If you are trying to do something about your weight and considering a few options about eating healthy and eating in a very responsible manner then contrary to popular belief popcorn is an option you can consider.

Let me explain to you in detail how that will happen and why the popcorn is an option while you are watching your weight. If you can walk into a store there are several options like lite food, low calorie, low fat food and organic food. Also there are several things you need to be sure of like the fact that you need to have fiber in your diet and also you need to have good amount of roughage. Make sure that you get enough of additional minerals and proteins that you body needs.

Popcorn is made of whole grain and it is a great source of fiber. Now do not panic as the unbuttered popcorn only has 50 calories in a cup. That said what it means as a weight watcher is that you can curb that hunger and also curb that carving of a snack that you would usually like. The fact of the matter is that plain popcorn can be a little hard to eat everyday so the best option is to add little more accoutrements to the plain popcorn.

That will help make the popcorn more palatable and tasty. Some of the ingredients are Cinnamon, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and onion salt, iced tea mix, peanuts, raisins. The shops have low calorie popcorn that you can eat without guilt. You can also add some low fat, low calorie sugar like Splenda. But make sure to consult your doctor before you mix the low calories sugar to popcorn.

Another thing that you need to worry about is that popcorn does have carbohydrates and fat but all said these are good carbohydrates. The bad carbohydrates are those which come from high calorie foods like cookies, bread and white bread. Just to make sure that you are not worried there is no harm in eating popcorn the better way. The better way is to have them as light as they can. No butter and no special cheese on them. All good carbohydrates and no bad carbohydrates.

Weight watching can be very strenuous but I am sure that popcorn can make it less as that is a lovable snack and easily accessible. It can curb your other carvings in a good way.



By: Amit Kheterpal

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Please Help: I want to make popcorn in microwave.
My problem is that I don’t want to use the packaged popcorn in the bags,.
I want to use the loose popcorn.
How can I do this?

By: Dov

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While you think of a snack, the first thing that always comes to the mind is the calorie counts it has and what nutritional value does it bring. Almost all the snacks are considered to be with high calorie count and all have what we call as unhealthy amounts of fat. This means that if you are watching your weight no more snacks for you. But do not despair as popcorns are at help as a snack with good amount of nutritional value as well good amount of special filling capabilities that you do not feel the need for anything else to eat.

Popcorn is a whole grain food which means that it is a complex carbohydrate. In plain speak it means that the popcorn is a good source of fiber and low in calories. The number of calories in an unbuttered popcorn cup is only about 30-55 and if you have that popcorn cup slightly buttered then the calories can be as high as 133. That makes the popcorn to be a very good snack.

Popcorn has no preservatives or additives and it also has energy producing carbohydrates. This very fact makes it appealing to the popcorn lovers and good food lovers.

The best thing about popcorns is that it is light and can be used as a meal. With good amount of seasonings it can be turned into a very special gourmet thing. That said there are a number of gourmet popcorn types which are available like the caramel or cheddar toppings but these are not that nutritious.

The best way to have popcorns is to make them into a great dish and if you search online there are huge number of recipes available online and these recipes can turn the plain popcorn into a very good snack for any time and it will be very filling too.

Popcorn were initially considered by the tribals and native Americans to be spirits trapped inside the kernel and there were times when the heat made them popped. This set the tribals thinking that the popping was a result of the spirits getting angry. Well thank god for that, otherwise the world would have been without this tasty snack.

A lot of companies have now specialized popcorn manufacturing facilities which cater to the variety of popcorn loving people. Also the reason that it is very light made it famous as a snack for the moviegoers. Go and buy your popcorn packet right now.



By: Amit Kheterpal

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People love many different types of food, but when it comes to watching movies or simply relaxing after a hard day at work in front of the TV there is nothing better than popcorn.  Originally discovered by Native Americans, the popcorn making process has evolved and became very popular from the moment movies and media entertainment was matched with this terrific food.

Today, there are many ways to pop - corn; some people will use the microwave oven, others will prefer the stove but, the best way to make perfect popcorn is to use a popcorn machine.  Using a microwave oven might not be such a good idea if you have a large quantity of corn and don’t know exactly how much time it takes for the corn to pop, if this is the case, remember that a small portion will create a whole lot of popcorn so make sure not to overdo it.

Using the stove can possibly be the worst way of making popcorn because your corn may pop unevenly and some of it might get burned which is something you definitely want to avoid.

Using Popcorn Machines

These devices have been created in order to pop corn using the right temperature so that the final product will not get burned.  Buying a popcorn machine is very much like buying a car in the way that you need to know how you’re going to use the machine before you buy it.

Popcorn machines vary according to their capacity and features, some will be able to handle 4 ounces of corn which is enough for four people, there is also a version which can take 6 ounces and pop enough corn for six servings, this 6 ounce version is recommended for families and people who just love to eat a lot of popcorn.

If you have a really big family or if you’re planning to use this type of machine for larger events such as at a church, a school, etc. — you might want to consider purchasing a machine which is able to handle 8 ounces of corn, this way you can make a lot on a single batch without worrying about shortages.

When buying a popcorn machine make sure that the front and the sides of the machines are made with tempered glass instead of plastic, you will be tempted to buy the cheaper version which is made with plastic but you will end up replacing it after using it a few times.  The front door may also be made with plexi-glass because the constant opening and closing tends to create temperature differences that can shatter other materials.

Another important thing you should look at is the wattage, bigger machines will use more power than smaller ones and as such they may require 220 while others have been modified to work at 110.  Going for a quality machine that may cost you a bit more than the average machine can end up saving you money in the long run as you will not need to replace it as often as the cheaper versions.



By: Jeff

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You will need:

1 tall box large enough to wear

a utility knife

clear shipping tape to assemble the box.

a yardstick and pen or pencil.

red and white paint (and yellow paint also, if desired), and a brush

cream or white colored Styrofoam peanuts

spray adhesive safe for use with Styrofoam, or other glue

neutral clothing, or optionally for women, high heels and stockings.

for an optional hat: one sheet of poster board.

If you don’t have a box the right size, you should be able to find one at a shipping store. Ideally, you want one that is about eight inches wider than your shoulders, and about as tall as the distance from just above your knees to your shoulders. The bottom of the box will now be the top of the box. What used to be the top, will now be the open bottom for your legs. With the utility knife, carefully cut off the extra flaps that will be on the same end as your legs. Wait to tape the box until you finish the painting.

If you wish, you can use a popcorn box from your theater or look at popcorn boxes online as a model for your costume. On one side of your box, write “POPCORN” in large red letters and draw a red a frame around it in any desired shape. On this and the other three sides of the box, use the yard stick to measure and mark vertical stripes four inches wide. Alternately paint them red and white. Some popcorn boxes use yellow on them as well. Paint the top of the box where your head will stick out, white.

For the optional cone hat, cut the poster board into a large enough wedge to form into a cone to wear on your head. Before assembling, mark and paint red and white stripes on the poster board, that are smaller at the top than at the bottom of the cone. When the cone is dry, assemble and affix with tape. Glue Styrofoam peanuts randomly to the sides.

When the box is dry, tape the top of the popcorn box closed and carefully cut a round hole just large enough for your head to get through. Using glue, apply the Styrofoam peanuts to the top of the box in a pile, much like popcorn is heaped in a popcorn box.

Try on the box to approximate a convenient place for arm holes. They should be at about elbow level, on the sides, and perhaps a little nearer to the front than the back. With the utility knife carefully cut the holes. Your costume is now ready.



By: Andy Smith

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