Make Your Own Popcorn

I’ll confess that my snack menu is pretty much lacking in nutrition. By “pretty much” I mean “absolutely”. I’m a 400 pound man trapped in a less than 400 pound woman’s body. Chocolate, potato chips, gardettos (I will defend the fact that they are not chips with my LIFE), yogurt ice cream…and recently popcorn! Popcorn and I go way back. But like most good friends we sometimes drift apart for no reason at all and then reunite and catch up on what’s been going on in our lives since we last saw each other. Unfortunately popcorn is expensive. Popcorn doesn’t want to be my friend unless I am willing to hand over $6 for 5 dates (because Lord knows if I have popcorn over Seth has to have popcorn over). That gets uncomfortably expensive…especially considering popcorn is competing with other delicious snacks.

But I found an easier way! I make my own damn popcorn. Screw you, CP (corporate popcorn)! I made a new friend called PBP (paper bag popcorn) who knows what it’s like to have once survived on the dollar menu and ramen.

Paper Bag Popcorn

1 bag popcorn kernels (I bought the Great Value 32 oz bag)
1 package flat bottom brown paper sacks (just like you used to pack your lunch in)

- Put ¼ scoop of kernels in paper bag

- Fold top of bag over twice*
* There is an argument over whether or not stapling the bag would affect the microwave due to the staple’s small size. To be on the safe side I opted not to staple.

- Set your microwave for typical popcorn cooking time (for me it’s 1 minute 45 seconds). If unsure about the time follow this advice: when the popping sound begins slowing at a rate of 1 pop every 2-3 seconds it’s time to take it out. So if you set it for 3 minutes and it starts slowing down at 1 minute go ahead and take it out.

- Top with desired flavors and enjoy!

32 oz. bag Great Value popcorn kernels - $1.48
100 count Great Value flat bottom bags - $2.50

Total Cost: $3.98

Roughly 16 bags of popcorn per 32 oz bag = $0.25 per bag (Then roughly $0.09 a bag for 6 more batches until the paper bags run out).

I’ve been doing this for the past 3 nights now and I gotta say I’m impressed. The flavor is perfect and I noticed I don't spend an hour with my fist in my mouth digging for kernels stuck in my teeth. Also I discovered some interesting information as explained below.

Here’s the ingredient list from the Act II popcorn page on Amazon. Note: This information cannot be found on the company’s website.

Act II Popcorn Ingredients: Popcorn, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Annatto Color. Contains: Fish, Milk

CP’s been lying to me. I had no idea it’d been hanging out with fish and dairy before rolling around in my mouth.

Now for toppings!

Popular toppings
Mexican: Add chili powder, hot sauce, and salt.

Kiss My Breath: Shake in onion powder and garlic powder.

Cheese Please: Mix in Parmesan cheese with a little salt.

Sweet Tooth: A dash of cinnamon, a sprinkle of sugar, and a topper of honey.

Classic: A shake of salt with a pat of butter.

To butter mine up I use spray butter (though I like it just as well plain). I also thought it was completely ingenious to sprinkle the dry ranch mix over the popcorn. DO NOT ATTEMPT. It didn’t stick to my popcorn so every other bite the powder just drifted down my throat and tried to choke me to death. So now I am also wary of anything topping that involves powder…

Hope you find this useful! It’s not quite snack time but maybe I’ll cook up a batch for Abigail and I =D

Original Source is from here!

Eco-Friendly Household Alternatives

I've been seeing Country Wisdom rising in popularity so I thought I'd copy/paste an older article that I wrote rather than go pilfer through other blogs and relay their information over here. Not that I won't later...but I'm taking the quick route for now. And as proof that this is my article you can find it here on Squidoo <3

Household Item #1: Toothpaste

• Save your laminate countertops from scorch marks by buffing at the burn with a 50/50 mixture of toothpaste and baking soda. If available you may also use car wax. Why bother? Because many chemical cleaners are abrasive and will likely remove only the finish of your countertop.
• Remove water rings from your wooden tabletop by polishing it with a rag applied with a 50/50 mixture of toothpaste and baking soda. Rub parallel to the wood grain. Wipe it away and polish with lemon oil if desired. Note: A hair dryer set on low can often nix a fresh water stain from forming.
• Cover nail holes in your drywall and plaster without spackle by dabbing them with plain white toothpaste that will dry and harden for painting over. You may also substitute with a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and white glue or even mixing cornstarch with salt (2 tbsp. each) with enough water to make a stiff putty.
• Tackle rust on your bathroom porcelain by squeezing toothpaste onto a retired toothbrush and scrubbing it away. But remember that in general the older the stain is the harder it is to remove.
• Neutralize offensive odors on your hands left from food by wetting a wash cloth with cold water and squeezing some toothpaste onto it. Then simply scrub your hands. This is especially useful when you've directly handled strong smelling foods such as onion, garlic, and fish.
• Repair small scratches on your car by polishing them with a dollop of toothpaste. You may use an old toothbrush but make certain the bristles aren't so stiff that they can cause additional damage. Afterward buff the area with a clean cloth.

Household Item #2: Dishwashing Liquid

• Take immediate care of red wine or similar carpet stains by mixing 1 tsp. dishing washing liquid with 1 c. warm water and pouring a small amount over the blemish. Blot -don't rub- with a paper towel and repeat the previous procedure using a solution of 1/3 c. white vinegar and 2/3 c. water
• Stop dust on your ceiling fan from spreading by using an old cotton sock moistened in a mixture of 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon water. Simply dip the sock into your solution, wring it out, place it over your hand, and use it to attract dust collecting on fan blades so that it doesn't get sent floating around the room.
• Repel mice safely and effectively by brewing up a quart of peppermint tea. To do this you will need to boil 2 c. water, turn off the heat, and steep 4-6 peppermint tea bags for 6-8 hours. After this is completed add 2 tsp. dishwashing liquid to help the tea solution linger on surfaces. Pour your mixture into a spray bottle and spray it onto baseboards or suspected entry points. This is safe for people and pets alike!
• Subdue the pain of band-aid removal by thoroughly rubbing the bandage's edges and surface (avoid soaking the gauze area) with dishwashing liquid or baby oil. If during removal the bandage begins to stick rub a bit more of your chosen product onto that area.
• To safely clean your wallpaper apply a mixture of ½ c. lemon juice, ½ c. dishwashing liquid, and 1 quart water. Note: Make certain that your wallpaper is waterproof. If uncertain it is best to test this solution on an indiscreet section to make sure it will not adversely affect it.

Household Item #3: Salt

• Soak up ketchup stains by sprinkling salt over the spill. Leave for a few minutes before vacuuming. Sponge up additional residue and continue salting and vacuuming until the stain disappears. Note: This is only effective on wet ketchup stains. Once it sets (dries) it is impossible to remove.
• Prevent diaper rash during teething by gently wiping a solution of 1 tbsp. salt and 4 c. boiling water onto the baby's bottom. Allow the solution to cool to room temperature before applying! For added protection you may also use a zinc oxide lotion of your choice.
• Repel fleas from your dog's outdoor sleeping area by pouring salt into all of the doghouse's crevices. You may also discourage fleas by placing a fresh pile of pine needles beneath their dog bed.
• Keep grease spills from baking onto your oven's surface by sprinkling salt over the spill before it has a chance to bake onto the interior. Afterward simply close the oven door and continue cooking as usual. By the time you're ready to clean you'll find that the pesky spill has transformed itself into a convenient, easily removable lump of ash.
• Delay the formation of mildew on your shower curtain by soaking it in salt water before hanging.
• Treat the formation of mildew on your shower curtain by applying a past of vinegar and salt to the affected area for 1-2 hours before cleaning it off with a damp cloth.
• Soothe a sore throat by gargling a solution of homemade salt water. To make this you just dissolve ½ tsp. salt in 1 c. warm water. Gargle this solution for 10-15 seconds (spit it out rather than swallow) 3 to 4 times daily for instant relief.

Household Item #4: Garlic

• To boost the cold fighting power of chicken soup add 2 peeled and minced garlic cloves to your simmering soup. Garlic contains antiviral sulfur compounds that will help stimulate your immune system in the fight against bacterial infection.
• For a natural, safe, and fast acting remedy to treat earaches you can create a homemade solution to store in your refrigerator for on hand use. In a clean jar, combine 1 crushed clove garlic, 2 tbsp. dried or fresh (minced if fresh) mullein flower, and ½ c. olive oil. Shake thoroughly to blend and store in your refrigerator, shaking daily to redistribute contents (strain into a fresh jar every 2 weeks). To treat earaches bring the solution to room temperature (or hold under warm water) and add 2-3 drops to the ear canal using an eyedropper.
• Quickly dry up and treat pimples by rubbing a freshly cut clove of raw garlic against the blemish.
• Cure stubborn warts by binding a slice of freshly peeled garlic clove against it with a gauze bandage. Leave in place as long as you're able, and repeat the treatment both morning and night.
• Safely protect a cut or abrasion from infection by bruising a garlic clove and pressing it against the wound for 5-10 minutes.

A Quick Change of Pace

The world of home remedies is ever growing. Honing in on a single item's capabilities is a wonderful way to expand your general knowledge but by doing so you might miss out on a truly remarkable discovery. So before I end this lens I'm going to bring in a change of pace and provide you with a list of random tips that I thought provided amazing alternatives around the home.

• To unclog your showerhead without removing it pour a dental tablet solution into a plastic sandwich bag and secure it to the shower head with tape or twist tie for 1-2 hours. To create this solution you dissolve 4-5 tablets in a bowl of water. You can use white vinegar instead.
• Stunt the severity of the common cold by setting your hair dryer to warm -not hot- and holding it around 18" from your face. Inhale the warm air for as long as you can (20 minutes is best but 2 is helpful). Why does this work? Warm air helps kill rhinoviruses sneaking up your nose canal and thus will prevent you from suffering the full effect of the invading bacteria.
• To treat mild scorch marks on wood surfaces you should gently rub a small amount of mayonnaise onto the area. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a clean, damp cloth.
• Find a wall stud without a specialized tool by using an electric razor. Place your razor flush against the wall, turn it on, and as you slowly guide it along the wall listen to the pitch of its buzz. When the pitch rises you'll know you're directly over a stud.

Frugal Febreeze #2

Hey Nicole I started thinking about how you said Sheldon was allergic to most fabric softeners and went on a search for ways to make febreeze without using fabric softener! For those truly worried about the chemical properties of fabric softener you might enjoy this version better.

Frugal Febreeze Alternative #2
8 drops lavender oil
4 drops each bergamot and clove oil
2 drops oil of peppermint
½ cup vodka
½ cup distilled water
-Mix and shake well in spray bottle.

I got the recipe from The Conscious Shopper courtesy of the majestic machine known as Yahoo! search. Oh…I can feel the chill of your stare. You’re a Google person huh? I’ve noticed that people who use Google tend to scoff at other search machines. It’s not that I’m knocking the ever popular Google but during my precious, tender preteen years when my fingers first learned how to fly over the keyboard I defaulted to Yahoo. It’s a simple matter of loyalty -chest thump-

But back to the topic! I’ve never used oils before so seeing things like ‘bergamot’ and ‘clove oil’ is pure jibber jabber to me and so I’m much more likely to just stick with the fabric softener. Plus it lists vodka which brings back the memory (or lack thereof) of my worst New Years Eve ever and I know I can never touch a bottle of that again lest I get a phantom hangover via osmosis. Also I’m likely to try and sneak tap water in place of distilled water…

I digress. Not a recipe for me. But if Seth broke out into hives every time I squirted fabric softener on the couch I’d probably do it. Probably.

Depends on whether or not he’d irked me recently.