SPITTIN’ SEEDS: As this week comes to a close and Independence Day celebrations begin, we thought it would be a good time to add one more celebration to the mix. This week, from today to July 3 is Watermelon Seed Spitting Week.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week started in the mid-50s in Texas, the Thump Festival in Luling, and has continued every year, with the exception of one of the Covid years.

The record for the longest seed to be spat across a distance, is 68 feet, nine and one-eighth inches.

Contrary to what your grandma might have told you, no, a watermelon seed will not grow a watermelon in your stomach. According to research, watermelon seeds just like other other seeds will simply pass through the digestive system and be discarded by the body in a day or two. There are some exceptions, please don’t eat seeds if you have medical issues prohibiting them — there are no medical issues that cause a melon to grow in a living body that we are aware of.

This weekend would be a perfect one to make tasty and nutritious smoothies. Watermelons are rich in vitamins and what better way to celebrate the week than to gorge on watermelons? As you are preparing the smoothie, keep the seeds and get ready for a contest of your own.

Here’s a quick and easy watermelon smoothie recipe that anyone can make. Cube three cups of fresh watermelon and add them to the blender, juice and all. Add one-quarter cup of freshly squeezed lime juices, one cup of ice cubes, and four mint leaves (torn and crumpled). Blend until frozen slush smoothie texture appears. Serve with a watermelon slice and mint leaf.