Watermelon

I admit it, I boredom eat. Sometimes I sit down on my couch and open a book or watch tv and want to stuff my face for entertainment. I'm not proud. I'm always looking for snacks I can eat mindlessly and without guilt. Summer time makes this EASY.

WATERMELON, I charge thee: GET IN MY BELLY!! EN MASSE!!!


The biggest mystery and the first step in the quest to get watermelon in your belly is to pick out a good one. Thumping on them is SO 5 years ago. (Although a fully ripe melon does sound different than a less ripe one but hellz if I know how. I don't botha)

A good watermelon should have three qualities:

1: It should be heavy for it's size. Why? Cuz at full ripeness, a watermelon is 90% water. Water isn't light in case you were not aware.

2: It should have as large of a yellow spot as you can find. That spot is where it has sat in the dirt and when that spot is yellow it is ripe. Before that spot is yellow it is white or light green. It is like a turkey with an un-popped timer thingy. That melon did not cook long enough. Leave it for the poor soul behind you who is not fortunate enough to be reading this top secret data (that I read online somewhere once)

Here is a quiz. Which watermelon should you pick to be your watermelon? To have and to hold, to eat and to swallow?

If you picked the second melon then you have been paying attention.

I can personally attest to this being the most reliable way to choose. I always pick one with a big yellow spot and it's always super sweet. ALWAYS.

3: It should speak to you. "I am your watermelon. Pick me. Love me. Dice me up in to small squares and eat me."  You must listen carefully.

Now - the nitty gritty. Why is this such a great snack for mindless binge-eating? Well first of all it's delicious. Duh. Second of all, it has only 46 calories for a cup and it's super filling - a couple of watermelon wedges and I'm all buddha-belly happy. It also is right up there with tomatoes when it comes to being FULL of lycopene. Lycopene is great for your cardiovascular health. And oh ya, remember when I said it's 90% water? That means it is extremely hydrating so eat up on hot and humid days and you'll be getting both nutrition and hydration. It's also full of fiber and is a natural diuretic that does not strain your kidneys like caffeine does. It reduces inflammation and flushes toxins and fat out of your system in the process - who does not love that combination? People who love being all swollen and toxic probably shouldn't eat watermelon. But the rest of us should eat it. Now. All Day.

GUESS WHAT?? Trader Joe's currently has whole seedless gems of happy watermelon goodness for $3.99.