Movie Night, With Deliciously Healthy Popcorn!

Tomorrow night, I'm surprising my husband with a
movie date!
(I got this super cute idea from Love, Actually!)(Believe it or not, my husband has actually wanted to see this movie since it came out, but we've never got around to watching it!:)

I made up the movie ticket for him on the computer, and tonight I taped it to his steering wheel, so he'll see it as he's leaving for work tomorrow morning!
SHHHH! ;D


Today I had to figure out what movie type snacks we would have on our date!!
I may want to have a date with my sweetheart, but I don't want to gain any love pounds! So I've been in the kitchen experimenting with
Deliciously Healthy popcorn ideas!

Here's what I came up with:

Cheesy Popcorn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
• salt

This is What You Do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat.
• Gently stir in cheese and salt.
  

Here's what I'm thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 109
  

Coconut Popcorn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 2 TBS coconut oil
• Salt
  

**Note: I haven't tried this yet, but I think it would be super good if you added shreds of coconut to the mix, to add a little more coconut flavor.

This is what you Do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS coconut oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat
• Add salt to taste
  

Here's What I'm Thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 59

Kettle Corn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 4 TBS sugar
• Salt

This is What You do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, and the 1/2 cup of sugar.
  
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels and the sugar in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat.

Here's What I'm Thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 81

Making the popcorn is really quite fun!! It would be a great activity to do together, or a fun family activity!

Along with the popcorn, I also got some candy that you might see at the theater!
Mike and Ike for the hubs, and Junior Mints for Moi! I know, I know, not the healthiest thing in the world. Out of the all the (chocolate) candy that's out there, I think York Peppermint Patties, and Junior Mints, are a couple of the lower calorie options. I'm excited!

Psst... If there are any guys out there reading this post, you will simply melt your lady's heart if you do this for her, and she'll love you for ever and ever!
I guarantee it! ;D