Helllooooo Bella Diva
Gosh does it feel amazing to be home sweet home!! Back in routine and back to full workouts. Wu-hoooo
I intended this blog to be about Fat Burning Facts, but I was having a real issue writing it, so I rerouted into something that kept popping up in my life. LEMONS! No, not Lululemon!!! haha! YES I LOVE them on a daily but real lemons.
I never realized how much I use them and how easy it is to change a boring dish into something so yummy and refreshing Also, there are so many ways to use them as non food remedies!
I also created a new Diva-licious lemon vinaigrette that I shared on this blog.
So lets diva diva right in and maybe these ideas will be some reminders of ways you can use lemons but you just forgot!
PS. This photo was in Sorrento, Italy last summer. A few days before my sweetie proposed. Talk about the BEST lemons EVER!!!!!
Lemons in Sorrento, Italy
Lemon Water
Who likes lemons in their water? I am obsessed. In fact I buy fresh pressed organic lemon water that comes in a glass jar and it is a staple in my fridge at all times. I find it in Whole Foods and publix here in SWFL.
Every morning I use it and I love adding it to my sparkling water in the evening as mocktail or adding it to sparkling water and vodka from time to time! haha!
Here are some health benefits:
Hydration
The average person does NOT consume enough water throughout the day. This is a whole other topic I could get started on!
Water is the best beverage for hydration, but some people don’t like the taste of it on its own. Adding lemon enhances water’s flavor, which may help you drink more.
Digestion
Some people drink lemon water as a daily morning laxative to help prevent constipation. Drinking warm or hot lemon water when you wake up may help get your digestive system moving.
Ayurvedic medicine says the sour lemon taste helps stimulate your “agni.” In ayurvedic medicine, a strong agni jump-starts the digestive system, allowing you to digest food more easily and helping to prevent the buildup of toxins.
Research shows lemon water has many potential health benefits. Aside from those, adding lemon to your water may help you drink more throughout the day and keep you hydrated. Staying hydrated is critical to good health, so lemon water is pretty much a win-win.
Skin Care
Vitamin C found in lemons may help reduce skin wrinkling, dry skin from aging, and damage from the sun. How water improves skin is controversial, but one thing is certain. If your skin loses moisture, it becomes dry and prone to wrinkles. We definitely do not want that…so stay hydrated for many reasons!
It Freshens Breath
Have you ever rubbed a lemon on your hands to get rid of the smell of garlic or some other strong odor? The same folk remedy may apply to bad breath caused by eating foods with strong smells such as garlic, onions, or fish.
You might avoid bad breath by drinking a glass of lemon water after meals and first thing in the morning. Lemon is thought to stimulate saliva and water also helps prevent a dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath caused by bacteria.
Fat Burning?
Okay, does it really “burn fat” NOOOO!!! However, if you drink more water because lemon makes you want to drink more, then…you may shed a few pounds, because 80% of people do not consume enough water.
I have had clients drink what they are supposed to and literally drop 2-5 lbs by flushing out their body!
Ways to use Lemons
Food Ideas
- Thinly slice lemons and place them on top of chicken breast and fish. Add some dill, red onion, sea salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and bake yourself little steam pockets.
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Zest a lemon rind over broccoli. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Steam or Sauté. SIMPLE yet so good.
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Zesty Cauliflower Rice. Saute cauliflower rice as normal and add zest some lemon rind and 1/2 a lemon juice to your rice along with scallions, red pepper flake and sea salt. When finished add a dollop of greek yogurt on top. Yum!
Non Food Ideas
- Leave sliced lemons in the fridge to help get rid of smells. Works the same baking soda.
- I mix lemon essential oil with water and put it in a spray bottle. I use it to spray my the inside of my tennis shoes. FRESH FRESH FRESH for this Fit Diva
- Add lemon juice to vinegar and water to make a natural cleanser for cleaning counter tops or other kitchen items.
Diva-licious Recipe
Laura’s Lemon vinaigrette
This lemon vinaigrette is incredibly easy to make, super versatile and tastes amazing. Drizzle it on all your salad and veggie recipes!
Instead of oil overpowering the ratio, it’s an equal balance of zest & smoothness. I love a more tart taste and hopefully you will too.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 large lemons, juiced (approx 1/3 cup juice)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey, or maple syrup
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
JUST MIX! I use a whisk to really get a good mix.
laura’s lemon vinaigrette
Love your Lemons
A Short but sweet blog that hopefully gave you some inspiration to start using more lemons to add some zest to your normal dishes. It really does make you want to drink more water, so if that is an issue, like I said buy the fresh pressed juice and add it every day!!!!
One last tip…roll your lemon on the counter a few times before cutting and you will get more juice out of your lemon!
Until next time…
Get creative in the kitchen and keep it simple
Ciao,
