Many say the career advice to follow your passions is hogwash. “It’s not practical, ” they say, or “you can’t earn a decent living unless you’re extremely talented, really lucky – or, both.” “Do what you love . . . and you’ll probably starve.” As a female Jack-of-All-Trades-Master-of-None, I’m here to say baloney to that! Well, maybe not baloney, but instead to say “WATERMELON, BEEF and SALAD DRESSING” to that!
Yup, I’m doing what I love and I’m not starving either figuratively or literally. These are just some beloved clients of mine who have supported me and given me experiences not just as a food and fitness blogger and healthy chef, but as a creative consulting professional in the health industry. Nothing makes me feel fuller as a contributing member of society than helping others on a health and fitness journey in my own special way – and that, my friends, is definitely NOT starving.
So, in honor of National Watermelon Day (which is August 3rd), I wanted to spread a bit more watermelon love in my #LivingOnTheWedge way. Over these several years, some might think I’ve exhausted my ideas to showcase watermelon. Oh, I always have a new recipe, workout or health tip – and today, I have all three (plus a giveaway of goodies).
First up, the watermelon recipe. I actually posted it a couple weeks ago, but I want to make sure you don’t miss it because it’s just that good. Inspired by the funky fusion of the local food truck scene, my “Keep Austin Weird” Beef, Veggie & Watermelon Stir-fry features all my favorite ingredients from around the Central Texas area. Get the recipe HERE.
Not being one to brag or toot my own horn (hardly ever, haha), the National Watermelon Promotion Board has unofficially named me as the Inventor of the Watermelon Workout . . .it’s even better than being the creator of Prancersize or some other such thing! Well, golly, you can find a few of my watermelon workouts right there on the Watermelon for Health section of Watermelon.org and there are a few more over HERE!
Now onto the Watermelon Workout. Earlier in the month, I helped Watermelon.org share the benefits of this fruit in a healthy lifestyle by hosting a Watermelon Workout Challenge at the largest fitness convention on the planet, IDEA World in Los Angeles. Competitors had to spin a wheel and then bust out as many reps of the selected exercise as possible in 20 seconds – there were squat jumps, alternating lunges, Russian Twists, partner passes and more. Oh, and did I mention you had to hold a watermelon the entire time!
The idea was created mainly in the name of wholesome good fun and to make people stop, smile and talk about watermelon (which it did)– but everyone also commented on how is was actually such a great workout concept. Uh, yeah – have you ever tried to jump squat with a 20 pound watermelon?!
Today’s Watermelon Blaster Workout is designed to kick up your cardio and sculpt muscles simultaneously. There are four separate exercises in the set, each one is done as many times possible (with good form) in 90 seconds. After all four exercises are done, you get a one minute rest and then repeat everything over a few times for a total for four sets. Go at your own pace and modify as necessary – over time you will find that you can do more reps per set. I used a 5.5 lb personal-sized watermelon, go light or heaver as needed. You could also use a medicine ball, but then it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.
And here’s the video demo of the exercises. Enjoy and laugh if you will, I know I’m a watermelon dork.
And lastly, a Watermelon Health Tip from my friends at Watermelon.org. Watermelon contains vitamin B6, which may help break down protein, another important source of workout fuel along with carbohydrates. #WatermelonForHealth
Oh, yeah – and I’m having a Watermelon Day Giveaway, too! The prize include an assortment of watermelon-themed swag including a pair of watermelon knee socks (not compression, but still awesome), watermelon ankle socks, a sweet little fold-up nylon shopping back, two single-serve packs of sprouted watermelon seeds and a $10 gift card to Fresh Market so you can get a watermelon or two! Enter in the Rafflecopter app below!
My his ab & daughter LOVE watermelon, and I’m sure will be celebrating Watermelon Day by enjoying a big ‘ol wedge (or 2)! We’ve had at least 2 whole ones this summer, and lots of bowls of precut. It’s a yearround treat for our family.
*my husband & daughter…” Gotta love auto correct, lol!
Probably 2-3! Love watermelon season!
I have sadly only eaten a couple of watermelons this Summer. I need more watermelon in my life!
I would say like 10! lol we love watermelons
We’re on number 7 or 8. My favorite part of summer – eating ice cold watermelon!
I would guess that my family and I have eaten 4 watermelons this summer, thanks to multiple family cookouts/get-togethers. Lots of people!
I haven’t bought a watermelon this season. I had some in fruit trays earlier this year.
I just bought my first two the other day. So so good. Why did I wait!
We have a garden full. I love watermelon more than any other fruit. I eat it everyday.
We’ve had two so far this summer.
I have only had 2 watermelon this year. I need to go buy some watermelon.
That workout is no joke. We have a personal Mellon in the fridge I will use; just the right size for a bonus set!
I would say about 3! We had some yesterday infact!!
we have had zero watermelons this summer
Our family has consumed about 8 watermelons this summer, we have #9 in the fridge right now!
We have eaten about four watermelons so far.
We have had two watermelons this summer.
Not as much this year…maybe 3?
But when I was in the throes of morning sickness with my son, all I could keep down was watermelon 😉
I would say maybe about 2 watermelons? It’s not a lot, but we eat a ton of other fruit too! Fruit salads are my specialty!
I’ve been eating watermelon almost everyday this summer to help stay hydrated for afternoon runs, but I hadn’t though about using it for strength training too! We’ve probably eaten about 3 or 4.
Ooh I haven’t had as many watermelon as I usually do this summer!! I need to change that this month 🙂
We had three
So far I bought one, took a bite and threw it in the compost…….I’ll try again later this summer.
We love watermelon but they haven’t been very flavorful this summer which has been a huge bummer! Because of that we’ve only had about 8 so far this summer! I finally found a good one at our local farmer’s market so will go back again this weekend and hope the still are so sweet.
I know we have eaten more than 4. If you count the family reunion maybe 15 🙂
The INVENTOR?!?! Omg, girl!!!!!
I bought watermelon vodka today, does that count?! Stay tuned to fb today, Gabriel and I are doing a kid-friendly watermelon workout (it’s the size of a baseball!)!
We had our fourth one last weekend.
It’s just me here, and two pug dogs, so I have only eaten some watermelon that a friend gave me but I do eat a lot of berries, mangoes and pineapples!
Three there is just two of us.
This is so awesome- YAY for all of the watermelons. I would say we have eaten about 10 watermelons, lol. We LOVE them!
At least 5 that I can remember.
I am the only one in this household who eats watermelon, I have eaten the equivalent of 2 so far, and I am keeping up the good work!
Only one to be honest i am the only one in the family who likes watermelons 🙁
I’m the only one in my family who eats watermelon, so far I’ve had 2 one-half’s of watermelon so basically 1 whole one but I plan on getting some more before the summer ends:)
I have had about 6 so far this summer
I think 3 watermelons. We dont eat them that often.
My boyfriend LOVES watermelon…I like it, but not as much as he does! I think he’s bought at least 3 this summer!
None 🙁 not a fan and I live alone…
We have had it about 6 times and buying another one this weekend. 🙂
My husband really loves watermelon, so I would guess we had about 7 watermelons already.
I boUght 3 watermelons
12 at least!! My son is addicted and so is the whole family!!
maybe 3??
I’ve probably only taken one down so far, but I conquered it all on my own!
We love watermelon but have only had one so far this summer. Thanks for the reminder to go get some delicious watermelon!
We’ve probably had 3 so far.
none so far.
I would say we have eaten around 5. We love watermelon!
My guess would be about 10 probably more though.,.
Off the top of my head I would say three. My family are big fans.
Well that is an easy question for me. Since I am the only one who will eat them & I wait for it every summer. I’ve had 2 whole ones so far (huge). On my 3rd.
HOnestly, none. I don’t like watermelon.
I’ve eaten watermelon 4-5 times!
I think we have only ate 2 or 3. Now we have more room to cut and store it so we will probably get one every week.
maybe 4 or more. we love them.
maybe 3
I’ve eaten 2 watermelons, but I do love them.
Less than one
2 so i need to buy one before summer is over!
i personally have only bought 2 so far. My father in law buys it every week and gives all the kids a giant ziplock bag of it! We’ve been pretty well stocked 🙂
My favorite watermelon find so far this summer, I went to a restaurant and they had watermelon salad. it had watermelon balls, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese crumbles and watermelon vinaigrette. It was amazing!
We have eaten about 9-10 watermelons this summer.
We have only ate about 3 , but next weekend we will be having some more !
Probably, at least 10. We love watermelons.
We have only eaten 2-3. I plan on buying another one tomorrow!
We have eaten at least 10 watermelons this year.
Just by myself I have had at least 20!
Thanks for the chance to win this!
I’m sad to say only 2!
We’ve had 2 or 3. I’ll get another this week.
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Most summers, I would say 10 just for me, but I have only had about 1 this year. Not sure why! I love watermelon. I just haven’t grabbed many this summer! (Actually, I think it is b/c I have been trying to walk my grocery shopping and they are too heavy! Even the small ones.)
I would say 6 so far.
My family has probably eaten about 8 watermelons so far! We love our fruit!
only one, my daughter doesnt like it.
Only 4.
just one so far!
would say 10
My kiddos LOVE watermelon! We have probably eaten three. Our neighbor always calls and sends the kids some every time they cut one too 🙂
I’ve had 2 so far
Since it is just my husband and I, we have only ate one watermelon this summer. That one can take us forever to eat because it’s just he two of us. We both love watermelon, but it seems to go bad before we can get all the way through it. 🙁
We’ve had only one so far.
we have ate 6 so far!! my kiddos love them!
I think my mother has eaten 10, and I’ve eaten 1.
about 8 so far
only 2 so far. darn it! i love them but my husband won’t help me eat them.lol
I think we’ve had about 4. They are so refreshing!
Probably two so far this summer!
I would say we have had about six or seven.
so far we have probably eaten 5 watermelons. they are so good. i love watermelon.
We have only eaten about 2 this year.
I am afraid we have not eaten any!!! Our 4th of July was ruined by rain before we ate one. Thank you
I would say we have had 10. I buy one every week for sure! Fantastic prize! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
We have eaten about 5 watermelons this year.
Watermelon is one of our favorites and we go thru one a week.I just bought one today.
3 or 4, not quite sure!
I’d say 6-7 watermelons. We love eating ’em by the pool and family gatherings.
We have had one watermelon this summer.
We have bought four or five huge Watermelons from Aldi’s this summer for $3 each!
I think we have probably eaten at least a dozen this summer.
We have had about ten.
We’ve eaten about 5. Not enough!