Popcorn a blank canvas for spicy snacks

While you snuggle up with a date or bonbons for a movie night this weekend, grab yourselves a bowl of popcorn and jazz it up with some spices, herbs or dried fruit.

To mark National Popcorn Poppin' Month, the Popcorn Board has some fun ideas for upcoming holiday parties and everyday snacking. For a new spin on an old classic, popcorn balls, add marshmallow cream, peanut butter and candy corns to popped corn kernels.

For a spicier, autumn blend, toss popcorn with brown sugar, light corn syrup, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, margarine and Craisins.

This whole-grain snack is not just a blank canvas for butter and salt. Shake it up with any blend of spices and enjoy the month with tasty popcorn.

What a spud: It's easy to forget the culinary splendors of potatoes. We focus on fries, tater tots and loaded potato skins and tend to underestimate the spud's nutritious attributes. Potatoes actually are packed with vitamins and potassium.

According to the United States Potato Board's "Peel Back the Truth" campaign, taters contain only 110 calories, are fat free and contain more potassium than a banana (if you eat one with the skin on). From baked, fried, mashed, smashed, roasted, broiled and boiled consider introducing the once forgettable spud with fresh herbs, grilled vegetables or nonfat yogurt.

Breakfast book club: Instead of catching your kids in a blank stare at the cereal box, give them a book. Cheerios is offering free books inside their boxes this month. For the seventh year, Cheerios has included books from Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing to encourage small minds and healthy habits. The books will be available in boxes marked "Spoonfuls of Stories;" among the titles, "Duck of President," "Monkey and Me" and "Diego's Wolf Pup Rescue."

Besides the free book and enjoyment of your child reading at the breakfast table, parents can make an online donation to First Book to help give brand new books to children from low-income families by going to spoonfulofstories.com.

Surviving the hefty holidays: The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and parties is rearing its unforgiving head. By the end of October, some are already planning meals, wish lists and deciding what foods they think they aren't going to eat during all the get-togethers. But we all know once you're in the moment and a spicy pumpkin pie is staring you in the face with a perfect dollop of Cool Whip, you might not be able to say no.

So, while you may not be able to resist the charm of sweets and treats of the holidays, here are some tips from Taste of Home, Healthy Cooking, on how to feel guiltless after chowing down.

• Don't arrive at the party with an empty stomach and a whopping appetite: Have a good breakfast and eat a satisfying, low-calorie snack before dinner. At the party, nibble on the fruit and veggie trays.

• Drink lots of water: While grazing, take a sip after every three bites to help fill you up.

• Exercise: Now we all say we're going to but take a longer walk with the dogs or keep the regular trip to the gym on the daily agenda.

• Get plenty of sleep: You're more likely to overeat when you're tired and extra-stressed.

• Take it slow: Eat and chew slowly, this gives your tummy extra time to catch up and realize when you've had enough.

• Help yourself at the table: Don't let Aunt Susan or Mom load up your plate with stuffing. Take matters and your plate into your own hands.

• Sample half portions of special desserts: If you must indulge, savor only half a slice of pie, give the other half to your honey. Wait a few minutes before hitting the dessert table and sampling another.

Fall into it: The leaves have turned, the air is brisk and all the wonderful root vegetables are showing up on tables and menus. Autumn is in full swing and that means harvest dinners and wine tastings galore.

Dobby's World-wide Liquors & Wines and Le Titi de Paris invite you to their annual Autumn Harvest Dinner Sunday, Oct. 26, at Le Titi de Paris, 1015 W. Dundee Road, Arlington Heights.

The meal features six courses with wine pairings for $85 per person. A reception starts at 5 p.m.; dinner follows at 5:30. Seats fill up quickly, so don't hesitate. Call (847) 359-0400 to reserve seats for you and a date.