Thank you EVERYONE for your incredible support from my last post!
I’m so in love with all of my readers!
I have been reading healthy living blogs for a few years. I love them. They are great for inspiration, motivation, and tips to meet your goals, but sometimes they can be the exact opposite. Not only that, but I’ve also been reading blogs on unclutterer to keep myself updated on the newest kitchen appliances, which was quite interesting. Seeing a handful of bloggers post about their perfect meals & workouts day after day started to make me think that I was a failure because I couldn’t stick with a perfect diet and workout 7 days a week. I’ve realized that people only show what they want others to see. The world of social media is very filtered, and sometimes what you see is just a facade. Often times, people hide their true feelings and struggles. I had wanted to start a blog since the beginning of my weight loss journey, and I realized that I wanted to be something different. Why should I censor my hurdles and bumps in the road if so many others go through it as well? I realized that my struggles weren’t something that I needed to hide or be embarrassed about. It’s just a part of life, and there are so many others who could relate and know they are not alone. Just knowing that I have helped one person makes me happy.
Over the past couple of days I have seen such a beautiful thing occur on my blog. I’ve seen readers from all around the world support other readers through comments. A rare thing to see on the internet, right? (For example, any time I go on YouTube, videos are often filled with hurtful comments.) I love this little RFFMBT support community that is evolving! I’ve learned that there is so much more support than criticism to people who are honest and real, so I just wanted to say thank you so much for your respect, support, encouragement, and kind words.
“You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important” -The Help
“You are beautiful. You are enough.”
Since it’s a new year, I’m going to start with a new approach. I’m going to take everything one day at a time. I want to start out slow with some healthy snacks and recipes. They may not always follow the Rabbit Food Pyramid, but they will be healthy and clean! I want to focus on healthy swaps that can help you meet your goal!
Fried potato chips: Homemade Sweet Potato Chips, or Kale Chips
Starchy mashed potatoes: Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Carb loaded pizza: Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Sugar loaded yogurt: Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Prepackaged pudding: Chia Pudding
And of course my other favorite healthy snack: air popped popcorn!
Most microwavable popcorn that you see in stores (even the “low fat” kind) is filled with oils, butter, and tons of salt. By air popping your own popcorn, you can enjoy it as a light guiltless snack without the extra sodium and fat! Take that movie theater popcorn! All you need is a brown paper lunch bag, popcorn kernels, a measuring cup, and a minute and thirty seconds!
Brown Bag Popcorn
Makes about 4 cups popped (one serving= 2 cups)
1/4 cup popcorn kernels – yup, thats it!
Measure and pour the kernels into a brown paper bag. Close the bag by folding the open edges three times. DO NOT staple or tape the bag closed. Microwave on highest power for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Sprinkle with your favorite salt-free seasoning.
Note: Some microwaves cook faster than others, so if you start to hear 3 second pauses in between pops, it is probably done.
Join me in making small healthy changes to reach your goal. Let’s do this together!
Megan Hull
January 23, 2013 at 8:35 pm (12 years ago)yay!! you are back 🙂
Catherine
January 24, 2013 at 12:28 am (12 years ago)I’m back! 🙂
Emily
January 23, 2013 at 8:45 pm (12 years ago)I can’t believe it’s that easy to make healthy popcorn! I can’t wait to try this!
Jesiree
January 23, 2013 at 8:51 pm (12 years ago)What seasonings do you suggest for the popcorn?
Catherine
January 23, 2013 at 11:40 pm (12 years ago)I loveee seasonings, there are so many fun ones! I like Italian seasoning, Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute, and garlic-onion-herb. Mrs. Dash makes so many good salt-free blends. Of course you can always use a shake of salt if you desire. Sometimes salty popcorn just hits the spot. Sometimes seasonings have a hard time sticking to the popcorn (doesn’t bother me), so in this case you can lightly spray the popcorn with olive oil spray and then add the seasonings and shake it up in a container!
Nicole
January 23, 2013 at 8:56 pm (12 years ago)I am so happy to hear from you again!!!!! Thank you, thank you! Happy new year! And cheers to living in the moment and taking life one day at a time! Xoxo
Alexis
January 23, 2013 at 9:19 pm (12 years ago)Yum! Can’t wait to try this. So glad you’re back with great encouragement and recipes.
Karlie
January 23, 2013 at 9:47 pm (12 years ago)Seriously so happy you’re back!!! <3
Megan
January 23, 2013 at 10:15 pm (12 years ago)So glad to see a new post, and happy to see that it’s that easy to make popcorn. I recently discovered popping my own, instead of one of the pre-packaged ones (I know, I’m a little slow on the uptake…), and this just makes it so much easier.
@Jesiree: The first thing I thought of when you said salt-free seasoning was Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute. I don’t know if it would be good on popcorn, but it hasn’t been bad on anything I’ve tried before, and the only things in it are dried herbs. Worth a try, right?
Catherine
January 23, 2013 at 11:41 pm (12 years ago)I love Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute! So funny, I actually just suggested that to Jesiree right before reading your comment!
April
January 23, 2013 at 11:32 pm (12 years ago)So glad to see you back on the blog! It’s one of my favorites to read and I definitely gain lots of inspiration through here, even your truthfulness is inspiring in itself. Taking things one day at a time is all you can do! :]
Catherine
January 24, 2013 at 12:15 am (12 years ago)Thank you so much April! I’m so happy to be back and hear from my readers, I missed everyone! xo
Judith
January 24, 2013 at 1:26 am (12 years ago)Why ooow Why did I toss out my microwave!?!?! I do make my own popcorn, but I use coconutoil to make it. Using herbs instead of salt is a great tip! (sorry if my spelling and grammar is off, I’m Dutch ;D)
Catherine
January 24, 2013 at 1:37 am (12 years ago)Hi Judith! Your English is perfect! One of my best friends just moved to Holland and is trying to learn Dutch! Do you make your popcorn over the stove? It’s so much fun 🙂 xo
Judith
January 24, 2013 at 2:39 am (12 years ago)What a small world! Dutch is really hard to learn I’ve been told. Our grammer has more exceptions than rules! Haha. Yes I use a pan with a lid, I love waiting for the kernels to start popping!xo
Misty
January 24, 2013 at 6:40 am (12 years ago)Can’t believe it’s that easy. We don’t typically use microwave but will have try.
Madeleine
January 24, 2013 at 7:11 am (12 years ago)I had never thought to make popcorn this way, but it makes total sense! Thanks for the tip!
Heather {Dietetic Sinners}
January 24, 2013 at 7:21 am (12 years ago)I’m so glad you back! I love your blog=) Now I have to go out and get me some lil brown paper bags to make me some popcornny goodness!
kristen m
January 24, 2013 at 7:23 am (12 years ago)This is one of my favorite tricks for healthy popcorn! I love that everyone can add their own toppings. So glad you are back from hibernation; you are such an inspiration for me and a bright spot in my day 🙂 <3
Free
January 24, 2013 at 7:32 am (12 years ago)Love the popcorn and mashed cauliflower idea! Will def try this week!
Free
January 24, 2013 at 7:34 am (12 years ago)Love the popcorn and mashed cauliflower idea! Will def try this week! Also I have already made the yogurt switch to chobani. It’s really good and my local grocery store ( Kroger) gas them on sale for $1 this week!
Emily Schneider
January 24, 2013 at 9:26 am (12 years ago)So happy you are back & feeling better. From about May to December I put on about 15lbs and for my size, that was a lot – most I’ve ever weighed. I am happy to say that I am back feeling myself again as well. Something must have been in the California water. Thank you for being honest; it truly helps people like me know I’m not alone. It’s why I started following your blog in the first place.
On a happier note – I LOVE this recipe! It’s a family tradition of mine to “shake the pan” or make popcorn in over the stove. I’ve never been able to get the hang of it living alone but this seems perfect to try! Same great, healthy & fresh taste!
I also started blogging, pretty new to it still but I would love if you checked it out 🙂 http://emmaxxjo.blogspot.com/
Nicole
January 24, 2013 at 11:04 am (12 years ago)So happy you’re back! I’m definitely going to try out this popcorn recipe. When I make my own popcorn in my popcorn maker, I like to make different kinds and sprinkle it with sea salt or garlic powder, cinnamon, or even cumin and chili powder!
Madeline
January 24, 2013 at 11:06 am (12 years ago)I missed your blog so much! So happy that you are back:) and I’m so thankful that you have been honest and sharing the things you go through. It helps so much to know that other people have struggles too. I think struggles are what make life such a rewarding journey because they always teach us something 🙂
Amar
January 24, 2013 at 11:34 am (12 years ago)Welcome back. The funny thing is I was checking up on your blog regularly. I was waiting for a new post for months. Stopped checking and then on my drive back up to Sacramento I was thinking about you as I was planning my meal at a fast food joint. So I thought to myself on Monday, just maybe you came back… and there you were! A new post! So excited to read your blog again daily. Good luck to all of us on this healthier lifestyle journey. Thanks for the popcorn post as I am going to try it out tonight.
MacKenzie
January 24, 2013 at 12:03 pm (12 years ago)“I have been reading healthy living blogs for a few years. I love them. They are great for inspiration, motivation, and tips to meet your goals, but sometimes they can be the exact opposite. Seeing a handful of bloggers post about their perfect meals & workouts day after day started to make me think that I was a failure because I couldn’t stick with a perfect diet and workout 7 days a week.”
This beyond resonated with me…I always felt like I was failing somehow reading those blogs. I wondered why they could do it and I couldn’t just be perfect. Your blog was fantastic before, but now it’s something I can relate to personally, and makes me feel normal (if that makes sense)…thank you for being real 🙂
Jessa
January 24, 2013 at 4:00 pm (12 years ago)This is an awesome idea! My roommate and I eat popcorn way too much….this will be perfect to try! You’re blog helped me so much with eating clean and healthy, its kept me motivated and on track with my goal! Thanks 🙂
Rachel
January 24, 2013 at 4:16 pm (12 years ago)I also love fitness/health blogs! There are a few I make it a point to check each week (RFFMBT included!!) but I rarely feel compelled to leave a comment. I do want to make sure you know something though – I have noticed that your blog is consistently positive, and I appreciate that immensely. And I don’t mean positive in a happy-go-lucky, nothing ever goes wrong, cheerleader-y kind of way; I guess what I mean is that it feels more loving than others.
For example, there was a post on one of my favorite blogs the other day about a reality TV show and the lifestyle it depicts, and a lot of readers were really offended by how the writer handled the topic. I love the blog, I know the writer meant well, but the way the post was written felt mean rather than productive. Your posts have never made me uncomfortable, and I get a sense of community from them. Like we are all in it together, because we are! So thank YOU for creating the type of positive environment that allows readers to interact in a respectful and encouraging way.
ALSO, I read a comment on yesterday’s post that suggested making tote bags, and I just wanted to echo that sentiment. 🙂 A RFFMBT tote or reusable grocery bag would be so exciting, just saying!
Haley @ fullnfit
January 24, 2013 at 5:38 pm (12 years ago)I am going to have to try this! I just ordered popcorn kernels from iherb for my air popper, but if I only need a brown bag?!? wow! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Clarke
January 24, 2013 at 6:36 pm (12 years ago)Hello,
I have just stumbled upon your blog while doing research for my own blog which say to not only eat rabbit food!! ha, obviously you don’t only eat rabbit food but i thought it was funny that our blogs are quite opposite. Oh and also yours is a success… in under a year!! congrats!! My blog started in 2013 and I haven’t found my feet yet, still writing like a high schooler! any tips?
anyway, I have enjoyed reading yours, and have subscribed for more posts!! I’ve already wrote down one of your recipes!!
Sarah Clarke
Elizabeth Carole
January 24, 2013 at 7:27 pm (12 years ago)It needs to be said one. more. time.
SO HAPPY YOU’RE BACK!!! 😀
Katherine
January 25, 2013 at 6:29 am (12 years ago)I’m very happy that you’re back! I really love your blog because I feel like I relate to you in so many ways when it comes to health and stupid problems that suck! Hahah. Two years ago, my doctor figured out I had PCOS. Most people just go on birth control to fix it, and I’ve been on and off a bunch of different kinds before. Last August, my doctor made the call that I shouldn’t be on birth control at all because a) I get migraines and b) some kinds give me depression. But, it’s not so bad, I just have to deal with bad hormonal acne and some other crappy girl stuff.
I hope you’re feeling awesome and beautiful and I can’t wait to see more food posts! (And other posts too!)
hannah
January 25, 2013 at 7:10 am (12 years ago)Katherine,
Your blog has been so helpful for me & I love all of your recipes that I’ve tried. I have recently had bariatric surgery and am trying to start my own blog about how to cook bariatric approved recipes in smaller portions- currently my stomach only holds about 2 oz. at a time, so a lot of food ends up getting thrown out. It’s been a challenge for me, and I want to help other people that are going through a similar challenge the way you’ve helped your bunnies. I would love to know more about how you got your blog started and what kind of hosts you’ve used- anything would be so helpful. Hope to hear from you soon.
dria
January 25, 2013 at 9:32 am (12 years ago)thank you! my mom and i had an air popper that we used and loved for years until it finally gave up. i haven’t been able to spare the funds to buy a new one. this is such a great alternative, because i LOVE popcorn but don’t love the excess sodium and calories…not to mention this is WAY cheaper. and also, again, thank you for always being honest…i’ve felt the same way too, seeing other people’s “perfect” clean eating and workouts…it does sometimes demotivate me instead of inspire me. i’ve been reading your blog for a year and just wanted to let you know how much your enthusiasm and commitment means. welcome back!
Nicole Benoit
January 25, 2013 at 9:47 am (12 years ago)I’m a new reader to your blog, and I adore it! Thank you for having the courage to share you ups AND downs. I’m at the beginning of my journey (for the 10th time?), and have been reading lots of blogs and keeping a blog myself for accountability.
All the best to you! <3
Jessica
January 25, 2013 at 4:39 pm (12 years ago)Katherine, Soooo happy your back! I’ve been missing your blog and your charming personality and tips. I am a regular reader and yours has been my favorite healthy blog since I stumbled across it over the summer! You are such an amazing individual for sharing the hard times with your readers. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to do that, but the people you help cannot thank you enough! Myself included. I have months where I am so proud of myself and my weight-loss progress and journey. And then periods (LIKE RIGHT NOW) where I am struggling and sad and depressed because I just can’t get back to that routine of eating clean on a regular basis. Every time you share some of your story and struggles, I really feel like I am not alone. Thanks for being you!
Jola
January 26, 2013 at 3:37 am (12 years ago)I love paper bag popcorn. It’s soooo good to have as a snack!
http://kleinefotogeschichten.blogspot.de/
Adrienne
January 26, 2013 at 9:02 pm (12 years ago)I am so so glad you’re back! I discovered rffmbt right before your hiatus and I’m so glad I kept checking in. I was so worried that you wouldn’t renew your domain so I’ve been siphoning recipes off of your site and onto a folder on my desktop. Now I can stop. YAY!
P.S. Please put out a cookbook
amy
January 30, 2013 at 12:14 pm (12 years ago)Yay!!! so glad you are back and feeling better. Hope your health continues and strengthens.
kristie
February 5, 2013 at 10:44 am (12 years ago)nutritional yeast is also a great seasoning.
Amanda
February 17, 2013 at 10:27 pm (12 years ago)Today is the first time I’ve seen your blog (Pinterest is so awesome) Thank you thank you for this recipe!!! I love popcorn, and have wanted an air popper, but have a tiny kitchen with no space for one, so this is PERFECT!! I also love your motivational Monday quotes. I’ve just started my weight loss journey, and those quotes are awesome motivation.