The drippy, squirty and sticky watermelon
September 3rd 2007 00:03
A few months ago my oldest daughter turned eight and we held a birthday party for her. This was the first time she’d requested a birthday party in her honour, partly, I think, because we have a tendency to move around a lot as a family; from the Northern Territory to Tasmania and then to Victoria … all that in the space of the last three and a half years.
As a consequence, she always seems to have celebrated each birthday in a new place, surrounded by school children she doesn’t know very well. Not a particularly welcoming situation for a birthday party…
“Hello, what’s your name? Would you like to come to a party?”
Anyway … where was I? Oh yes, her first ever birthday party.
As you can imagine, it was a slightly stressful day for both myself (seven months pregnant at the time) and Bug 1’s dad, as this was also our first birthday party. There was so much to think about; decorations, food, games, prizes and, most importantly, how many eight year old guests could we cope with in addition to our eight year old daughter and four year old son.
Anyway, as it turned out, I think we did all right in the end.
One thing I decided to do a little differently to your standard children’s birthday party was the food. One of the most popular items were the home-made mini cheese and tomato pizzas (yum), everyone seemed to love those. But the food that disappeared the fastest into those hungry little eight year old mouths (and the four year old mouth) was the watermelon. It was appreciated even more than the banana, apple and grapes.
Traditionally thought of as a summer fruit (probably because of its ability to satisfy a thirst), watermelon is available pretty much all year round. It can be round, oblong or spherical and has a distinctive thick, green skin.
And watermelons are very, very juicy.
One of the most important health benefits of the sticky watermelon is its abundant supply of essential antioxidants. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, through its content of beta-carotene. Pink watermelon is also a great source of a potent antioxidant, lycopene.
As we all know, antioxidants work in the body to neutralise free radicals, substances that cause damage to the structure of the body. Free radicals can oxidise cholesterol and make it stick to the walls of blood vessels, causing heart attack or stroke, they can aggravate asthma by closing down airways and they can increase inflammation and accentuate the problems of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and joint damage.
Free radicals can also influence the structure of cells, leading to cancer.
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene are efficient at ridding the body of these free radicals, helping to prevent or slow the effects of these conditions.
Lycopene has also been studied and has been shown to be protective against many forms of cancer such as prostate, breast, endometrial, lung and colorectal, by protecting cells against attack. It also serves to protect the DNA inside our white blood cells.
Watermelon has a multitude of B vitamins which are essential for energy production, including B6 and B1. It is also low in calories due to its high water content.
Studies have also shown that fruit, in particular watermelon, can lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by up to 36% if three or more pieces of fruit are consumed per day. It has also been shown that the presence of vitamins A, C and E in fruits are much more beneficial to the prevention of macular degeneration than the presence of these three nutrients in vegetables.
Finally, watermelon has been shown to enhance the playfulness of children and adults alike through the participation of a seed spitting competition. However, make sure you don’t buy a seedless variety if you wish to compete, otherwise you will lose before you even start.
Watermelons … tasty, sticky, sweet and refreshing. A healthy snack that anyone can enjoy. What more could you ask.
I’d like to offer my thanks to anyone who has enjoyed reading this post and apologise for any delay there may be in responding to comments. I’m currently homeless as I travel north on a quest to find a new home. I will respond as soon as I possibly can. If you don’t want to comment, don’t forget there is a vote button … thank you for using it.
As a consequence, she always seems to have celebrated each birthday in a new place, surrounded by school children she doesn’t know very well. Not a particularly welcoming situation for a birthday party…
“Hello, what’s your name? Would you like to come to a party?”
Anyway … where was I? Oh yes, her first ever birthday party.
As you can imagine, it was a slightly stressful day for both myself (seven months pregnant at the time) and Bug 1’s dad, as this was also our first birthday party. There was so much to think about; decorations, food, games, prizes and, most importantly, how many eight year old guests could we cope with in addition to our eight year old daughter and four year old son.
Anyway, as it turned out, I think we did all right in the end.
One thing I decided to do a little differently to your standard children’s birthday party was the food. One of the most popular items were the home-made mini cheese and tomato pizzas (yum), everyone seemed to love those. But the food that disappeared the fastest into those hungry little eight year old mouths (and the four year old mouth) was the watermelon. It was appreciated even more than the banana, apple and grapes.
Yum!
Traditionally thought of as a summer fruit (probably because of its ability to satisfy a thirst), watermelon is available pretty much all year round. It can be round, oblong or spherical and has a distinctive thick, green skin.
And watermelons are very, very juicy.
One of the most important health benefits of the sticky watermelon is its abundant supply of essential antioxidants. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, through its content of beta-carotene. Pink watermelon is also a great source of a potent antioxidant, lycopene.
As we all know, antioxidants work in the body to neutralise free radicals, substances that cause damage to the structure of the body. Free radicals can oxidise cholesterol and make it stick to the walls of blood vessels, causing heart attack or stroke, they can aggravate asthma by closing down airways and they can increase inflammation and accentuate the problems of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and joint damage.
Free radicals can also influence the structure of cells, leading to cancer.
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene are efficient at ridding the body of these free radicals, helping to prevent or slow the effects of these conditions.
Lycopene has also been studied and has been shown to be protective against many forms of cancer such as prostate, breast, endometrial, lung and colorectal, by protecting cells against attack. It also serves to protect the DNA inside our white blood cells.
Watermelon has a multitude of B vitamins which are essential for energy production, including B6 and B1. It is also low in calories due to its high water content.
Studies have also shown that fruit, in particular watermelon, can lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by up to 36% if three or more pieces of fruit are consumed per day. It has also been shown that the presence of vitamins A, C and E in fruits are much more beneficial to the prevention of macular degeneration than the presence of these three nutrients in vegetables.
A Vampire Watermelon ... wow, check out those fangs ...
Finally, watermelon has been shown to enhance the playfulness of children and adults alike through the participation of a seed spitting competition. However, make sure you don’t buy a seedless variety if you wish to compete, otherwise you will lose before you even start.
Watermelons … tasty, sticky, sweet and refreshing. A healthy snack that anyone can enjoy. What more could you ask.
I’d like to offer my thanks to anyone who has enjoyed reading this post and apologise for any delay there may be in responding to comments. I’m currently homeless as I travel north on a quest to find a new home. I will respond as soon as I possibly can. If you don’t want to comment, don’t forget there is a vote button … thank you for using it.
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Seriously now...I had no idea that watermelons were so healthful!...I just know that they taste divine.
Hope you are well my Cara...Happy Spring!
big hugs...
Dusk
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
We're growing sugar baby watermellons. They are the small black refrigerator size. They are sooo good.
Take care. Safe travels and good luck with the house search.
Tammy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember we always had watermelon growing up but dad hated us spitting the seeds on the concrete so we would spit it into the garden.
A bit of sun, a bit of rain and enough seeds...and presto...we had watermelon. Dad ripped them out to make way for his tomatoes....bloody Greeks and their tomatoes.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by Portsmouth
I didn't realise that water melons had so much goodness in them. Now that I know about all the good things I'll enjoy them even more. Along with all the apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, pears......
You guessed it. I just love fruit of any description.
Lots of love as always from Pompey xxxxx
Comment by Candice
I have to say the fruit, especially the melon ones, went really quickly at my daughter's birthday party too! I think sometimes we forget that kids actually do like the healthy stuff too and that some of it is really yummy!
I hope the move's going well. Enjoy that warm weather!
Comment by Sarah White
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
I hope you've managed to find a home and that you and all the family are well.
Take Care.
Sarah. xxx
Comment by JoH
Your post had me salivating!
Comment by sandeye
Bird Story
San Francisco Music News
Yoga Tap
My Mom used to make jello and ice cream. I liked both, but always felt queasy when they were mixed... so often vomited the party food back!!!! I think melon would have been much better!