I associate lemons with summertime. Hot, muggy weather conjures up images of tall glasses of cold lemonade and iced tea with a wedge of lemon tucked within. I used to enjoy frozen lemon sorbet or lemon meringue pie this time of year, so it seems appropriate to feature these citrus fruits today for Food Friday.
My association with lemon’s sister fruit, lime, is not as strong. In fact, until recently, I didn’t think I liked limes. My relationship with limes came from green, “lime flavored” Life Savers and other hard candies. I never like the green ones! Looking back now I realize that was a very poor judgment against limes, as the flavored candies didn’t offer an accurate taste experience.
In the book Life Changing Foods, Anthony William shares that the roots of lemon and lime trees go deep into the earth, drawing up dozens of trace minerals that get passed on to us when we consume the fruits. They also offer valuable traces of bioavailable sodium and mineral salts, making them ultra hydrating and electrolyte producing.
Lemons and limes have the most highly absorbable vitamin C available. They also offer bioactive calcium and phytochemicals, called limonoids, that bind the calcium and vitamin C together. This enhances the bioavailability of each and creates alkalinity in the body, which helps to prevent the growth of most cancers.
These two fruits have powerful antioxidant properties that fight against disease. Lemons, in particular, help to expel mucus, making it useful when dealing with colds, flu, bronchitis or pneumonia. Both citrus fruits are amazing cleansers of the liver, kidneys, spleen, thyroid and gallbladder. They rid those organs of toxic substances such as plastics, synthetic chemicals, radiation, and nutrient poor foods.
When going through any type of detox, it’s a great idea to drink a lemon or lime water first thing in the morning. Lemon or lime water flushes the toxins out of the body, that the liver draws out. Freshly squeezed juice is a great antibacterial, antiseptic cleanser for small cuts or abrasions, helping to prevent staph infections. And a warm cup of lemon or lime water, with honey added, calms busy electrical impulses and neurotransmitters, aiding in a restful night’s sleep.
I use freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice frequently when I make healthy sauces and dressings. And I use lime juice, squeezed directly onto foods after cooking, to bring out their best flavors. I also keep a pitcher of lemon/lime water in the refrigerator and make sure I drink at least one glassful a day. I’ve shifted from using an occasional lemon wedge in my water and avoiding limes completely, to keeping these citrus fruits on hand and using them daily. I am grateful for the healing power and zesty tang of lemons and limes!
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