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Strawberry Watermelon Beet Smoothie

This strawberry watermelon beet smoothie is a zinger! It is a delicious, bright red smoothie, made with watermelon, beets, strawberries, and ginger. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, earthy, and a little ginger spice. This is one of my favorite breakfasts to whip up in the blender and enjoy before exercising or a morning run. It’s easy on your stomach, hydrating, and just enough natural sugar and nutrients to fuel your body. Plus, it tastes amazing! My kids (and the neighborhood kids) also really love this smoothie; it’s a hit! Skip the Gatorade, make this delicious, refreshing strawberry watermelon beet smoothie instead. Your body will thank you!

80/20 Formula for Health

To clarify, I am not a runner, not even close. But I did turn 40 this year, and my gift to myself is working on my health. So I’ve started running twice per week, in between my regular yoga practice. I almost always have to drag myself out the door to go running, but I’ve grown especially fond of the experience once I get going. It’s been a great way to spend more time outside. I love breathing in the cool, thick morning Maine air and smelling the sea. It’s peaceful in the mornings around here, and I pop in my earbuds and listen to an audiobook or a favorite podcast to make the run fly by. Sometimes I get so into my book, I just keep running. Some days, one mile is plenty. Either way, the experience is so good. It’s my quiet time to work on myself. I feel great afterwards, it’s such a good balance for sitting most of the day. I highly recommend it, no matter your age! If running is not your thing, even getting out for a nice walk can have similar results. Eating healthy, whole foods is only 80% of the formula; the remaining 20% for a healthy body is exercising. Get your body moving!

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Did you know that strawberries aren’t really fruit or even berries? According to WebMD they are actually the enlarged center of a flower, part of the rose family. They may not be fruit, but they are still loaded with lots of good stuff for your body: vitamin C and antioxidant compounds. WebMD cites many health benefits of eating strawberries: improved insulin sensitivity, osteoarthritis management, lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, better gut health, and brain health protection. Truly amazing little red delicious gems!

How Much Water is in Watermelon?

When I was a kid I used to love to eat watermelon, I mean really love it. I remember days when I ate like a half a watermelon for lunch and was so full I didn’t have room for anything else! Eating watermelon in the yard and spitting out the seeds is like a childhood right of passage. It is synonymous with summer, so sweet, juicy, cool, and refreshing. If only I could get watermelon to grow in my garden! Maybe someday.

Since I was a kid I’ve always wondered how much water is actually in a watermelon, I mean they can be heavy! Turns out they are 92% water. Plus, Mayo Clinic states that watermelon has the highest amount of lycopene (an antioxidant) than any other fruit. Watermelon is also high in vitamin A, B6, potassium, and vitamin C. Tasty fuel for your body.

Why Do Beets Turn Your Pee and Poo Red?

A moment of panic while going to the bathroom, what’s wrong with my body, ah I must be dying! Oh wait, I had tons of beets for dinner last night. I’m sure we’ve all been there. According to Healthline their is a medical term for this phenomena Beeturia:

Discoloration is due to a compound in beets called betanin, which is what gives the vegetable its red pigment. Some people have difficulty breaking down this pigment. After you consume beets, betanin travels through the body and eventually makes its way to the kidneys. Here, it is flushed from the body, resulting in pink or red urine.

Healthline does also state that people who have an iron deficiency or low stomach acid may see more pronounced red color. Now that we got that all out of the way, let’s talk about all the amazing benefits of consuming beets! Beets are high in fiber, folate, Manganese, and copper. They are good for keeping your blood pressure in check, flighting inflammation, and improving athletic performance. “According to one review, beetroot juice could enhance endurance by increasing how long it takes to become exhausted, boosting cardiorespiratory performance, and improving efficiency for athletes (13Trusted Source).” How cool is that? Now you can see why this is my pre-run drink of choice!

Why is Ginger so Good for Us?

Ginger is great for your gut. According to John Hopkins Medicine, ginger encourages efficient digestion, aiding with nausea, gas, and bloating relief. It is often used to ease morning sickness during pregnancy. Not to mention, it is a flavor powerhouse. Zippy, zesty, and sometimes almost spicy. Ginger soothes digestion while adding lots of flavor to our foods. Now let’s get blending, and running!