It doesn't take green to be green: Popcorn

This is the first in an occasional series about ways you can lessen your impact on the environment that are less expensive and/or healthier than the standard options.

The other night I was making popcorn for a friend and she was surprised that I knew how to make it from scratch. It's so much cheaper and healthier than the prepackaged or microwaved popcorn - I didn't realize it was a lost art!

So here's how: start with a good pot, like stainless steel, not a thin aluminum one. Pour in enough oil that it covers the bottom. Pour in popcorn - not more than one kernel thick, and less if you want less. Cover the pot and turn up the flame to high or a little less. Once you hear the first pop, start shaking the pot back and forth over the flame. As soon as the popping has substantially slowed down, empty it into a bowl and put the pot in water (this keeps pieces from burning onto the bottom which can be a pain to clean up. And there you have it- a fresh bowl of hot popcorn that cost pennies!- Marian