Originally published October 31 2010
(Part I) Why lemons should be in your home
by Cindy Jones-Shoeman
(NaturalNews) Who doesn't think of summer in rural America without picturing a pitcher of lemonade loaded with ice cubes or another pitcher of ice tea with ice cubes and slices of lemon? Lemons are ubiquitous and used often throughout the United States, and yet it seems they are rarely given much thought. Lemons can do a whole lot more than just adding flavor to beverages. Here are just a few great uses for the lemons hanging out in the refrigerator. Don't just make them wait to adorn a glass of water!
Cooking: Sure, everyone thinks in the abstract about cooking with lemons, but how many people actually use lemons as food on a regular basis? Using lemons in food is almost a no-brainer when one looks at the nutrients one of these little yellow balls of citrus packs. Just one cup of this fruit contains 187% of the Recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C, but it also has 6 grams of fiber, a few B vitamins, and plenty of minerals, such as potassium.
More than that, though, lemons add a flavor to foods that not many other foods can do. It adds a zesty yet sweet flavor that packs a punch. It's hard not to notice a lemon's contribution to the foods it's used in. Freshly-squeezed lemon juice can be used as a stand-in for vinegar in salad dressings or even alone on salads for a light, tangy, clean flavor. It's also a nice addition to vegetable and rice stir fries. It doesn't just have to be for beverages anymore.
Cleaning: Today, more and more people are looking for products that will do a solid job of cleaning the house, but they want products that aren't loaded with questionable chemicals or toxic fumes. Here's where the lemon can really prove its worth. One quality about the lemon to note is that, according to Eartheasy.com, the acids in lemon make it a natural sanitizer. Worried about harmful bacteria lurking in the bathroom or on the kitchen counter? Scrub down these surfaces with half a lemon. And it doesn't leave behind a smell that reeks of chemicals or perfumes. Instead, it leaves behind a natural, clean scent.
And for those who really love the smell of lemons? A few rinds in a slightly warm oven or in simmering water on the stovetop can fill the whole house with a citrus-y smell. At the very least, it can help break up the smell of those onions that were fried for dinner!
Lemons can also come in handy when it comes to removing stains on countertops or clothing. And mixed with salt it can do a great job cleaning up those copper pans. Lemons are worth more than their weight in gold when it comes to their cleaning properties.
Lemons have a great place in foods and in cleaning. See Part II for more information about lemons as a beauty aid and also to find out how lemons can help one's health in more ways than one.
Sources:
http://www.elook.org/nutrition/fruits/2274-1...
http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions...
http://www.diynetwork.com/decorating/cleanin...
About the author
Cindy Jones-Shoeman is the author of Last Sunset and a Feature Writer for Academic Writing at Suite101.
Some of Cindy's interests include environmental issues, vegetarian and sustainable lifestyles, music, and reading.
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