Watermelon Cucumber Cooler

Do you like watermelon? I love it. There is nothing better than a fresh slice of this delicious fruit, especially on a hot summer day. And what might be even better? A Watermelon Cucumber Cooler! This is a wonderful combination of watermelon, cucumber, mint, lime and vodka (optional of course). The watermelon and cucumber are clean and fresh, but it’s the mint that adds the special touch to this drink.

Cool and delicious, the perfect cocktail for any 80º F day.


Watermelon Cucumber Cooler
by Laura Friendly
start to finish: 15 minutes
serves: 2 (makes about 2 cups)

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed, cubed
• ½ cup seedless cucumber, skin removed, cubed
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tbsp agave nectar
• juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)
• 2 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• 2 shots of vodka, optional

In a blender combine watermelon, cucumber and ice. Cover and blend until nearly smooth. Add in agave, lime juice and mint, blend well.

Strain mixture through a fine-mesh into a small bowl or pitcher, pressing out juice. Discard solids.

Stir in vodka, if desired, and serve immediately over ice. Garnish with fresh mint.

Find more Laura Friendly at HelloGiggles!

Pear, Blueberry, Cucumber, Tomato Fruit Salad

I know, this sounds different… and it is different from your average fruit salad, but it’s good. I first discovered the wonderful blend of pears, cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados, while doing a fruit cleanse (aka: fruit feast) as part of a yoga training. Until that time, it had never occurred to me to mix foods I considered vegetables, with sweet fruit. As I soon discovered, cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados are technically fruit, because they contain seeds. So you see, this works!

This idea, made me rethink what a fruit salad could be. Adding crunchy cucumber, and soft avocado, offer different textures to a fruit salad. Plus they compliment the sweet blueberries and pears.

Great, with or without dressing, this fruit salad is a MUST for summer. Enjoy!


Poppy Seed Dressing
by Laura Friendly

• 4 tbsp light oil (I used avocado oil)
• 2 tbsp agave nectar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• juice & zest of 1 lime
• ½ tsp poppy seeds
• ¼ tsp salt

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, agave, vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, poppy seeds and salt. Set aside.


Pear, Blueberry, Cucumber, Tomato Fruit Salad
by Laura Friendly

• 1 pear, diced
• 1 english cucumber, sliced or diced
• 1 cup sweet cherry tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 cup sweet blueberries
• 1 avocado, diced

In a large bowl, toss together diced pear, cucumber, tomatoes and blueberries. Pour Poppy Seed Dressing over the top and mix well. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, top with avocado and serve.

Also see this recipe on HelloGiggles!