DIY Microwave Popcorn

I don't know about ya'll, but I LOVE popcorn!! The more butter and salt the better!  (Not better for you....but it sure does taste good!)  Last night I decided I would like some popcorn...but, I didn't have any microwave popcorn.  I do have an air popper, but I was being lazy and didn't feel like pulling it out.  So, I decided to try the DIY microwave popcorn I had seen on Pinterest!  It was good!  I did learn a couple things to make it better next time though!

The tutorials I read each said to put 1/4 c. popcorn kernels in a glass bowl.  I used the 1.5 quart, and it was much too small...  I would probably use my largest glass mixing bowl.  It also said to put a ceramic plate on top...that was no problem, unless you don't have one big enough for your bowl.

The tutorials also said to pop the popcorn about 3 minutes...that was not long enough for mine.  I'm sure all microwaves are different though and the time will vary from person to person.  I let mine go for about 4 minutes and my popcorn kernels were not all popped.  However, my bowl was full!

The healthiest way to eat the popcorn would be plain...but, I don't always go for the healthiest (even though I do try to usually).  I like to melt a chunk of real butter in a bowl with some olive oil and drizzle the mixture over the popped popcorn and then add some salt!

My snack was absolutely delicious!!  Let me know if you try it and if you like it!!

Easy Iced Coffee!!

Ever since college I have been a coffee drinker.  Probably more so when I am teaching.  However, I prefer decaf.  I also drink it for several reasons.  One reason is that it keeps me from snacking.  Another reason is that it is relaxing to drink a nice warm cup of coffee while sitting on the couch after everyone else is in bed!   It also is the perfect drink to accompany anything sweet, such as ice cream!

I have been wanting to perfect my iced coffee drink since college.  I do my best to pinch every penny possible...so I don't keep the air on 68 (much to my husbands dismay) in the summer.  Therefore, drinking hot coffee is not always what I want in the heat of summer...I still want the taste though!  So, after trying many different ideas and recipes I have finally made a simple,delicious, and easy iced coffee!!

You will need:

Coffee Pot

1 pkg sample coffee (like at Wal-Mart, those little bitty bags)

Ice trays

Milk

Sweetener (I used one pkg truvia per cup)

Chocolate/Caramel if desired
Flavored Creamer if desired (I love the Chocolate Caramel from International Delight)

I made a 12 cup pot of coffee using a whole small pkg of coffee.  I chose to use a flavored coffee for this.  Then I poured this into the ice cub trays and placed them in the freezer overnight. (I got over 4 dozen ice cubes).  The next day I dumped all the cubes out of the trays and into a freezer bag for storage.

To make each drink you simply make a cup of coffee as you usually would.  Add about 1/2 c milk (I use skim), 1 pkg sweetener (truvia),  4 to 6 coffee cubes, and flavor with chocolate/caramel if desired!  

Enjoy!!

**Also if you like that cup - check out some more Tervis Tumblers!! They are my favorite cups to use! they are microwave and dishwasher safe, keep hot drinks hot, cold drinks cold and don't sweat!!**