watermelon in summer
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Watermelon is medicinal if you consider it through the Chinese Medicine lens. It is COLD in nature. As such, it CLEARS HEAT, especially that SUMMER HEAT. Its sweet sweet juices, NOURISH FLUIDS which we all need all summer long. Finally, watermelon has the special property of CALMING so it soothes our restlessness and our spirits in the summer heat.
Watermelon has its fair share of phytonutrients too. Full of two very powerful antioxidants, Vitamins A and C. Rich in lycopene, an extremely beneficial carotenoid that protects the genetic material of white blood cells whose job it is to protect us from infection and inflammation. And, from the Western nutrition viewer, it is all those electrolytes in watermelon that help keep us so very hydrated.
Besides a slice or three, looking for a deliciously fun way to EAT MORE WATERMELON?
Here’s a recipe for a SUMMER WATERMELON SLUSHEE …
INGREDIENTS for ONE
1/4 cup pineapple chunks
2 tablespoons cold sparkling water or coconut water
12 fresh mint leaves
2 cups watermelon cut into cubes
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon maple syrup, honey or agave (optional) 2 tablespoons blueberries
PREPARATION
Slice, chunk and/or cube pineapple and watermelon (take out seeds) ahead of time. One pineapple and one watermelon will make many more cubes and chunks than this one recipe requires so freeze portions for this recipe. Use the fruit frozen to make the slushee a slushee. If you don’t want to freeze your fruit then blend it fresh adding ice cubes instead when blending: a few with the pineapple and 1/2 cup with the watermelon.
In a blender, puree the pineapple, mint leaves and water, whichever you choose. Pour into your glass.
Next, blend the watermelon, lime juice and sweetener (again whichever you like and IF you want it sweeter). Stir in blueberries (don’t blend). Pour into and over the pineapple mint puree.
ENJOY and KEEP KOOL.
