Air Hunger

A few summers ago I took myself to the Emergency Room three times in two months with what I was convinced was a heart attack or blood clot. All three times I was diagnosed with ‘just’ anxiety.

Sometimes when I feel these same feelings coming on, I read through the papers the doctor gave me when I left the ER. I don’t know why I do this, but re-reading what I went through, helps me remember it is anxiety, not ‘just’ anxiety, but real anxiety that won’t let up it’s grip and not a heart attack. This helps to reset my thoughts. In one of the papers it said I was diagnosed with air hunger. I had never heard this phrase before, but it makes sense that air hunger is a way to describe anxiety. Breathing is a huge part of this and I often find when my anxiety is at it’s worse, I am not aware that I am holding my breath and in turn, hungry for air.

This week’s recipe is homemade popcorn. Popcorn starts as a hard kernel, like an anxious thought and it can change into a lighter existence with the help of some air. As the kernels jump, even though we can not see them popping, it reminds me that thoughts can quickly change as well with a chance to shift perspective and breathe.

Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients:
2–3 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
1/2 Cup popcorn kernels

Toppings: (optional)
Onion powder, garlic powder and paprika: 1 Tablespoon of each.
Nutritional yeast, dill and black pepper: 1 Tablespoon of the nooch and dill, large pinch of pepper.
Old Bay: 2 Tablespoons
1–3 Tablespoons of vegan butter, Earth Balance or Miyoko’s are my favorites

Method
Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottom pan
Add two or three kernels and listen carefully for the popping sounds
Once the oil is hot, add the rest of the kernels, cover, and remove from heat
Shake the pan, with a tea towel or oven mitt, once or twice and when the popping is about a second between pops, you know your popcorn is ready.
Place in a large bowl
Melt a the butter and drizzle on top, add salt to taste unless you are using Old Bay, as it has salt in it’s blend.
Add your spices of choice and enjoy!

Comment below with your favorite popcorn topping.