Slice of Life
Watermelon: It’s not just for picnics anymore! Besides bringing a sticky smile to your face, an average slice of this sweet treat dishes up 14 mg of lycopene, the antioxidant found in red fruits and vegetables and believed to help prevent certain cancers (see “Color Therapy“). Need more excuses to cut it up? Watermelon also contains energy-boosting amounts of vitamins A and C, potassium, iron and fiber, making it a natural functional food and earning the American Heart Association’s official heart-checkmark. Cool down a sweltering summer day with this wonder-fruit beverage:
Watermelon Smoothie
2 cups watermelon chunks, seeded
1 cup cracked ice
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1-2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1. Combine all ingredients in blender; blend until mixture is smooth. Serves 2-3. For more watermelon recipes and information, log on to www.watermelon.org.
—Elisa Bosley
