MOTHER'S MELONS OR NATURAL MELONS

Improve Our Health

Let’s talk about melons today folks. You may ask why and my answer is their juicy flesh is rich in vitamin C and is a great source of potassium to help regulate fluid retention. They also taste very good, whether it is watermelon, cantaloupe or my favorite honey dew. Picking a ripe melon in season and breaking it open to eat is a ritual during the spring and summer. Today we are going to take it a little further and through in some nutritional information and delicious recipe as well.

Melons consist of over 92% water which can help keep the kidneys working well. The orange varieties are a great source of beta carotene and are also high in vitamin C, although amounts vary according to variety. All melons are rich in vitamin B6 and potassium and several varieties are high in the bioflavonoid group of plant chemicals, which have anti cancer, anti heart disease, and anti-aging properties. Melons are rich in soluble fiber, while watermelon is a particularly good source of lycopene, which helps protect against prostate cancer.

1.  High potassium content helps prevent fluid retention and balances sodium in the body which may help to reduce/regulate blood pressure.

1.  Soluble fiber content helps arterial health (circulation) and can help lower blood cholesterol again impacting blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart.

1.   The Beta Carotene content of the orange varieties is one of the highest of all fruits and vegetableThe carotenes possess antioxidant properties. Vitamin A serves several biological functions including involvement in the synthesis of certain glycoproteins. Vitamin A deficiency leads to abnormal bone development, disorders of the reproductive system, xerophthalmia (a drying condition of the cornea of the eye), and ultimately death.

1. Watermelon contains citrulline an amino acid that aids blood flow to muscles helpful for exercise and sports.

One tip is to understand unlike many other fruits melons do not ripen well once picked, so choose one with a rich fragrance which indicates it is ripe. Store your melons at cool to moderate temperature.

Now for the recipe:

Prosciutto Ham with Melon and Asparagus

Ingredients:

8 oz	Asparagus
1 small	Cantaloupe
2 oz	Prosciutto ham
6 oz	Mixed salad greens
¾ cup	Raspberries
½ cup	Ground cashews
1 tbsp	Balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp	Raspberry vinegar
2 tbsp	Orange juice (fresh squeezed when possible)

 

Directions:

1.      Trim the asparagus cutting the spears in half if they are long. Cook in a tall saucepan of lightly salted boiling water over medium heat for five minutes or until tender. Drain then refresh under cold running water and drain again. Set aside

2.      Cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into small wedges and cut away the rind.

3.      Separate the prosciutto ham slices and cut in half. Wrap the halved slices around the melon wedges.

4.      Arrange the salad greens on a large serving platter and place the melon wedges on top, together with the asparagus spears. Sprinkle on the raspberries and ground cashews.

5.      To make the dressing, pour the vinegars and juice into a screw top jar and shake until blended. Pour over the salad serve and enjoy.

So here is a nice recipe for you to try this weekend if you are living in a zone where cantaloupe is in season and if not store this so when it is you are ready to go. It provides a balanced ph which will help to further improve your health beyond the bullets listed above. In addition it is easy to do and inexpensive. I urge you try it and let me know how you like it.

So Get Up Get Moving and remember...............



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