Spring has finally arrived! Yesterday felt more like summer, and we embraced it by spending the day outdoors. After a bit of yard work, we took some time to relax in the backyard. With my eyes closed and the warm sun on my skin, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I appreciated the beauty of nature, the gentle breeze, the rustling trees, and the cheerful birds singing nearby. Even our dog, Blu, took a break from chasing squirrels to join us in soaking up the sun. It was a magnificently beautiful day, and I ended up with a slight sunburn. On a day like this, it’s essential to stay hydrated! To mix things up from the usual lemon water, I decided to create a refreshing watermelon-cucumber mint water.
Whenever I get an organic watermelon, I like to juice the entire fruit—skin included—since many nutrients are concentrated there. However, since the watermelon in my fridge wasn’t organic, I chose to blend the flesh instead. Here’s what I needed:
½ small watermelon
1 medium cucumber (peeled if not organic)
1 lemon, juiced
4 mint leaves, minced
2 tablespoons agave nectar (optional)
A few slices of lemon for garnish
Mint leaves for garnish
Ice
3 cups of water
To prepare this refreshing drink, combine the cucumber, watermelon, minced mint, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Next, add the water and agave nectar (if desired, depending on the sweetness of your watermelon) and blend again. If you prefer a smoother texture without froth or seeds, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Serve over ice in a pitcher or glasses, garnish with lemon slices, and top off with a few mint leaves.
Watermelon is packed with phenolic compounds that provide both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, while cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins C and K, along with potassium.
For a fun twist, consider adding a splash of rum to your watermelon-cucumber water!
Happy Monday! Paula xx
