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Fruity Fuel for School

As school resumes, excitement fills the air with kids looking forward to classroom fun, new subjects, and their friends. However, busy schedules can make it challenging for parents to ensure that their children maintain good nutrition amid homework and after-school activities. A wonderful solution comes in the form of watermelon, providing a naturally sweet and hydrating snack option for students.

Watermelon not only satisfies sweet cravings but also serves as an excellent source of hydration, making it a perfect choice during school days. With its high water content, it helps keep kids energized throughout their school hours and even during those dreaded homework sessions. Moreover, watermelon is also low in calories, meaning that parents can feel good about including this fruit in their children's meals without worrying about excessive calorie intake.

Dazzling Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad

One enticing way to serve watermelon is in a vibrant and colorful fruit salad. Combine watermelon with a variety of berries and a scoop of cottage cheese for a refreshing treat. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• - Watermelon, cubed
• - 1 package of raspberries
• - 1 package of strawberries
• - 1 package of blueberries
• - 1 package of blackberries
• - 1 container of cottage cheese
• - Fresh mint leaves for garnish
• - Honey, to taste (optional)

Directions:

1. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut watermelon into fun shapes or simply cube it.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the watermelon with all the berries.
3. Add dollops of cottage cheese on top of the fruit mixture.
4. Garnish with mint leaves and drizzle honey over the salad before serving if desired.

This fruit salad becomes an innovative after-school treat that is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that help to recharge children after a long day at school.

Fun and Easy Watermelon Kebabs

For those days when quick snacks are needed, watermelon kebabs are a great option. They are simple, easy to prepare, and mess-free! Here’s how you can make them:

Ingredients:

• - Seedless watermelon cubes (1/2 inch each)
• - 6 cubes of smoked turkey breast
• - 6 cubes of cheddar cheese
• - 6 coffee stirrers or beverage straws

Directions:

1. Take your cubed watermelon and alternate them with turkey and cheese cubes on the stirrers or straws to form kebabs.
2. Serve these with the leftover fruit salad or as a stand-alone snack.

These kebabs are particularly convenient for lunch boxes or quick snacks prior to family dinners, allowing kids to fill up on healthy foods while getting ready to tackle their studies.

In addition to being delightful snacks, watermelon is versatile. Any remaining rind can be incorporated into recipes like stir-fries or salads, or used in creative projects like crafts. Overall, watermelon is a nutritious food that provides a hydrating element to any meal schedule, and parents can feel confident packing it in their kids' lunches or serving it at home.

To find more delicious snacks and meal ideas, check out Watermelon.org which offers various resources and recipes to keep your kids healthy and energized this school year.