The “big games” are over, along with the pizza, beer, and chips. But Summer is on the way. That means cookouts, parties, weekend guests, and lighter fare than mid-Winter. Think beyond chips and dips and bring out the “sexy snacks” for Summer, Here are two easy ways, from Opopop Popcorn and Lola’s Fine Hot Sauces. They can help to make every day a special event!
from left to right: original, Jalapeno and Serrano, Carolina Reaper, ghost pepper, and Trinidad Scorpion
Come On Lolas Light My Fire!
There are eight different types of hot sauces that Lolas Fine Hot Sauces Carries. Advicesisters.com received the four in the photo above. My husband was a jalapeno-eating champion in college, and he can handle a lot of mouth “heat.” So he helped me test these.
All of Lola’s Fine Hot Sauces (made in Iowa) are all-natural, keto-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan. They’re also low in sodium. One of the benefits of using spices is that it tends to curb your appetite, so when you’re trying to lose weight they can help add flavor and also make dieting easier and more fun.
We tried the Jalapeno and Serrano first, thinking that the others would probably be much hotter. My husband didn’t think it was that hot, but it was more than hot enough for me. One thing I noted both on the bottles and on Lola’s Fine Hot Sauces website is that there is no mention of Scoville Units. There should be.
What is a Scoville unit?
The Scoville scale is a measurement of the pungency (spiciness or “heat”) of chili peppers, as recorded in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), based on the concentration of capsaicinoids, among which capsaicin is the predominant component. Note that capsaicin is also present in some of the lip plumpers you might have used.
Hot sauce lovers always check to see what level of mouth “heat” they’ll be getting in a hot sauce. For some, the hotter it is, the better. The original is for beginning hot sauce fans. The next one, Jalapenos and Serranos are also for beginners, but they do pack some mouth heat.
Once you get to Ghost Peppers, Scorpion Peppers, and Carolina Reaper peppers you are aware that they have their names for a reason. Here is a chart I found that shows you where various hot peppers fall on the Scoville unit scale. 
Taste is Subjective:
After the Jalapeno and
“These next three are gonna hurt,” my husband said. I tried just a tiny bit of each on my tongue. He didn’t think they were super hot. For me, they were flavorful but they did leave a nice burn.
Unless you are really used to hot peppers, I’d suggest using them (sparingly at first) in soups, aiolis, eggs, or a drop in your cocktails. For those used to hot sauces, you’ll find these pack heat, but they’re not painful.
What I found amusing in other reviews is that some people said the products were fresh and flavorful and very hot, but others said they weren’t hot enough. This tells you that taste is highly subjective. Since these hot sauces are now sold in chain grocery stores, my sense is that they could be even hotter but wouldn’t sell as well as they would in boutique hot sauce stores.
No matter what, I think you find that they set your heart (and mouth) on enough fire to light your fire. Now that’s hot !”(puns, intended). For more information and some recipe videos, visit Lolas Hot Sauces. I also found them on Amazon under hot sauces
Don’t Keep the Opopop to Yourself:
For something crunchy or sweet not hot, but totally sexy, There’s Opopopop flavored popcorn. I enlisted my husband to also try it. Opopop Popcorn is touted as a “popcorn revolution.” The package we received arrived with a bunch of different flavors.
What makes Opopop different than the plain brown bags of microwaveable popcorn you get at the store? A lot of things.
For starters, the sets come with a cheerful yellow and white collapsible silicone popping bowl. not a sad, greasy plastic-wrapped paper bag. The microwave and dishwasher-safe bowl stores flat and expands when you want to use it.
Just open the colorful packet of popcorn in the flavor you choose, and dump the pre-measured and pre-coated flavor kernels,into the bowl. Put on the lid. Pop it as usual in the microwave. Then shake the bowl to distribute the flavoring. Remove the lid, and you’re ready to eat.
The “Secret” is the Flavor Wrapped Kernels:
The real fun comes from Opopop’s proprietary Flavor Wrapped Kernels — individually coated popcorn kernels that come in sinfully good flavors like Cinnalicious, Fancy Butter, Chedapeno, and Maui Heat. These are low to zero in sugar and sodium too.
We skipped the “test run” packette and went right to Cinnalicious. Our microwave has a popcorn setting so we used that. You could smell the cinnamon bun right out of the microwave. The popcord was delicious and fully popped except for about 20 unpopped kernels which was expected). That said, Cinnalicious has three 140 servings per packet. I gave some to my husband and ate the rest. It’s not a diet food popcorn can really make you feel full. There is no trans fat and 30% saturated fat.
“That’s really good!” my husband said. When I took the bowl and went back to my computer he showed up just as I was finishing the last of the Cinnalicious. He was actually upset that I ate it all! But not all is lost…..
Single Serve Option:
Opopop also recently launched single-serve Peel + Pour Popcorn Cups. The packets have raw Opopop kernels with a flavor core. Peel + Pour Popcorn Cups are easy to make in quick batches in Opopop’s reusable silicone microwave popping bowl. There are so many other flavors to try and they are all great. So my husband can have his favorites whenever he wants.
If you have fussy eaters who might not like a flavor, but the others do, it takes just minutes to make a bowl or a popcorn cup (let them choose their flavors). Great for parties or as a hostess gift. I may never go back to boring popcorn, again! Prices range from $13.99 to $64.99 and are available at Opopop.
