Popcorn! Get Your Popcorn!
We LOVE popcorn! Is a movie night even complete without it? Popcorn is one of our favorite healthy snacks as it is low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, and filling!
BUT we should be concerned about using microwaveable popcorn bags. They are wasteful and full of harsh chemicals. A study shows that food packaging accounts for almost two-thirds of the total volume of packaging waste. In addition, the coating materials used in microwave popcorn bags can have negative effects on the environment and our bodies!
1. The chemical dangers of microwaveable popcorn bags
2. The impact
3. Reusable Bags
4. Recipes
Part 1: DANGER
Microwaveable popcorn bags use PFCs to line and coat the bag. PFCs are environmentally damaging, bioaccumulative, toxic, and non biodegradable. PFCs break down into perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a toxic chemical that is widely thought to cause cancer. PFCs are environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic, and non-biodegradable, and potentially harmful.
Another chemical to note, is Diacetyl. Diacetyl is added to most commercial popcorns for heightened "butter" flavoring. It has been linked to respiratory damage and disease when ingested in high doses. For most popcorn consumers, the negative effects of Diacetyl will never be noticed or cause issue, but we are still bringing it up to highlight the level of toxic chemicals present in traditional grocery store microwaveable popcorn.
Part 2: The Environment Has Noticed
Microwaveable popcorn bags cannot be recycled due to their mixed materials and oils. Americans consume 17.3 billion bags of popcorn per year! With food waste being an ongoing and growing issue globally, this small item is causing a problem. Luckily, there's a solution!
Introducing *drum roll please*
Part 3: GENIUS PRODUCT AHEAD
Reusable, washable, popcorn poppers! These poppers are 100% waste free and allow you to make delicious popcorn safely! They put you in control of what your eating, and how much waste you are creating. We LOVE our microwaveable popcorn bowls because we know that our popcorn consumption will be PFC, PFOA, Diacetyl, and harsh chemical free! You can find bulk popcorn at most grocery stores and online.
How to use: Just place your kernels in your reusable popcorn bowl, add lid gently on top, microwave until the kernels have slowed to a few pops every 20 seconds (about 2 minutes) add seasonings of choice, and voila! A healthy, happy, easy, snack!
Butter and Salt | A classic. Delish. Easy. Again, CLASSIC.
Sriracha-Lime | Mix 1 tablespoon melted butter (or ghee) with 1 1/2 tsp Sriracha, a pinch of grated lime zest and 1/2 tsp lime juice; drizzle over 2 cups hot popcorn and toss. Season with salt.
Salt and Vinegar | Combine 1 1/2 tsp malt vinegar and 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt in a jar; shake to dissolve the salt. Add 2 cups of hot popcorn and toss. You can also try spraying the mixture over the popcorn if you have a spray bottle handy, to ensure the coating is light.
Ranch | Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1/4 of a 1-ounce packet of ranch seasoning mix; toss with 3-4 cups of hot popcorn. Season with salt to taste.
Peanut Butter Banana | Combine 1/4 cup natural peanut butter and a 1/4 cup of honey. Melt together and pour over 2 cups of hot popcorn. Add 1/2 cup of dried banana chips and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the mixture.
Garlic, Oil, and Pecorino | Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1/4 tsp of garlic powder, 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss the mixture with 2 cups of hot popcorn.
Chocolate-Mint | In a double boiler, melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 1 tsp peppermint extract, and 2 tablespoons butter; stir until smooth. Pour over 2 cups popped popcorn; toss to coat. Immediately spread onto silicone baking mat; let stand until set. Break into pieces.
*recipes compliments of honestlymodern.com*