To celebrate Evie’s birthday, we took her and some of her adorable little friends to see the movie “Brave.”  She loves anything princess (something I had to get used to), so going to the movie was a real thrill for her. For the past six weeks, whenever a bus passed us with a “Brave” poster on its side Evie giddily announced, “BRAVE, Mom!!!”

Like most things, I wanted to put as many homemade touches on Evie’s birthday as possible. So, Evie and I got to work in the kitchen making homemade popcorn for the girls to sneak into the theater.  It was a nice way for us to spend a few minutes together. We put popcorn and M&M’s into princess-themed cups, and the girls were so delighted to have their own little treat to snack on during the movie.

We then packed goodie bags for the girls to bring along to the movie. Evie was so excited as we assembled them!

We don’t eat a lot of popcorn, but when we do we just make it from scratch.  It really is not hard to do, and it takes just as much time as popping a bag in the microwave. I like using coconut oil because it doesn’t burn and imparts a slightly sweet (not coconutty!) flavor.

Food for Thought: Microwave popcorn gets its artificial butter flavor from a chemical called diacetyl.  The United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has said that diacetyl may be hazardous when heated and inhaled over a long period when it is used as an artificial butter flavoring.  Unfortunately, workers in factories that manufacture artificial butter flavoring have been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious lung disease.

Homemade Popcorn

3 tablespoons coconut oil

2/3 cup corn kernels

salt

Heat a heavy pot with a lid over medium heat.  Add oil and a few corn kernels.  Put lid on.  When kernels pop, pour in the remaining kernels and give the pot a good shake.  Put lid back on, but leave it open a bit so the steam can escape.

The corn kernels will start popping.  Once a few seconds goes by in-between pops, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes.  Sprinkle with salt and enjoy!