National Popcorn Day!

Why is January 19th National popcorn day? No one knows. There is no record of the event being declaired, but who cares, its popcorn!

Popcorn does not always come highly recomended and there are times we have to say, "no thanks." It has been reported that one movie chains medium popcorn and soda combo contained three days' worth of saturated fat. That might taste good, but it will kill you in the end.

On the other hand, Organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the American Dental Association and the American Dietetic Association have stated that popcorn is a sensible snack that fits with any fitness plan.

Here are some nutritional information about Popcorn (courtesy popcorn.org )

Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup; oil-popped popcorn has only 55 calories per cup.

When lightly buttered, popcorn contains about 133 calories per cup.

Popcorn provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates

Popcorn contains fiber, providing roughage the body needs in the daily diet.

Popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories.

Popcorn has no artificial additives or preservatives, and is sugar-free.

Popcorn is ideal for between meal snacking since it satisfies and doesn't spoil the appetite.

3 cups of popcorn equal one serving from the grain group.

Americans today consume 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. The average American eats about 54 quarts.

I personally love caramel popcorn myself, but National Caramel Popcorn Day isn’t until April 7th. (No Kidding).

Don’t think I’ll be waiting till then though.

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

There are a lot of mixed reactions out there about “National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.”

Some love it and go after it with a sense of humor.
http://frazierfauxpaus.blogspot.com/2009/12/national-chocolate-covered-anything-day.html

Others think it stupid and go after it with a sense of humor. http://www.chocablog.com/news/national-chocolate-covered-anything-day/

Me. I love chocolate every day. Just a little to melt in my mouth and taste. I’ve mentioned this just a few days ago. But here we are now and I didn’t know that this day was coming. What a great surprise!

Personally I like to keep my chocolate in the freezer. It gives me a nice crunch when I eat it. I use to be able to keep chocolate in my freezer for months at a time and eat it slowly. That is until I go married. Our first Christmas together my wife bought me a candy cane filled with M&Ms. I was at the end of my need for chocolate for the holidays faze, so I put it in the freezer. In March I was craving and went to look for it. I emptied out the freezer and could not find my chocolate. So I went to my wife. She said it was gone the first period she had after Christmas.

Now I hide my chocolate in many places around the house. My wife and kids are always trying to look for it. They think it is a game. I just want my daily chocolate fix in peace. I do share so it is not as if I’m a scrooge hiding my treats away for just me. I just get ticked when I go for my treat and what should have been a month supply is gone.

Back to National Chocolate Covered Anything Day. If you try any crazy chocolate covered something, let me know.

My favorite always will be chocolate covered strawberries, followed be chocolate covered bacon, and of course chocolate covered Ritz crackers and pretzels.

Enjoy National Chocolate Covered Anything Day today and tomorrow, and maybe a little the day after that.

dr. siegal s cookie diet

Cookie diet? It caught me eye. I am not big on fad diets or the latest exercise scam, however I have had a constant diet plan. The result is I have been the same paint size for the last 18 years. The great thing is I do eat what I love. (Chocolate once a day almost). The real trick to a diet is moderation.
Moderation in my diet means I can have a Hersey’s kiss or a small bit size chunk of chocolate, or a cookie. Eating it is a ritual for me. I put it in my mouth and let it melt as I spread it over my tongue. My kid can eat a big candy bar faster than it takes me to savor every bit of my treat. The other day I asked her if she tasted it when she wolfed hers down. She couldn’t remember.
So I like good things, and can eat cookies and other great sweats, so, as I said the cookie diet caught my eye. However I was very disappointed. Here is what I found:
“Eat cookies whenever you want--and still lose weight! But don't picture sugar cookies with sprinkles and gingerbread men, these are not your regular cookies. Dr. Siegal has created the "Cookie Diet"--which is a weight-loss system that helps control hunger with cookies and shakes.”
More prepackaged junk with a high sticker price- no thanks Dr. Siegal. The only way to maintain weight is to reduce calories and increase activity. Do not be afraid to feel hungry. If you eat healthy and add a few treats in the mix, and drink lots of water you’ll loose weight and maintain your figure, like me. Cookie diet, I am fine without it.

Now give me a kiss.