And The Heat Goes On...

If you are anywhere around the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.
then you'll know that it is hotter than the hinges of Hell.

We have been stuck in a scorching heat wave for the past few days...today reaching the highest at around 108 degrees.
As I state every summer...I DO NOT do well in the heat. I get very grumpy, very fast.

As most people realize (I really hope all people realize), when it is this hot out, it is extremely important to drink as much water as possible. If you allow yourself to start feeling thirsty, you're probably already getting quite dehydrated. I have a 16 fluid ounce glass bottle that I refill about 5 or 6 times a day.
Yesterday I drank two bottles in the morning, then went away for about 8 hours...without drinking much water the rest of the day. By the time I got home last night, I had a horrible headache and felt very fatigued. Dehydration is a sneaky little bastard that can do a lot of damage.

While on the subject of drinking enough water, I'd like to remind you of the serious dangers of drinking from a plastic bottle. I know, I know...it's so convenient to just buy a plastic bottle of water from the store. But money wise, if you purchase a water filter for your tap, and buy a reusable, non-plastic water bottle...you will end up saving a lot of money as opposed to buying cases of water. You will also be preventing a lot of really nasty toxins from entering your body. You owe it to yourself to watch this documentary, Tapped. My mind was absolutely blown.

On a lighter note..I would like to share one of my favorite summer recipes.
Sure a vegan can grab some dairy-free ice cream and go to town, but I still don't find it very healthy and often don't want such a heavy consistency on a hot day.
So, straight from the incredible book Color Me Vegan, I give you...Watermelon Granita.
The first time I made this, I could not get over how delicious and refreshing it is..and I still love it! So here ya go! Be kind, be curious, be hydrated, be refreshed!

Watermelon Granita (From Colour me Vegan)

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup of water
• 4 cups of watermelon chunks (about half a watermelon)
• Juice of one lime
• Mint leaves for garnish

Make a simple syrup by combining the water and sugar on the stove over high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Add the cooled syrup, watermelon and lime to a blender and puree. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish (casserole or something similar) and put it in the freezer. After one hour, take it out and rake it with a fork. Put it back in the fridge and repeat this 3 times. Serve in pretty glasses and garnish with watermelon slices and mint.