As we head into summer and backyard BBQ’s, there’s a good chance we’ll find ourselves with half a watermelon taking up way too much space in the Frigidaire. 

I did.  Water-melon.  Water.  Flavored water. 

Do you see where I’m headed?

I took an average sized watermelon and cut half of it into glorious wedges.  Wedges are always a favorite with my family.

The other watermelon half sat in my fridge for a few days. Until eventually a decision was made.  We’re turning you into juice. 

The rosemary idea came from Shelby.  Her new issue of Vegetarian Times had an article about pairing Watermelon & Rosemary.  I was sold.

This juice is super easy to make.  Blend watermelon chunks until smooth.  Strain through a medium mesh sieve to remove some of the pulp.  Pour into a pitcher, add a sprig of fresh rosemary and allow to hang out in the fridge for a couple hours. 

Two words – delicious and refreshing!

I infused the Watermelon Rosemary Juice with strawberries and kiwi (think sangria). The result was a second batch with a completely different flavor profile! I took a jug full to the office to {Share the Love}. 

They loved it. 

I will never look at leftover watermelon as a burden again.  Just juice it up.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Rosemary Watermelon Juice

Course Beverage

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1/2 a watermelon cubed (about 8 cups of large cubes)
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig
• 6 strawberries hulled and quartered, optional
• 2 kiwi fruit peeled and sliced, optional

Instructions

• Working in batches, blend the watermelon cubes until pureed. Pour liquid through a medium mesh strainer to remove some of the pulp.
• Pour the juice over the rosemary sprig and refrigerate for several hours.
• Add the strawberries and kiwi fruit for an additional flavor boost.
• Yields about 2 quarts of juice.

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It’s Independence Day weekend and that calls for a new cocktail recipe to celebrate.

Kiwi Mojito {with Agave Syrup}. 

Shades of green with kiwi, lime and mint.  There’s nothing like a rum cocktail to transport you squarely into a holiday weekend.

I woke this morning to lightning strikes followed closely by roaring thunder.  It was awesome.  I’m a huge fan of thunderstorms, they’re akin to riding a rollercoaster for me, when my adrenaline is free flowing.

As much as I wanted to sleep in on this holiday weekend, Mother Nature had other plans.  So I counted the seconds between lightning bolts and thunder rumble.  Every second between a lightning bolt and thunder represents a mile (generally speaking), because light travels more quickly than sound.  Thanks to Siri for this tidbit.

Side note:  I first learned to count between lightning and thunder while watching a movie.  I think it was Poltergeist but I’m not sure.  I’ve googled numerous ways to try and confirm.  Can anyone help confirm this?

Counting thunder claps led to me slowly start planning out my day.  Get up (a good place to start), confirm indoor walking track is open, walk my daily minimum, get my toes done, then buy a few multiple-recipe ingredients at the grocery store and come on home.

Ugh!  Neither the website nor Facebook page said they were closed.

As of this week’s weigh-in, I’m down 55 pounds.  I’ve somehow managed to balance my love to eat, love to cook, love food photography…with my love of cocktails, like Kiwi Mojitos.

So when life throws a curve ball into my pre-planned day, I say no worries.  A break in the weather motivated me to make this ‘walk’ happen.  I’ve shared before that I’m a big fan of walking.  Never underestimate the benefits of moving.  No gym membership required (although good walking shoes are worth the money).

I followed the sidewalks around the CLOSED rec center.  They led me across the street to the high school and back up to the splash park.  When you’re desperate for steps you just keep walking….which delivered me to this place.  Seriously.  I had no idea this gem existed in the woods behind my bad-weather indoor walking center.  I sent a picture text to my walking buddy “your kids would love this place.”

It was a drizzling, spitting rain, bursts of downpours kind of day.  But these heavily wooded trails kept me mostly dry.

It’s hard to explain the feeling associated to discovering new walking trails.  Walking is when I download.  I love my walking buddies and I love my walking self.  I’m more of a listener than a talker when we group walk, but when I’m alone….I’m a talker.  Ha!

My rec center being closed today for the holiday weekend was a blessing.  I logged a three mile walk/hike in a new environment, with a dose of self-therapy.   I’ve now got a new favorite walking path with lots of personality.  And it happens to be very close to my favorite get-your-toes-done place.  Another reason to celebrate with a Kiwi Mojito {with Agave Syrup}.

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Kiwi Mojito {with Agave Syrup}

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 kiwi fruit
• 4-6 mint sprigs divided
• Lime cut into wedges
• 2 Tbl. agave nectar
• 4 ounces white rum
• Tonic or club soda

Instructions

• Peel kiwi. Add to glass with mint and lime wedges. Muddle.
• Add ice, agave nectar, rum and swizzle. Top with tonic or club soda.
• Enjoy!

The post Kiwi Mojito {with Agave Syrup} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Here’s to a fresh and healthy start to the New Year.  I’ve only had my new Vitamix blender for a few days now but I’m certain I’m going to love it.  I’ve made Orange Vanilla Vinaigrette and Thai Pumpkin Soup using recipes from the Vitamix cookbook.  Both were delicious.  This morning I made this Going Green Smoothie without a recipe.  We’ll call it a trial run.

I pulled together a good assortment of ‘greens’ from my fridge.  Kiwi, green grapes, celery, a lime wedge, a sprig of fresh mint, and two big handfuls of kale.  I knew adding pineapple or banana would sweeten the mixture but I vowed (to myself) to keep it green.

So in addition to all the green goodness, I added a 1/2 cup of water, a cup of ice, and a squeeze of agave nectar into the blender container and gave it a whirl for about a minute.

Voila!  I don’t think it can get any greener and it definitely had a smoothie-like texture.  But how did it taste?

Before we get to that, let me come clean about a secondary reason for craving a Going Green Smoothie.  Last night I posed this question to our facebook friends “Is it wrong that I just layered a Biscoff cookie with jalapeno peanuts, topped with a mini-Twix bar and popped them in the microwave for just a few seconds?”

This morning the evidence was still laying on the counter as if to say you might ponder this question a bit longer.

One friend suggested that I might be experiencing some cravings.  But my favorite response to that question was this “Your choice, your belly, nothing wrong with that…except to ask…is it possible you’re experiencing cravings due to a lack of some nutritional factor?…just saying. Love your page!”

Last year when I first suggested that I thought I would love a Vitamix, there was concern that it would become another gadget that rarely got used.  I tried to recite all the fabulous ‘health’ reasons that demo man had given for owning a mega-blender, but he wasn’t buying in.  Flash forward a year, good things come to those who wait.  It’s too early to rule on whether my new Vitamix will keep it’s prime spot on our kitchen counter or whether my body will begin to crave raw juices and soups instead of airplane cookies and leftover Halloween candy.

But for now, my Going Green Smoothie was delicious, in a slightly earthy ‘green’ kind of way.  The fresh mint and lime were front and center, but the veggies were present as well.  No recipe to go with this trial run yet, other than I followed the ‘method’ suggested by Vitamix.  Water in first, fruits and veggies next, topped with ice.  Turn on blender set at the lowest setting then gradually increase speed.  Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.

In the process of typing up this post I’ve now also made Tomato Basil & Avocado Soup served hot right out of the Vitamix.  I think I’m hooked.

The post Going Green Smoothie {a Trial Run} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Summer Thyme Sangria {with Watermelon & Rosemary}

We recently attended a “Stock the Bar” Wedding Shower for the daughter of our good friends.  One of the libations being served was a beautiful batch of Sangria, loaded with fresh berries and fruits.  I eat (in this case drink) with my eyes first and that Sangria called me, by name.

Flash forward a week and I’ve got my hands on a beautiful watermelon that’s ready to be eaten.  As much as we love watermelon it’s often hard to eat a whole one, even over the course of a few days.  So as half of this baby sat in the fridge the wheels began to spin.  Last year my office celebrated National Watermelon Day.  Click this link to see some of the creative ways we used this glorious fruit.

I decided to first make Rosemary Watermelon Juice.  Half a watermelon pureed in the blender yielded over 2 quarts of watermelon juice.  That was a great start to our refreshing Summer Thyme Sangria.  Just add diced fruit, like strawberries and kiwi, pour in some chilled white wine or sparkling water and you’ve got a wonderful summer cocktail (or mocktail).

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Summer Thyme Sangria {with Watermelon & Rosemary}

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 quarts chilled Rosemary Watermelon Juice see recipe link in post
• 8 fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
• 2 kiwi fruit peeled and sliced
• chilled white wine or sparkling water
• fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

• To make a batch of sangria, add the fresh fruit to a pitcher, cover with watermelon juice. Serve beside chilled white wine or sparkling water with rosemary sprigs to garnish.

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