A few days ago, my sister Rosalie Donatelli shared a link about how bad movie popcorn is. At least 20 – 25 years ago, Rosalie introduced me to ‘the brown paper bag’ and popcorn. She saw me using microwave popcorn and as she gasped, she informed me that I was making a bag of chemicals. She told me that if I take a brown paper bag, a little bigger then a lunch bag and add popcorn kernels to it, I would get great popped popcorn without the chemicals. It’s very quick and easy to do. Cover the bottom of the paper bag with kernels (I tape it closed) and microwave until the popping slows from steady to pop…pop…pop, about 2 minutes in my microwave. I have been using this method ever since. I just recently found jumbo sized lunch bags at a “Stop and Shop” grocery store. It’s a much better size then the regular for popping popcorn.

how-to-make-popcorn-in-a-paper-bag-on-changingitnow.com

Image from SquawkFox.com

 

The link Rosalie shared: Sparkpeople.com

I love this post on “Squawk Fox, where frugal living is, sexy, delicious, and fun”.  They give detailed instructions on making popcorn in a bag along with a description of what is actually in those store bought bags of microwave popcorn.

“The Healthy Apron“ posted “Should we think twice”  about how microwave popcorn? I say yes yes yes!

“Natural News”Microwave popcorn posts “Did you know? Microwave popcorn gives off a toxic, lung-damaging gas when cooked.”

I found this fun project on Kickstarter.com. Quinn Popcorn, “Microwave Popcorn Reinvented” I would love to see this make it out on local store shelves! Let me know if you’ve seen it.

WITH ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT’S HEALTY AND WHAT’S NOT, WE STILL CHOOSE TO EAT WHAT’S NOT.  Here on ChangingitNow.com, we are choosing to eat what is!


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  • Lin - February 24, 2012 - 9:04 pm

    That’s really cool. I’m totally going to try that!ReplyCancel

  • Janina - February 24, 2012 - 8:27 am

    Thanks Josie! I’ve never heard about using brown lunch bags as an easy way to make popcorn instead of microwave bags. I usually use some good oil in a stainless steel pot but this sure sounds good for a quick and easy popcorn fix. I wonder if the brown lunch bags still have some chemicals though…ReplyCancel

I’m congratulating myself today because 100 days has passed and I am still committed. I stopped to bring my mom a “real” coffee (as she puts it, not like the coffee in the rehab) and  I was really tempted to get a skim latte with Splenda. I have not had a diet soda or any soda or any artificial sweeteners in 101 days today. The urge was strong but I did not give in. It’s not that having a Splenda once will kill me, I just know that if I give in once, it will be that much easier to give in again and I am really committed to changing this. I used a minimum of 3-5 packs a day of some kind of sweetener in my coffee or whatever, for 30 years or so.

I am still incredibly stressed but I am not quitting. Now that’s progress for me.

festive-balloons-congratulation-on-changingitnow.com

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  • Lin Vignola - February 22, 2012 - 8:27 pm

    Rock on with your bad self Josie! You’re doing great. It takes a lot of strength to pass up your former favorite things. I’m so happy for you.ReplyCancel

  • Kathryn Donatelli - February 22, 2012 - 4:57 pm

    You are so inspiring! I love reading your posts. The best of luck with continued success on your life style change and your blog.ReplyCancel

Healthy food need not be boring. These dishes just happen to all be seafood dishes. You can prepare all of these with all natural fresh ingredients. The dishes were prepared by Chef Klaus Kronsteiner in my kitchen and I photographed them on my kitchen counter. Food can be exciting and healthy at the same time.

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  • Rosalie Donatelli - February 21, 2012 - 11:28 am

    Here is an interesting article about movie popcorn.

    I remember when I used to take my son to the movies. We always stopped at the health food store first and picked up healthy snacks.
    Or sometimes made air popped popcorn with sea salt and flax oil added. That may not sound it but it is delicious! My kid and I both loved it!

    The secret is a very big purse looking bag to hide/carry it in LOL…

    http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=808ReplyCancel

  • Rosalie Donatelli - February 21, 2012 - 11:23 am

    Those pics look great! Even to me who wouldn’t eat the flesh foods. If I did, I’d want those plates in front of me right now!!!
    all the wonderful plant based parts look great!ReplyCancel

  • Betsy - February 21, 2012 - 10:51 am

    Did you take those photographs? Beautiful!! (The food looks good too.)ReplyCancel

Caring for sick loved ones can be especially stressful. I have been exhausted and off track the last two days. I love how each day is new and each day we can begin again.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Sounds simple? Check out Dr. Fuhrman’s Website. When I was brain storming to come up with the name of this blog, I was leaning towards concepts like ‘eating my way to health’ etc.

I’m looking forward to reading Dr. Fuhrman’s book “Eat for Health”. It’s arriving later today.

Joel-Fuhrman-and-Changing-it-Now

Joel Furhman's Food Pyramid

 

I have three things to celebrate today. I moved my mom from the hospital to rehab, Valentines Day with my wonderful daughter and 3 MONTHS almost 100% off sugar, diet soda, artificial anything and eating only whole foods! I’ve shaved 27 pounds from my body and I’m ready to start a new quarter of my 12 month commitment. I haven’t had one diet soda or artificial sweetener at all, but I had 3 or 4 days that weren’t 100% perfect. Portion control issues still arise from time to time. What this actually means is that I have had 89 days PERFECT. 🙂 I’m choosing to focus on the positive and not the negative.

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