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I’ll keep this one short. (and sweet)

It’s hot. Really hot. Today, our air-conditioner busted. So you get the idea how necessary a good refreshing drink is. And this Watermelon-ade Thirst Quencher was just what we needed.

Are you feeling hot? Beat the heat with this very summery, naturally energizing and detoxifying Watermelon-Ade!!!

WATERMELON-ADE THIRST QUENCHER

(these are rough measurements – you don’t need a lot of guidance, just adjust to your taste)

• 1/4 watermelon
• juice of one lemon
• up to 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
• sweetener of choice (raw cane sugar, agave or raw honey if not vegan)
• up to 1 glass of filtered water
• ice cubes

Directions :

Using a blender : Pulse a cup of ice cubes or how much you’d like. Cut up slices of watermelon, remove the skin and add to blender (it’s optional to remove seeds). You can either juice one lemon and pour the juice in (or) cut the skin off 1 lemon, cut into smaller pieces to remove seeds and add the pieces to the blender (whole lemon pieces will add a little more bitter taste). Peel a piece of ginger, cut little pieces and add to the blender. Add your sweetener and more water, if needed.

If you’re using a hand-held blender, puree the meat of the watermelon first, add in squeezed juice of a lemon and grated ginger. Mix a bit more, add your sweetener and stir with a stirring stick. Add a few ice cubes and more water if you like. (adding extra water is not necessary especially if you’re adding a lot of ice – that ice will water it down as it melts).

Health benefits of Watermelon:

Watermelon is an natural summer cooler! With more than 90% water content, Watermelon has special cooling effect which helps fight the effect of heat -Perfect! It is rich in electrolytes s it’s a natural healthy alternative to an energy drink. Great for digestion, a natural diuretic that cleanses the kidneys and bladder.

Has loads of Vitamin B which increase energy production. Great source of potassium which helps muscles and nerve function and helps maintain the body’s proper electrolyte and acid-base balance, and hence helps lower the risk of high blood pressure. Helps the treatment of asthma, arthritis and high cholesterol. Lycopene, a carotenoid is found in watermelon which is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of cancer — prostate cancer in particular.  Watermelon, however, has the highest concentrations of lycopene of any fresh fruit or vegetable. Watermelon also contain folic acid and citruline which works along with other essential vitamins to reduce the risk of a heart attack, stroke and colon cancer.

Did you know it’s ok to eat Watermelon seeds? They are believed to be a great source of protein, as well as magnesium, calcium and potassium. In some parts of the world, salted and roasted watermelon seeds are consumed as a snack. The protein in watermelon seeds consists of several amino acids, one of which is arginine.

Watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins: vitamin A, which helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant; vitamin C, which helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which helps brain function and helps convert protein to energy.

Health benefits of Ginger :

• Great for belly health: The gingerols help to relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal so it prevents gas and bloating. I remember as a kid getting GingerAle when I was sick. And that’s because ginger is used to treat nausea. However, you would be far better off using fresh ginger root for an upset tummy than to drink pop.
• Anti-inflammatory. Thanks to these phytonutrients: gingerol, shogaol and zingrone. Gingerol is actually a potent antioxidant that has been found in studies to relieve osteo and rheumatoid arthritis pain, even in patients who didn’t respond to medications. In fact, in studies it’s been shown to reduce certain hormones that promote inflammation. This is similar to how NSAIDs work, but without the negative effects.
• Anti-cancer: In it has been found to reduce certain cancers such as colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney and lung by inhibiting the growth and production of cancer cells. This is exciting stuff!!
• Immune-enhancing: Boosts your immune system by inducing sweating and this is an excellent way to detox naturally.
• Natural antibiotic: Ginger kills pathogenic bacteria which is one of the reasons you get pickled ginger with your sushi. Be careful of that preserved ginger though, because it often has sulfites which many are sensitive to.
• Heart-health: Ginger reduces the “stickiness” of blood platelets and may therefore be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease.

• High in potassium, great for heart health, manganese which builds resistance to disease, protects lining of heart, blood vessels and urinary passages.

• Silicon which promotes healthy skin, hair, teeth and nails.

• Also a source of vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, calcium, beta-carotene

For health benefits of lemon visit this page.

Enjoy your Watermelon-ade! Bring on the heat!

This may be good and refreshing – but I want that AC to come back to life!

What are your favourite summery drinks?