Holidays

Maize: Staple of the Americas

May 3rd, 2013
by Wendy.
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from www.popcorn.org

Holidays like Cinco de Mayo whet the appetite for flavors south of the border. Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines are typically knows for bold and blood-pumping ingredients. And while other cultures may use rice, potatoes or pasta as the base for meal making, Mexican cuisine is based in corn, or maize, and features a wide range of corn products (tamales, tortillas, tacos).

Maize is native to the Americas. It is a cereal grain that has been part of American culture for centuries. Maize varieties were grown throughout the pre-Columbian Americas, domesticated in Mesoamerica and eventually spread to the rest of the world after European contact with the Americas in the late 15th century and early 16th century. Some of the oldest examples of maize, including a primitive type of pod-popcorn, were found in the Bat Caves of west central New Mexico and in the Tehuacan Valley of central Mexico. Pods at various sites were found to be some 4,000 to 7,000 years old.

In South America people valued their popcorn enough to be buried with it. Bowls or bags filled with popcorn were often found in burial grounds of ancient people of the coastal deserts of North Chile. The kernels were so well preserved they still popped even though they were 1,000 years old. Talk about shelf life!

Apart from food, sixteenth century Aztec Indians used popcorn as decoration for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces and ornamentation. Young women danced a “popcorn dance” and wore garlands of popcorn in their hair.

If you’re looking for an indigenous taste of the old, old “South” try this recipe for Chili Lime Popcorn. Popcorn pays homage to its birthplace with this simple recipe that combines a splash of lime juice with a dash of chili powder for a snack that shouts Viva Mexico!

Chili Lime Popcorn
Makes: 1 quart

Ingredients
1 quart popped popcorn
1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast powder (or nutritional yeast; available in health food stores)
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 300° F. Spread popcorn on a baking sheet. Sprinkle yeast powder, lime juice, chili powder and salt over popcorn. Heat about 7 minutes and toss just before serving. Serve warm.

Welcoming Spring with an Easter Egg-stravaganza

Mar 25th, 2013
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

After a long and punishing winter, Spring can’t come soon enough for me. And nothing helps me shake off the gray-sky blues like decorating for Easter.

As a child, my fondness for Easter was overshadowed by my near-fanatic adoration of Christmas. After all, it’s hard to compete with Santa, trees, mangers, elves and presents. Over the years, however, I’ve come to love Easter every bit as much. Not only do I appreciate its profound spiritual significance, but I also welcome all the totems and symbols associated with the holiday, many of which also signify the coming of Spring.

Some of these—hot cross buns, the pure white of the Easter lily—have visible roots in the Easter story. Eggs, which in the Easter tradition represent new life, were adapted by early Christians from pagan celebrations of the vernal equinox, in which they served as powerful symbols of fertility. Other traditions, including the Easter Bunny himself, arrived in the New World with European settlers.

So whether it’s Easter season, Spring fever or a reaction to being cooped up in the house for months, I’ve pulled out all the stops. My house looks like an Easter parade. I’ve got bunnies of all shapes and sizes perched on every available surface; a flock of ceramic chicks marching across the mantel; bouquets of flowers; and, of course, dozens of eggs. I have delicate china eggs on my dining room table; baskets of painted wooden eggs in my family room; and even a wicker “Easter tree” adorned with brightly colored mini-eggs. (more…)

A Gift From and For the Heart

Feb 5th, 2013
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

When I think of Valentine’s Day, I think of my family. Every year we celebrate together…my husband always writes me a beautiful card that makes my heart skip a beat, and leaves a tiny trinket or treasure on my pillow. And, of course, I absolutely melt over the sweet little handprint Valentines and drawings the kids make for me. I’m such a softie.

But there was a time, back in my single gal 20’s, when Valentine’s Day wasn’t all hearts and flowers. It seemed like the whole world had a sweetheart but me. When February 14 rolled around, I wanted to pull up the covers and wallow in my lonely bed all day.

Every year, though, something got me smiling. My Dad would show up with a beautiful card and a big box of candy. In fact, the more miserable I was, the bigger the candy box. I guess he wanted me to know that, no matter what, there was one guy who’d always love me. As time passed, and I built a family of my own, the cards and candy from Dad slowed down. But that’s okay—he got me through the tough times.

Last February, I had the chance to return the favor. My dad went to the hospital for what was meant to be a routine catheterization. He had done all the right things: he was in great shape, worked out daily and ate a Mediterranean diet. But something was fluky on his EKG. It turns out he had six major blockages…he was the proverbial ticking time bomb. So, the day before Valentine’s Day, he underwent a six-hour quintuple bypass surgery to completely rewire his heart. (more…)

The Happiest New Year

Dec 26th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

Like any mom, I’ve got a long list of all the (mostly wonderful) ways my kids have changed my life. And one of the biggies is how my husband and I spend New Year’s Eve.

To be fair, we set the bar pretty high: we rung in our first married New Year from our honeymoon on a beach in Antigua. And while neither of us is a Times Square-style reveler, we always enjoyed celebrating with parties, overnight getaways or late dinners with friends.

All that changed, of course, with the arrival of our firstborn. By the time we felt comfortable leaving him past midnight with a sitter, another baby was on the way. And then one more. Fast forward a few years: our children are a little older, and we’re no longer sleep-deprived zombies. We’re ready, willing and up for some New Year’s fun….and there’s not a babysitter to be had at any price. Apparently they’re all out whooping it up like we used to.

And so, we’ve built new, kid-friendly traditions to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Typically we all venture out in the afternoon to catch one of the blockbuster holiday movie releases. Then we challenge one another to a savagely competitive match of laser tag or maybe bowling. The prize: bragging rights for the whole year. (more…)

Popcorn Treats fit for Santa

Dec 10th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

Dear Santa,

I realize it’s unusual to get a note from a grown up, but it’s list time, so I’m dropping a line to ask a favor. By the way, I’ve been very good this year (okay…pretty good).

You know my two boys are 13 and 11, and my little girl is 8. We’re at a critical time here, Mr. Claus. It pains me to say it, but I’ve got a couple of Santa doubters in this house. Crazy, right? And if they ruin it for their sister, I may do something that puts me at the top of the naughty list.

I’ve dodged this issue for a while, Santa. A few years back, my oldest started coming home with wild reports from his friends.

“Kyle and his brother say there is no Santa,” he’d float.

“Wow. Maybe Kyle and his brother don’t get any presents on Christmas,” I’d respond. Then, with my best mom stare, I’d ask, “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?” That always bought you some time.

Or the other one might say, “Come on, Mom. Tell me the truth. You and Dad buy the presents, right?” To which I could only answer, “Why on earth would we do that?” (more…)

Braving Black Friday

Nov 19th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

I’m fairly certain that “getting up at 3 a.m. to buy a flat screen TV” wasn’t part of my wedding vows. If it were, I’d be a single gal today.

My husband makes a point of avoiding retail establishments at all costs, especially Black Friday. He has zero desire to engage in the scrum that marks the official start of holiday shopping, far preferring to feast on leftovers and plant himself in front of football. And while I’ve reminded him repeatedly that there are no such things as elves (i.e., we actually have to purchase gifts ourselves) I am typically solo on my Black Friday expeditions.

A few years back, my grandmother foiled his plans. She decided on Thanksgiving night that she needed not one, but two, new televisions. “At least 50 inches so I can see ‘em,” she instructed. When I informed my husband of her wishes, his only response was a grim, “Just tell me what time to set the alarm.” After 15 years in the family he knew the rules: nobody said “no” to my grandmother. (more…)

The Gift of Gratitude

Nov 13th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

Mick Jagger sang it: “You can’t always get what you want.” But it seems you’ll be a lot better off if you want what you’ve got.

I recently read a study that claimed the happiest people aren’t necessarily the richest, thinnest or even most popular. These researchers found that the happiest people are–wait for it–the most grateful. Sure, I thought, if I were happy all the time, I’d be grateful too. But that’s not the case: these folks are happy because they’re grateful. In other words, the gratitude came first and happiness followed. Go figure.

It’s an oddly simple idea, and one I’ve been using on my children for years without even realizing it. Whenever they’re agitating for the newest, better, more expensive toy or gadget, I remind them to take a moment to be grateful for what they have. Of course, the message often goes unheeded, but there’s a nugget of wisdom in there that I can certainly use. (more…)

Make Mom Queen for a Day

May 1st, 2012
by Wendy.
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Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the one person who affects us more profoundly than any other. Mothers, or those who take on the responsibility of “mother” during our formative years, shape much of who we are good, bad, or otherwise. From infancy through adulthood, the role a mother plays is multifaceted and ever changing. It is seldom predictable and often challenging. It requires strength and selflessness. It requires love.

For the endless list of things she does, has done and will do, take the time to tell her how much you appreciate her. Treat her like a queen for the day, in honor of her ability to withstand the royal pain you’ve been on occasion. Small tokens and gestures will mean a lot, but, by all means, splurge on a trip to the islands if you’re feeling really generous.  (more…)

Baskets of Easter Joy

Apr 2nd, 2012
by Wendy.
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Growing up, we spent every Easter with our cousins. The night before, we kids would pile onto the floor of our grandparents’ bedroom and compare notes about what the Easter Bunny might bring. Unlike Santa, the Bunny didn’t require us to be good all year, so we drifted off to sleep happily confident he’d deliver unconditionally.

Come Easter morning, we’d race down the stairs and dive in to our baskets, which we found displayed like treasure on the dining room table. We had to get there before the grownups woke. This gave us time to sample the goods and make any necessary adjustments, such as swapping my black jelly beans for somebody else’s purples.
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Quick and Simple Holiday Gifts

Dec 19th, 2011
by Wendy.
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Looking for a quick and simple holiday gift? Giving a homemade treat or a gift basket filled with the ingredients to make a scrumptious nosh will win hearts and be gentle on your checkbook. Read on for a terrific Cranberry Popcorn Ball recipe. Or try this Spicy Italian Popcorn. You can even  fill a festive tin with the ingredients and hand-written recipe card. Your recipient will love the gesture, love the flavor, and love having a guilt-free snack during this busy time of year.
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