Try this (no, really . . . try it!)

Summer is fleeting.  This year I'm hitting the fruit stands and taking advantage of the huge selection of really low priced fare.  You can save a lot of money by shopping at these stands, but only buy enough for the next day or two.  While inexpensive, they're ripe and will spoil within a few days.

My fruit stand haul from last weekend

I don't think I've ever bought a whole watermelon.  They were $2.99 each for a medium sized seedless, so I got one.  (Make sure you get the seedless kind.)  According to Science Times beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients, which are naturally occurring compounds that are able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions.

TMI: Watermelons can produce Viagra-type results

Watermelons contain lycopene, beta carotene and the rising star among its phyto-nutrients – citrulline – whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does. 

I put the watermelon in the fridge overnight.  The next day I cut it in half and covered both halves with plastic wrap.  I grazed on these for the next day or two.  I dug my spoon directly into the watermelon.  My fridge is extra cold and it almost tasted like a watermelon smoothie - absolutely delicious.  It was pretty hot out and coming in from the heat and diving into the ice cold watermelon was heavenly.  I opted for this over the Pop Chips and found I actually preferred the watermelon over the usual snacks.

Huge Oranges on sale - 5 for $2.  Two of these Oranges filled this 12 ounce glass

I cover the glass with plastic wrap and sip on it throughout the day

I've posted about fresh juice before.  I didn't mention how great you feel when you drink it.   Studies have shown that juicing your fruit reduces the amount of work your digestive organs have to do and has been shown to increase the health of the liver, kidneys, etc. This kind of thing leads to better immunity and overall better long term health.  I find my concentration improves when I drink freshly squeezed juice and they say it kicks up your metabolism so you may actually lose weight.  Unlike the one small bag of Pop Chips I allow myself, with fruit it's no holds barred - I have as much as I want.

I keep Strawberries in the fridge- but not citrus

Take my weekend challenge - snack on fresh fruit and fresh juices this weekend and see how you feel - I feel like a million when I do this and I'll bet you will too!