Ingredients:
2 Cups Watermelon
1 English Cucumber
¼ cup Fresh Mint Leaves
Ice (optional)
Pinch of Sea Salt
Directions:
- Cut watermelon and cucumber into smaller pieces to freeze and blend easily. Place the pieces in a container.
- Freeze watermelon and cucumber for at least 2 hours.
- In a blender, blend watermelon, cucumber, fresh mint, and sea salt. Add ice if there was no time for freezing.
- Pour & enjoy!
Smoothie Benefits:
With the height of the heat this Summer, it’s important to replenish and hydrate our bodies. If we don’t replenish with hydration, this will show up in our skin appearing more dehydrated (less glowing!), our energy levels being low, our digestion suffers, and overall, not feeling our best selves. Our bodies hydrate with not only water, but also adequate vitamins and minerals. As a result, I created this quick and easy Summer Smoothie recipe, it’s both delicious and nutritious and will beat that summer heat!
Watermelon is truly a summer superfood and one of my favourite fruits. Watermelon is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A and C, which is great for glowing skin and keeping our immune system strong. Another antioxidant found in watermelon, lycopene, helps protect against sun damage; excess sun exposure can accelerate aging and create skin hyperpigmentation. Watermelon is also rich in both potassium and magnesium, two minerals that are important for detoxification and to regulate blood pressure. Magnesium helps fight stress and fatigue, while potassium helps cleanse toxins and waste from the blood and protects our kidneys. Both minerals are also needed for proper hydration for our bodies!
Cucumber is another favourite plant food of mine. Cucumber is actually a fruit, yet it is very low in sugar and calories. Cucumber is very rich in water content like watermelon and contains fiber to regulate digestion. It contains cucurbacins which are compounds that help detoxification of the liver and aid digestive function. Cucumber is one of my favourite plants to include to reduce bloating and puffiness from the body. It is also known to alkalize the blood, helping maintain proper pH levels in the body.
Fresh mint makes this smoothie even more refreshing and cooling. Mint helps to soothe digestion by relaxing muscles in the digestive tract, helping with over-eating, bloating, constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Mint can also calm anxiety and stress, while improving brain function such as memory and alertness. It also contains powerful antimicrobial properties, keeping bad bacteria out which can reduce bad breath and improve oral hygiene.
Lastly, the addition of sea salt is to provide more minerals for the body to replenish as we lose minerals through sweat and excess heat. The proper amount of sodium is also important for adequate digestion, regulating stress, and helping to fight fatigue. I also love to add a pinch of sea salt to sweet treats as I find it enhances flavours beautifully!
By: Corinne Jane, The Beauty Files.
About Corinne:
Corinne is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner that offers online nutrition coaching, meal plans, and beauty/wellness tips to help others transform their health and glow. She is passionate with all things surrounding health and beauty and loves helping others heal through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Instagram: @thebeautyfiles_
Website www.thebeautyfiles.ca
