Kathy K. Norman
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Homemade Microwave Popcorn

1/19/2021

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Microwave popcorn is extremely convenient. However, most brands you buy in the store are full of toxic chemical additives. You can enjoy the fun and deliciousness of microwave popcorn without the added harmful ingredients by making homemade microwave popcorn using this simple recipe. 
  • Buy a jar of GMO-free organic popcorn.
  • Get a package of small brown paper lunch bags.
  • Put ¼ cup of popcorn in a lunch bag.
  • Fold the top of the bag over 1” and make a crease. Continue folding over 1” and creasing until you get to the popcorn at the bottom of the bag.
  • Put the bag in the microwave. Microwave ovens vary so you will have to test to determine the perfect timing for your oven. Mine takes 1 minute and 45 seconds to cook. Start with three minutes. Listen for the kernels to start popping. As the kernels pop the folds and creases you made in the bag will unroll. The sound of popping will increase and then start to slow. When the popping sound slows down, turn off the microwave. Make a note of how long the corn takes to pop in your specific microwave so you'll have an exact time for making this treat in the future. 
  • Take the bag out of the microwave and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle with a little salt, toss to coat, and dive into the deliciousness.

You can make different flavors by adding your favorite spices and toppings after you add the salt and melted butter. If you adore spicy concoctions, add chili powder, cumin, and freshly ground pepper. Craving something salty/sweet? Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Love cheesy treats? Grate a little of your favorite cheese and sprinkle over the popcorn. Enjoy!
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​Find more real food recipes, healthy living tips, effective strategies to improve fibromyalgia symptoms, methods to reduce toxic chemical exposure from common household products, and recipes and resources for creating a personalized healthy living plan in my new book, Practical Priorities for Fibromyalgia Recovery. Now available in paperback and eBook versions at amazon.com. Buy your favorite version today. Buy Kindle eBook. Buy Paperback.

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Amazing Recipes with Awesome Avocados

9/16/2020

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Avocados may look strange and prickly but they are packed with tons of healthy nutrients,14 vitamins, and 10 minerals including Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. If you’ve never attempted to peel a fresh avocado, getting to all that goodness is easy-peasy. Check out this YouTube video How to Cut an Avocado
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Avocados are extremely versatile. You can eat slices as a side dish, chop them and sprinkle on top of chicken stew, and add them to countless recipes. Perhaps, you have most often encountered this little green wonder at your favorite Mexican restaurant in the form of guacamole. You don’t have to wait until the next time you go out. You can make guacamole at home by mashing up an avocado and adding salt, lime juice, and seasonings to taste. Simply Recipes shows you how to make simply perfect guacamole every time. Guacamole Recipe
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Want more than guacamole? I love searching for recipes online. This article from Woman’s Day Magazine was an amazing find. It contains more than 60 delicious recipes with avocados. 60+ Easy Avocado Recipes

Processed food is a huge source of exposure to toxic ingredients that compromise our well-being. Eating real food like nutritious avocados promotes health, boosts the immune system, and prevents disease. Ditching processed food full of artificial chemical ingredients and replacing it with real food full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients is one of my top strategies for reducing fibromyalgia symptoms. Here's to real food recipes and a chemical-free life for all!

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Peachy Keen Summer Sorbet

8/21/2020

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The hot lazy days of summer are a perfect time to enjoy delicious fruity peach sorbet made from a few simple ingredients. Bonus: it doesn't contain much sugar and it's dairy free!

Peachy Keen Summer Sorbet

​Ingredients
5 ripe large summer peaches, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons raw organic honey
1/4 cup raw organic sugar
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons real vanilla extract

To make this light and airy treat, you need a heavy duty blender or food processor and an ice cream maker. I used a blender to mix the ingredients. Any ice cream maker will work. I make ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt in an electric 2 quart Cuisinart ice cream machine. It doesn't require ice or salt. I just pop the container in the freezer overnight and it's ready to use the next day. Follow the instructions on your specific ice cream maker.
Directions
Freeze the ice cream machine container overnight.
Mix all ingredients in a food processor or heavy duty blender. 
Take the frozen container out of the freezer. Place it in the ice cream maker. 
Put in the paddle and snap on the top.
Turn the machine on.
Pour the sorbet mixture into the container while it rotates.
Leave the machine on until the mixture is creamy and firm. This can take anywhere for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of ice cream maker you use. It takes about 15 minutes in my Cuisinart.
​The sorbet will be the consistency of soft serve ice cream when it is done.
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Serve immediately. If you want it to be a little harder, put the sorbet in a freezer safe container and pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours. 
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Store any leftovers in a freezer safe container. Take the container out of the freezer and leave it on the countertop for about 10 or 15 minutes to soften so it will be easier to scoop. Serve in a pretty bowl. Enjoy your icy delicious summer treat.

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Chocolate Brownie Almond Pie

8/3/2020

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When I was looking for ways to improve my fibromyalgia symptoms, I ditched processed food, including bags and boxes of cookies, candy, and other sweet treats manufactured in industrialized plants using potentially harmful chemical ingredients and artificial additives. That didn't mean this sugar lover gave up desserts! I can still eat sweet treats as long as I make them myself from real food ingredients.

I love this easy recipe with the texture and taste of a warm chocolate brownie.You can tweak a few ingredients to make this pie dairy free and gluten free to meet any special dietary needs of your friends and family. If you have nut allergies, just omit the nuts and the pie will still be delicious.

Chocolate Brownie Almond Pie
​
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Melt and stir in a pan over low heat:
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of butter, or butter substitute if you want a dairy free version
4 tablespoons of cocoa. Use a brand that contains 100 % cocoa and nothing else.

In a large mixing bowl beat:
The melted ingredients
2 eggs. Use organic free range eggs if possible.
4 tablespoons of unbleached flour. Use rice, coconut, or almond flour to make this pie gluten free.
3/4 cup of raw organic sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Use vanilla extract, not vanilla flavoring. 
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt

Pour into a 9" greased pie plate.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped almonds over the top of the pie and press gently into the chocolate layer.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Serve warm topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings or a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.

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Spicy Ginger Tea

2/12/2020

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I eat a lot of foods with anti-inflammatory nutrients. Research scientists have differing opinions on what causes the severe muscle and joint pain associated with fibromyalgia, but they all agree that widespread inflammation is a significant factor. Reducing the inflammation reduces the pain. 

I created this recipe for ginger tea because every ingredient is loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients: tea, fresh gingerroot, lime, cinnamon, and organic honey. When my fibromyalgia pain was still excruciatingly severe, I drank at least three cups a day. Chronic inflammation is a culprit in a whole lot of illnesses including fibromyalgia, almost all autoimmune diseases, and some types of cancer. Even though my fibro symptoms have resolved, I still drink a cup of ginger tea every morning with breakfast to reduce inflammation and stay healthy. This is one of my most frequently requested recipes.
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Spicy Ginger Tea

​To make spicy ginger tea, peel a one to two-inch slice of fresh ginger root. Use a microplane grater to finely grate 1 to 2 tablespoons of the fresh ginger. Freshly grated ginger is quite spicy. You may want to use 1 teaspoon rather than 1 to 2 tablespoons and gradually increase the amount of ginger a little bit each day until you get used to the taste of freshly grated ginger. If you love spicy flavors and adore ginger, use the larger amount from the get go.
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You can make ginger tea in any mug with any type of tea bag or you can use an infuser tea mug and loose-leaf organic tea. Choose your favorite black or green tea.

If you use a regular mug and tea bag, put the grated ginger into the mug.
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw local honey.
Add the juice from one slice of lime or lemon.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Wait for the teakettle to whistle.
Fill the mug half full with boiling water.
Stir briskly to thoroughly mix the ingredients and dissolve the ginger.
Add a single serving size tea bag of your favorite black or green tea. 
Add hot water to finish filling up the mug.
Steep the tea for 4-8 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea.
Remove the tea bag and enjoy
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I prefer making ginger tea using loose-leaf organic tea in an infuser mug that has an inner removable strainer. If you use an infuser mug, follow these steps.

Put the grated ginger and your favorite loose-leaf organic tea into the infuser. 
Add a slice of lime or lemon.
Wait for the teakettle to whistle and add hot boiling water.
Steep the tea for 4-8 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
Remove the inner infuser liner and add the honey and cinnamon. 
Stir and enjoy.

​You can find loose leaf organic tea at health food stores and organic grocery chains like Earth Fare and Whole Foods Market. It is also available in some supermarkets and big box stores. Infuser mugs can be purchased at kitchen specialty stores and tea shops. If you'd rather shop online, check out this infuser mug available at amazon.com in a rainbow of colors: Infuser Tea Mug

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Basic Chicken Marinade

11/6/2019

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Garlic is an awesome anti-inflammatory food. Eating garlic will help reduce inflammation and pain throughout your body. Peel and chop garlic and set it aside for at least ten minutes to release the maximum amount of flavor and nutrients. Then, add it to soups, stews, and this delicious and quick marinade.

Basic Chicken Marinade

Mix in a small bowl using a wire whisk:

1 cup of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
¼ cup purple onion, peeled and chopped
¼  teaspoon ground cilantro or 1 tablespoon of  freshly chopped cilantro
¼  teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped 
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This is easy-peasy to whisk together in a jiffy, is made from fresh ingredients, and contains no toxic chemical ingredients like the manufactured bottled versions. Pour over skinless boneless chicken breasts and refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove the chicken from the marinade and bake in the oven or toss it on the grill.

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Free Newsletter! Join the Practical Priorities Email Friends Crew to get real food recipes, fibromyalgia recovery strategies, healthy living tips, devotional of the month, and practical life hacks about everything delivered right to your inbox. Just fill in your email address, check the box to opt in, and click subscribe to newsletter. (Note: My newsletter service will only send out newsletters to those who check the box.) Thanks for joining the growing Practical Priorities community!

Welcome to the Email Friends Crew

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