I miss my smoothies!
I miss the their creamy texture. Their cold temperature. The way I could cram veggies (spinach!) into my morning meal without even tasting them.
This weekend, Ryan and I drove to our storage unit in hopes of locating our beloved Vitamix among the boxes.
Unfortunately the box labeled “blender” was nowhere in sight. There are likely a bunch of boxes stacked on top of it because it was deemed a “heavy” box that could support others as we were packing. Bummer.
So, another breakfast at the hotel buffet kicked off the workweek.
I used one of the pieces of whole wheat toast to make an egg and jelly sandwich.
It made me miss my favorite bagelwiches!
I smeared the other piece of toast with whipped butter. Bread and butter are one of life’s greatest creations.
Healthy Movie Theater Snacks
This morning I read an article from the Huffington Post that detailed “10 Movie Snacks to Pick Instead of Popcorn.”
The list included:
• Bottled water, club soda or Crystal Lite
• Flavor and Fiber Gnu bar or Chocolite Protein Bar
• Dry cereal: Fiber One, Kashi Go Lean or Puffins
• Low-fat mozzarella string cheese
• 100 calorie mini bags of popcorn
• 1-ounce of pistachios
• Baby carrots or sliced peppers
• Pretzels
• Fruit such as apples, strawberries or raspberries
• Roasted almonds 100-calorie pack
• Shelled, salted edamame
• A mix of almonds, raisins and mini marshmallows
• Jicama matchsticks, tossed with lime juice and chili powder
• Frozen red or green grapes
I loved the idea of bringing your own mini bags of popcorn, pretzels, edamame and pistachios. All salty and all totally delicious.
For some reason, I just cant wrap my head around packing a protein bar, carrot sticks or frozen grapes. I think that when I go to the movies, if I’m going to buy a snack, I want something salty. I can’t smell buttery popcorn and then eat an apple and feel happy. (Of course I can do sweet and salty during a movie. Peanut M&Ms + Popcorn = Heaven.)
When it comes to seeing movies in the theater, Ryan and I usually don’t buy any snacks because they’re so darn expensive. Well, I will bring in some change to buy candy from the 50-cent candy machines, but that doesn’t really count.
But I must say there’s nothing like movie-theater popcorn. When we do buy popcorn at the movies, we adopt the “no kernel left behind” philosophy. 
One of my all-time favorite books, The Help, was made into a movie recently and is debuting in the theaters this Wednesday and I’m really looking forward to seeing it. I’m thinking I’ll pack my own mini bag of popcorn, perhaps with a few chocolate chips thrown in for some sweetness. Yum!
Questions of the Morning
- Do you buy snacks at the movie theater?
- What are your favorite movie theater snacks, both healthy and unhealthy?
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I am such a snacker during movies and I always bring my own instead of paying so much for a box of candy…ridiculous! Love these ideas – and the Huffington Post = a daily read for me too 🙂
Sorry about your Vita! Hide and seek is no fun when the hider doesn’t play fair, right?
Enjoy your day!
usually i pack a meal! its fun to see the movie with a big feast in front of you!! if i see it in the afternoon tho or at night i treat myself to a diet coke 🙂
I don’t buy movie theater snacks – so expensive!! I’ll either bring in my own candy or bring in a drink. Normally I just want something else to do when sitting and staring gets tiring, so drinking suffices!!
I always enjoy some Raisnonets at the move theater! Still chocolately goodness, but slightly better for you. At least that’s what I tell myself.
But, when all else fails—just enjoy some of that buttery popcorn sometimes! Just get a small.
I sometimes bring things if I am nannying for convenience of not stopping and unloading them from the car!
My favorite movie theater snacks are the ones that get shared 🙂 I usually rope my movie partner into junior mints! If I get popcorn (which is fairly common) I will get popcorn (for dinner of course) and use the little flavor shakers they have (white cheddar!!).
Does your movie theater attach the shakers to strings?? Like I’m going to walk off with their cheddar sauce haha
AND I will be at the help Wednesday…wonder if I can read the book before then?! I know what I’m doing tonight! Thanks for the reminder!
I’ve brought my own lighter popcorn or other snacks in the past, but nothing can compare to movie theater popcorn in my opinion. I figure since I don’t add that pseudo-butter stuff that it’s not TOO terrible! 🙂
I always bring my own snacks to the movie theater:
1. Because I’m not a fan of the unhealthy selections they usually have available
2. Because who wants to pay $4.00 for a freaking small popcorn!!
..just sayin’ 😉
i know! $4 for popcorn is ridiculous.
That sucks that you couldnt dig out your Vitamix! Bummer! 🙁
I always sneak snacks into the theatre! I love to sneak in cupcakes but I’ll also bring in dried pressed fruit, fresh fruit, super salty almonds, everything bagel thins, ginormous bottles of water…I have no shame! 🙂 I’ve seen (and smelled) people bring in fast food…that kinda irritates me because it has such a strong funky smell!
I usually sneak my own candy into the movie theatres for 2 reasons: to save money and to practice portion control. Seriously, if I buy that bag of liquorice, I will eat the entire thing during a movie without even thinking twice. What is it about a movie theatre that makes us shove food in our mouth mercilessly? lol
please tell me you’ve seen that ellen degeneres comedy sketch when she talks about people shoving handfuls of popcorn into their mouths? SO funny!
LOL. I have!!! When she’s picking the popcorn off her shirt/butt… it’s so true. And the international sign for “That’s irritating” when someone is kicking your seat. I need to re-watch that hahah.
OMG I always randomly quote things from her act and people look at me like I’m crazy!
THE BANGS!!!
I usually bring something into the theater but Keith goes all out. BIG popcorn, BIG coke, and a BIG candy. His bottomless pit of a stomach and his insanely fast metabolism never cease to amaze me.
Interestingly, I went tonight, and for the first time in ages, broke my rules and brought some M&Ms. Usually, I just don’t like eating while watching movies. But they were soooo good. I also got a 600ml bottle of water for $4.20. The M&Ms cost me $4. WTF?
whenever i go i always say im not gonna get anything but as soon as you walk in the smell of amazingly buttery hot popcorn grabs you and so i usually get a kiddy tray! at my movie theathre for $5 you get a tiny tiny scoop of popcorn, 2 fun sized bags of m&ms or skittles and a tiny little coke! just enough for my craving but doesnt leave me feeling gross after (like eating an entire bag of popcorn usually does!)
As expensive as the candy and popcorn are…the movies THEMSELVES are so expensive! I wish they were redbox style and only cost $1…or maybe $2 since they are big screen and all 😉 I hear theaters actually make all their money on the concessions anyways! Maybe more people would buy them if the movies themselves were cheaper!
I am a suckered for Sour Patch Kids at the movies, but I do love the salty/sweet combo of popcorn and M&Ms!
I can’t wait for the Help, either!
The movie theater i usually end up going to has a yogen fruz in it, so its usually either just something small from there or i just bring a bottle of water with me.
I rarely see movies but when I do I go during the day so it’s only $6 instead of $9. I always go to CVS or the local gas station to pick up a pack of m&m’s and something to drink!
I always pack my own snacks! Last time I snuck in my own soy latte with stevia & a delicious homemade cookie dough bar…mmm..memories!
Yup, have to bring my own bottle of water (I’m not paying $3+ for a drink!). I also totally bring string cheese with me. And almonds. And occasionally I’ll make a mini bag of Smart Pop ahead of time and transfer it to a ziploc bag. Carrot sticks? Apples? Good luck eating those loud, crunchy foods without getting a lot of dirty looks from the people around you. LOVE the idea of throwing chocolate chips in the popcorn – yum!
I never buy snacks at the movie because they are so damn expensive! It’s ridiculous! Also, we tend to go to movies after a meal-time so I’ve already eaten :). I cannot wait to see The Help! I love Emma Stone and I’m sure she’ll be awesome as Skeeter
I would say it about 50/50 of when we buy snacks at the theater and don’t. And they are really strict and usually catch you if you try and bring in your own goodies 🙁 But if we do get snacks (usually at the cheap theater) we roll with popcorn and diet Pepsi. Movie popcorn is my favorite movie snack for sure!
I cannot wait to see The Help! I am just about done the book!
When we go to the theaters, we normally sneak in, but this weekend, caution was thrown to the wind due to: A GIFT CARD!
That meant shelling out the big bucks (luckily, not our own) for popcorn AND a soda! Really living the high life.
This one time, though, in one of the stealthiest sneak ins of my entire life to date…. I smuggled in not one but TWO full froyos from the local weigh/pay spot. It was my crowning (delicious) achievement.
Ooh I always bring my mini popcorn bag and a can of diet coke (which i open when it’s kinda loud haha) my boyfriend always request i bring my big purse to movies so he can bring 2 bottles of pop too lol I usually have to wait til the movie has started tho before i open my mini popcorn otherwise it somehow disappears before the previews are even over… i’m just about finished with The Help and can’t wait to see it! (although i’m usually disappointed with the movie versions of books, but i really like emma stone so hopefully it’ll be a winner!)
I hate how expensive the movie snacks are but I also hate how expensive the movie is too!! IT is ridiculous!! But I have been bringing my own snacks into the movies for years. If we buy snacks its either nachos (my boyfriend’s favorite) or popcorn (my favorite).
I’m guilty of buying the expensive, unhealthy popcorn at the movies… I’m a huge fan of going to the movies, and unfortunately, as soon as I smell the buttery popcorn…I’m hooked! A friend & usually share, though, and our theater sells a plastic bucket at the beginning of the year for $15. Then, you bring it back any time & refill for $2. It’s definitely a steal! (since a large popcorn is $8!)
Growing up my mom would stop by the gas station on the way to the movies so we could each get a candy to sneak in.
Now that we’re older and mature… we sneak in alcohol. Haha, sad but true. I always take in a flask of whiskey for Hubbs to pour into a coke and sip on, and before I was prego, I’d even slip in a small bottle of wine. We’re hardcore like that 😉
Thank goodness for large purses!
Yep! I give myself that because its really the one thing that I truly indulge in. I will get a Small or Med popcorn and add butter too.
I have though, in the past brought my own…vanilla wafers, pbj on a sandwich thin. cherries. sometimes I want to spend the extra money and its expensive. for me its more the cost than the fact that its high calorie. :O)
2 weekends ago after my 17 miler we went to see Capt America and i had popcorn AND a hot dog :O)
I don’t have anywhere near the budget for a Vitamix, so I bought this $12, single-serve beauty about a month ago and I LOVE IT. It’s not going to be anything close to a Vitamix, but it can blend up some spinach, peanut butter, frozen banana and chocolate almond milk real good (so maybe it’s an option to get you through the next few weeks?): http://www.target.com/Hamilton-Beach-51103-Single-Serve-Blender/dp/B002V8ZEXW/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
Yes! I love going to a movie in the middle of the day & pack sandwiches. It makes lunch fun:) plus matinees are cheaper yay!
I’ve really never seen the need to eat during a movie. I’ll usually bring water but nothing else. A meal usually happens before or after. Besides, the sound of popcorn/candy/etc. and soda slurping is as irritating as nails on a chalkboard. Must be why I only go see movies once or twice a year.
I loooove movie theater popcorn with extra butter. Unhealthy but so, so good :).
I usually smuggle in some soda, but always buy popcorn. There is nothing like real movie popcorn! Such a wonderful treat 🙂
I am going to see ‘the help’ with my mom for her birthday so this is all great! ….The mini marshmallows are an AWESOME idea!!!! 🙂
I always bring a huge purse to the movies to smuggle in my own popcorn. I pop it myself and separate it out into single serving paper lunch bags for me and my friends!
Nope, I don’t buy snacks at the movies because they’re so darn expensive! I’ve been known to pack the 100-cal popcorn bags, as well as fruit like apples and grapes. I’m not a big movie junkfood kind of person…I never have been though.
I totally buy lots of candy at the movies! I don’t go very often so it’s a special treat that’s part of the experience.
If I went more often I would definitely bring my own snacks.
That’s a great list! I adore carrot sticks but wouldn’t dream of bringing them to a theater because they’d make so much noise! Frozen grapes are another great snack, but like you said, I wouldn’t think to bring those with me. I usually bring a bag of crackers or pretzels (I’m a Triscuit queen!) and just buy a drink of some sort while I’m there. Can’t wait to see The Help! 🙂
Kinda stinky for your neighbors, but boiled eggs is another great movie snack!
We usually bring our own movie snacks, because theater popcorn is even more expensive here!
i love getting a “kid’s meal” at the movies- it’s usually a little bit of popcorn, small candy and small soda. Not too much food and not too expensive!
I totally agree. Movie snacks = SALT! I have never packed my own popcorn before, but I should really start! Air popped popcorn with salt and even butter or margarine would be so much healthier than theatre popcorn, and just as tasty!
This has nothing to do with this post, but just wanted to share. I stumbled on your blog about a month ago and love it. I have been doing cardio only (treadmill 5 days a week) and knew I needed to do some strength training as well. I still had the “have to do cardio every day” mindset. Well, thanks to you, I took my first BodyPump class at 5:45AM this morning and loved it! I am not good at machines and counting reps. I just doesn’t work for me. The class was perfect because it moved quickly, had good music and someone counted the reps for me! I am probably one of your “older” followers at the ripe old age of 47, but your lifestyle has inspired me in several ways. I have read a lot of your older posts and am trying to steer away from the processed foods that leave me still feeling hungry and more toward whole foods. I have replaced my 100 calorie pack of Lance’s peanut butter cracker for a banana smeared with a little natural peanut butter. Huge difference and so much better and more filling. Basically,I just wanted you to know you are making a difference. I may be to sore to move, but I will be back in BodyPump at 6:00 AM Wednesday morning. 🙂 Also, I share your love of peanut butter, so this blog is perfect for me!
I love popping my own popcorn to bring with me! Especially kettle corn…it’s the best 🙂
You can’t go to the movie theater and eat healthy, that’s absolute torture! I love “people watching” at the movie theater, people shove popcorn in their mouths like their never going to see another piece of food again!
I’ll admit it…I’m guilty of it too 🙂
My hubby and I almost always buy a large popcorn and demolish it. I treat it as my dinner. We only go to the movies every few months so I totally indulge. I also usually buy snacks at Target and stuff them in my purse. Unhealthy all the way!
Oh my gosh – I sat in front of a group once who brought carrot sticks and they were so loud!! They were so crunchy and they kept laughing at how loud the crunch was and even made a comment about how it wasn’t the best movie snack because of the sound. It was kind of funny, but then it was kind of annoying too 🙂
I always bring my own movie theater snacks. Kettlecorn and/or pretzels + m&ms or chocolate chips are usually my go-tos. I just can’t justify spending nearly $20 on a bottle of water and a small popcorn! We are totally those people that have conspicuously big bags/pockets when walking into a movie 🙂
I also love movie theater popcorn, but I have to get a small bag otherwise I start feeling sick. If I want something sweet, I’ll buy candy from Publix or Target! I also love the sweet and salty combo.
I can’t wait for The Help either! 🙂
My boyfriend usually gets an Icee and Sour Gummies and I usually get a cheese and cracker box and a glass of wine lol. I love that our movie theatre now offers different foods (they also have a fruit box) and alcohol!
Considering how often my husband drags me to the move theater, we’d be broke if we bought snacks there! I definitely roll with the home popped popcorn 😉 I even brought a piece of fruit recently when I wasn’t feeling the salt..who does that!?
I bring a mini Larabar or raw almonds with me sometimes when I go to the theater. Sometimes I’ll splurge and get movie theater popcorn though. 🙂