VEGAN DAILY FACTOIDS: Watermelon

• Watermelons contain large amounts of beta carotene and are a significant source of lycopene, that deep-red pigmented phytochemical powerhouse!
• Watermelon are believed to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa.  An early watermelon harvest is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on walls of their ancient buildings.  Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.
• Healthy reminder:  Always wash whole watermelons thoroughly before cutting.  Nasty bacteria on the exterior rind can be carried by your knife onto the edible part of the fruit.  Yuck!
• Watermelon rinds, usually a light green or white color, are also edible and contain nutrients, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor.  In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled.  When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. 

VEGAN DAILY FACTOID: Papaya

Papaya is a natural digestive aid and can be applied topically in an ointment to treat burns, rashes, and cuts.  In many parts of the world, unripe papaya has been used for centuries by women as a natural contraceptive and to induce abortion. Modern research has confirmed that unripe papaya does indeed work as a natural contraceptive and can induce abortion when eaten in large quantities.  In addition, research has found that papaya seeds have contraceptive effects in male monkeys.  Papaya contains latex (the white sap that oozes out of an unripe papaya) which can cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy. The greener (more unripe) the fruit is, the more latex it contains.  As with eating too many carrots, eating too much papaya can cause carotenemia, the yellowing of the soles of the feet and the palms. It is temporary and goes away once excessive amounts of papaya are no longer being eaten.  When buying papayas, look for ones that are mostly or completely yellow and give slightly to pressure. Green, hard papayas are unripe and will never ripen properly.