How-To: Microwave Blueberries. Broke College Kids, Listen Up!

Eat them in muffins, pancakes, smoothies and yogurt or just pop them straight into your mouth; blueberries are a fantastic treat for the end of the summer. Recently discovered as a great source of antioxidants, blueberry production has expanded over the last 25 years, including in Syracuse. Go to Wegman’s and you can get these berries year-round, or go support the local farmers’ markets and get berries with a taste you cannot beat.

As one of the hardest berries, blueberries can last 10-14 days in the fridge and even longer when frozen, making them a berry with the perfect shelf life for a college student. Whichever you decide to do, store bought or locally grown, fresh or frozen, here are some great microwavable recipes for those of us living in the dorms–or those who really can’t cook–during the next semester.

A Vocab Lesson, Brought to You by a Snapple Cap

“Real Fact” #836: Pomology is the study of fruit.

I know that ‘pomme’ means apple in French, so I see the connection. But I’ve never heard this word before. As Jerk’s food and health blogger and avid Food Network watcher, I’m ashamed.

It could be because I didn’t start eating fruit until college. To my mother’s dismay, I seriously hated ALL fruit throughout my childhood.

Now that I’m healthy, wealthy (I wish), and wise, I try to eat fruit everyday. Here are my three favorites:

Blueberries
I like to put blueberries on my cereal or just scarf them down like a cavewoman. One cup of blueberries has about 84 calories, and they’re all the rage in antioxidants. This is one powerful fruit.

Pineapple
Tastes great on pizza, blended into Piña Coladas or straight off the tree (if you happen to have pineapple tree access). One cup of pineapple chunks only has about 82 calories, along with 131% of the Vitamin C you need to not die/get a cold.

Bananas
I freaking love bananas. It’s one of the cheaper fruits, so, bonus. They are loaded with potassium, which helps you recover from a workout and keeps your organs functioning. My favorite way to eat a banana is topped with peanut butter; I enjoy the party it ignites in my mouth. Your average banana only has about 100 calories, and they help you poop, so, double bonus!

~Alicia Smith