Food Experimentation: Popcorn

Tonight, I bought new popcorn and decided that sticking with the normal popcorn-and-butter method that everyone always does wasn't going to be enough for me. Here are some recipes and ideas I came up with that you can practice on popcorn:

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Recipe:
Ingredients:

1. 4 Cups popped popcorn, preferably not pre-bagged. I use Orville Redenbaucher's popcorn.
2. 1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon.
3. 1/4 cup of sugar.
4. Bowl or container of sorts
5. Butter, to taste.
   

Step 1: Butter your popcorn as much or as little as you'd like. Don't salt the popcorn, or that would defeat the purpose of having sweet popcorn.
Step 2: Pour cinnamon and sugar into a bowl with your popcorn. Cover your bowl or container and toss it until your spices are thoroughly mixed.
Step 3: Enjoy!

Parmesan Garlic Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients:

1. 4 cups pre-popped popcorn, preferably not bagged.
2. 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or any Italian blend)
3. 1 to 2 tsp. powdered garlic.
4. Bowl or Container to put your popcorn in.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to broil.
Step 2: Put your popcorn on an ungreased cookie sheet, and try to leave as little space between kernels as possible.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cheese and garlic onto the popcorn.
Step 4: Bake your popcorn for a minute or two until it is lightly browned and your cheese is melted. Watch your popcorn to assure that it doesn't burn, as oven temperatures vary.
Step 5: Remove your popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool for about 2 minutes.
Step 6: Put your popcorn on a plate or in a bowl and enjoy!

Those recipes may impress yourself, your family or your friends, but here are a few ideas for if you're feeling like doing a little less work but having all of the taste:

• Dip popcorn in caramel sauce or melted chocolate for a sweet, crunchy and sticky snack.
• Mix chocolate candies (such as m&m's, reese's pieces or snocaps) with your popcorn for a sweet and salty mix.
• Try popcorn seasonings by Kernel's Seasons. They come in a variety of flavors such as white cheddar, kettle corn and nacho cheese. I picked up small sizes for a dollar each at my local Blockbuster.
• For spicy popcorn, try sprinkling hot sauce on your popcorn or dipping it in spicy nacho cheese.
• If you're feeling vintage, poor your unsalted popcorn into a cereal bowl and add in some milk, as well as a sprinkle of sugar. Popcorn was one of the first breakfast cereals, and although it's an outdated meal, try it and you may be surprised.

A moment of inspiration.

"I was tired of thinking less of myself because others did. I know what I look like. I'm very much aware. People always ask me, 'You have so much confidence. Where did that come from?' It came from me ... I wear colors that I really like, I wear makeup that makes me feel pretty, and it really helps. It doesn't have anything to do with how the world perceives you. What matters is what you see."

- Gabourey Sidibe, Actress Playing "Precious"

There isn't much I can say about this quote, other than the fact that it is truly something that women all over the world need to digest. Don't limit yourself because of how you look, because you can be confident in your own skin by doing things YOU like because YOU want to, instead of letting the way others feel dictate how you live your life.

Looking Fabulous while being Voluptuous: Plus sized dressing tips.

Two absolutely lovely Torrid models.

Being a curvy/voluptuous/plus-sized woman in America can be hard, especially when you're aching to wear the same cute, modern clothes that your friends are wearing. Trust me, I feel you and I have been there. It wasn't until recently that I decided I was going to stop dressing in a frumpy fashion everywhere I went, just because I was lucky to fit into something. I will admit to you, now, that I wear a size 22 in pants and a single- to double-X in women's tops. The following revelation has helped me decide to work to become a healthier size: how can I love myself if I become thin, if I can't love myself while I'm fat - the way I have always been? Buying new clothes has helped me feel better about myself, the way I am currently, and when I go shopping and find something in a size too small, it gives me motivation to keep working at my goals. Even if you are happy with your current, curvy self knowing how to dress for your particular body type can help you achieve a new level of confidence, which in turn can give you new romantic, career and lifestyle opportunities.

Tip #1: Wear clothing that embraces your bust.
Wearing clothing that embraces your breasts can help minimize the way the size of your belly looks. I'm not suggesting that you go find as many trashy, cleavage-exposing tops as you can find, because the only attention that attracts is negative. Try tops and dresses that have sweetheart or v-neck necklines: they embrace the bust and can draw attention from potentially flabby arms. Wearing thick belts around the waist or tops/dresses that have elastic under the bust will be looser around the stomach and waist, bringing your curves to life.

Tip #2: Pick jeans that work with your body shape.
Everyone has a different body shape, and there are different types of clothing that will go with that body shape. If you have a round body shape, wear straight or boot cut jeans as they don't make the legs look wide, and mid- or high-waisted jeans to avoid developing a muffin top. Boot-cut jeans are also good for pear body shapes (where your body appears larger around the bottom than the top). If you are lucky, and have an hourglass figure, try boot cut jeans as people with wide hips tend to have large legs, and boot cut jeans are slimming. Another key to remember is that the darker the jeans you're wearing, the slimmer your legs will look.

Tip #3: Wear heels!
Wearing heels can often be aggrevating and painful, but if you're going to school or work and expect to be sitting down often, or you're going on a date, don't stick to flats! Heels make legs look longer and slimmer, which is important for plus-sized girls.

Tip #4: Embrace your legs and wear a skirt.
Pencil skirts and A-line skirts make your waist appear smaller and your hips look larger, which is good for creating false curves or embracing ones you already have. If you can find a high-waisted pencil skirt when out shopping, go for it! These are great for adding curves and look great for work or play.

Tip #5: Don't wear baggy or tight clothes.
Wearing clothes that don't fit properly will make ANYONE look frumpy and just ugly. It's alright to have a baggy hoodie and sweatpants on at the house, or while relaxing, but if you're going out dress well. Looking nice while doing simple things such as walking the dog or going grocery shopping will make you feel good, because people notice how much better you look. Avoid wearing shirts made for males, as your body isn't perfectly straight like that of a man and they aren't made to fit you. If you refuse to follow this rule, buy slim-fit male shirts, as they'll embrace your curves more than standard t-shirts. Buying t-shirts made for girls can be inexpensive, comfortable, AND make you look better. Just as well as wearing baggy clothes can make you look frumpy, wearing clothes that are too tight can make you look trashy. When I see a girl with jeans creating a muffin top or her belly sticking out of the bottom of her shirt, I'm thinking that she is the OPPOSITE of classy, which is not what anyone wants to be.

Tip #6: Feel good.
When you go out or you're around people, hold your head high and walk with your back straight - it shows confidence and if you feel confident in yourself, so will other people. Even if you don't feel very well about your look, or are having a moment of low self esteem, fake it, and you will still gain more respect from your peers than someone who slouches and stares at their feet all day.

Unsure of where to shop? Try www.torrid.com, www.alightl.com, www.bandlu.com, or www.igigi.com

Makeup Necessities for the Clueless Gal

Most girls and women ages 12 and over have at some point worn makeup, and most wear makeup regularly. Some women are blessed with what I’d like to call a “makeup encyclopedia” built into their brains, and when they go to their vanity to “put on their face” or go to the department store to pick up a few things from the Sephora kiosk, they know exactly what they need and what works for them. However, there are ladies out there (Quit hiding! I can still see you!) that can feel intimidated when they walk up and down aisle number 23 and see hundreds of colors and styles of foundations and eye makeup and lipsticks.

There was a point in time where I was in that position, and stood like a deer in the headlights saying “I don’t even know what primer is.” This little guide is for those clueless but lovely ladies out there, who need a little help picking out their makeup.

Every girl needs… Foundation: The hardest part of picking out makeup is finding the perfect foundation. There are foundations in every shade and style imaginable: whipped, liquid, powder, ivory, bronze, for oily skin, for dry skin, for aging skin and for sensitive skin. The easy part is picking the type: you should know what type of skin you have. If you have acne, there are brands such as Almay that make foundation for acne-prone skin. If you have oily or combination skin, you can try Covergirl's Clean or Fresh Complexion. Covergirl and Olay's "Simply Ageless" foundation. It even has an SPF22 sunscreen built in, which is great for protecting skin against the sun's potentially damaging rays. If you are one of the lucky few who have "normal" (not oily, not dry) skin, try Rimmel's Lasting Finish 16 hour foundation is one of your options. Most foundations are clearly labeled, so wherever you buy them check to see if the package says what skin type it is for. The key to using foundation is to not cake it on or use an excessive amount. Foundation isn't always used to cover pimples, so if you don't have acne prone skin, don't shun foundation: foundation is primarily used to even out skin tone, and make what is already beautiful even more perfect. When picking a shade, your best bet is to put a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand and if it blends well, it will probably work well on your face. For further confirmation, bring along a friend or family member who you know has good makeup "skills" and have them help you.


Every girl needs... Finishing Powder : Finishing powder isn't exactly a necessity for EVERYONE, but I have never had a makeup bag without it and I don't know anyone who goes without. Finishing powder can mattify any shiny spots and help further blend the look of foundations. If you're unsure of what shade of powder to buy, it's always easy to go with translucent powder, as it has the same effect and won't make you look too dark or light. Finishing powder comes in both pressed and loose form.

Every girl needs... Clear Gloss and Clear Lip Balm: Clear gloss can always add a certain glow to any look, and is good for simple, on-the-go or at-work makeup application. It can make your lips look plumper, and magnify their natural color. Lip balm such as original Chapstik or Blistex should always be with you, and applied regularly. Healthy, moist lips are beautiful and it always hurts me when I see someone who has dry, cracked or bleeding lips when it's so easy to apply lip balm once every few hours.

Every girl needs... Eyeshadow Complementary to your Eye Color: Although it's always fun to have a wide range of eyeshadows spread all over the color spectrum, technically anyone only needs ONE color of eyeshadow. Many different brands create eyeshadows and eye makeup sets to compliment different eye colors, but here are a few basic colors that compliment different eye colors: if you have blue eyes go with dark blues, gray and taupe eyeshadows; if you have green or hazel eyes, try browns, khakis, dark green and plum shadows; If you have brown eyes, try soft pinks, dark browns, and light greens; Grey eyes go well with dark blue, plum and black eyeshadows.

Every girl needs... Brown and Black Eyeliner: Eyeliners come in many colors, ranging from white, to purple, to black but the most commonly worn colors are brown and black. Eyeliners come in stick, liquid, powder and creme form. The easiest to use, if you're not quite used to putting on eyeliner is stick form: I prefer self-sharpening, as a dull stick of eyeliner hurts when used. Black eyeliner provides for a dramatic look, while browns are good for simple at-work or at-school days.

Every girl needs... Mascara: Picking a mascara can sometimes prove to be a complicated feat, as companies put up ad's of celebrities with beautiful, thick and long eyelashes that look absolutely perfect, when the truth is that their mascaras don't actually do as presented. I have always been a fan of Rimmel mascaras, and they have done the trick for me when I needed it, but mascara isn't always a necessity. Using a simple (and even cheap) clear mascara can slightly lengthen and thicken eyelashes, while keeping a simple and more natural look.

Every girl needs... Smoky Eyeshadow Shadow/Creme Set: There are many smoky eyeshadow sets such as Smoky Shadowblast by Covergirl and Rimmel's Color Rush Quad's. Smoky eyes are great for going out with your friends or mate for a night of dancing or karaoke and make any pair of eyes pop out dramatically.

These are the only things that any woman will ever ABSOLUTELY have to have in her makeup bag, but I am definitely happy with the mounds and mounds of makeup I have in my vanity.

How to Treat Yourself (Without Really Treating Yourself)

I think the decision here is obvious. Cake!

Everyone, especially women, craves a certain specific type of unhealthy-but-delicious food at some point in time. Whether you need a chocolate fix, a fruity fix or a salty fix, there IS a way to get in that delicious treat without regretting it as soon as you're finished eating it.

Your Chocolate Fix
Diana's Banana's
Diana's Bananas are delicious, chocolate dipped and frozen bananas that come in dark chocolate and milk chocolate, as well as in large and small sizes. These are some of my FAVORITE chocolate treats, as they provide a serving (or more) of fruit, and the dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants.

Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bar
The Fiber One Oats and Chocolate bar is absolutely delicious! It is oatmeal dipped in a sweet, sticky honey-like goodness then drizzled with chocolate. This bar is so sweet and chocolate-y that it's almost like you're eating a candy bar. The good part about the bar (other than the flavor) is that one bar contains 35% of your daily fiber.


Weight Watchers Giant Fudge Bar
Just the NAME of this treat is pretty ridiculous, but the Weight Watchers Giant Fudge Bar is essentially a large, frozen, chocolate flavored ice-cream treat. It tastes VERY similar to a fudgesicle, but only contains a total of 110 calories. That seems hard to believe, because these treats are giant (just like the name says) AND really quite good. This is PERFECT for an ice cream fix.


Your Fruity Fix
Sherbert
Sherbert is a frozen, dairy treat that comes in many flavors such as raspberry, lime, orange, and pineapple. I prefer sherbert to ice cream ANY day of the week - not only because most sherbert's are fat free - but because I have never had a sherbert that I didn't love, which I can't say about ice cream.

Dole Fruit Bar
Dole Fruit Bars are essentially popsicles for grown ups (they're still good for kids, though). Although enjoying a red, white and blue rocket ship popsicle can be fun every once and awhile, I prefer the flavor of the Dole bars because they don't taste overly-sugary or unnatural. The best part, though, is that they will only run you 70 calories!

Sugar Free Jolly Ranchers
Sugar Free Jolly Ranchers are like miniature lollipops, without the sticks! They come in a variety of flavors and are easy for on the go, as the plastic wrap allows you to throw some in your pocket or purse and enjoy them in the car or at work. I prefer the sugar free jolly ranchers to the regular, because they taste the same to me.

Sunkist Fruit Gummies
Sunkist Fruit Gummies are a chewy, fruity, candy-esque treat. In the pouch you'll find cherry, strawberry, lemon and orange flavors. An ounce of these is only 70 calories, so if you're a gummy-bear fan then these are definitely worth a shot. If you eat gummies every day, trading an ounce of normal gummy bears for these will save you about 150 calories per week.


Your Salty Fix
Popcorn
When you buy premade popcorn in a bag or movie theatre popcorn, it tends to be loaded with salt and butter but when you buy popcorn kernels and pop the corn yourself, it is actually healthy. Add sea salt as opposed to table salt to popcorn for a healthy, whole grain and fiber-filled treat.

Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is a chewy, dehydrated beef marinated in salty seasonings. It is low in fat and calories, and can easily satisfy a savory/salty craving. You can also buy turkey jerky, and in some specialty stores venison jerky or rabbit jerky, as well as in various flavors such as peppercorn and teriyaki.

Pumpkin Seeds or Sunflower Seeds
Both pumpkin seeds and sunflowers seeds are delicious seeds that come from, you guessed it, the pumpkin and the sunflower. The seeds of these plants are a good source of magnesium, which helps with health conditions such as asthma, migraines and high blood pressure. Pumpkin seeds also have been known to help inflammation in people with arthritis.

An Aspirin Mask for Problem Pimples

Not everyone wakes up in the morning looking perfect, but don't hide your face in shame!

When you wake up in the morning and find that there is a newly cultivated society of pimples creeping up on you, you shouldn't have to hide your face in fear. Try this mask on your angry red spots and see if they'll shrink!

Aspirin has proven to be an all-around positive thing: it cures headaches and migraines, can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and now it can even help your skin. Using an aspirin mask on problem skin areas, or as a spot treatment for pimples can quickly and easily reduce pimple size and swelling in just a few minutes. (It's also REALLY easy to make)

Ingredients:

• Uncoated aspirin or pre-powdered Aspirin (Bayer Quick Release Crystals, BC Powder, etc.)
• If you're using aspirin tablets, a spoon.
• Toner/Astringent, Lemon Juice or Water (I used neutrogena fight and fade toner)
• Q-tip or Toothpick
• Non-metal bowl or flat surface.

Start off by putting all of your ingredients in one place, with you. If you're using tablets, make sure on the ingredients list is "aspirin". A lot of pain relievers don't actually contain aspirin. If you use tablets, use uncoated tablets as the coating in some aspirin can prove hard to crush and be harmful to skin, depending on sensitivity and allergies. I used bayer "quick release" aspirin, as it's pre-powdered and contains caffeine, which can help brighten up tired skin. (I also have less work to do, as it's already pulverized, haha!) If you're using a bowl to mix instead of a flat surface, just crush them in the bowl. I was lazy and just used my vanity table to mix, though.

Next, mix the aspirin and a small amount of water or toner - just enough to make the aspirin into a paste. Using toner isn't necessary, but if you have an acne-fighting toner it will just add to the effectiveness of this recipe.

The final step is to put this paste on any effected skin areas. One packet of bayer quick release aspirin was more than enough for me, as I only applied it to one small area. You don't have to use it as a spot treatment if you have enough to spread over your face. Now, all you have to do is let it dry. Prepare to look like a crazy, rabies-infested animal to the people around you - little do they know that when you're finished your skin will look ravishing.

I have never tested this recipe on anyone with sensitive skin or dry skin, but it burns slightly so if you have sensitive skin test it on a small part of your skin before you spread it around, to ensure that you don't end up looking like a lobster with face dandruff.

This recipe is safe to use as needed - I would recommend once a week, every other day or as needed (if you break out rarely).

My ingredients, my mixture and myself looking like a rabid wildebeast person with no makeup on and an aspirin mask on my face.

PROTIP: It is completely and utterly a bad idea to try and pop a pimple that doesn't have a white/yellow top, so don't force it out! It can cause irritation, redness and bacteria to spread underneath the skin creating MORE pimples. Just don't do it!

Welcome to the Ette.

Welcome to The Ette. I am your hostess, Caytie. I created The Ette so that I could share the things that I think your ears - as well as your mind - need to hear. At The Ette I will cover subjects such as fashion, makeup, cupcakes, and most anything womanly and ladylike (or in some cases, quite the opposite). Feel free to sit down and have a look through my posts, and if you get interested enough, make yourself a cup of tea (or joe, whichever you prefer).