Homemade Microwavable Popcorn in a Bag

Homemade Microwavable Ranch Popcorn in a Bag

 Summertime is near. And that means a lot of outdoor time. This summer I plan on bringing a lot of things outdoors – including our weekly movie night -so that we can fully take advantage of the amazing weather and comfortable SoCal evenings. How do I do it? Well, we turn the trampoline into a theater and throw a sheet over the net! It’s a blast for the kids and adults. 

And what does every movie night need? Popcorn! 

We don’t always have microwavable popcorn on hand ready to go but we do always have a good supply of popcorn kernels. My husband prefers to make his on the stovetop. But for me? I like to use this shortcut and let the kids make homemade microwaveable popcorn in a bag. Plus I have an awesome tip to kick it up a notch! You only need 4 ingredients (plus a paper bag)! 

Homemade Microwavable Popcorn in a Bag for movie night

Pro Tip: Add seasoning, like ranch or dried herbs, to add a little kick to your popcorn.

Homemade Microwavable Ranch Popcorn in a Bag ingredients

Homemade Microwavable Popcorn In A Bag

  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon ranch dip mix (depending on preference)

Add all ingredients together in a bowl and stir to combine and coat the kernels with oil and seasoning.

Put coated kernels in a paper bag and seal well at the top by folding over twice, then folding the top into a triangle (see photo below).

Microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until there are about 2-3 seconds between kernels popping.

Remove carefully from microwave (bag will be hot!), shake up a bit, then pour popcorn into a bowl to share.

Homemade Microwavable Ranch Popcorn in a Bag pour seasoned kernels in bag

Homemade Microwavable Ranch Popcorn in a Bag ready to enjoy

What’s your favorite movie treat?

Easy Snack Ideas plus Green Juice Recipes

This shop featuring green juice recipes has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreshOnTheGo #CollectiveBias

Easy Snack Ideas plus Green Juice Recipes

Do you ever have a day where you are just starving? Didn’t have time to grab a snack because the baby has been sleeping on you all day and opening or making anything would wake her up? Or you’re running around doing errands with the kids in tow and didn’t have time to individually bag their favorite snacks before you left and need something quick because they’re whining and complaining about the fact that you’re starving them?

Many a day I find myself getting to the afternoon and realizing I hadn’t even had breakfast. And I wondered why I was so irritable and moody by the time I picked up the kids. So I’m changing things up. Prepping meals, having snacks on hand, and making sure I take the time to enjoy snacks and meals even when I’m busy. Working from home means that I have to fit things in. Schedule them. So I’ve started to schedule snack and meal times too.

Easy Snack Ideas plus Green Juice Recipes and Ready SnaxEasy Snack Ideas with Ready Pac ready Snax

Easy Snack Ideas

I love snacks. Especially ones I don’t have to prep. With limited time, as I mentioned, I need easy. When I was at Costco I saw these awesome Ready Snax filled with some of mine and my kids favorite snacks already packaged together. Carrots, grapes, cheese, and pretzels. All awesome snacks I normally spend time preparing in baggies individually only to have 1/2 wasted or forgotten somewhere. And, lets face it, I’m eating their snacks too so I want something I enjoy.

Now I can grab a few Ready Snax and everyone’s happy. At least until lunchtime. 

The kids both love the green juice I prep ahead since I mask the kale and spinach taste with apples and cucumber. Even I wouldn’t like just kale or spinach juice. The fresh juice is much better than the sodas and processed juices I could buy for them elsewhere. I simply juice everything in the juicer on Sunday and put in a large pitcher in the fridge to use throughout the week. It lasts 2-3 days and is a great way to get veggies into me and my kids in addition to our snacks. Plus, they know what they are drinking. I don’t really hide anything. 

Easy Snack Ideas - pretzels, cheese, carrots, and grapesEasy Snack Ideas - Easy Green Juice Recipes

Green Juice Recipes

Basic Green Juice

  • 2 handfuls spinach, rinsed and dried
  • 2 handfuls kale, rinsed and dried
  • 3 celery ribs
  • 2 cucumbers
  • 2 green apples
  • 1 lemon, peeled

Add all ingredients to your juicer alternating the greens with the fruit and cucumber.  Enjoy as is or chill in the fridge! If storing, make sure to shake well before drinking.

Alternatives

In addition to green apples and/or cucumbers you can add pineapple, mint, pears, ginger root, other types of apples, etc. The awesome thing about green juices is the variety in what you can create! There are many benefits to juicing.

Easy Snack Ideas plus Green Juice Recipes with spinach and kale

Ready Pac Ready Snax at Costco

As I mentioned before, you can find Ready Pac Ready Snax at Costco. I found mine in the refridgerated section on an end cap with the pre-packaged salads.

Great After Workout Snacks - Carrot Tangerine Juice Recipe

Looking to go beyond the green juices? Try this delicious carrot tangerine juice or green monster juice as well!

What do you grab from the fridge at snacktime?

Making Snacktime Fun with Butterfly Crackers

This shop featuring Butterfly Crackers and after school snack ideas has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PutItOnARitz #CollectiveBias

Making Snacktime Fun with Butterfly Crackers

When I pick up my kids from school the one thing on their minds as we head home is, “What’s for snack?” All of the learning and activities they did between lunch and the end of their school day has left them starving and it’s up to me to help satiate their hunger.

Finding snacks they both like can be difficult but when I put a little effort into it I can usually please both of them. All it takes is 5 minutes and a little scrounging in the fridge and pantry to create a fun and simple snack for them to enjoy while they work on homework or play a game. [Read more…]

Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan Bars

Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan Bars

I love cereal. Like LURVE cereal. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Too bad the husband doesn’t do breakfast for dinner. But that’s another story…

So when I received a few boxes of Vanilla Chex to try out in the mail I didn’t hesitate to jump in and indulge in a bowl (or two). And when my daughter saw what I was doing she demanded that I share. I almost didn’t.

I told her I was going to make something for our playgroup’s halloween party with them and her eyes got big. She was so excited to see what I was going to make. And I’m pretty sure I made her day when I showed her these Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan bars I threw together.

They were pretty darn good!

[Read more…]

Healthy Ranch Yogurt Dip {Snack Recipe}

Yogurt Ranch Dip

My family is absolutely obsessed with ranch dressing. If the kids have veggies, they want to dip them in ranch. So I’ve tried to change up the way we make ranch and have ditched the sour cream!

Now sour cream isn’t bad. I love the stuff. But by swapping out sour cream with greek yogurt I not only am cutting calories but I’m increasing protein! All in all I’m very excited about the swap and the kids can’t seem to tell the difference.

And Greek yogurt can be subbed for more than just sour cream. I also swap it out for mayo in some recipes.

Yogurt Ranch Dip ingredients

Ranch Yogurt Dip
  • 1 cup greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons ranch mix (see below for ranch mix)

Mix ingredients together until well combined. Let sit in the fridge overnight. Serve with your favorite veggies or chips.

 
Ranch Dip Mix
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

Combine ingredients and store in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Feel free to double or triple and use as needed.



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