch out for overly processed, fake sugar enhanced types.

• Provides all the essential amino acids in correct balance
• Improves muscle strength
• Helps with overall health and energy levels
• Promotes antioxidant production (Glutathione precursors)

I buy this brand.

3.  Kefir:  This awesome source of good bacteria is essential in having a healthy gut!  Read more about kefir here.

4.  Coconut oil:  This natural anti-inflamatory plant based fat is fantastic at curbing your appetite for hours!  This is an excellent fat people ( I smear it on my face at night, my legs in the morn, and add to my coffee).   Go read about the amazing health benefits of coconut oil here.  Like all things, coconut oils are not created equal.  You must buy a cold pressed, organic brand.