journey of life

packaged corned beef with seasoning packet
1 bottle Guinness or some stout (We used an Oatmeal Stout this year, with great results)
2 potatoes, quartered
2 carrots, cut into thirds
2 small onions, quartered
1 small head cabbage, quartered

Place corned beef in bottom of crock pot. Add potatoes, carrots, onions and seasoning packet. Pour stout on top, then add cabbage. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 5-6. I’ve even cooked it for 3 hours on high, then five hours on low. Season to taste. If you need to make more cabbage take some juice from the crock pot, place in a large pot on the stove with additional quartered. Bring to a boil and simmer to desired doneness.

…the old fashioned way.

You think I’m joking, right? Well, I’m not.

Reasons to pop popcorn the old fashioned way:

1. It saves money. I purchased a 32 oz. bag of generic popcorn kernels for $1.00, regular price. Those kernels will yield 108 cups of popped popcorn. You will need some sort of cooking oil, so factor in that cost as well. Microwave popcorn is usually on sale for $2.00 a box. If you have a fifty-cent coupon, double that, you could get away for $1.00 a box. Three packages per box. Total popped popcorn per box: 31.5 cups of popped popcorn.
Summary : Regular popcorn $1.00 for 108 cups, Microwave popcorn (on sale, with coupon) $1.00 for 31.5 cups, Microwave popcorn (regular price) $3.00 for 31.5 cups.

2. It’s fresher and you know what’s in it. Freshly popped popcorn beats the microwave kind anyday, plus you control the salt, fat, and artificial coloring and flavoring.

3. Arts and Crafts. Popped popcorn can be used in various craft projects around the house, especially around the holidays. Use it as garland for a tree or to use when packing gifts.

4. You don’t need a microwave. You just need a stove or a hot plate, and a pot with a lid.

Pot, Pan or Skillet Method. Measure 1/4 cup cooking oil into pan. Add a single kernel of corn. Cover and heat at medium-high setting. When kernel pops, add just enough corn to cover pan bottom, one kernel deep. Cover and shake gently. When popping slows, remove from heat. Season to taste or use in your favorite recipe.

Try topping your popped popcorn with melted butter, salt and pepper, finely shredded parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning!

We’ve been watching the Planet Earth mini-series on Discovery and loving it…these baboons really cracked us up.