Spike for the Win

The perfect popcorn

1. Follow the directions on the package for popping popcorn on the stovetop. If you already know how to do it, then just do it.

2. Put your delicious popcorn in a bowl- a big wide one is best.

3. Sprinkle on SPIKE, salt, and nutritional yeast.

Microwaved popcorn grosses me out. Plus, I heard there's Teflon in it. Because I don't eat it anyway, I'm not going to research to find out if it's true. You have to admit... there is something suspect about microwavable popcorn. The way the bag burns a little bit, the hardened butter oil that entraps the dormant kernels, the funky smell... even the color of the popped corn. I'll pass.

Stovetop is where it's at. I use about 2T (two tablespoons) of oil for a whole huge batch- enough to satisfy eight people. The best part is that it needs no butter. Seriously. I never put butter on popcorn, and I'm not the skinny type of woman who makes sacrifices. It just doesn't need it.

Spike and nutritional yeast. Both are available at the more healthy type of grocery stores- even the mainstream ones trying to keep up with the times. In Portland, that means Freddie's has it. I buy my yeast in bulk. Not sure if it comes in a jar.

We had some people from NYC staying with us, and I made some when we watched a movie. They were loving this style of popcorn. I doubt it's just a west coast thing, but I did start eating it this way in San Francisco.

Side Note: Some people put SPIKE on everything, but I reserve it for exactly two things: popcorn and salmon. For salmon, I just sprinkle a bit onto a filet before baking. I buy the no salt version in bulk when I can. Salt seems easy enough to add on my own, so why bother having it a product when you can opt out?

Oh yeah. You need to drink a lot of water when you eat popcorn this way. Something about not getting the benefits of the yeast if you don't drink water with it. IDK.

P.S.If eating yeast flakes weirds you out, I've never had any problems downtown. Just sayin'. TMI

Espresso Love

I'm not going to lie. I would have completely dismissed this brand as some fake, cheesy, wanna-be Italian company. What's with the Moka Express? And the logo looks stolen from some Sergio Aragones Mad Magazine comic. 

But I am fortunate enough to know better than snub this pot. Ahhh. Will I get a vacation as good as that one again? This is the real deal, as in it is really used in Italy.

BIALETTI!

This is the only way I prepare coffee. Stovetop espresso. This particular pot has lasted through several years of daily use. I haven't even replaced the rubber gasket. Other brands have not fared so well. 

Can't Touch This

Fair warning- This won't be the only post with love for Apple.

I LOVE the iPod Classic. Sure, the screen is not as big as the one on the Touch, but who cares? I have my whole iTunes library on here, and it's not even close to its full capacity. Like 15+ movies, tons of tv shows, and so much music that it's just silly to put it on shuffle. When I travel, this thing is the best! I can watch my movies without having a stranger be in my business.

Personally, I like having a separate device for this stuff. I don't want to be so connected to my phone. Plus, I don't know anyone who uses their phone as vehicle for their iTunes music library. Most people I know use Pandora. Not me. Most of the time, my music is commercial free.

Anyway, what a waste to only have 32gigs. The Classic is where it's at. I even prefer it over the iPad. Maybe I'm just old.

Soap Love

Many people love scented hand soaps. At Thanksgiving, they buy pumpkin pie scented soap. At Christmas it's gingerbread. For the rest of winter, it's pine tree. That's a whole season of headaches for me. People gift soaps, lotions, and antibacterial gels from that one store that's in every mall, and shoe-eey! Those products are heavy on the perfume. Don't get me wrong, coconut is kind of nice, but I don't want to smell like a 14 year old on the boardwalk.

Aside from Aveda products (love), there are few health and beauty scents I like, regardless if it's natural or artificial. One time, I bought a bunch of Mrs. Meyers soaps because they were on sale, and there was also a $1 off coupon attached to the neck of the bottle. Man. It's hard to turn down a good deal. I may have hoarded bought six of them. Too bad I had to give them all away because the smells were just too powerful. They gave all four of us headaches. Swear.

But finally! I have found the hand soap for our family.

It's unscented foaming soap from Whole Foods- their 365 brand. This container is about $10. Aside from the lack of smell, what I like most is the refilling situation. It pours more easily than regular soap, and this one will last us at least few months. Not sure about that, but I'll pay attention.

I used to buy Method and refill their containers, but those cute tear drop shaped dispensers would get so dirty looking. That's not cool. A dirty soap container reminds me of a public bathroom. That's not the experience I want for my home. It may just be good timing (as in- maybe my kids are getting less filthy with age), but dispensers for foaming soaps seem to stay clean.

I am now loyal to 365 hand soap.