I found myself, at one point in my life, interested in natural cures, yet I never thought that I would be able to keep up with any new regimen. When I was nineteen and deciding if I wanted to eat a cheeseburger or a salad, well, that was a no-brainer. These days, though, I take pride in choosing a smarter option, not only for my health but also for my children’s. Here I sit writing and enjoying a carrot! How odd it would have seemed three short years ago to imagine this! Well, it took this long before I began touting the benefits of lemons and now I’m here to let you know how easy it is to incorporate healthy snack options into ones diet!
Although lemons are indigenous to Asia, they are now found world wide. 95% of lemons in the U.S. and Canada are from California and 5% are imported from Italy. The benefits of lemons stack up nicely. Lemons are naturally antiseptic. Basically, this means they are germ fighting. They can inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. This super tart citrus fruit also aids digestion. This is why it is often advised to drink a lemon-water preparation first thing in the morning. Many believe that this daily routine prepares the liver for a new day of performing its vital task of cleaning and detoxifying the body. However, there are others who believe that during sleep our bodies are able to focus on processing “chores” better than during our busy daytime hours, and so it makes sense to drink a lemon-water preparation at night, before sleep. My feeling is that it makes no real difference as long as you stick to your plan and schedule. I think it’s a good idea to try it both ways to see how it better fits our lifestyles. It might be as simple as not having time to add this routine to your rushed early morning schedule – so do it at night when you don’t need to rush out the door.
However, you should take care not to overdo the lemon-water routine. While many praise lemons for their superior ability to alkalize the body’s pH balance and to detoxify, you will also often see disclaimers about seeing your doctor before beginning any regimen, and I include that same disclaimer here! Depending on your general health, condition and weight, the amount of toxins stored within the body vary. We all have body toxins, but stirring up the highly stagnant and toxic fat stores within an inactive body that is not used to exercise or healthy eating can be quite an unhealthy shock. Toxins can overrun the body and have a devastating effect on energy levels and your general sense of well being. This is the reason to seek out your physicians guidance and advice before beginning a new detox plan, and above all remember – take things slowly!
Let me share with you what has worked best for me for my own lemon-water preparation. My preference is to drink my lemon-water in the morning. I begin with a room temperature lemon because it is simply easier to squeeze for juice that way. If I forget to remove it from the refrigerator the night before, then I poke some holes in the lemon with a fork without breaking all the way through and I put it in the microwave for 15 seconds. I cut it in half and use my hand juicer for juicing. I strain the seeds (which sink to the bottom) and pulp. Now the main thing is to remember that warm water is best! This is because it is easier for the body to process the water if it’s close to body temperature, without the shock of sudden cold or heat. If you weigh 150 lbs or less use 1/2 a lemon; those over 150 lbs can use 1 whole lemon.Overall, lemons provide us with a means of adding a natural boost to our wondrous bodies. It enables us to help our digestive system to work better and therefore to get all the nutrients out of our food, while releasing the toxins which build up over time. When our body’s digestive process is enhanced, goodness is seen throughout the system because the overall workload is reduced! It really is a great aid to improving quality of life! A cleanse could be done again and again with the same great benefits, and you’ll feel great!
