Watermelon Mint Slushie

Summer is here! We have smoke, heat, and (in New England) more rain than perhaps ever. And we're lucky to have watermelons too! My friend Kelly of Be Kind Anyway Pressed Flowers made this for me a few weeks ago. It's a summer treat that cools you down and fills your taste buds with inspiration. It's easy to make, healthy & hydrating, goes down easy and is great any time of day. Here are some quick health notes about watermelon and mint, and the recipe is below.

Health benefits of watermelon:

Watermelon isn't just delicious, it's healthy too. It's low in calories and high in potassium, Vitamins C and A, and polyphenols. It's also rich in antioxidants, including the important compound lycopene.

Health benefits of mint:

Fresh mint is also good for you. Mint soothes the stomach and contains Vitamin A, iron, manganese and potassium. Mint contains antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals, and its menthol content provides a cooling sensation.

Ingredients for Watermelon-Mint Slushie:

• Enough fresh and chilled watermelon (cut into chunks) to fill a blender.
• A handful of fresh mint leaves (spearmint or peppermint)
• Ice cubes

Optional Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp Honey (watermelon is very sweet on its own so you might not want extra)
• Fresh berries
• Juice of half a lemon or lime

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the blender
2. Puree on high until well blended
3. Enjoy!