If You Mess With The Bull.....

Out of  the couple of hundred dairy cows that we have on the ranch, we have just a couple of Holstein bulls that stay with the herd.  While different breeds of bulls vary in aggressiveness, Holstein bulls are considered to be one of the most aggressive.  The bulls we have are young, two or three years old and pretty tame, given their age..... Although not tame enough for me to find myself on the same side of the fence as them. Tame or not, I'm terrified of these large, muscular creatures.

Just the other day, while our kids were being filmed for a California Milk Advisory Board video, I amused myself by filming one of our bulls, Rocky, while he was vocalizing his protest to my close proximity......two fences in between us.

A good reminder to all to always stay on the other side of the fence from a Holstein bull.

CMAB Filming

Rocky, the Bull

Watermelon Summer Slush

Watermelon is both of my kid's favorite summer fruit.  I'm a huge fan as well.  There is almost nothing better than biting in to a cold, juicy slice of the sweet fruit.  Watermelon is 90% water and is a great source of hydration as well.  So very thirst quenching!

August 3rd is National Watermelon Day and to help us all celebrate, I wanted to share this lucious looking recipe for Pomegranate Watermelon Summer Slush sent to me by Sparkling Ice.

above photo courtesy Sparkling Ice

But first, here are some fun watermelon facts that I learned about at a farm tour at a Monsanto farm I attended.

• Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide
• Every part of a watermelon is edible—even the seeds and rinds
• Watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable—related to cucumbers, pumpkin and squash
• Some watermelons are yellow, and have a sweeter, more honey-like flavor than the pink-fleshed kind 

Pomegranate Watermelon Summer Slush

Ingredients:
1/2 Personal-size seedless watermelon, chilled, cut & cubed (about 5 cups)
1/3 Cup Sparkling Ice Pomegranate Blueberry or Sparkling Ice Strawberry Watermelon
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 to 2 Cups ice
Small watermelon wedge, spear of blueberries a few pomegranate seeds (optional for garnishes)

Directions:
In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Garnish as desired and serve in a hollowed-out watermelon shell for a fun "fish bowl" inspired drink.

Cherry Ginger Watermelon Mocktail

Ingredients:
Black Cherry Sparkling Ice
Watermelon
Fresh Ginger

Directions:
Cut the watermelon and scoop out the flesh. Peel and cut a small portion of the ginger. Mix both ingredients in a blender, strain for any seeds. Add into highball glass and top with Black Cherry Sparkling Ice. For a fun twist, add a watermelon wedge as a garnish.

above photo courtesy Sparkling Ice

And now for the "adult" recipe......

Sparkling Watermelon Vodka Lemonade

Ingredients:
3 Cups seedless watermelon pieces
3 Lemons, juiced
1/2 Cup Vodka
1/4 Cup Fresh Mint
2 Cups Lemon Lime Sparkling Ice

Directions:
In a blender, puree the watermelon and lemon juice, strain through a sieve into a drink pitcher. Add mint, vodka and Lemon Lime Sparkling Ice, then stir. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint.

above photo courtesy Sparkling Ice