Cook: Kettle Corn the Healthy Way!

My coconut oil giveaway winner, Rachel D., who I updated you on yesterday, made this simple and delicious popcorn treat with her prize! She sells doTERRA essential oils and makes her own version of this recipe. The original recipe can be found HERE. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of popcorn kernels (or one microwave bag of unsalted/unbuttered popcorn)
• 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 4-5 drops of On Guard Protective Blend from doTERRA essential oils
• 2-3 drop Cinnamon Bark essential oil
• ground cinnamon to taste
• salt to taste

Directions for loose kernels:

Air pop the popcorn and place in a large mixing bowl. Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and essential oils. Pour the maple syrup mixture over the popcorn and mix well. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and a touch of salt. Mix thoroughly and enjoy! 

Directions for bagged popcorn:

Pop the popcorn according to your microwave's settings or the directions on the bag. Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and essential oils. Pour the maple syrup mixture over the popcorn and mix well. You can also drizzle the liquid mixture into the bag and shake it up. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and a touch of salt. Mix thoroughly and enjoy! 

I haven't made this myself yet but I really would love to! Rachel said that the On Guard blend from doTERRA is similar to the Thieves blend from Young Living. My assumption would be that they're fairly interchangeable but I haven't tried On Guard yet. Can't wait to try all these new things!

What's your favorite way to customize popcorn? 

Till next time,

Catherine

Coconut Oil Giveaway-Winner Update!

You may remember my insane excitement regarding my very first giveaway last month, well my lovely winner, Rachel D., sent me a couple pictures of how she's using her prize! If you don't remember, the prize was an entire quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil! That stuff is the bomb! I add it to so much of my cooking and even feed it to my dogs to maintain their health!

Rachel made this yummy popcorn with her coconut oil!

Mmm!

I want to dig in too! It looks so delicious! The recipe is quick and easy...I'll post it tomorrow!

Rachel works with doTERRA essential oils company so be sure to check out her website! I have personally only bought and used Young Living essential oils but I have been wanting to experience other companies as well. Hint hint! Keep your ears...er...eyes...open for another potential review and giveaway in the near future!!!

What would you have made if you won? If you use essential oils, what's your favorite brand and why? What oil would you love to win?

Till next time,

Catherine

Cook: Tuna/Chicken Salad Like No Other!

Tuna salad...such a simple recipe. It's good just about any time, any place. And if you're not feeling tuna or don't have any, you can always switch and use chicken. This recipe is fantastic for both. I developed this myself over time just picking ingredients that I thought would be tasty! I found out last night that it's one of my husband's favorite things that I made! Who knew! Together 7 years (married only 6 months) and we're STILL learning new things about one another!

Keep in mind...I don't generally cook with exact measurements. Unless it's necessary. Usually the first time I make a recipe, I'll go by exact measurements but after that I just throw things in. I learned this from my mom and it's just the way I cook now! That being said, there are no exact measurements in this recipe. You can totally customize it with whatever specifics you want!

Ingredients:

• Can of tuna (or chicken)
• Your favorite mayo - to taste
• Colby Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese, about two slices
• Craisins
• Flax seeds
• Dill weed
• Fennel seed or tarragon (tarragon is better with chicken but they both cut the fishy taste)
• Walnuts

Directions:

Drain the chicken or tuna. I'm a nut and don't like hardly any water in there so I even mush paper towels into the can to get all the excess! I like the moisture to be from the mayo. But be sure to give the juice to whatever begging pet is at your feet!

Add in the mayo to taste. I'm using Kraft Mayo with olive oil to try and be a little healthier. I like the way it tastes too! I would estimate I used a tablespoon and a half. Never measured it though. My advice is to add in a spoonful, mix, and taste test, add more as needed, till you have it the way you like it.

Note: I don't add salt because I feel like there is plenty in the chicken itself. Feel free to add salt and pepper to taste!

Cut about two slices off your cheese block. I'm using colby jack today but cheddar can be just as delicious! It just depends what you're feeling!

Shhh, don't tell anyone I wasn't using a cutting board! I like to cut the cheese (hardy-har-har) into small cubes, but you can shred it if you prefer.

Then add about a handful or so of craisins. This is my favorite part! I love craisins!! Add a small handful of walnuts, crushed to whatever size you prefer. Then toss in some flax seeds (ground or whole), dill weed, and fennel seed (or tarragon).

Yummmm

Mix to perfectection and enjoy!! I love this mix so much that I usually eat it by itself with no toast or bread. Now that I've been making my own honey wheat bread, it goes perfectly with it and I might not be able to resist tonight!

Just check out how delicious it looks on homemade honey wheat bread or a delicious wheat wrap! Add a handful of lettuce or spinach leaves and make it a fuller meal! I swear I could eat it all the time! And it's really healthy!

Bon appetit! 

Tonight we're combining the chicken salad with a lovely veggie soup! Delicious!

Do you have your own famous tuna salad or chicken salad recipes?  What are some of your favorite simple recipes?

Till next time,
Catherine

I've linked up to Wellness Wednesday (August-Week 3) with Intoxicated on Life, Nourishing Treasures, Raising the Barrs and Finding The Source!