For the Love of Lemons
By Donna Stark
Summers on the east coast was one of my favorite times of the year growing up. Every June, the little market in my town had beautiful, giant fresh lemons in stock. The market owners must have had a connection in California because these little balls of sunshine were displayed in a crate stamped "California Lemons." It intrigued me how they could make their journey all the way across the country from the west coast into my mother's basket, but boy, was I ever glad they did.
Luckily for us, my mother was good friends with the storekeeper, so she always got a heads up on the lemons' arrival. I would go with her to the market and we'd bring home a fat sack of those zesty treats. She would wash and then slice the lemons to make up the most delicious lemonade known to man. She would tell me, "This is like liquid sunshine sweetie. Drink one glass a day to keep your insides healthy and your hair golden all summer." I remember sitting out in the backyard, sipping on a tall glass of that citrus nectar, chasing the ice cubes around the cup with my paper straw and dreaming of the golden hair that was sure to come.
Sweet Deception
Today, I know that that lemonade had very little to do with my insides being healthy and nothing to do with keeping me blonde. In fact, I'm not sure her lemonade was as healthy as she claimed because my mom loaded it up with a ton of sugar. Still, it gave me a love for lemons I still have today. I just use them in a healthier way.
The Truth About Lemons
If you love lemons as I do, you will be happy to know that there are some real benefits to consuming them. The Vitamin C can serve as a natural skin brightener and help rid skin of antioxidants and damage. They can help prevent kidney stones, maintain healthy blood pressure, and aid in weight loss. And there are some reports that lemons can reduce the risk of asthma, cancer, and stroke. On top of that, if you are the type of person that knows you should drink more water, but gets bored with the lack of flavor, throw some lemon slices in! You may end up finding that you are drinking more than you imagined!
My advice about lemons is simple. Enjoy a non-caloric treat by adding a few lemons to your water and occasionally treat yourself to a glass of homemade lemonade. If you want some real-world methods of improving your metabolism, losing weight, or reducing the risk of chronic disease, seek out the proven techniques available to you through your chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.