Midterm Munchies

Believe it or not, Marist students are almost halfway through the semester and midterms are just around the corner!  Where did the time go?  To help you prepare for your exams, I’ve done a little research on the best “brain foods” to eat while studying to give you the extra energy boost you're going to need.  I found some facts that I was pleasantly surprised with, considering the best foods to eat during this stressful time are actually delicious and waaaaay more satisfying than Red Bull.

The Health section of the Directory Journal has listed the top ten foods that are proven to enhance memory and your ability to focus here:  http://www.dirjournal.com/health-journal/top-10-brain-foods/

From these top ten suggestions, I’ve come up with a few recipes and snack ideas that are sure to keep your brain from frying over the course of the week.  Most of these can be prepared ahead of time so that you won’t have to take time away from studying during the week.  So get cooking! Your grades depend on it!

1. Blueberries

They have lots of antioxidants…I think that’s the secret.  I’m not really into all that scientific stuff so I’ll trust the professionals on that.  But I do know is that they are good, especially in smoothies!

Basic Blueberry Smoothie

Recipe by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Serves 1

• 1 cup blueberries
• ½ cup skim milk
• ¾ cup non-fat vanilla yogurt (6 oz.)
• 3-4 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.  My housemate recently bought a Magic Bullet, after seeing the infomercial late one night, and loves it, surprisingly.  If you happen to have one of those lying around, that would work instead of a blender as well.

Tip: Frozen blueberries, if available, make this recipe even better because it eliminates the need for ice cubes and makes the smoothie much creamier!

If you haven’t got a blender, as many college kids don’t, worry not!  There are plenty of other ways to get your antioxidant intake.  Blueberries and yogurt with a little granola on top is delicious and as close to a smoothie as you can get without the blender.  Or, simply grab a handful of blueberries and put them in a plastic baggy before heading to the library.  That’s what is great about this fruit, you don’t need a recipe to enjoy them!

2. Coffee

Caffeine, obviously, is essential for getting through those late night cramming sessions.  However, loading your beverage with all of those sweeteners and creams turns this study necessity into an unhealthy habit.  I’ll show you how to make your coffee taste as good as Starbucks AND help you pass your exams, without ruining your diet.

Low-fat Frappuccino

Recipe by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Serves 1

• 2 tbsp instant coffee
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp sugar or Splenda
• ¾ cup skim milk
• 7 ice cubes
• 1 tbsp chocolate syrup (optional)

Heat water over the stove or in the microwave and add instant coffee.  Mix sugar into the coffee until dissolved.  Next, add three of the four ice cubes to cool the coffee to about room temperature.  Pour the cooled coffee, milk, remaining four ice cubes, and chocolate syrup (if desired) into a blender and blend until smooth and the milk becomes frothy at the top.  Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Again, if you don’t have a blender or find too many similarities between instant coffee and mud, I have a solution!  It’s called the Melitta, non-electric coffee maker and it’s AWESOME.  I recently caught my housemate using it to brew her morning cup of jo and was amazed, mostly because I had cleaned this plastic contraption numerous times while I was on dish duty and decided it was probably a strainer of some sort.

Place the Melitta plastic coffee maker on top of your cup of coffee with a cone shaped coffee filter inside.  Put two tablespoons of your favorite coffee grinds into the strainer, then pour one cup of hot water over the coffee grinds in very small increments.  It is important not to pour all the water over the coffee at once, as this will produce a very weak cup of coffee.

Ta-dah!  A great cup of coffee made from a piece of plastic as opposed to a $50 electric coffee maker.  I can’t think of anything quicker, easier or cheaper.  It is definitely a college necessity, in my book.

Order yours at http://cafe.melitta.com/

Or, check your local Target, Wal-Mart, or K-mart to see if they have any in stock.

3. Nuts

Nuts contain “mood-enhancing neurotransmitters.”  Sounds pretty important! Like blueberries, nuts can be enjoyed by themselves without the need for any fancy recipes, especially when you have midterms to worry about.  Grab a handful of peanuts, almonds, pecans…whatever nut you like, and bring them over to the library.  Or, if you want something a little more interesting, how about a homemade trail mix?

Trail Mix

Recipe by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

• Peanuts/Almonds (or both!)
• Raisins/dried cranberries
• Goldfish
• Pretzels
• Chex cereal
• Chocolate chips/M&M’s (in moderation)

Combine equal parts of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.  You can add as much or as little as you want, depending on how much trail mix you would like for the week.  I would suggest using less chocolate chips or M&M’s, if at all, as too much turns this brain healthy snack into dessert.

Peanut butter is also a great way to get your nut intake for the day.  Pack a peanut butter and banana sandwich, or smear a little bit on apple slices for a nutritious snack!

4. Dark Chocolate

At least midterms gives us an excuse to eat tons of candy and chocolate. We need all that sugar to stay awake, right?  Kind of.  Chocolate is proven to be great for focus and concentration, but only the real stuff.  Dark, at least 60% real cocoa, is the kind of chocolate I’m talking about.  A few small pieces of real dark chocolate can go a long way when you reach hour five in the library.  Sipping on a chocolatey treat, if you prefer hot chocolate, is great too!  Try this dark hot chocolate recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth and stay focused.

Dark Hot Chocolate

Adapted recipe by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Original recipe by Rachel Thebault, owner of Tribeca Treats

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
• one vanilla bean (optional)
• 1 handful of pure dark chocolate chips
• milk

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until mixed evenly.  To separate the vanilla beans from the pod, cut a line down the center and scrape the inside out into the bowl.  Watch the video below for a demonstration.

Add two tablespoons of this mix per one cup of warm milk for a single serving. This mix makes about twenty servings of hot dark chocolate.

Here’s the how-to video from the professional herself!

http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/video/food-drink/89501/Easy-Instructions-from-Tribeca-Treats

5. Eggs & Broccoli

According to the Directory Journal, broccoli helps slow the aging process.  Stay young longer?  I’m pretty sure that’s every college kid’s dream.  Broccoli by itself can be a little bland, but adding it to ANOTHER brain healthy food like eggs is a lot more interesting.  Eggs, broccoli, and a little cheese are all you need to make a hearty omelet that will keep you focused all day!

Broccoli Omelet

Recipe and photos by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Serves 1

• ½ cup chopped broccoli
• 2 large eggs or ½ cup of egg beaters
• ¼ cup milk (if using eggs instead of egg beaters)
• ¼ cup of your favorite cheese, shredded
• salt and pepper to taste
• cooking spray
• frying pan with non-stick coating
• spatula

Place the pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.  If you are using 2 large eggs, crack them in a bowl with the milk and whisk until mixed.  If using egg beaters, milk is not necessary.  Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then pour the egg mixture or the egg beaters into the heated pan.

Let the eggs cook until edges start to stiffen and the bottom begins to brown slightly.  At this point, carefully use the spatula to flip the omelet so that the top side can cook.  Next, put the cheese on half of the omelet and top with the broccoli.

Once the bottom of the omelet is cooked, fold the uncovered half of the eggs over the half that is covered with cheese and broccoli.  Let this cook for another thirty seconds or until the cheese is melted.  Then, take your omelet off of the heat and put on a plate.

Power Combos

For a super energy boost, combine some of these brain healthy foods like I did with the omelet.   Dark chocolate covered espresso beans or dark chocolate covered almonds are perfect examples. It is probably best to have these snacks in moderation, though; because it’s true they aren’t the best choices in terms of calorie count.  Mix and match whatever you like, and be sure to let me know about your creations. I’m always looking for inspiration!

After Party

And now, a little treat for after you ace all of your exams…Cherry Bombs.  This fruity cocktail is not too sweet and extremely refreshing.  Pour a glass for you and your friends to unwind and celebrate after a long week. Emphasis on after… 

Cherry Bombs

Adapted recipe and photos by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Original recipe by Sunny Anderson of the Food Network’s “Cooking for Real”

Serves 4

• 4 tbsp lime juice
• 4 to 5 mint leaves
• 2 cups black cherry juice OR black cherry soda
• 8 oz. gin
• 1 cup seltzer (if using juice instead of soda)
• 3 ice cubes

Muddle, or crush, mint leaves at the bottom of a tall glass.  Add ice to the glass.  Pour lime juice, black cherry juice or soda, gin, and seltzer (if using juice), into a separate glass and mix well.  Pour this mixture over the ice and mint and stir again.

And, as always, drink responsibly!

Hopefully these ideas will inspire you to take just a few minutes out of your busy schedule this week to whip up some quick snacks that will really make a difference in your productivity.  It is so important to remember to eat healthy, even when your hectic schedule doesn’t allow much time and especially when your grades are on the line!  Good luck everyone!