Healthy Microwave Popcorn

Here's an healthy, quick, and easy way to make popcorn.

Take about a 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels and put them in a bowl.  Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over them.  Just enough to coat them when stirred, maybe about a teaspoon at most.  Stir the popcorn to coat it in the olive oil.

Put the popcorn in a paper lunch bag and put some salt in if you would like.  Making about half inch folds, fold the lunch bag over about three times.

Pop in the microwave on high for about 2 minutes.  Microwaves vary so you need to listen and when the popcorn starts slowing down, take it out.  Ours takes less than 2 minutes.  I just set it for 2 minutes and then listen for when to stop it.  Don't let it go too long or it burns.  After a time or two you'll know how long and when to take it out.

Pour it in a bowl and it's ready.  It's pretty dry like this.  I've gotten to where I like it dry.  But you could add butter or seasonings to it.  This way you know exactly what you're adding and how much.  Good idea, especially if you're watching calories.  Or even if you're just trying to be more aware of what you're eating.  It has about half the calories and fat as boxed microwave popcorn.





  

 

a bowl full of lemons

 

The Best Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner Ever

Last week we had to have the appliance repair man out to fix the oven.  The burners and the broiler worked, but not the oven.

So the repair man gets in and is investigating the problem and I am suddenly aware of how dirty the oven and the top of the stove really are.  It was a bit embarrassing.  I'm sure he has seen a lot worse, but this is my oven.  I don't want to be known as the lady with the gross oven.

So he has to order a part and come back next week.  Ah ha! Here's my chance to redeem my reputation.  I got out my Shaklee Scour Off and Basic H Degreaser and went to work.  It was amazing how easily they cleaned it right up.  And no toxic fumes.  I didn't even wear gloves.  I just rubbed Scour Off on with a micro fiber sponge and water.  I used the Basic H Degreaser on some of the greaser areas.  It worked great.  And it took less than half an hour.

The repairman will be so impressed because I'm sure they really notice these things.  OK, so maybe he could care less, but I'm so happy to have a clean oven and stove.  Almost enough to enjoy cooking.  Almost.

And not only are the Shaklee Get Clean products non-toxic, they are also environmentally safe and economical, too. 

The Best Non-Toxic Oven Cleaners Ever

Note to self, " Keep the oven clean.  It might need repairing."  I guess that's kind of along the same lines as always wear clean underwear.  Fortunately I don't have a problem with that one.

Natural Easter Eggs

Even though my daughter is sixteen she still likes to dye Easter eggs.

Now that we have our own chickens we get brown and green eggs.

I wasn't sure how they would turn out the first time we dyed them, but they're beautiful.  The colors are very deep, rich, jewel tones.

And some of them have their own designs already on them.  I'm not sure what causes that, but it adds to their specialness. 

How to Care for Introverts

I saw this and could so relate to it.  I'm an introvert.  My husband is an introvert.  My daughter is an introvert.  We're a family of introverts.

But I think people misunderstand introverts.  They think introverts are shy and don't like being around people.  When in reality they just need a lot of private time and space.

People are surprised when I tell them I'm an introvert because I'm not all that shy and I love being around people.  But I also love my space and time to myself.  As a matter of fact I need time to myself or I start feeling very overwhelmed.

When I read this to my sixteen year old daughter we had to laugh because this is so her.  It fits her to a T.

So the next time you think a person is just "unsocialable" or "stuck up" ( I used to get this a lot because I used to be very shy) think again.  They may just be an introvert.  Or maybe very shy.

Just remember that introverts just need their space and down time.