Celebrate National Popcorn Day! Make Popcorn Balls.

Sunday, January 19th is NATIONAL POPCORN DAY. 

Why not celebrate one of our favorite snack foods by having the kids make up some popcorn balls. Here is an easy recipe for MARSHMALLOW POPCORN BALLS taken from the I (heart) Eating website:

https://www.ihearteating.com/easy-popcorn-ball-recipe/

Ingredients

1 bag natural microwave popcorn*

1/4 cup butter

10 ounce bag mini marshmallows

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Pop popcorn according to package directions; set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter.
• Continue cooking until butter begins to turn golden brown.
• Add marshmallows, and stir constantly until marshmallows have melted.
• Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
• Add popcorn, and fold into marshmallow mixture.
• When mixture is cool enough to handle, lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray.
• Scoop about 1 cup of the popcorn mixture and smoosh it into a ball.
• Place on a sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or silicone baking mat to cool.

Notes

*Or about 9-10 cups of popped plain popcorn
**You can press candy pieces into the outside of popcorn balls.

***Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1popcorn ball: Calories: 131kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 23g (8%)Fat: 4g (6%)Saturated Fat: 2g (10%)Cholesterol: 12mg (4%)Sodium: 63mg (3%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 140IU (3%)Calcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mg (1%)

More popcorn ball recipes

• S’mores Popcorn Balls
• Sweet & Salty Popcorn Balls

HAPPY POPCORN DAY!

One Resolution For the New Year:Help Teachers Serve Those Underserved.

As students get back into the school routine after winter break, many classroom teachers might be struggling to help the most needy in their schools. You can help those underserved students, and the teachers who serve them, by donating school supplies.

DonorsChoose.org is an organization that empowers teachers in public schools across the nation to request materials and experiences greatly needed in their classrooms. Recent statistics indicate that 81% of all public schools in the US have at least one teacher who has posted a project or request on its website. Most of the schools who participate have more than half of the student population coming from low-income families. Requests can be as simple as paint to freshen up a classroom, mulch and topsoil to create a garden space, art supplies for a classroom, and more.

I donated to a classroom in MI asking for funds to purchase high interest Chapter Books for its students.

Feed  the hunger for knowledge by making a classroom teacher’s job a bit easier. To learn more: http://www.DonorsChoose.org

Easy Last-minute Thanksgiving Treats Kids Can Make.

I recently went to a party and we did this “food craft” with the kids. They had fun making these treats and serving them to everyone afterwards. The recipe was on the package of Kisses.

Candy Acorns

You will need:  Hershey Kisses unwrapped, peanut butter morsels, mini Vanilla Wafers, vanilla frosting for glue.  Take a look at the photo…it’s self-explanatory.

MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

Got Food? Give Some to Those in Need.

With the holidays coming up, we often think of the needs of those who might be hungry. It’s wonderful to share our bounty during the holiday season. But people aren’t hungry only in November and December. More than 47 million Americans use food banks for some or all of their meals YEAR ROUND.

Take some time today to donate non-perishables to a local food bank. They also need toiletries, diapers, wipes, and sanitary products. Why not make this WORTHWHILE SERVICE PROJECT part of your monthly family routine and teach your children the value of giving to others.

To find a food bank near you: http://www.feedingamerica.org

Save Seeds…Save Life…Spread Some Beauty

I’ve been reading a lot lately about the critical importance of SEEDS.  It’s not something we think much about, but our very lives depend on seeds.  Without them, we have no food.  And we all know how important food is.  If you hold seeds in your hand…you hold life.  Monsanto and other companies hold patents on seeds.  Think about this: THEY CAN CONTROL THE WORLD’S FOOD.  If we want to ensure biodiversity and ample food for future generations, we need to preserve seeds and all the abundant varieties of foods they represent.  How can we do it?

Saving seeds was common practice for our ancestors, to ensure that there would be food even during lean times.  As mechanization and hybridization took over farming in the 20th Century, the practice was lost….but thankfully, not forgotten.

SEED BANKS are popping up in an unusual place…your local library.  There are more than 600 seed libraries in North America.  These collections will provide a free packet of seeds, information on gardening and seed saving techniques.  SEED SAVERS is responsible for much of today’s seed library stock.  It has 25,000 varieties – many of them rare or exclusive – dating before WWII. These seeds belong in the public domain and cannot be patented. The goal is to get these seeds into as many people’s hands as possible.  Why not visit your local library and plant some seeds?

For more information on this important program visit: http://www.seedsavers.org

http://www.libraryseedbank.info

You can spread some beauty in your own backyard by making some wildflower SEED BOMBS. 

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Seed-Bomb

For more garden crafts visit:  http://www.redtedart.com/garden-crafts-challenge-get-crafty/

DIY Backyard Activities.

There is still plenty of summer left to enjoy.  You can get kids out of the house and keep them busy by making your own backyard a fun-filled oasis for the kids.  Besides the usual sprinkler, water balloon fights, and assorted water games, check out these really cool outdoor activities from Buzz Feed.  There’s backyard dominoes, lawn twister, bean bag toss, giant bubbles and a do-it-yourself slip and slide.

Many of the activities use things already on hand, so there is no need to invest in new gadgets.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/cieravelarde/suns-out-funs-out?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Parents%20614&utm_content=Parents%20614%2BCID_04fc34111fe2dc9b39baa67b7b04ef20&utm_source=BuzzFeed%20Newsletters&utm_term=.poglK3NawX#.cdy5Aw7rVb

Happy summer fun!

Starry, Starry Night: Stargazing 101

For a unique and fun-filled family evening, pack up a thermos of your favorite beverage, some cookies or other snacks, flashlights, and a few blankets.  Then head out to an open field or playground where you can view the stars.  The best viewing sites are those where there is little interference from ground lighting.

Kids will enjoy using binoculars as well or a portable telescope if you have one.  Leave electronic devices in the car.  All you really need is your eyes and  a willingness to relax, lie down on the blanket and watch the sky.  Play a game of “connect the stars” to make figures like ancient astronomers did with the constellations.

For serious star gazers, the best spots to view them around the country can be found at http://www.wholeliving.com/starstruck.