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Guys.
THIS smoothie:
…it’s my current addiction.
I cannot get enough of these things!
It’s not even a new addiction. I had this problem last summer, too. It’s totally the fault of a fellow Travato buddy of mine Kate Mullen. She’s a full-timer in her Travato and blogs over on “The Road to Adventure.” We attended Sea Otter Classic together two years back and there was a booth whipping up fresh watermelon smoothies. Kate dragged me there swearing I HAD to try one. I wasn’t even in the mood for a smoothie, but, you know, the things we do for friends ( sigh…).
Anyways, one sip and HOLD THE PHONE! My life was forever changed.
(New placemats from my mom; thanks mom!)
I’m not even sure I should call it a “smoothie”? It’s more slushy, really… but then if I call it a slush, doesn’t it sound less healthy? Whatever name you settle on, blending up watermelon with icy goodness does something magical. It goes from “meh, watermelon,” to “WATERMELON AWESOMENESS!”
I especially like making these as a post-cardio workout drink. They’ve got that refreshing thing going for them, plus they are great for replenishing our energy stores and hydration levels. Watermelon is around 90% water, and yet is still packed with nutrients… vitamins A, B6 and C, lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. The chia seeds in this smoothie are one of those super foods we should be sprinkling on everything… loaded with omega-3 fats and tissue-repairing protein which are great in post-workout recovery drinks. On top of that, chia provides fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. And! This whole smoothie is only around 120 calories. So, let’s do the math:
Tasty + healthy + low-cal + ridiculously easy to make = A VERY HAPPY STEF
Now, these are only as good as the watermelon you use to make them. And actually, I think they taste way better with watermelon I cut days prior, after it’s had time to sit and sweeten in the fridge. But as it goes with watermelon, you’re never totally guaranteed a tasty one. IF your watermelon isn’t ripe enough or isn’t very flavorful, technically you COULD add a tiny amount of agave to sweeten it up. I never do and think it’s just fine without sweetener. But it’s an option in a pinch.
And be warned. Watermelon is fickle in the blender. You’d think it would blend up easily right?!?
Nope.
The fiber in it makes it hard to get blended. I always start with the ice and water in the bottom of the blender and the watermelon on top. That seems to do the trick.
Plus I better be honest here, I never really measure when I make these. For the purposes of giving you a recipe however, I tried to get as close as possible to the amounts I tend to throw in my Magic Bullet. So feel free to add more or less of anything; you really can’t screw this up.
If you’ve got variations on this or if you’ve tried it I want to know! Comments below!
xoxo, Stef
World's Best Watermelon Smoothie Slush
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed watermelon
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
Blend all ingredients and enjoy!
After this “Juice Incident” James may be tempted to ban the blender from Lance
https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/321089458573565/
Steph, I eat part of the watermelon, then cut up and put the rest in cubes in the freezer. Will this work with the frozen cubes? Will have to get Chia seeds.
Hi Joyce! Brilliant freezing watermelon chunks! I’ve never blended them frozen, I’d probably use less ice that way. I’ll have to try this!
Already made about a 15 pound watermelon’s worth. I’ve cut back on adding water unless I need to fill more than 2 glasses. Then I use seltzer for a kick.
So good during this heatwave.
Glad to hear you’re making them frequently! Totally agree they’re super refreshing on a hot and sweaty day. xoxo
Looks amazing- we will try it for the 4th!! Have you ever mixed in greens? I like that to cut the sweetness sometimes but have never tried that with watermelon.
Yep, I’ve tried mixing in all sorts of stuff; greens gave it a dirty taste and didn’t seem to be a good combination. And I know other people mix in various fruits, and I’ve tried that too, but really I just prefer the flavor and simplicity of sticking to just watermelon!
Thanks! Just made your recipe and it was awesome!
Seriously, a Magic Bullet? Come on, my electric toothbrush has more power. You want a smoothie or a slushy? Get a Vitamix blender. It’ll take all that problematic fiber and make “mincemeat ” out of it. Humph, imagine using a Magic Bullet. How 80’s is that!
My Vitamix, which I use all the time at the sticks and bricks, takes up way too much precious storage space in the van. So on the road, I love the Magic Bullet and it does a great job; we make smoothies regularly with it! Besides its tiny size, the low 600-watt motor in the Magic Bullet makes it ideal for boondocking; I can (and do) use it anywhere.
And by the way as for the Vitamix making mincemeat of watermelon? LOL! Yeah no. Watermelon’s the only thing I’ve found the Vitamix struggles to blend. I have to put the ice in the bottom of the Vitamix just like I do the Magic Bullet.
This sounds refreshing! Will definitely get some chia seeds and try it. And, a trick to getting a sweet, ripe watermelon? Look for the yellow spot on the bottom of the melon. The yellow spot means that it has been sitting in the field long enough to ripen. No yellow spot=not ripe.
Yes, the yellow spot! James likes to sigh loudly and put on a big show each time I start my obsessive hunt through the watermelon bin for the biggest yellow spot. See James! It’s a real thing! xoxo