Donna Wiggers of Natural Wellness Solutions kindly shares the following with us. Please visit her website for more information on her services and other healthy/wellness ideas and solutions.
Watermelon
No other fruit is more enjoyable on a hot summer day than sweet, juicy watermelon; it has an extremely high water content, approximately 92%.
Why you should add watermelon to your diet. Watermelon is a rich source of heart-healthy nutrients, such as vitamin C and the carotenoid phytonutrient, lycopene; which also provides reddish-pink watermelon with its distinctive coloration. Lycopene, along with beta-carotene and vitamin A, provides powerful antioxidant protection from the oxidative damage to cellular structures caused by free radicals. Watermelon is an ideal food not only because it is nutritious and tastes great, but also because it is low in calories: one cup of watermelon contains only 49 calories!
Summer is the time of year when its concentration of nutrients and flavor are highest and its cost is at its lowest.
Selecting a watermelon
Watermelon will not ripen after they are picked, so it is important to select a ripe watermelon in the market. If you thump a ripe watermelon it will sound like a dull thud rather than tighter ringing or hollow sound. The rind should be relatively smooth – neither overly shiny nor overly dull.
Watermelon retains its maximum amount of nutrients and it’s best taste when it is fresh.
Watermelon Frappe
4 cups cold watermelon chunks
8 mint leaves
Run the blender at medium speed and drop chunks of watermelon through the feed hole one at a time until they are well integrated.
Add the mint and run the blender at medium speed for 1 minute until the watermelon has liquefied.
Strain into glasses, garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy! Serves two.
Watermelon-Kiwi Soup
Puree 3 cups watermelon, 1 cup cantaloupe and 1 cup kiwi fruit together. Swirl in a little plain yogurt and serve as a refreshing soup.Please call Donna at 905-666-0005 or check out her website
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