In addition to a whole host of things you don’t want to put in your body, the buttery taste comes from Diacetyl, which is the cause of–are you ready for this?–”Popcorn Worker’s Lung”–a potentially fatal lung disease caused the by inhalation of fumes given off when the diacetyl-laced popcorn is cooked.
But here’s an easy–and much healthier–version:

Just pour 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag.  Fold the top three times over.  Put it in the microwave for  a minute or two.  I think it’s best to take the cooked kernels out and pour them in a bowl and put the uncooked ones back in for another minute–that way you don’t have half a bag of the awful burned ones.  (Here’s some additional instructions if you really need them…)

To add some flavor, grab some Kernel Season’s popcorn toppings on the top shelf over the microwave popcorn–there are several flavors to choose from and have less fat and calories than butter, oil or grated cheese.

Enjoy!

A dual-citizen of France and Colombia, Batencourt took the great risk of running for presidency in Colombia in 2002, and was kidnapped by the notorious Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  As FARC’s highest profile hostage, she was held in the jungles of Colombia for 6 long years with, at times, up to 300 others, often battling jungle illnesses, inhumane treatment and despair.

The story struck such a cord in me because she was powerless as a mother for all that time–while her children grew up without her.  Her daughter was 12, her son 16 when she was taken.  I just can’t imagine the sadness of my children growing into adulthood without the ability to see or communicate with them even once.

Yesterday was truly Independence Day.  And for me, it was the first day I felt the visceral joy and jubilation of what it means (even if for someone I have never met) to experience freedom.