There must be Popcorn !

                                                                 Week 9 ( Save $ 9 )

If your having an Oscar viewing party tonight or just propping your feet up to watch the award show alone, make sure you have good batch of popcorn on hand.

Here is my easy microwave lunch bag recipe for plain to caramel popcorn for one

Plain popcorn
paper lunch bags
1/4 cup of kernels

Measure 1/4 cup of kernels  into the paper bag and fold the top of the bag a few times. Microwave for  2 minutes ( note: every microwave may vary ) . Pick out the kernels that did not pop or re-pop.





Caramel popcorn

waxed paper lined on a cookie sheet     

bag of popped corn (from above recipe)

1/2 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp butter
1.5 Tbsp corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon of salt or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1. Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper and keep aside.

2. In a microwaved container, add the brown sugar, butter corn syrup salt and vanilla together.  Microwave for 1 minutes. Stir and microwave for another minute or two until boiling ( depending on your microwave).

3. Remove the hot sugar mixture and add the baking soda and stir quickly.  The baking soda will start to foam. 

4. Pour the sugar mixture into the bag of popcorn bag and mix, toss and shake well.  Work quickly and fold the top of the bag a few times.

5. Microwave the bag for 15 seconds and shake and microwave the other side for another 15 second.  Make sure you do not microwave too long or it will burn.

6. Open the bag and pour the caramel corn on the wax tray.  Break up the clumps and cool completely until harden. Optional: sprinkle with dash of salt or cinnamon

There you have it ...When you think of movies, there has to be popcorn!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

It's Winter Cold Season

                                                            Week 8 ( Save $8 )

It’s winter cold season and everyone around you including yourself is either sick with a cold or a flu bug.  Being indoors, close working quarters, it’s very common to get infectious cold passed along person to person.
 
Apparently, there is no cure for common cold.  Whether you have the common symptoms of runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, body aches, headaches, its important to treat the cold before it leads to other infections like pneumonia, strep throat, asthma, bronchitis, etc.


Here are some tips to help you ease and get through the worst of it.

Drink lots of fluids to help hydrate the body.  Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Drink hot green, spice or even ginger teas. Don’t forget to add some honey for that extra boost!

Eat chicken soup.  Maybe your grandmother was right all along.  It’s comfort food that will boost your immunity system.  Get some homemade chicken vegetable soup made with tons of garlic , carrots, rice and onions to help curb that loss of appetite.

Eat tons of citrus fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas and blueberries.  Add some probiotic yoghourt to your fruit for that extra boost. Don't forget to take your vitamins too!

Take a relaxing hot steamy shower. It will moisturize and clear your nasal passages.

Just let the cold run its course and with plenty of rest, diet, hand washing (twice), and fresh air, this will keep the common cold at bay.  If your symptoms get worst, do seek medical advice.


                                                            Get Well Soon!

Feb 14th, Valentine's Day

                                                                  Week 7 ( Save $7 )

Happy Valentine's Day!




 "Love" my t-shirt... It says it all!

 

Pancake Tuesday and more

                                                                             Week 6 ( Save $ 6 )

Today is Shove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day or Mardi Gras. Shove Tuesday is the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

The Lent fast, of 40 days traditionally omits rich foods of eggs, milk, sugar...which are all the ingredients found in Pancakes. And that is why we make and eat pancakes especially on Pancake Tuesday.

Fact: 

Apparently eating pancakes makes us happy, warm and fuzzy.  I am pretty sure it's combination of the toppings of butter and syrup taking it to the next level.




Go flip up some happy food and spread a little happiness with others.


Fluffy Pancakes   yields about 14 pancakes           

1 cup all purpose flour         
2 Tbsp baking powder
3 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt

1 egg
1 cup of milk (or buttermilk)
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

vegetable oil

1.  In a large bowl, wisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

2.  In another bowl, wisk together the milk, egg, melted butter and vanilla.

3.  Combine and wisk the wet ingredient into the large flour mixture until slightly lumpy.

4.  Heat large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly brush with some vegetable oil.

5.  Pour batter scant 1/4 cup at a time to form pancakes.  Cook until bubbles appear on top for about 3 minutes.  Flip and cook until bottoms are golden brown, about 1 minute.


Save money by:

Making your own pancake mix by doubling or tripling the dry ingredients in a zip lock bag.

Label the ingredients:
Scoop 1 cup of the pancake mixture with the wet ingredients listed.


Challenge:  For Lent, trying giving up something for 40 days whether it be smoking, facebook, shoe shopping, coffee or even chocolate.


                                                  ENJOY!
 

Happy Ground Hog Day!

                                                                    Week 5 ( Save $5 )

Today marks the mid- winter point also known as "Ground Hog Day".  It's not a public holiday but Canadians look forward to Wiarton Willie, delivering his “prediction” early in the morning on February 2 every year.

This North American tradition that has been more than a century old, relies on a groundhog seeing his shadow.  If he does, he will return to his burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter.  If he does not see his shadow, then spring is on it's way.

This years predictions from Punxsutwney Phil from Pennsylviania,  predicted an early spring. Yay!

Ontario's Wiarton Willie and Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam predicts six more weeks of winter. Boo!

What would Ground hog day be with out the must watch classic movie with the same title," Ground Hog Day".  Bill Murray stars in this bizarre, quirky, romantic comedy that actually made Punxsutwney Phil  world famous.  The movie tagline:  "He's having the worst day of his life... over, and over..." .

With this mild winter and shadows everywhere, what are your spidey sense telling you?


                                                        Happy Ground Hog Day!