Ok, I have gotten multiple requests for this one, a high fat, “healthy” popcorn.  The struggle here is most traditional popcorn seeds are non-organic and mostly likely GMO.  Not to mention, microwave popcorn is one of the most toxic foods you can consume – linked to everything from kidney & liver damage to cancer and early death.

Solution: Tiny But Mighty Ancient Heirloom Popping Corn and your stovetop.   This is an excellent source of non-gmo verified, heirloom popcorn seeds (Heirloom seeds are open pollinated, meaning they are collected from the previous year crop and will themselves produce an entire stalk of corn, ie a fertile seed).  This keeps the genetic lineage of the seed line intact (non hybridized) and pure.  GMO crops, by comparison, are traditionally infertile, preventing farmers from keeping and reusing the seeds from their current crops, thereby having to buy more GMO seeds from the supplier.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 4 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
• 3 tbsp grass fed butter
• Nutritional Yeast

Directions

• Place coconut oil and 3 kernels into a large stock pot with heavy lid.  Rock or shake the pot lightly to evenly distribute the oil as it melts.  When you hear the test kernel pop, remove from heat completely
• Add remainder of the popcorn and shake/swirl until coated evenly with oil and leave off the heat for 20-30 seconds

• Return the pot to heat and shake lightly until vigorous popping begins (approximately 2 min) and then remove from heat continuing to shake lightly ever 30 seconds until popping discontinues
• Immediately transfer into a serving bowl and set aside

• Melt butter in a small sauce pan, and pour over the popped popcorn evenly distributing
• Once coated with butter, sprinkle with nutritional yeast until desired flavor and coating is obtained.  Usually 1/4 cup.

• Salt to taste with Sea Salt and enjoy!

Comment from Dr. Ernst
Here are 5 great reasons to love Nutritional Yeast Popcorn!

Nutritional yeast has incredible health benefits.  For starters is its amazingly high in naturally occuring protein (2 tbsp – 9G protein!)  PS. An entire glass of milk doesn’t even have this much protein!

It’s an amazing source of Vitamin B-12 (a challenge for lots of vegetarians/vegans who cant get B12 from red blood found in most red meats).  B12 is required for producing and maintaining myelin – the insulation around your nerves and the main player in Multiple Sclerosis.   1 tbsp = full day supply of B12.

It’s also high in fiber – and it helps to assist overall gut health as a prebiotic as well as supporting natural digestive movement.   These unique fibers also help to decrease blood sugar spikes helping to keep your insulin low.

Nutritional yeast is also gluten free by nature – its not a grain so therefore is free of all the inflammatory issues found with grain glutens.

Nutritional yeast is very high in folic acid which is vial for cellular maintenance and protection against oxidation.