This post is sponsored by National Watermelon Promotion Board.
There are no bad vibes in my book when it comes watermelon. Watermelon is a happy fruit! It’s refreshing, hydrating, sweet, a source of beneficial energy for my runs and workouts – and at the root of a bumper crop of my life’s joyful moments and everyday positive experiences.
If I had to name one food that made me feel all-around happy, it would most definitely be WATERMELON! And, based on the juice dripping off all y’all’s chins, I know I’m not alone in that jumbo-sized declaration of love. In fact, a recent study funded by NWPB*, found that 100% of consumers say that watermelon makes them feel happy.
And, 81% felt like watermelon was a comfort food. I’m like “heck yeah” to that stat – not many comfort foods have just 80 calories per two-cup serving, not to mention zero fat, and a host of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients. Check the USDA Nutrition Facts for the exact breakdown.
Additionally, the study revealed that 82% of respondents felt that watermelon boosted their mood. Just last year, I shared a post about How Watermelon Can Boost Mood. My reasons included: 1) high water content in watermelon supports overall wellness; 2) 25% Daily Value of vitamin C, per serving, supports tissue growth and recovery; 3) watermelon can be used as “equipment” in your workout and exercise is a good way to lift your mood; 4) watermelon is perfectly sized for sharing and showing care toward others – that’s intrinsically satisfying; 5) and watermelon can be a dessert that is unrefined and naturally sweet – a smart choice that still makes you smile!
A few happy and creative recipes I’ve made using bits and pieces of the watermelon that might otherwise have been discarded are:
Cinnamon Churro Watermelon Rind Fries – Take the leftover rind, slice it up, dust with cinnamon and your sweetener of choice before popping in the air-fryer. Serve with simple vanilla or honey yogurt as a dipping sauce! Easy and economical
Watermelon Gazpacho with Feta and Herbs –This is a quick and easy, single-serve blender recipe that’s featured in my Cooking for One for Dummies cookbook that published in March 2023. To be honest, is a way I use up watermelon that has been sitting for a few days in my fridge and needs to be used up STAT.
Watermelon Juice: Most folks either buy expensive, pressed watermelon juice from their grocer OR use a blender and drain off all the pulp. However, my hack in this post shows you how you can actually DRAIN off a large quantity while cutting and storing without compromising the pieces you want to eat.
More than half of respondents from the 2022 NWPB study reported they feel better knowing that they’ve purchased food that can be used in multiple meals and/or recipes. Watermelon definitely has your back on that! Check out the amazing, creative recipe collection at Watermelon.org for all sorts of juicy, yummy, sweet and savory inspiration.
