... and don't forget the seeds!
Stay hydrated this summer with your food
Jun 12, 2019, 6:18 am
... and don't forget the seeds!
Beat that summer heat while living in Texas. Did you know there are several fruits and vegetables that are packed with over 90% of water? More water, means less in calories. So, while you are out shopping for groceries this week, be sure to pick up your water friendly fruits and veggies. Add these 5 below to your grocery list and stay hydrated through the summer. And don't forget to make sure to pick up the watermelon, but WITH seeds. There are so many health benefits to watermelon seeds, check them out below.
1) Tomato
2) Lettuce
3) Red Pepper
4) Celery
5) Cucumber
6) Watermelon
Tomato- Between 93-96% water
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Lettuce- 96% water
Romaine lettuce has about 8 calories and 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per cup. Although it's low in fiber, it's high in minerals, such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. It's naturally low in sodium. Plus, romaine lettuce is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
Calories: 8 calories Fiber: 1 g Total fat: 0.1 g
Red Peppers- 94%water
Serving Size: 1 medium. Calories: 31-37; 169% of the RDA for vitamin C. Red Peppers also contain 3 mg of vitamin B6. Vitamin K1, is a form of vitamin K, known as phylloquinone, K1 is important for blood clotting and bone health. Potassium, is an essential mineral may improve heart health. Folate, or Vitamin B9 has a variety of functions in your body. Adequate folate intake is very important during pregnancy. Red Pepper Amount: 54.7 mcg.
Celery- 95% water
Celery is very low in calories and carbohydrate. One medium stalk contains a mere 6 calories and 1.2 grams of carbohydrate. Half of the carbohydrate content in celery comes from fiber, making it a good source of fiber. One stalk of celery has a minimal amount of protein, with less than one-third of a gram per serving.
Cucumber- 96-97% water
There are just 16 calories in a cup of cucumber with its peel (15 without). You will get about 4 percent of your daily potassium, 3 percent of your daily fiber and 4 percent of your daily vitamin C. They also provide small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A.
Last, not least, my favorite...….
Watermelon is delicious and refreshing, with tons of nutritious seeds. Even though most people spit them out, that is often a big mistake. And don't worry, unlike what you believed as a kid, if you swallow these seeds you will not grow a watermelon in your stomach.
Watermelon seeds come from the watermelon plant, which grows on the vine. The seeds come in two main colors, white and black, which are the immature (white) and fully developed (black) seeds respectively. Both seeds are good for you, however the black ones are more rich in nutrients and antioxidants. So if you have to choose, black seeds over white, or just both, there are hundreds in a watermelon.
Little fun fact that not many know. Watermelon seeds are pack with high levels of protein and amino acids. About 60% of your daily requirements can come from 1 cup of dried watermelon seeds. These seeds also have high levels of Vitamin B, as well as magnesium, zinc, copped, potassium, copper, manganese, and iron. Also, a diverse rang of fats, such as omega 3, omega 6 fatty acids, and smaller saturated fats. The nutrient density also comes along with a high-calorie count – a cup of dried watermelon seeds contains roughly 600 calories.
There are plenty of other health benefits to Watermelons seeds. Another surprisingly fun fact about watermelon seeds is, it's ability to boost hair health (growth, strong, prevent breakage, or split ends), support your skin (moisturize, wrinkles, skin elasticity, acne), increase energy, lower blood pressure, stimulate digestion, regulate blood sugar, and lower cholesterol levels. I am about to blow your mind with more benefits from eating these little black seeds everyone would always spit out.
These seeds can also help with growth and development of your body's cells and tissues. Since they are packed with protein, which is composed of amino acids, this helps with the production of these tissues. Last, these seeds can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, growth and repair of various organ systems, boost fertility, increase energy levels, lower blood pressure, and improve nerve system function.
Now if ALL those health benefits don't make you get up to go buy a watermelon, then good luck this summer !
As Opening Day draws near, the Astros have a renewed sense of optimism thanks to some savvy offseason moves made to bolster their roster and keep the team's championship window open for the foreseeable future.
This year, the lineup will look a little different without Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. Still, Houston has multiple players on this team who could have breakout seasons and fill the offensive void left behind by the two departing All-Stars.
Cam Smith
During the offseason, the Astros made the controversial choice to trade Tucker to the Cubs for Isaac Parades, Hayden Wesneski and Chicago’s highly rated prospect Cam Smith.
Parades and Wesneski were acquired to give Houston a third baseman and another potential starting pitcher to add to their rotation. Smith was supposed to be a prospect with high potential who could become a good player in the coming years. However, the Astros likely did not expect the 22-year-old to break out during Spring Training as he did.
The former Florida State Seminole had an impressive .342 batting average with four homers. He also showcased he can play multiple positions, having spent time at third base and in right field during Grapefruit League games.
Smith was getting reps in the outfield as a way to get his bat in the lineup and has looked good out there so far.
Thanks to his stellar play during Spring Training, Smith earned a spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster, becoming the third-fastest position player in MLB history to make the majors having only played 32 minor league games. Houston has found their new everyday right fielder and another lethal bat to add to the lineup for the foreseeable future.
“His approach at the plate, his swing decisions, how hard he’s hitting the ball, we need some of that type of hitter in our lineup, something last year that we somewhat struggled with. If we could add players like him in our lineup, it would stretch our lineup even further.” Astros’ manager Joe Espada said about Smith.
Zach Dezenzo
The Astros' other Spring Training breakout player was Zach Dezenzo, who just earned his first-ever Opening Day roster spot.
The 24-year-old hit .415 (17-for-41) with two homers and made appearances at multiple positions this spring, further solidifying his spot on this roster as a necessary depth piece.
The former Ohio State Buckeye made the big league roster as a utility player, as he can play both corner outfield field positions in addition to first and third base.
“He’s had a great spring.” Espada said about Dezenzo. “His defense in the outfield has been better than what I thought. He actually picked up on it pretty quickly”.
With the recent news that Jon Singleton was cut, and Christian Walker is dealing with an oblique injury, it would seem Dezenzo has a chance to see most of his playing time at first base and fill in at third base or left field this season when needed.
Jeremy Pena
Houston's best hitter during Spring Training wasn’t Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez or Yanier Diaz, but instead was Jeremy Pena.
The 27-year-old is entering his fourth big league season with the Astros and is looking to recapture some of the offensive magic he had during his 2022 rookie campaign.
Pena has seen his OPS drop slightly over the last three years, but could become one of the best hitters in the Astros' lineup this season with the amount of work he put into his swing during the offseason.
The fruits of his labor paid off, for Houston’s shortstop had a .475 batting average with two homers and drove in 10 runs during Spring Training,
Despite the roster turnover, the Astros still have an elite team in place to compete for the top spot in the American League West and become a playoff team again.