Watermelon brings me back to the summers of being a kid. To days when we'd run around all day long through sprinklers, tearing up the neighbourhood, riding bikes around the block until our mothers made us stop to eat. I remember plates of watermelon - grabbing a slice and running back out the door.
Back then, I definitely did not have the same appreciation for watermelon as I do now. This summer it found its way into salads, yogurt parfaits, popsicles, juices and smoothies. And whether or not my body craves it for nostalgic fulfilment or the rich source of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, I'm thankful to have found a new form of appreciation for this glorious fruit.
Here are three of my favourite ways to drink watermelon:
MORNING WATERMELON RISER
Start the day hydrating and cleansing your system with this fresh juice.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Ginger: clear your sinuses, aid digestion, and help the body absorb nutrients.
Lime: a morning shot of vitamin C, antioxidants and to fire up the appetite. Fun fact: just the scent of lime will cause your mouth to fill with digestive salivas and thus kickstart the entire digestive system.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1-2 inch (depending on your taste) ginger root
- 1 lime
Cut away the green of the watermelon, keeping the whites of the watermelon for juicing. (The white part is actually jam packed with vitamins and antioxidants.) Using a juicer, juice the above three ingredients. Stir and serve. If you do not have a juicer, you can also blend the watermelon until it's liquified, adding the juice of a lime and finely grated ginger. Blend well.
POST WORKOUT WATERMELON SHAKE:
This one is perfect for after a run, yoga class, or a workout.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Banana: potassium, B vitamins and fast burning carbs. Carbs are the main fuel your body uses during physical activity. After a workout you need to replenish these carbs so that your body can repair itself. Bananas contain five of the eight B vitamins that help support the function of your heart, muscles and nervous system.
Hemp seeds: an easily digested protein and all essential amino acids. Proteins are made up of these amino acids, and combined they help build, maintain and repair tissues in our bodies.
Coconut water: potassium and natural sugar replacement.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp hempseed
- 1/2 cup coconut water
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
WATERMELON COOLER:
A refreshing internal cooler. Perfect for a hot summer night.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Cucumber: natural cooling and hydrating properties.
Mint: cooling properties and digestive aid.
Ice: chill factor.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1/2 a cucumber
- 6 large mint leaves
- 4 ice cubes
- 1/4 cup of water (for blending purposes only)
Blend all ingredients until smooth.