I'm writing this post while sipping the last of this watermelon juice, basking in the hours of calm before a storm of activity floods into my life. Starting on Saturday, I'll be summoning all of my strength, wits, and possibly carpentry know-how to bring a little-big project into the world with my husband. Last year Logan came up with this idea that we would sell raw coconut water at festivals straight out of the coconut. So we did. We sold coconut water last year at Red Wing Roots fest. And this year we're kicking it up a notch... or 19,000. We're going to go rehydrate the masses at FloydFest in Floyd, VA. There are about 19,000 folks who come out to the 5 day fest (it opens Wednesday but it really gets going on Thursday). So we'll be out there juggling green coconuts while grooving to the ambient sound of 5 stages melding together with the din of the crowd. We went to FloydFest two years ago and it's hands down our favorite festival. I'm so stoked to vend there! There's tons of great music (I'm most excited to see Lord Huron, Shovels & Rope, and First Aid Kit). Plus legit yoga classes, great food, folk jams, hippy vibes and there's even a restored Appalachian porch where a select few brilliant musicians lead intimate workshops. It's a crazy good fun time. And the folks who come out are really some of the best.

So starting today we're building a new wood bar for our tent, painting a bunch of chalkboards, and making sure we have our shit together. We head down on Tuesday to get set up!

So, obviously, I'm always looking for ways to rehydrate in the Summer. That's half of the reason we're selling coconut water. Because we love it and there's nothing that feels better to sip besides coconut water, plain and simple. Although I have to say I've been totally surprised at how wonderful watermelon has been for my bod this year. I've been juicing it whole and drinking it straight. And it cools me right off. And of course it's delicious. Juicing the fruit with the rind tastes just like watermelon-cucumber water! I'm a fan. (Oh and in case you missed it, here's my recipe for watermelon coconut aloe juice!)

Watermelon has a natural cooling quality (especially cold right out of the fridge). I feel like eating a slice or two lowers my body temp instantly. So one afternoon while messing around in the kitchen I found myself with some beets and kale and a giant watermelon and this juice just HAD to happen! It's a balance of sweet and earthy flavors with a refreshing pop of mint as you sip. It's a great blood tonic too, with lots of iron. Thus: BLOODY GOOD watermelon juice. And did I mention that citrulline, a compound found in watermelon rind, helps restore your sexual potency? Citrulline relaxes the blood vessels which improves overall blood flow. That's VERY bloody good. Indeed.

Sweet Purple Beet Watermelon Juice with Kale and Mint

Created by Renee on March 28, 2017

This watermelon beet kale juice is as delicious as it is refreshing (very!). It’s simple, powerful nutrition that’s perfect for rehydrating and recharging during mid-Summer heat waves. But, more than anything else, it’s damn tasty! Keeps up to 24 hours.

• Total Time: 10m

• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3/4 medium whole watermelon, cut to fit in your juicer (including the rind) -- cooled, ideally
• 1 medium beet, washed carefully and cut to fit into your juicer
• 5 large lacinato (dinosaur) kale leaves
• handful fresh mint

Instructions

1. In your juicer, juice together the watermelon, beet, and kale. I like to alternate between the juicier and the more fibrous plants. It helps keep my juicer from locking up. So I\'ll do a couple slices of watermelon, a stalk of kale, a slice of beet, more watermelon, and so on.
2. Continue until everything is juiced together. Pour the juice into your serving pitcher.
3. Bruise half of your handful of mint in a mortar and add to the pitcher. You can garnish the pitcher of juice with a sprig of mint as well.
4. Add the rest of the mint to each glass, along with a large ice cube (or two). I used [url:1]these ice trays[/url] to get my giant ice cubes.
5. Pour the juice over ice to serve. Drink immediately for the best flavor. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.