Rising Moon Wellness Watermelon Pizza
Health Benefits of Watermelon
Loaded With Lycopene
The cheery red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant. Studies show it may help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes as part of a healthy lifestyle. Watermelon has more of this nutrient than any other fruit or veggie -- even tomatoes. To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds.
Sun Benefit?
Some pigments help protect plants from the sun. Oddly enough, just eating them may shield your skin, too -- at least a little. The lycopene in watermelon may make it less likely that you get sunburned. But that’s not for sure, so keep using your broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day.
Healthier Heart
Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks when combined with healthy lifestyle choices.
Protects Your Joints
Watermelon has a natural pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin that may protect your joints from inflammation. Some studies show that over time, it could make you less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis.
Easy on Your Eyes
Just one medium slice of watermelon gives you 9-11% of the vitamin A you need each day. This nutrient is one of the keys to keeping your eyes healthy.
Naturally Sweet Hydration
Juicy watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a simple way to help stay hydrated. Every cell in your body needs water
Soothes Your Skin
Vitamins A, B6, and C in watermelon help your skin stay soft, smooth, and supple.
Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth
A cup of ice cream will set you back around 300 calories. You can enjoy the same amount of watermelon for just 45.6 calories. And unlike many other desserts, it’s fat-free, cholesterol free, and has no sodium. Plus, the water in it will help you stay fuller longer. To make an easy sorbet, puree some watermelon in your blender, add a squeeze of lime, and pop in the freezer until it hardens.
Choose a Good One
Pick a melon that’s free of dents, nicks, and bruises. Look for a yellow, not white, spot on the bottom. This signals that it’s ripe. A juicy, ready-to-eat watermelon will feel heavy for its size. When you thump it, it should sound hollow.
Safely Cut and Store Your Melon
Wash the outside of your melon before you slice into it. You don’t want your knife to transfer any germs to the inside. While melon tastes best right after it’s cut, you can store it in your fridge for up to 5 days. Freezing is an option, too. While the watermelon won’t stay crisp, you can thaw it to use in smoothies.
Information from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-of-watermelon
Rising Moon Wellness Watermelon Pizza
Ingredients
½ cup low-fat plain yogurt or plant yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large round slices watermelon (about 1 inch thick), cut from the center of the melon
⅔ cup sliced strawberries or raspberries
½ cup halved blackberries or blueberries
2 tablespoons torn fresh mint leaves
Balsamic glaze
Directions
Combine yogurt, honey and vanilla in a small bowl.
Spread ¼ cup yogurt mixture over each slice of watermelon. Cut each slice into 8 wedges. Top with berries and mint.
Drizzle balsamic glaze across each slice
Recipe by Rising Moon Wellness