happy national popcorn day

January 19, 2010 is National Popcorn Day, and I intend to celebrate by enjoying my share of this beloved snack (check out these "Fun Popcorn Facts," if you're so inclined).

Prevention Magazine recently named 7 foods you should never eat; unfortunately, microwave popcorn--a staple in my snacking arsenal--made the list:

The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize—and migrate into your popcorn.

Gross.

So I'm in the market for a popper. Sure, I know I can use a pot/dutch oven on the stove; but I always struggle with the timing of that whole process (i.e., I burn it). So I'm thinking about looking into this guy from Cuisinart: