I have a problem… I’m addicted to microwave popcorn and I can’t give it up. I know how it’s supposed to be really bad for you and all about “popcorn lung,” but it’s so. so. addicting. It’s the perfect snack that you can eat when you want something salty. It’s light, buttery, and never ending. I don’t feel as bad finishing a whole bag of popcorn as I do finishing a can of Pringles.
I’ve tried the healthier versions that don’t require the microwave bags lined in butter, but it’s not the same. Why would you eat fat free popcorn when movie theater butter is sitting right next to it? I’ve even tried popping my own kernels and adding seasonings to it later: butter seasoning, salt, sugar.. you name it, I’ve tried it.
To no avail. I bought the Costco sized pack of Orville Redenbacher’s movie theater style and that box calls out to me every night. What do I do when I’m catching up on my shows, when the DB is playing video games, or when we watch a movie on Netflix? Eat popcorn. It’s terrible.
I did a little more research and I found out microwave popcorn’s really bad for you. Especially the kind I like. When I asked my DB if consuming 30% of my saturated fat in popcorn a day, his jaw dropped.
He then replied, “That’s for people that consume 2,000 calories a day and I doubt you eat that much…. soooo… it’s probably more like 40-50% for you. Saturated fat isn’t the kind of fat that makes you fat, though. It clogs your arteries.”
How wonderful. I’m going to have a heart attack when I’m 28. Starting today, I’ve decided to give up my favorite snack for a while. Not cut it out completely, but maybe something more like once a week rather than six times a week. I’m sure that’ll be less harmful to my body.
Little do we know how bad the food we eat is. If you don’t know how to read nutrition labels properly, then you could really be misguided. That means I should probably make my own food more, so I know exactly what goes into it.
Throughout this whole “cooking more” stage of my life, I’ve learned that cooking is only as hard as you make it. There’s no need to stress about it, like I have been doing for too long. It’s really not that hard. The rules are a lot more flexible in cooking than baking. There are no precise measurements and it’s very forgiving.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew
- 1/2 jar of Trader Joe's Marinara Sauce (13 oz)
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/4 of an onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp red pepper
- dash of tabasco
- handful of spinach
Directions
- Put all of the ingredients except for the spinach into a crockpot. Give it a stir.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Just before serving, stir in a the handful of spinach until it completely withers. Serve over pasta.
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And now for the giveaway! I’ll be giving away:
This Wilton Baking Sensations 5 Piece Bakeware Set! I know how it was starting to bake… things are expensive! There are so many pans that are “essential” in your kitchen that you can’t do without. This Wilton set will cover your basics. Or, if you already have baking pans, consider this the time for an upgrade.
You’ll be getting two 8 inch round cake pans.
and a medium cookie pan.
(Those aren’t the exact links, but they’re the closest I could find online.)
Now for the rules! How to enter:
- Leave a comment on the About Me page with a tidbit about yourself. I want to get to know my readers!
- “Pin” this giveaway and come back leaving a separate comment saying you did so.
- Become a fan of Lovin’ From the Oven on Facebook (if you aren’t already) and post a separate comment saying you’re a fan.
- Tweet this giveaway and post a comment with the link.
- Post a Facebook status about this giveaway and link back to this page. Then leave a separate comment with the link.
melissa@IWasBornToCook says
I like you on facebook 🙂
Tracy C. says
I liked you on facebook!
april v says
leave comment on ‘about me’ page = done!
Lisa says
I already like you on facebook 🙂
Catherine W. says
I liked you on FB.
Aisha a says
i liked you on facebook!
Aisha a says
i pinned the giveaway! http://pinterest.com/pin/69242912992828930/
Aisha a says
i tweeted the giveaway!https://twitter.com/AishaAnsano/status/296387520504139776
Aisha a says
i shared the giveaway on facebook! I don’t think you can see it on my page bcasue its private but i tagged you in it!
Shary says
Fan on FB: Shary Lopez
Shary says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/sharylove/status/296390233413525504
Kelly D says
I commented on your about me page.
Kelly D says
pinned
http://pinterest.com/pin/170925748329580383/
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/296411300148416513
Susan says
I’m a fan on FB and I pinned you!
Jamie n says
Tweeted about this giveaway!!
https://twitter.com/flyawayfaye/status/296434835436756992
Jamie n says
I’m a facebook fan 🙂
Jamie n says
Pinned it!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/97249673175582150/
Thanks!
Laurie E. says
I already like you on facebook!
Beth says
I pinned your giveway and hope to win.
Beth says
liked your facebook page
Beth says
shared your giveaway on facebook. I hope I win. Love your recipes and have already tried many.
Candice says
Liked on Facebook!
Yashica says
I pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/257760778644935358/
Yashica says
i liked on facebook http://www.facebook.com/sheeks.powell
natalie S says
I am a fan of your facebook page!
Marissa todd says
I pinned your giveaway!http://pinterest.com/pin/207587864046316618/
Marissa todd says
i also liked you on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovin-From-the-Oven/195762494209?ref=ts&fref=ts
Marissa todd says
i also posted it on my facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovin-From-the-Oven/195762494209?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/marissa.todd.31
that’s four entries! fingers crossed!
Tu Anh says
oh yea i liked you on facebook 🙂
melissa says
I’m a fan on your fb and a i’ve pinned this. and wrote in the about me. melissa from arizona
Blessie Nelson says
commented on your about me section!
Blessie Nelson says
pinned!
http://pinterest.com/pin/249598004320240727/
Blessie Nelson says
FB follower – blessie nelson
Blessie Nelson says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/Bless_Eliz/status/296831122455789568
Diana B says
I liked your facebook page! I didn’t even know you had one!
Diana B says
I pinned this giveaway to pinterest.
nichelle says
I commented on your “about me” page. this is an awesome giveaway, btw.
nichelle says
i liked your page on facebook and left a comment.
nichelle says
i tweeted about the giveaway: http://t.co/0kbvyyyt
brittany says
https://www.facebook.com/brittany.brimer/posts/443305935738936
brittany says
i liked your Facebook page!
Mimi says
i PINNED THE GIVEAWAY
Mimi says
i follow you on fb
Mimi says
i posted about the giveaway here: https://www.facebook.com/culinaryxcouture/posts/130623307106273
Alisha B. says
I am a loving fan on Facebook! <3
Alisha B. says
I tweeted about the lovely giveaway!
https://mobile.twitter.com/AlishaBetts/status/297311911857508352
Alisha B. says
I posted a Facebook status about this lovely giveaway! <3
My Facebook is on private but I did tag your Facebook page in my post, I hope that's alright!
https://www.facebook.com/maroonswoon
dymphna says
pinned your giveaway
dymphna says
became your fb friend
dymphna says
tweeted
dymphna says
shared on fb
Susan C says
like you on FB
Katie says
Pinned it! Love all your recipes! 🙂 You’re an inspiration!
Natalie says
i posted on your about me 🙂
Yixin says
I pinned this. http://pinterest.com/pin/474637248198265423/
I also posted on you about me page.
dc says
i liked your page on fb! 🙂
Laura says
i pinned you on pintrest!
kesha says
I wrote a note about me on the about me page!
kesha says
I pinned this giveaway on pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/118993615126354359/
kesha says
i like you on facebook
kesha says
i shared this giveaway on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/#!/kesha.gooding/posts/535337613167873
kesha says
I tweeted this giveaway
https://twitter.com/keshakeke/status/298762158450302976
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