When Life Hands You Lemons

Just add water

Think of the lemon as a small gift of nature. 

Rich in vitamin C, lemon is also a source of vitamin B, riboflavin, essential minerals - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium.   Proteins and carbs, too.  Add a slice of lemon to water and you have a glass of sunshine with the benefit of good nutrition

• Good for your stomach, lemon is a natural tonic for indigestion,heartburn, even hiccups. 

• Good for your liver as well as a cleansing agent for the kidney’s and blood.

• Good for your skin, an anti-aging remedy and cooling agent for sunburn

• Good for your teeth and gums and a palette clear.  

• Good for gargling: lemon has an antibacterial property, a remedy for sore throat 

• Good for your diet: lemon works as a catalyst for weight reduction.

• Good for your heart: high in potassium content, lemon helps control blood pressure

• Good for a cold and fever: a diuretic, lemon helps flush out flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.  

For more benefits of lemons, read on. 

Just add ice. And fizz. 

A splash of sparkling water chilled with juiced-up ice. What could be simpler and more refreshing?  Call it lemonade-lite. With no sugar added, what better, healthier alternative to a cola?  For juiced-up ice cubes, take fresh squeezed lemons or orange juice, pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Keep plenty on hand. 

Just add fruit. And energy.    

Here's a Power Breakfast Smoothie for you. Anything goes: juice, ice and yogurt make the basic blend.  Suggested ingredients: 

• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup fruit juice (i.e. orange,cranberry, etc.)
• 6 to 8 ice cubes
• Dash of cinnamon

For added nutrition use:

• 1/4 cup frozen berries
• 1 tablespoon soy protein powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped almonds
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ.

Blend until smooth. Then add frozen fruit - berries of your choice -  until smoothie is the consistency you desire. The basic recipe is: ice, fruit, yogurt, juice and/or milk.  You might add just a splash of milk to smooth it out.

Just add alcohol. And wow.

This is One Bloody Good Martini, as martinis go.  (Down easily.) Need I say more?

Ingredients

• 4 ounces vodka (Absolute Citron)
• 2 tablespoons chilled Cointreau or flavored orange liqueur
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 
• 2 tablespoons blood orange juice
• 2 blood orange slices
• 6 ice cubes

Preparation

1. Shake all ingredients except orange slice in cocktail shaker until shaker is frosted and very cold. 
2. Strain into one 8-ounce martini glass. Garnish with orange 

Nutrition Facts 

Makes 1 cocktail

Facts per Serving

Calories: 214 Fat, Total: 0g Carbohydrates, Total: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 6mg Protein: 0g
Fiber: 0g % Cal. from Fat: 0% % Cal. from Carbs: 6% 

Tip: Shaken but not stirred.  The secret to making a bar-tender perfect martini is starting with very cold ingredients, and shaking the mix in a cocktail shaker until it becomes frosted and so cold that you can no longer hold it. Shaking chills the ingredients and blends the drink just enough to balance the flavors.

Just add Springtime.  And Cheers!

Drink to your health. And thanks for stopping by.

Photos: V. Henoch 

Recipes adapted from Sunkist.com,  lifeMojo.com