One of the best things about getting married, besides sharing your hopes, dreams, and life with the person you love most in the world (awwww), is being able to register for the things you might not otherwise buy for yourself. My husband and I had a destination wedding, so we weren’t really expecting many gifts at all. We were more than okay with that. But the gifts we did receive really amped up our ability to cook better and cook more healthfully. Holla! So today, via one of our wonderful guests, I present you with one of my faves (drum roll, please)…THE AIR POPCORN POPPER!
Isn’t she glorious? Isn’t it weird that I called it a she? Yes, yes it is…
I’m sure that you’ve all heard that movie theater popcorn is horrible for you. Let me make it rain with the real facts about this, guys. According to an article from WebMD, before the “butter” is even added (and that sh*t isn’t even real butter, ya’ll–it’s non-hydrogenated soybean oil topping that adds about 120-130 calories per tablespoon. PER…TABLESPOON!) you’re lookin’ at around “1,200 calories, and 60 grams of saturated, artery-clogging fat. That’s the equivalent of two Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pepperoni Pizzas, plus an extra two days’ worth of saturated fat.”
What. The. Eff?!?! That is NOT RIGHT. Can I hear an AMEN? Thank you.
Scott, my main squeeze, is a lover of movie theater popcorn. Whenever we go to the movies he’s all up in the waist widening stuff. Since we have been enjoying films a lot more via our couch these days, we make the popcorn instead, saving us many calories and many dollars. Because the popcorn is made via air and not oil, it’s the healthiest and most natural way to enjoy it. Also, a very small amount yields an ass load of popcorn.
Here are 3 tablespoons (1 serving) of kernels:
And here is how much popcorn it makes:
It might be difficult to garner from this photo, but that’s about 6 cups of popcorn at 90 calories, 6 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. Let’s compare that to 1,200 calories you will consume in a movie theater popcorn serving. Wowza! So not worth it.
After the popcorn is made, Scott and I will top with some salt, maybe a mist of olive oil from the Misto or we melt a little butter in a little cup atop the popper while the popcorn is being made. It’s a small pat of butter made organically from cows, not the orange stuff they call butter that you slop from a pump near the restrooms at the theater. Gross.
Moral of the story, not only is this air-popped popcorn delicious, it’s also hanger busting. Because of the protein and fiber that this natural popcorn offers, it’s a deliciously healthy snack that you can fill up on; unlike feeling as if you just licked a salt block and wonder why you still want to snarf a whole pizza or a king sized M&M box after the movie theater stuff. So go out and get married, register for a popcorn popper, and then make some on your own to stash in your oversized bag when you go to the movie theater. Or you can skip the getting married and just buy one. I don’t think it’s that pricey. DE-HANGER!!!!
Hangry Chicks 
Little Sister, I love your popper (*she* is a beauty) and your post! It’s been ages since I have eaten air-popped popcorn — it brings back fond memories. In 2nd grade, my best friend Stacy and I used to make air-popped popcorn at her house all the time. I always thought it was so cool and brilliant that they engineered the top of the popper with a little area to melt better. When my palate and I grew up, I started getting adventurous with seasoning. My favorite? Southwestern spiced popcorn. Here’s a great recipe for it:
8 cups air-popped popcorn
Olive oil from the Misto (I’m a big Misto user, too)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Put the popcorn in a large bowl; spray with the olive oil and toss it well.
In a wee bowl, stir together the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and garlic powder. Sprinkle over the popcorn, tossing all the while, doing the dance of food, until well coated.
There are SO many flavors — from savory to sweet — that can be applied to air-popped popcorn. SUGGESTIONS! It would be awesome to learn about more flavor combinations from our dear, beloved, HC followers!
I am with Scott and movie theatre popcorn. I am with you, lil’ girl, on the not eating something with calories in such a gross amount that you could hibernate for the winter with that stored intake…
Next time i go to the theatre i will try your route Natalie, with a dash of Greta’s suggestion for trying different popcorn tastes. Gracias por de idea.