Wondrous Watermelon

When the days start to get longer and the summer heat is upon us I know its time for my favorite fruit, WATERMELON!!  The bright pink flesh that is as sweet as candy.  I have fond memories of my grandpa giving me big pieces, going out to the porch and eating it, all the time juice running down to my elbows.


Even though it is available year round, it is the best in the summer.  If you have the room I would encourage you to try and grow them yourself.  If you cant then pick some up at the farm or the market. Watermelons are picked when they are ripe and do not ripen more once they are picked so what you get is what you get.  It should be heavy and smooth with bright green skin and stripes of white/yellow.

Watermelon is a great source of vitamin c.  Vitamin C is important for our immune health. Got a cold coming on run to this vitamin to get better quicker.

It has Arganine, an amino acid, that helps lower blood pressure.

Its rich in Lycopene which helps fight cancer cells.

B vitamins which help mood.

The natural sugars calm cravings and give energy.

And there is nothing like watermelon to help hydrate you since its made up of  mostly water.

I know most people already like watermelon and know its good for you but now you know why.  So instead of picking up an ice cream to cool you down and make you feel better, reach for a slice of watermelon and feel instantly better.

Say bye bye to bugs

 

Its summer time and those little buggers are out for blood.... literally.  Mosquitoes can be such pests and are known to carry diseases like west nile.  There are plenty of chemically laden sprays out there to keep you protected but my family takes a more natural approach. 

Everyone has heard of citronella.  There are many a night when we had those candles glowing on our table out back. But did you know citronella is actually a grass. If you plant it around your yard it can actually help repel mosquitoes.

There are many plants that repel insects including mosquitoes like: Mint, Lavender, Lemongrass and Catnip.  How beautiful and affective to have some of these planted or in pots around you yard.  Not only are the esthetically pleasing, they smell amazing to humans and you can use mint, lavender and lemongrass to cook with as well as make teas.

 

 

You can also take advantage of these plants repellent properties by using the essential oils.  Each essential oil has many uses so it is worth picking a few up.  Lavender is one of my favorites.  You can use it to calm down your children, in the bath, in cookies, as a massage oil, in lemonade, to take the itch away from a bug bite as well as a bug repellent.

Lemongrass is good for skin care, aromatherapy and deodorizer.

Mint is good for body products, it invigorates, deodorizes, makes a great back massage oil and can be put into food.
(please make sure you have food grade oil before consuming it)

Here are a couple of recipes for homemade bug spray

Where to find essential oils       Mountain Rose Herbs     Amazon

Just a reminder... Mosquitoes breed in water so get rid of any standing water in your yard.  Wear protective clothes when out at dusk or in the woods and make sure whatever kind of spray you use that you spray your children and yourselves liberally.