Sunday, July 19, 2020

Watermelon Mint Smoothie-- Cool, Refreshing, and Anti Inflammatory

Before I share the details on my newest favorite smoothie, I have to give a shoutout to Julie from Running in a Skirt, whose Watermelon Mint Smoothie recipe gave me the inspiration to create my own. I would never have considered combining watermelon and mint, but with an abundance of mint in the garden, I needed to find a way to use it. And wow--what a yummy and refreshing combination!

Watermelon is the quintessential summer treat! In spite of watermelon's sweet, light character, watermelon is a nutritional powerhouse! Besides being relatively low in sugar compared to other fruits, watermelon is loaded with vitamin C. Watermelon also contains anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory elements as well as potassium and magnesium. The high water content of watermelon makes it a great post-workout snack. 

I absolutely love watermelon! With the availability of the smaller melons and seedless varieties, there's no excuse for not eating watermelon. Mint enhances the fresh taste of watermelon and the two are commonly served together, in smoothies, juices, and teas.


The watermelon can be chunked up and frozen in advance, but I'm not good about planning ahead. Instead, I blend my smoothie with about a half cup of crushed ice. Don't worry about the watermelon seeds. They'll just blend in with the rest of the ingredients. Plus, watermelon seeds are loaded with nutrients, similar to flax and chia seeds! Who knew?


As a post-workout beverage, I like to add protein to my smoothies. Vanilla works really well with this recipe, but you can use plain as well. It might seem odd to add milk to watermelon, but trust me when I tell you that the creamy texture is really good. Any variety of milk works well in this smoothie.

For an extra anti-inflammatory punch, I add maca powder and beet root power, but they aren't essential ingredients and can be omitted.



Watermelon Mint Smoothie
anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, vegan
Ingredients:
1/2 c crushed ice
2-3c chunked watermelon
6-8 fresh mint leaves
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Nuzest)
1 tsp maca powder (optional)
1 tsp beet root powder (optional)
1/2-1c milk of your choice (I use Ripple) to preferred consistency

Add all ingredients to the blender. Adjust liquids as needed. Enjoy!



Fight inflammation and the heat with this Watermelon Mint smoothie! /via @oldrunningmom @Nuzest_USA @RippleFoods #runchat #inflammation #curearthritis

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics and with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJenRachelSandra, and Lisa.  



40 comments :

  1. That looks so refreshing and we are big water melon eaters over the summer! Will have to save this recipe for when watermelons are in season again for us! We struggle to grow mint in our garden but for some reason my dad has been so lucky with it.

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    1. You'll have to let me know if you try it! I was so amazed at how refreshing it was. Now it's a regular in my smoothie rotation.

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  2. Oh my gosh I'm all over this recipe - I've combined watermelon and mint in a salad, but can't believe I never thought to put them together in a smoothie! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. It's funny, I'm not a huge fan of watermelon. Other melons, yes. We bought some a while ago & I told Mr. Judy that he had to eat it -- he likes it (as does Bandit). I had plans to use it in a smoothie, and never got around to it. That one was a watermelon basil smoothie.

    I do like to make watermelon feta salad sometimes.

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  4. My Gosh, Well Done Here - Excellent Idea - As A Very Responsible Adult, Would Add A Top Shelf Rum To The Ingredients - Keep On Keeping On Little W - The Trails Await

    Cheers

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  5. This looks so refreshing! Watermelon is my favorite summer fruit so I try to always have some on hand. Love the idea of using it for a smoothie and adding mint.

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    1. I love watermelon too! Can't wait to make it again tomorrow.

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  6. I thought of you as I was making a mango smoothie yesterday! I have been buying incredible mangoes lately. Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits, so I definitely need to try this.

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    1. So many good fruits--it just takes imagination to find the right combinations!

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  7. I wouldn't have thought to pair watermelon and mint either but I'll try it. The mint in the garden is plentiful to say the least!

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  8. I'm not a smoothie fan, although that does look refreshing. But I am a fan of Nuzest, my word that stuff is good!

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  9. I was just wondering what I could mix with my watermelon to make a smoothie. I guess you answered that. Thanks again Wendy for being there when I need something. ;-)

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  10. We have been eating so much watermelon lately it's so good! I had no idea you could eat the seeds either. I love this flavor combo looks very refreshing

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  11. Sounds like a great flavor combo! I recently saw a recipe for baked watermelon seeds (like pumpkin seeds). That took me by surprise...

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    1. I too was surprised about the nutritional content of watermelon seeds!

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  12. Watermelon always reminds me of camping in Italy as a kid. We used to collect the seeds and make necklaces out of them.
    Love your smoothie! Must try it out!

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    1. I've never done anything with the seeds except spit them out!

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  13. This looks so refreshing! I love watermelon in the summer but its one of those things I forget to buy until I want it after a hot run! I'll need to add it to my list for this week.

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    1. With how hot it has been this summer, watermelon has tasted especially good!

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  14. I am a watermelon-lover too. I have a cut up melon in my fridge at all times during the summer. Nothing better than some chunks of ice cold watermelon after a hot run. This smoothie looks absolutely delicious.

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  15. My husband and I were just talking about the benefits of watermelon today (when we were buying one!). I love chilled watermelon after a hot workout. Sadly I don't have any mint on hand and who knows when I'll shop again, but I really want to try this.

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  16. I could totally down that right about now. Looks amazing!!!

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  17. Yum! I've been eating watermelon with mint and watermelon with feta and balsamic and it's all just so god. Watermelon is one of my favorite summer fruits!

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  18. This sounds so delish! I love the addition of beet root powder. What a great idea. And I have some mint in my garden that I could use!

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    1. The beet root powder adds nice color and is anti-inflammatory. It's also good for recovery.

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  19. I also like watermelon but don't buy it enough. I like it with chili powder and lemon. Yummy! I don't like the seeds and prefer to buy a seedless watermelon, but in this case it doesn't matter. Great and easy recipe.

    Thank you for linking up with us!

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  20. Love the combination of watermelon and mint! So refreshing and a favorite post workout. Thank you for linking up with us and sharing.

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