Thursday, June 26, 2008

I Can't Resist a Good Bowl of Popcorn

*** ETA: 7/7/08 - This giveaway is now closed ***

Popcorn has always been a big part of my life. One of my early memories is of waking up to find out that my brother had snuck back downstairs after being put to bed. Mom and Dad had popped a bowl of popcorn to share, after the kids were in bed, and instead of sending my brother back to bed, they shared popcorn with him. I just remember waking up as they were bringing him back up to bed, learning that I had missed out on the popcorn, and feeling very disappointed.

It wasn't like I never got popcorn. We had it a lot while I was growing up. We had it as a snack, and sometimes, quite often in fact, we had popcorn for dinner. Was it because mom didn't feel like cooking or because nobody really felt like having a big dinner? I'm not sure, but it was something we all loved. Mom would always pop a big bowl full of popcorn. Dad would get the big bowl, and the rest of us would hand our smaller bowls to him so he could fill them up, over and over again, until the big bowl was empty. I can't usually get away with serving popcorn for dinner now, except sometimes on Sunday evenings.

I always knew it tasted good, but it wasn't until recently that I realized what a great snack popcorn really is. It's a natural, whole grain food. Each kernel is a whole grain, and a great source of fiber. According to USDA's MyPyramid, three cups of popcorn is equivalent to a serving of whole grain and a good source of dietary fiber. How about that? It's not only a great tasting snack, but it's good for you, too. You can learn more about healthy snacking at Popcornfacts.com.

In the interest of good taste and healthful snacking, I jumped at the chance to sample some Orville Redenbacher's popcorn. I recently received a package containing some samples of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn - two bags of Movie Theater Butter and two bags of Smart Pop 94% Fat Free. I'm the kind of person who doesn't like butter on my popcorn, so I was so happy to try the 94% Fat Free, and I was not disappointed. This popcorn is so good - not too greasy, with a really great flavor. Cory grabbed the Movie Theater Butter and really seemed to enjoy that. I usually buy the light microwave popcorn, so he liked having some with lots of butter for a change. Even with all the butter, it still had 0 grams trans fat. All the Orville Redenbacher's popcorn varieties have 0 grams trans fat, unlike some other brands which can have up to 11 grams per box.

Along with the popcorn, we got a really nice bowl and some coupons, to buy more popcorn now that we've eaten the samples. I tend to pop my popcorn and eat it straight out of the bag, but now that we have this special popcorn bowl, I've been using that:


Unlike my dad with his big bowl, I don't share. I think I'm going to have to use my coupons to buy some of the snack size or 100 calorie bags of popcorn because, when I pop a regular size bag, I eat the whole thing. Never mind that it is supposed to be 2 servings! At least I was eating the 94% Fat Free popcorn, huh?

Now we get to the part about the giveaway. Whether you actually read to the end or simply scrolled down to get to the good part, here goes:

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  • Two (2) readers will receive a popcorn bowl (like the one in the picture) and some delicious Orville Redenbacher's popcorn to try, courtesy of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Team & ConAgra Foods
  • For one entry, leave a comment on this post. Tell me what your favorite snack is. Tell me why you want popcorn. Tell me something.
  • For an extra entry, mention this giveaway on your blog and link back to this post. Be sure to let me know in your comment.
  • This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, and all entries must be received by 10am Central Time on Monday July 7th (7/7/08). The winner will be chosen by random drawing and contacted via email - so be sure I have a way to contact you!
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Now, I really need some popcorn!

ETA - Remember, if you want to have a chance to win, I must be able to contact you. If you don't have an email address associated with your Blogger account, I will not be able to contact you. If you only leave your name, I will not be able to contact you. If you would rather not leave your email in a comment, feel free to leave your comment and then email me using the email address in my Blogger profile.

49 comments:

  1. Is it really any wonder that I don't like popcorn now? With all that popcorn growing up, I think I just got tired of it. I'd much rather snack on chips, nuts, beef jerky, etc., but put some caramel (or chocolate) on the popcorn and I'll eat it. My wife and girls love popcorn, so I'm sure that they would love my sister to randomly pick me to win the bowl and popcorn for them. Woohoo! love ya sis.

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  2. ok, link back and a hello!! Who can't use more popcorn???

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  3. I am always up for a good bowl of popcorn. It is better for you than most other crunchy/salty snacks and tastes great.

    Sadly, the microwave has almost ruined the popcorn experience of my youth. It is good stuff, don't get me wrong, but the excitement of seeing Ma drag out the huge, old skillet in the evening meant we were in for a treat. And in the summer it also meant we were headed for the Sky-Hi Drive In. Oh, those were the days!!!

    The worst is being at work and suddenly realize somebody is nuking popcorn in the break room. Pretty soon, everybody has their own bag.

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  4. Popcorn is probably my favorite snack. I think kettle corn would be my favorite type - that little bit of sweet with the salty. Yum!

    I've linked to you on my blog also:
    http://robynsonlineworld.blogspot.com/

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  5. Popcorn is my favorite snack! Lately I've been covering it in hot & spicy taco seasoning. YUM!

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  6. Taco seasoning sounds great! I like the butter flavored with a bit of salt and dill. Mmmmm...

    I am gettin hungry now.

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  7. Popcorn is a wonderful snack. Sounds like a great giveaway.

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  8. I want popcorn because it's a way to get my salt "fix" without being too unhealthy. In fact, as you mentioned, it is a healthy snack.

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  9. Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. Orville and Act are both my favorite. I even get speciality popcorn every once in a while. Flavors like Apple, Strawberry and Blue raspberry.

    I linked your site on my blog at:
    www.chicagoweathercurrents.com

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  10. renee c. and mary folkers - Thanks for commenting. However, unless you come back and leave me a way to contact you, you cannot win. I would hate for you to miss out!

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  11. I love eating a big bowl of popcorn with my daughter on Friday nights, our designated "movie night." Popcorn was always a staple in my family while I was growing up. I prefer butter on my popcorn, but some of my family members eat it with hot sauce and even ice cream.

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  12. Popcorn has been a staple of my diet for my entire life. I am a seamstress and i have learned to eat popcorn and sew by sticking my tongue in the bowl and that way i don't have dirty hands to sew with. i also have a favorite steel bowl that i have used for 40 or more years

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  13. Love popcorn..Especially the cheese flavored. We pop microwave popcorn most every night....

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  14. Popcorn is the favorite snack in our house! We love the snack size 94% fat free snack packs from Orville R. When we have a little more time and are willing to spend a few more calories, my hubby makes popcorn right on the stove burner using a technique he saw on Alton Brown's "Good Eats" on the Food Network. He puts peanut oil, kernels, and salt in the bottom of a large stainless steel bowl. He covers the top with foil, making sure that the edges are crimped down securely, and cuts slits in the top. Then as the popcorn heats, he grips and shakes the bowl with a pair of stainless steel salad tongs. It's sooo yummy! We love popcorn!!!!
    thanks for the giveaway - how fun :)

    coupondame@gmail.com

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  15. I actually love popcorn and I share too. I don't like to but I do.

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  16. We eat a lot of popcorn here. Since Aurora isn't allowed to eat anything fattening because of her high cholesterol level we eat low fat popcorn alot instead of chips.

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  17. I favorite snack other then popcorn is either pretzels or banana chips :)

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  18. I blogged http://momcontests.blogspot.com/2008/06/bowl-of-popcorn.html

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  19. I love popcorn. I use to eat chips and dip, but after all my heath issues, I can't handle it. About once a week, we'll have a big bowl of popcorn. Never knew how good it was for me though!

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  20. Pick me! Pick me!

    We love Orville's popcorn!

    We're on Weight Watchers and we love that we can eat the whole freakin' bag and it's only 3 points!

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  21. My fav snack is chocolate and I love chocolate covered popcorn.

    luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net

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  22. Love Orville's popcorn and the bowl would be a bonus! Thanks for the offer.

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  23. I love popcorn with the cheese powder from mac an cheese mix sprinkled on it,yummy,its not expensive an my kids love it too,its a must at the movies when we get to go,but thats not often,I keep foster kids an they love it too,so its my favorite snack,thanks so much


    vlbelk@hotmail.com

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  24. My favorite snack is actually a big bowl of mega buttered popcorn. yum!
    fenix69j@yahoo.com

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  25. Tell me what your favorite snack is--buttery popcorn and a big glass of pink lemonade with lots of ice..
    YUM
    Thanks:)

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  26. I love popcorn as a snack with lots of butter and salt. Yummy!1
    theresa N.
    weceno@yahoo.com

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  27. My favorite snack is ice cream, but popcorn is definitely a close second!

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  28. I am a pregnant woman and that is why I want popcorn,and that my husband is popcorn crazy! Thanks bunches!!!

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  29. I love popcorn! This would be so great to sit down with the family and have movie night. I love popcorn with yummy butter and caramel.

    samsakara@twcny.rr.com

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  30. My favorite snack is movie theater butter popcorn and I love this bowl!

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  31. I love popcorn for snacking. And my favorite popcorn is "crazy" corn - cheese and caramel mixed together!

    kgblogid(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. you know what's really funny? I think our families both thought popcorn was one of the basic 4 food groups. I can remember eating popcorn for a snack, for dinner, for supper-my mom never even learned to cook, she lives with my 90 yr old grandmother still, but the only thing she can cook on her own is popcorn! I worry about her cooking, or lack of it-but she swears she can survive on popcorn and peanut butter sandwiches. And somehow, I believe her. Thanks for the cute read! micaela6955@msn.com

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  33. I'd much rather snack on chips.

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  34. I could really use this bowl. My kids are always making popcorn. Other favorite snacks in our hours are rice krispie treats, smores and brownies we bake in 13X 9" pan.

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  35. i love popcorn, makes for a great snack while watching movies and tv, thanks for the contest

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  36. I love popcorn. I have been sprinkling mine with a little parmensan cheese for variety. I miss Orville. I enjoyed his TV commercials and the fact that he developed his own popcorn and stood by his product.

    theladyswimmer@yahoo.com

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  37. Popcorn is a regular at our house!!!!! My 7 year old son especially cannot watch a movie without a bowl of freshly popped (hey, I can still call micro popped corn freshly popped!!) corn!!! YUMMY!!

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  38. I love, love, LOVE popcorn!! My kids love it too and I will admit that sometimes I do wait until they are in bed and make a bowl so I don't have to share!!!!!!!!!
    Would love to enter the drawing!
    THANKS!!
    my email: moomookane@gmail.com

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  39. I love popcorn, I love kettle corn or highly buttered popcorn. I like to make caramel corn.. Yumm..

    But with six kids, movie night is better when I can pass out the single serving bags and not have to fight over the divying it up!

    LilithSilvermane@ gmail.com

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  40. i really love jalapenos on my popcorn, so when i go to the movies i always get a bunch of jalapenos and the people behind the counter always give me a weird look, hahaha! Anyways, i have a bunch of movies that i want to watch, but no popcorn to eat them with. :{ so this would be great!

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  41. we love to eat popcorn as we watch movies!! this is our usual friday night family time :)
    thanks so much!
    moore.g at insideconnect.net

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  42. I like almost any snack! Popcorn is in the top 10, it brings back some nice childhood memories for me (before microwave popcorn!)

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  43. popcorn is such a great snack, i like to microwave a bag at home and take it to the movies, because sometimes the popcorn is more than the movie, urgh!

    anyways i love a lot of salt on my popcorn, and popcorn with cherry coke is the best!

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  44. Blueberries are my fave, but I would like to win because popcorn is definitely a close second :)
    jceko77@yahoo.com

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  45. Popcorn is not only a snack around here -- it is often a MEAL!! We still pop it in a pan and mainly use Orville. Right now you can get a huge 8 lb. jug of Orville's at Costco for $8.00. If I had to choose just 2 food items to live with, I'd pick popcorn and Diet Coke!

    pdiekhoff@hotmail.com

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  46. We just started having a movie night on Saturdays with my 4 year old daughter and we started giving her popcorn for the first time. She loves it and I would love to have a special bowl for her(our metal bowls actually get hot). Thank you for this contest.

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  47. I LOVE POPCORN WITH LOADS OF BUTTER :)

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I love your comments! Keep them coming.