When it comes to summer in Denver staying hydrated is key. Even though I’ve been living in Colorado for years, I don’t think my body has ever quite gotten used to the lack of moisture in the air. So I try to keep my water intake high, whether it be from downing the reusable water bottle that is always in my bag or through foods that have a high water content. (Who says water needs to come from the faucet?!)
I recently was invited to go on a ‘hydration tour’ of one of the local Denver Sprouts Farmers Market and we popped around the store looking at different ways that foods can keep us hydrated. From juice to popsicles there were so many different options for making sure we get our recommended amount of daily fluids (roughly half of your body weight in ounces.) So I decided to make a refreshing summer salad with some of my favorite high-water foods that can both cool us down and keep up refreshed!
Hydrating Summer Salad
2.5 Cups Watermelon (92% Water)
1.5 Cups Cucumber (96%)
1 Cup Blueberries (85% Water)
½ Cup Feta Cheese
1 Bunch Basil
Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions:
With no heating needed, this delicious summer salad can be ready in just minutes! Also, the proportions of this salad are completely up to you, not the biggest cucumber fan? Adjust it, adding or reducing ingredients is a great way to customize.
1 Start by prepping your main ingredients- de-seed (if necessary) your watermelon and cucumber, and then cube both into relatively uniform chunks.
2 Prep the basil by de-stemming and then slicing it ‘en chiffonade’ essentially rolling the leaves into tubes and then slicing thinly!
3 Combine watermelon, cucumber, blueberries, and feta in a large bowl and mix well. The juice from the fruit will allow the cheese to permeate the other ingredients bringing a bit of creaminess to the dish.
4 Drizzle balsamic vinegar, to taste, over the mixed ingredients.
Cover and let chill if desired.
Serve in small bowls so you don’t lose the juice! Enjoy!
This salad is a fun way to make sure you hit your hydration requirements, especially in the summer! Listening to the nutritionist as she led us throughout Sprouts was such a fun learning experience- who would have thought that coffee counts as hydrating (up to two cups) or that the ideal way to hydrate is by sipping water throughout the day, not guzzling whole glasses at once! I’d love to know, how to you make sure to take in your daily water requirement? Let me know in the comments below!
I was compensated with product and payment for this post. All opinions are my own.
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