I like to have a snack at night. I know, it’s a bad habit. There’s just something comforting about snuggling on the couch with an enormous bowl of ice cream. Back when I decided to lose some weight I cut that habit for a while but now it’s back. So I decided that instead of torturing myself and denying one of my few indulgences I would just change how I indulge. I switched (mostly) to popcorn. I started to get those individual-serving 100-calorie microwave bags. It’s no bowl of ice cream but it works for me.
It’s a great solution but the popcorn industry knows how to catch you. Not only are those single-serving bags the same price as the regular size bags, but they are pretty expensive considering there are only 4 bags in a box – that’s only 4 nights a week.
Not long after, I saw a hot air popcorn popper
I waited a while and we finally ended up purchasing one this past weekend. I’m really glad we bought it. I picked it up for just under $20 and bought a bag of popping corn for $2. That bag will pop the equivalency of almost 10 full-size bags of microwave popcorn, not bad.
It makes me really happy when I can find solutions that solve more than one problem. I like that having the hot air popper will save me money but it’s also eliminating all those weird chemicals found in the microwave varieties and lessening waste (no more microwave bags to throw out). As a bonus, my daughter thinks it’s great. I didn’t eat all of it the first night so I put it in a resealable bag so the girls could snack on it the next day. They loved it and I loved that it wasn’t covered in a bunch of additives that I can’t pronounce.
Do you have or use a hot air popper?
Why I do what I do ~ I was in the car with Chloe today and she was spitting in the back seat. I told her to stop because it’s gross. She looked up in the rear-view mirror and smiled wide, “It’s gross?” I said, “Yes, it’s very gross.” You all know what she did next … she spit even more. I couldn’t do much from the front seat but remind myself that saying “gross” to a 3-year-old is like saying “totally awesome.”
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What a great solution. Just think of all the things you can do with this popper outside of feeding your snacking. Popcorn balls on Halloween, Christmas tree decoration, and my favorite, add caramel toffee and nuts and you have homemade Cracker Jacks. (minus prize and box)
@Nicholas – Mmmmm. I LOVE caramel popcorn!
I am so going to get one of these. We go thru the popcorn in our house.
p.s. Tee hee to Chloe. It hasn’t changed with an 8-yo son!
Angie’s last blog post..Do Not Call
I hadn’t thought about this in a while, but we had one of these growing up. As a matter of fact, my parents may still have it stashed away somewhere. I think I’ll check, because if they have it and aren’t using it, I want it.
We go through bags and bags of popcorn too and this would be a great alternative to the expensive bags of popcorn we buy. Thanks for the reminder.
Amanda’s last blog post..Kids in the Kitchen: 11 Tips for Cooking with Kids
I too jumped on the hot air popper bandwagon when I realized that those expensive little bags contain partially hydrogenated oils. Now, 6 months later, I’m spoiled. I eat a giant bowl, completely guilt-free, and even occasionally indulge by mixing in some homemade rosemary olive oil and sea salt. Gourmet grub for next to nothin’!
Emily’s last blog post..19 Weeks