Watermelon- A Diet Friendly Food

It is scorching out in my neck of the woods, and nothing is more enjoyable during the summer than a cold treat.

My favorite thing to do this time of year is to cut up some fresh watermelon, put it in a freezable plastic container, and when frozen, eat it with a spoon like Italian ices. Watermelon is mostly just that, water, and naturally sweet. Additionally, you can take the frozen watermelon, puree it in a blender, and refreeze it if you want your watermelon ices a bit smoother. You can even dilute it more with water, freeze the melon puree, then when frozen, scrape it into a dish, and that is a "granita." You can add vodka to this if you're entertaining.

The frozen melon can also be used in smoothies. There is a local drive-in near my house that makes awesome, but oh so fattening watermelon milkshakes in the summertime. I made my own fake version with a cup of skim milk, and the frozen melon, plus a Splenda packet and blended it for a second so it would still be chunky. Not exactly the same, but definitely satisfying. Plus you get some calcium and fruit servings in for the day.

You can do similar tricks with cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Just remember when you start branching out into more of the denser melons and fruit not to pig out.

Over at Brownie Points, blogger McAuliflower has some cool tricks for making a ice cream a bit more diet friendly with ice cubes.

So don't be tempted by those gargantuan cones at Cold Stone, or Marble Slab. Those things have enough ice cream for you and a family of four. Save some money, calories, and gas by staying at home and whipping up your own treats.

Special Bonus: Check out these SQUARE WATERMELONS!

Gazpacho - The Perfect Diet Food

Cool, tasty, refreshing, nutritious, and even filling, gazpacho is the most perfect diet food. For those of you who do not know what gazpacho is, it is the official soup of Spain. It is a cold soup based on tomatoes. As with any colloquial recipe, there are endless versions.

Personally, I like the true Spanish style that includes real tomatoes and some bread. Bread? Diet? Don't fret, the amounts are scant. You'll see versions that are essential salsa in a bowl, and those I dislike.

What makes it a wonderful diet food is that no matter how you make it, it is low in calories and chock full of veggies. Remember it is prime time for tomatoes, go to your local road side stand or farmer's market and get GOOD tomatoes. I am a tomato snob, and this is not a recipe to be made with mealy, tasteless grocery store tomatoes. Not even those phony "vine ripened" ones that look nice but taste like nothing.

It is important to chill the soup, as that is half the pleasure of eating it. Served with a nice salad with lemon and a little olive oil, you'll have a very low calorie and healthful meal. Not to mention summertime friendly. You might want to store the soup in a pitcher to pour yourself a glass as a snack. It is also a nice starter for guests.

Another benefit of gazpacho is that is vegetarian, or can be made vegan. An if you're a raw foodist, omit the bread and this is, as far as I know, perfect for such a diet.

There are many recipes available on line, but the one below is my favorite. Lastly, I recommend watching "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" to see some gazpacho gone wild!

This is an authentic Spanish recipe that was left in the comments section over at Simply Recipes. While Elise's recipe is nice and sans bread, I dig the commenter's more. Try both and see what you like.

Gazpacho From "Joao Pedro" the commenter (I've not edited his text) (This is Elise's recipe)

5 ripe tomatos seeded and peeled

1/2 cocumber seeded and peeled

1/2 onion

1 piece of garlic

1/4 green pepper2 slices of bread (sourdough bread [just some crusty peasant bread is fine]- 2 ou 3 days old

if possible1 teaspoon of oregano

4 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar

sal & pepper1/4

l cup of ice cold water

The cucumber is to be sliced and put in water with salt for 30 minutes . The pepper piece must be burned in order to remove the skin [he means roasted] . Put all the vegetables in the blender and make it work for while before adding the bread in pieces .Mix it all very well , and then add the oil , vinegar , oregano , salt , pepper and water . Mix again and taste because you might find that it's necessary to add more of any of the last ingredients .It should not be thin , must be cold ( you can add ice )
and have a strong flavor .