Cool off from the summer heat with this sweet and savory starter.  Watermelon and cucumber, super-cooling foods extraordinaire, combine forces to beat the heat.  Two minutes of your time makes for a speedy shooter to feed the faces at your party, or keep a young household member happy and refreshed.  This also makes a great post-workout smoothie on a hot day.  Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best!

Yield: 2 starter sized servings or 1 large post-workout smoothie

What you need:

• 2 cups diced watermelon
• 1 cup diced cucumber (peeled)
• 1/2 teaspoon tamari
• 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon flax oil or extra virgin olive oil

What you do:

1. Dump everything in a blender or Magic Bullet type mixer and blend until smooth and emulsified.
2. Serve immediately as the emulsion will separate if left standing.

Variations (choose any or many if desired):

• Add some chopped fresh jalapeño or a couple of dashes of hot sauce before blending;
• Add 1/2 a chopped fresh tomato before blending;
• Add some chopped fresh cilantro before blending.