Pop up some fun this fall

October 07, 2009

Did you know that October is national popcorn popping month? Use that as an excuse to eat more than usual of the nutritious and delicious snack.

On its own, popcorn is fat-free and full of fiber, so don't feel too guilty about popping up a bag in the microwave (just check the nutrition info first). Use an old-fashioned air popper to make it an even healthier snack. You could also use this month as a chance to enhance your popcorn with some flavorful toppings. Try Parmesan cheese, a little black pepper or even a dash of chili powder over your popcorn for an extra kick.

Kids will love making (and eating) popcorn balls, and they are incredibly easy to whip up. Check out a recipe online, or just substitute popcorn for rice cereal to make marshmallow popcorn treats. Or, melt some chocolate and caramel on the stove and drizzle it over popcorn - it will be a truly decadent treat. Refrigerate and allow to cool completely before eating.

Of course, there are plenty of festive crafts that you can do with popcorn too. To create popcorn Halloween decorations, use a needle and thread to create strings of popcorn, and alternate the golden kernels with black and orange beads. Let kids display their popcorn streamers in the kitchen or their bedroom before the big day!