Thanksgiving Tree Trimming Time

Today is a great day, when the family is already gathered together in large numbers, to make up some old-fashioned tree garlands and have some old-fashioned family fun.

1. Arrange some snacks (like some, Caramel Corn with Pecans from ReallyGoodPopcorn) to enjoy while you’re making the garlands.
2. Pop some popcorn (keep it plain without any butter or seasonings) Pour into a large bowl and allow it to cool.
3. Pour the cranberries into a bowl (get rid of the ugly ones, too soft, or broken berries).
4. Get some needles (1 per person) and thread each with heavy-duty thread (buttonhole, quiliting thread or fishing line) and pull until doubled.
5. Knot the thread with a large knot.
6. Thread one cranberry and pull/push to the end of the thread and knot the thread around it to create the “end” of your garland. Thread a kernel of popcorn, followed by a cranberry, or and alternate until the thread is full.
7. Leave enough thread to tie a sturdy knot at the end of the line.

Be creative! Let each person create their own unique pattern.

Popcorn Not Potato Chips

Need more fiber in your diet - but still want a salty tasty treat! Try popping a bag of popcorn instead of popping open a bag of chips. There's 8 g fiber in every bag of popcorn.

Not only will you get more fiber, you will also get less fat, less saturated fat and less sodium.

Your tasty treat = the healthy alternative!!

Sugar Momma's New Site Design

Yeah!! A new site for Sugar Momma's. From the very moment we started, in 2002, I have always had a difficulty managing my website, http://www.sugarmommas.com/ So, it is with great pleasure that I announce our new site. In the coming year, you will see more enhancements, more products, more variety, more fun related to popcorn. As a thank-you for visiting my site, here is a $5 coupon for you when you make a popcorn purchase over $20, enter in coupon code: newsite when checking out.

And, did I mention, we have a great holiday gift, our Holiday Popcorn Gift Box. It makes the perfect gift for friends and family.

Nuts and Popcorn: OK for the Colon?

Millions of Americans who suffer from the uncomfortable intestinal disorder diverticulosis — more than half of the population will develop it in older age — have been told for decades to avoid eating popcorn, nuts, and that all-American favorite, corn on the cob, because those foods may compound the disorder. But a new study released this week suggests that these foods may not increase diverticulosis risk, and that in fact people who eat lots of nuts and popcorn have lower rates of the disease than others.

Humidity - the popcorn killer

Nothing makes my delicious freshly popped popcorn taste stale -- more than a hot humid summer day! Fortunately, this past weekend, we had beautiful weather at the Kane County Flea Market. Plenty of people stopped by to bring a big bag of Cheesey corn home. I always recommend that they keep their popcorn in an air tight container to ward off the humidity. I have found the Tupperware Impressions Classic Bowls are the best way to keep your popcorn (and other goodies) fresh. Your popcorn sealed up will last for a few days. However, most everyone will say, it doesn't last thru the night, they eat it ALL up in one sitting ....

If you find yourself at a summer concert, or ballpark on a hot humid night. You won't be able to eat your corn fast enough before the humidity will make it sticky and too chewy. If that is the case, keep your popcorn in a plastic bag (even a grocery bag will do), twist the top to keep the air from getting to it. This will keep it fresh throughout the night. If you can plan ahead, bring a gallon ziplock bag with you - a simple fix to a sticky problem.

Garage Sale or Flea Market?

Many people comment that the Flea Market is nothing more than a glorified garage sale. There is a distinct difference among the two. Here is a good rule of thumb for you to follow, if you're cleaning house.

A garage sale is a recycling center for new products that are in boxes that still have a useful life. Family heirlooms, children's toys, and items that predate 1960 are popular and should be on auction sites or flea markets, not in a garage sale. Now a days, if it predates 1980, it probably has collectible value. People today, especially the younger generation, buy back their childhood, the things they remember. Childhood items really have a nostalgic value that transcends garage sale stuff. (source Reuters 5/30/08 Patricia Reaney)

If you ask the young girls who commented on the train that "Footloose" was a classic, they would probably tell you anything pre-dating 1990 is an antique. If you're unsure if you have junk or an antique, your best bet is to do some online research before you toss it out or sell it. If you have an item of value, and don't want to deal on E-bay, many of the same dealers at the flea market, are also the best buyers. Negotiate your price so the dealer can mark it up to resell at his next event, and you'll be leaving the Flea Market with more money than when you came - don't forget to grab a BIG bag of Sugar Momma's Cheesey and Caramel popcorn on the way out!

What's in a Name? Sugar Momma's

Many people ask me about the name, Sugar Momma's, for my business. Where did I come up with that? Some think it is from the Proud Family, but, we pre-date the popular Disney show.

We live in the small town of Sugar Grove. In the spring of 1834, the area was populated by Indians, when the first settlers arrived, they found an abandoned Indian sugar camp where they took shelter in a brush wigwam, until they were able to build their first log cabin. That is where the Sugar comes from in Sugar Grove and also in Sugar Momma's! My kids were helping me choose a name, at the time, they happen to be calling me Momma - hence, Sugar Momma's.

As you can imagine, I get quite a few comments about the name. I had one little old lady who was quite upset when she went to an adult site with a slightly different spelling! Many people, however love the name, as much as they love my popcorn! So much so, I created t-shirts and other great products that feature our logo.

Is there a Sugar Momma in your life - treat her with a special gift. Please visit

to get $4 dollars off a Sugar Momma Jr. Jersey T-shirt (of exceptional quality) by the amazing Cafepress company.

I Love My Popcorn

I am so excited to be going to the movies tonight with my kids. I can be working all day making Sugar Momma's Caramel and Cheese Corn, and still order a big bucket of Movie Theatre popcorn. I never tire of it. I love my popcorn.

One of my favorite books is The Popcorn Plus Diet - popcorn is whole grain food that's low in calories and fat and it's a complex carbohydrate. Popcorn can make a great diet food. Well,
that is, if you don't get extra butter on it like I do at the movie theatres.

The best popcorn for you is popcorn made with a Hot Air Popcorn Popper that is to say, the best popcorn with the greatest nutritional value.

Cause we all know, the best popcorn is Sugar Momma's Popcorn!