I’m doing FANTASTIC on “operation lose the baby weight”. I’m eating only whole, organic and minimally processed foods. I’m cutting back on meats and pushing the raw veggies and fermented, probiotic rich foods. I’ve cut out sugar (for now) and my only splurge is gallons of freshly ground, home roasted, organic, fair trade coffee with raw goat milk. (Cuz I’m a rebel like that!)
My weight isn’t something I talk about much on my blog, mostly because it’s actually a VERY sensitive subject for me. Before I had Tessa or Thyme, my weight was 125. This is a good, healthy weight for my body shape and size.
But I kind of let myself go between the two pregnancies, and, well… the day before I delivered Thyme I weighed in at 208 pounds.
Since I had Thyme four weeks ago, I’ve been eating healthy and staying moderately active. This morning, I weighed in at 175 pounds. I’m well aware that the majority of that was the baby, and water weight, and blah blah blah. But DAMN it feels good to see the scale go down, and down, and down. Even though I still have 50 pounds to go… *grumble grumble*
Since early April I’ve cut out desserts (even healthy ones) COMPLETELY for two solid weeks now while I detox from sugar. And today I decided.. I’m ready for an unhealthy splurge! So I figured I’d make it a glorious one.
This recipe is one that my mother-in-law likes to make whenever we come to visit her in Washington State, and it has a nostalgic place in my heart. It’s a lot of fun to jump up and try to stir the gooey, sticky mixture. It has a tendency to stick and fly everywhere, and between stealing bites of gooey caramel corn and yelping over burnt fingers, it’s a full on activity.. not just a dessert!
Husband and I made a full batch tonight, and after eating my fill, I’m packing the remainder up for him to take to work. NOT keeping this temptation in the house, that’s for sure!
Anyway, I thought I would share the recipe with you lovely folks, and then I’m back to eating whole foods again! (I need to discover some good, wholesome recipes to share like some of you awesome food bloggers I know!)
Heavenly Caramel Corn
You Will Need:
20 cups of popcorn
1 cup of butter
2 cups of brown sugar
½ cup of corn syrup
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1. Spread the popcorn evenly on a baking sheet. Place it in a very slow over (250 degrees) to keep it warm and crisp.
2. Combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in a heavy saucepan. Boil and stir to firm ball stage (about 248 degrees), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
3. Take the popcorn from the oven and pour the hot caramel mixture over it in a fine stream. Stir to mix well.
4. Return to the oven for 45 minutes, taking it out to stir every 15 minutes. (This is the fun part!)
5. When done, enjoy some gooey sticky caramel corn, and when cooled, it hardens to a lovely crunchy sweet caramel corn! Store in an air tight container and enjoy!
Hi Gingi! Thank you for your visit to my blog today. And it looks like I came on a good day here, I LOVE caramel corn. There is a company here in the area that makes it so good, but it’s so expensive!
This looks amazing, and I can see why you wanted it for your ‘splurge’. My husband and I are doing the South Beach diet now, so I’ll have to wait a few months to make this heavenly recipe. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Ceil
Hello Ceil! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I am actually on the South Beach Diet right now! (With a couple twists, basically, focusing more on real and whole foods, but using the South Beach guidelines as a basis for food choices.) It’s a great diet! But I have to give myself cheat days once in awhile or I go crazy! haha…
oh, this looks heavenly indeed! don’t worry so much about the baby weight sweetie. i think it just takes time for the body to adjust. your body has been through a lot lately so please be kind to it (caramel popcorn is always a good move!).
love, liz
http://www.stylewich.com
Problem is, I’m pretty sure I lost all the baby weight already! It’s the weight I put on BETWEEN the babies that I’m working on now.. haha. But I’ll be patient.. or try anyway! 😉
Caramel with corn, that sounds absolutely mouth-watering! Thanks for the recipe!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
I actually don’t really eat sugary things at all, I’ve just never been the biggest fan. However I do love salted popcorn and certain chips flavors. OH and gelato, like the authentic Italian gelato.. Mmmmm!
XO Naomi in Wonderland
I’m not big into sugary things either.. but every once in awhile the sweet tooth strikes!
Aw this looks really great! Amazing recipe, thank you for sharing! I will try!
xx
cvetybaby.com
That looks so yummy! I love caramel 🙂
Sarah | sarahanne14.blogspot.com
Gingi this sounds divine… I love popcorn but I’ll have to pass until I’m closer to my desired weight…. I have a weakness for ice cream… so much so I rarely allow it in my house… I have no will power 🙂 ♡
LOL, I’m the same way! I just completely remove temptation when I’m trying to keep something out of my diet.. which is why all that lovely caramel corn is now at my husbands work, haha!
I made my own popcorn for the first time ever last week and I have been totally missing out. I am going to have to try this one next.
Yum, that looks incredible!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Losing that much weight is a HUGE accomplishment! Congratulations! You sound extremely determined so the last 50 will come off before you know it! This recipe looks delicious – you have to have a cheat day once in awhile or you will go crazy! ; )
xo,
Jessica
http://www.fortheloveofbubbly.com
Yeah, I know it will happen, so I’m not worried about THAT. What bugs me is how LONG it takes! lol! 😉 I just need to remember to pace my cheat days!
This looks really delicious, I have to try it soon. 🙂
Sara Wallflower
Just YUMMY!
We can eat healthy tomorrow, yes?
Hugs to you, to yours, Gingi!
I cut out sugar for a while as well. But after two weeks I really felt like eating some chocolate. I try to eat as healthy as possible though, lots of fruits and veggies. I do like popcorn as well, especially the salty one.
I like all kinds of flavors on popcorn.. my problem is I like ALL foods, haha! 😉
Good for you! Diets DO NOT work, you’re doing this weight loss thing the right way, and you’re seeing results. The best part is that you probably feel great and this new eating style will continue. BTW, your IG pics look great so stop beating up on yourself. You’re beautiful!
Okay, this caramel corn is making me drool. I’m going to try making it with coconut butter because I’m trying to stay away from processed vegan butter. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I do feel great actually!! No more mid-day crashes. No more random urges or cravings (I usually crave salt.. like straight up salt, by itself. Strange, yeah?!)
If you can make a healthy version of this, I will love you forever!!!
WIshing you luck on your healthy journey darling!
I’ve lost so much weight recently just because I’ve got braces (it’s never too late) and can’t snack anymore or eat a lot of sweets, and only now I’ve realized how many times I’ve ate without a reason))
One thing that helped my hubby (he is currently on a diet) is keeping eating journal, it really helps!
http://www.stripesnvibes.com
BlogLovin
I am contemplating braces or veneers.. sooo should have done that when I was a teen! Never thought of it as a weight management tool, haha! <3
Oh yes, caramel corn is a heavenly meal! Mhm, made me hungry 🙂
Girlfriend I do not even own a scale! That thing went out the window at baby #3. Now I just try and fit in my pants 🙂 I love this recipe! How did you know that caramel corn is one of my all time favorites?! Pinned!
Congratulations on being able to stick with it for so long! I don’t know how you do it. With a newborn, a toddler, missing pet, MRSA troubles, I know I would have trouble not breaking down and eating some comfort foods. Hooray for you! Keep it up as I could use your inspiration. 🙂
LOL, I don’t know how I’m doing it either.. I seriously don’t! I am the queen of comfort eating usually…
This looks sooo yummy and now I have a craving for caramel popcorn!! I bet this was a super nice treat after staying focused on your sugar intake for so long!! Congrats on already dropping a considerable amount of weight; I know you will definitely hit your target, mama! 😉
Always wanted to try this sounds so good!! 😀
Florals&Smiles
Twitter
Ooh that looks delicious! I love caramel. I have a major sweet tooth. I’m trying to work out more, but I know I should cut down on deserts as well… I am very happy for you that the numbers are going down!
Thanks Lisa!! <3 <3
OMG I could not eat foods like this. I have been living the LCHF lifestyle for seven years now. How about a nice recipe for a low carb strawberry sponge cake, it is good tasting food http://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/low-carb-strawberry-sponge-cake-back-by.html
All the best Jan
Ohhhh, that looks yummy! I love your recipes!
Love this popcorn, it looks amazing!!
I almost bought some ‘fiddle faddle’ cuz I was craving caramel popcorn…luckily I reminded myself how much it hurts my teeth and didn’t get it. Then I open FB and see THIS! Ack! heh.
If you make it fresh, it’s soft and gooey and doesn’t hurt your teeth! 😉 😉
Caramel and corn? Now that’s one recipe made above. Yummy!! I don’t have a cheat meal per-say, but carbs get me all the time. Lol!!
missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
great, great post :)) have an amazing weekend!
mfashionfreak♥blog
I think we all do let ourselves go a little once we have a baby, I did too. I was 49kg since my teens and after my first baby but with the second one, I struggled to lose weight. It’s not much but I hover between 51-52kg. I know it’s not much but it’s frustrating. Recently I have been doing an hour yoga everyday and I’m at a good 50kg now and damn I feel good.
Good luck with your weight loss, you’re doing really good!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
That’s awesome that you’re feeling great.. you inspire me.. Let’s doooo this! <3
Ooh, this looks delicious and easy- might have to give it a whirl.
wow I love caramel Popcorn 🙂
Ah my goodness this looks delicious! I’m am extremely tempted to make some of this tonight and have it while I do my assignments!! 🙂 Em xx
http://edoublemamurray.blogspot.com.au/
Doooooooooo eeeeet! <3 <3
The reason I dare not to make any popcorn is that I have no self control and won’t stop eating them until all gone. My..this sounds even more addictive with caramel.
Wow it looks heaven to me too
Thanks for sharing
Delicioso!
XO
Check my new post.
The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin
Seems like you’re doing incredibly well on losing weight, wow!
This caramel corn looks beyond delicious and makes me very hungry, yum!
XO Imke // http://www.pastellics.com
Yeah, I just need to keep my momentum up! hehe! <3
I love making popcorn! When I was younger I used to eat it with iceing sugar. So nice.
Corinne x
Oh, the popcorn does look heavenly!
This looks awesome!!!
Good luck with getting to a point you are happy with – not so much just about the number but how you feel!!!
So true! I am not a stickler for numbers on a scale! I just want to be healthy and feel good again! <3
This is making my mouth water. Caramel corn is my favorite!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’
Looks really heavenly! Yum! I love caramel popcorn but the one we have is always ready to eat from the store kind of popcorn. We haven’t tried homemade.
This caramel corn looks absolutely delicious! I bet I could eat five batches of it, maybe ten! Have a great one. 🙂
xo Bry
New Post: Brighton Get’s Naughty
BrightonHillNaughtyandNice
Same here, that’s why I had to kick it out of the house after I had my fill, haha!
Looks so tasty! Caramel corn, I even love how it sounds, thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh you’ve won me over with this tasty recipe! I need to try this Caramel Corn one out!
Serene xoxo
http://www.imserenel.wordpress.com
YUMMY caramel corn is the best thing in this world!!!
DAISYPERSON | BEAUTY BLOG
Right?! <3
Great job on the weight! You are doing amazing and what a healthy diet! That is seriously to be applauded with all you have going on, Gingi! I hope your infection is clearing up, too. My hubby loves caramel corn so perhaps a surprise is in order!
Thank you Lori! *hugs*
Wow Gingi! You’re doing an awesome job on your weight loss. My boyfriend and I were talking about really cutting back on desserts and drinking. We feel stronger and healthier when we eat sweets in moderation. I’m extremely active, but have a hard time giving up sweet treats. Good luck in the rest of your journey! 😀
Right now, sweets aren’t so hard to stop so much as drinking.. I’m not a heavy drinker, or even a regular drinker – but nine months of NO alcohol, and I’m in a bingy mood.. and now with this diet?! WHEW!! lol!
Oh YUM. I’m actually a healthy weight – but it did take awhile to get down to pre-pregnancy weight after two kids. It could have been faster but I wasn’t willing to make changes
I have cut out about 90% of refined sugar intake. I was reaching for it ALL DAY. I still do treats and a small piece of chocolate once a day or so, but I was bad bad bad.
So I appreciate your honesty. Even if I’m not trying to lose weight, I am trying to be healthy.
looks so delish!!! 😀 good job on being successful with your diet goals!
Have a great week!
Animated Confessions
Gingi you deserve a good splurge! Having a baby is tough, don’t be too hard on yourself =) But congrats on doing so well with your weight loss….awesome job. This caramel popcorn seems like the perfect way to celebrate. I love a dessert with a good crunch!
I’ve now lost 10 pounds since the 1st of April.. so 10 pounds in 22 days.. WOOHOO!!! Now to just keep this up.. haha…
I hate popcorn, but I love caramel corn. Weird, right?? This sounds super good, though! I’ve never thought about making it at home before.
xx Alyssa — fragments of memories
Go you! You’ll get that baby weight off. This recipe looks mouth watering 🙂
xoxo
Kaley
My Closet Life Blog
Good luck with losing the baby weight. . should be no problem if you’re eating only whole, organic and minimally processed foods. Hooray for the raw veggies!!! You can do it!
Yup! It’s coming off slowly!! hehe..
I love caramel popcorn and this looks so delicious! Don’t worry about the weight, it will come down..just have patience, eat right and workout 🙂
i must say i not much on popcorn but from time to time, i do like indulge myself…and this sounds perfect!!
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com