Easy 100 Calorie Flavored Popcorn

Ok, now I know it may not seem like you'd need a recipe for popcorn, but until recently I had no idea that you could make popcorn in your microwave without buying the prepackaged microwave popcorn.  I'm a little leery of the prepackaged stuff since that guy got lung disease from breathing the diacetyl that is released when it's popped.
So, I found this Lifehacker article about making your own microwave popcorn, and I had to try it. Basically, all you do is dump some popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag, fold over the top and staple it shut (don't worry, the staples won't hurt the microwave).  Then just pop it in the microwave for about the same time it takes to pop a prepackaged bag of popcorn, and voila - you're done!  It seems so dumb, but I was really amazed that it worked!  So, after some experimenting, I came up with a few yummy popcorn flavoring combos.

Easy Flavored Popcorn
33 grams popcorn kernels
wet stuff: spray butter, nonstick spray, hot sauce, vinegar, or olive oil spray
dry stuff: spices (popcorn salt, cracked pepper, cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, dry basil, etc.)

Directions:
Put the popcorn kernels in a brown paper lunch bag, fold the top over twice, and staple.  Microwave the bag of popcorn on high for approximately 2 minutes (this will vary based on what microwave you have; listen for the popping to slow to 2-3 seconds between pops).  Take the bag out CAREFULLY - the staples will be hot! Cut the top of the bag off and add your choice of wet stuff.  It's generally a better idea to spray on the wet stuff instead of just dumping it on there; popcorn is delicate stuff and it will get soggy quick.  So, if you can put your vinegar or hot sauce in a spray bottle, that's perfect; if that's not practical for you, just drip it on carefully. It works better if you add a little, then shake the bag, then add a little, shake the bag, etc. Then add your dry stuff, close the bag up and shake to distribute the dry stuff.  Here are some of the combinations that I've tried that are tasty:

- spray butter and popcorn salt
- olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper (this will have more than 100 calories)
- hot sauce and dry basil
- vinegar and popcorn salt
- spray butter and ranch seasoning
- spray butter and cajun seasoning

Lentil Soup; It's Mental Fruit!

Here's one from the hubby!  He happens to be a not-too-shabby vegetarian cook in his own right, and this soup he created is DARN good!

Jonathon’s Vegan Lentil Soup

1 med Vidalia onion, diced
4 med carrots, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
1 med potato, diced
Approximately 2 tablespoons gel form faux-chicken stock (you could use powder form; use enough to make about 6 cups of broth)
1 tablespoon Crystal hot sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Spray olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic w/ juice (the kind you get in the jar)
16 oz dry lentils, picked over and rinsed
8 cups water
Bac-Os (optional)


Spray pot with olive oil cooking spray until very coated.  Put chopped onions and garlic in.  After 3 minutes add carrots, celery, and potato to the mix.  Add faux-chicken stock, water, salt, pepper, and hot sauce to the pot.  Bring to a rapid boil for 4 minutes and reduce to simmer for 1 hour.  Add Bacos and additional hot sauce to taste!
Eat while listening to Be Healthy by Dead Prez. ;)