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12 Easy and Delicious Ways to Eat Blueberries B LUEBERRIES ARE DELICIOUS , REFRESHING AND HEALTHY ! lueberries are packed with powerful antioxidants that help your immune system fight colds, infections, and even reduce the risk of some forms of cancer. They're also full Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and helps repair skin damage, and they offer a healthy dose of fiber and vital nutrients like magnesium, iron, and potas- sium. Multiple studies have connected eating blueberries to reduced risk of heart disease, as well as diminished effects of dementia in older adults. When you add in the fact that a cup of the blueberries contain just eighty calories, there's plenty of reason to enjoy the colorful fruit as often as you can. But as healthy and tasty as they may be, it's easy to get tired of the typical pancake, muffin, and breakfast parfait recipes blueber- ries usually find their way into. Fortunately, these versatile berries have plenty of other tasty uses. So, if you have a package in the fridge or are just looking for new ways of adding the healthy fruit into your diet, here are twelve easy ways to eat (and drink) blue- berries. A DD A S WEET A DDITION TO S ALADS They're not just for fruit salads. Add blueberries to your favorite green salads for a touch of extra flavor. You'll enjoy the additional sweetness and tartness, plus the extra color. C OMBINE B OOZE AND B LUEBERRIES FOR M AXIMUM E NJOYMENT To make a snappy blueberry cordial, bring one cup of blue- berries and half cup of sugar to simmer in a sauce pan. Once they have thickened, run them through a mesh strainer, pour the liquid into glasses, and top them off with ice and vodka. Or, make a blueberry martini by combining two ounces of fresh blueberry juice, one ounce fresh mango juice, one and half ounces vodka, and half ounce orange liqueur into a martini-shaker filled with ice. Skewer several fresh blueberries on cocktail picks for garnish and enjoy the berry-flavored delight. D ITCH THE J ELLY FOR PB&J Leave the jams and jellies on the shelf and use fresh blueberries in their place for a healthy, great-tasting PB&J sandwich. D RESS UP S ALADS WITH B LUEBERRY V INAIGRETTE Toss some blueberries, olive oil, and vinegar with some salt and pepper into a blender for a fantastic vinaigrette that brings any salad to life. E NJOY A S WEET , C OOL S NACK Roll blueberries in sugar or your preferred sugar substitute, place them on a tray, and pop it into the freezer. What results is a tasty cold treat coated in sweetness. E NJOY F RESH B LUEBERRY J UICE Blueberry juice is a healthy treat for kids and adults alike. To make it, put two and half cups of blueberries, two cups of water, and one tablespoon of sugar into a medium-sized pot. Mash the blueberries with a potato masher and let them simmer for ten minutes. Then, place a mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the liquid through. Press the blueberry pulp with a spoon to ensure all the juices are released. The juice is great to drink on its own or to use in recipes, while the leftover pulp is a great addition to fruit smoothies. M AKE A D ELICIOUS C AKE T OPPING Who needs icing? This sweet topping is delicious poured over all varieties of cake whether they're frosted or not. Wash two cups of blueberries, then put them in a sauce pan with a third of a cup of sugar, half a teaspoon of vanilla, some lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Let the sauce boil for about one minute while stirring and let it cool before enjoying sweet, blueberry richness. It's also deli- cious served over ice cream and pudding. For a healthier treat, pour the topping over unflavored Greek yogurt. M AKE A T ASTY B LUEBERRY S PREAD Mix together blueberries, scallions or onions, and mayonnaise, for a great a blueberry spread. Enjoy with crackers, or use it to liven up sand- wiches and rollups. M AKE B LUEBERRY P OPSICLES Blend blueberries into a puree, and if you de- sire, add other fruits and a bit of sugar. Pour the puree into popsicle molds and pop them into the freezer for cold and fruity treats that are sure to please. If they're destined for adults, try spiking the puree with tequila or rum for extra fun. S MOTHER P ANCAKES WITH S WEET & S TICKY B LUEBERRY S YRUP If blueberries in pancakes aren't enough, try this easy- 10 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com THE DISH.............................................................................................................................................. B