Summer is the season for lots of fresh fruits, berries, and….watermelon!

Sandía in Spanish (sharing my Spanglish education with you more and more these days), watermelon is a deliciously tasty fruit that is perfect for hydrating in the warmer weather, packed with lycopene (yep, the same stuff that’s in tomatoes) keep your skin protected in the sun, and has a natural sugar high that will leave you smiling during and after eating.

Picking out a good watermelon is easier than you think! Go for one that is heavy for it’s size, smells sweet in the “butt” area, and has a good sized yellow spot on it’s bottom.

PREP TIME: 3 minutes (or less!)
SERVES: dos (for two!)
TAGS: dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, beverage, smoothie

INGREDIENTS

• 4-5 cups diced watermelon
• 8.5 oz  Zico Coconut Water (one small box)
• 1 C ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender
2. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

ADULT VERSION 2.0

I’m a health freak, and you’ll rarely catch me with a drink containing alcohol these days, but I am fully supportive in creating a lifestyle of balance, not a short-term diet.

If you love a good vodka, add in a shot to the mix before blending. At least you’ll be hydrating while you dehydrate, right? ENJOY most importantly!

The amazing part of watermelon? You can eat it JUST as is and it’s still refreshing and hydrating! My favorite is to pair with another brightly colored fruit, like blueberries, packing in hydration, lycopene for sun protection, and anti-oxidants from the blues.