Hydration is key! From a young age we were all taught that a hydrated body is a healthy body. In fact, 75% of your body is comprised of water. But with busy schedules and blaring sunlight in the summer, it’s hard to keep a cold water bottle on hand at all times. And a lot of people don’t enjoy guzzling down eight glasses of tasteless belly filling liquid every day. But, like it or not, you have to hydrate.
Luckily, our good friend, food, saves the day once again. Gazpacho is the perfect meal on a hot day. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that taste delicious and load you body up with vitamins, and water.
Cucumbers
These green vegetables are the perfect hydrating snack. Every cucumber you see is made up of a whopping 96% water. Now that is hydration! In addition to water, cucumber skin contains vitamin C and caffeic acid, which reduces swelling and skin irritations. So throw some cucumbers on your skin and in your mouth to feel and look your best this summer.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are delicious and colorful veggies that are the perfect snack on the go. Similarly to cucumbers, bell peppers are made up of 92% water. These crunchy snacks hold vitamin C (which is most concentrated in red bell peppers), beta-carotene, which contains antioxidants, and enzymes that protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.
#SpoonTip: Bell peppers are different colors because they’re at different stages of ripening.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are arguably one of the most diverse vegetables at your local grocer. From heirloom to cherry to Roma, these puppies are loaded with essential vitamins and hydration. Tomatoes are comprised of 95% water, without compromising flavor. Vitamins and antioxidants inside tomatoes also combat the formation of free radicals.
Red Onion
Red onions may not hold as much water as tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers, but they do contain the same vitamins. Vitamin C and other cancer preventing antioxidants are found inside these pungent, purple spheres.
Garlic
Garlic is in the same family of onions, and contains similar vitamins and antioxidants. But garlic has a special quality that has been utilized for centuries. This pungent vegetables does wonders for the immune system, and has been proven to combat colds. Summer isn’t usually the time to get sick, but hey, better to be safe than sorry!
Gazpacho
Ingredients
Instructions
Roughly chop each vegetable and set aside.
Add each vegetable separately into a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
Transfer vegetables into bowl. Mix in tomato juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Mix well and serve cold, with a cucumber garnish, if desired.