GMG's Friday Find: For the Love of Popcorn!

Our obsession with popcorn is impressive. There's evidence of popcorn from 3600 B.C., and for eons we have been popping and playing with the kernels of this amazing vegetable. Is popcorn really good for us?  According to Kantha Shelke, a spokeswoman for the Institute of Food Technologists, "Popcorn has an antioxidant called ferulic acid that's also found in beans, rice, wheat, barley and many other grains. Ferulic acid exhibits a wide range of therapeutic effects against cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neuro-degenerative diseases because of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity."

We not only consume popcorn, we play with it.  There are popcorn board games, phone apps, relay races, guessing games and even Christmas decorations. Now there is a fun new machine that, although in prototype stage, promises to be a must have for the popcorn enthusiast.

The Popinator was invented by the fine folks at Popcorn Indiana and it's voice activated to launch a kernel of popped corn in the direction of the command "Pop", allowing the recipient the delight of capturing an air-borne snack with little agility (well, only when you get good at it). The less obvious components of the Popinator include competition and gamesmanship, alertness, agility, laughter and satisfaction.  The possible scenarios for use may include parties and social gatherings, perhaps the counters at workout facilities, an alternative to little snacks served at food stores, staff meetings at work (we're definitely interested at GMG), or anywhere you may want a quick snack mixed with a little fun.

Check out the Popinator video and let us know what you think.  Would you put this on your must have list?

~Peggy
  Garden Media Group