The benefits of lemon drinking water

Starting your day with a cup of warm lemon water has tons of benefits.  The following information is taken from the website/book Hungry for Change.  I highly recommend the book and the documentary.


Lemon is an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies
Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial.  It balances maintain the pH levels in the body

• Having warm lemon juice early in the morning helps flush out toxins
• It aids digestion and encourages the production of bile
• It is also a great source citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
• It helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases
• It helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid
• It helps cure the common cold
• The potassium content in lemon helps nourish brain and nerve cells
• It strengthens the liver by providing energy to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute
• It helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver In case of a heart burn, taking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief
• It is of immense benefit to the skin and it prevents the formation of wrinkles and acne
•  It helps maintain the health of the eyes and helps fight against eye problems
• Aids in the production of digestive juices
• Lemon juice helps replenish body salts especially after a strenuous workout session

Packed with all the goodness, make it a point to begin your day with a glass of warm lemon juice. Its cleansing and healing effects will have positive effects on your health in the long run. However it is very important to note that lemon juice when comes directly in contact with the teeth, can ruin the enamel on the teeth. Hence, it is advised to consume it diluted and also rinse your mouth thoroughly after drinking lemon juice.

Recipe of the week: Lemonade Cookies

I love all things lemon, especially in the summer, even though lemons are typically ripe in the winter.  I whipped up a batch of these last night and they were definitely a hit.  You could use pink lemonade as well and they would a pretty color.  Let me you think.  A Votre Sante!

Lemonade Cookies

1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated or raw sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 and 3/4 cup flour (I used unbleached)

In a large bowl or your electric mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Mix in the baking powder and baking soda.  Beat until well combined.  Add the egg and the lemonade concentrate.  Add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition.  If the cookie dough is sticky put it in the frig for about 30 minutes.  Drop the cookies by tablespoon on an ungreased cookie sheet (12 fit perfectly on mine).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Let the cookies cool before frosting.

Frosting for lemonade cookies

2 Tbsp salted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
4-6 tsp of lemonade concentrate (start with 4 then add more if the frosting is too thin, I used 6)

Beat the butter and powdered sugar together.  Mix in the lemonade concentrate.  If your frosting is too thin add more powdered sugar, too thin more lemonade.  Frost the cookies when they are completely cooled.  This made about 2 dozen, if you use a teaspoon your cookies will be smaller and it will make more.  Enjoy.

Recipe of the week: Lemony vegetable salad

I realize I've neglected my blog for the past couple of months.  I've been really busy and it's been a hard couple of months.  My daughter's best friend past away the end of April and we have all been devastated, plus it was the end of the school year and we moved.  Whew, finally trying to catch my breath here.  Anyway, I made this the other night, and it came out great.  It would make an easy and refreshing addition to your 4th of July celebration.  A Votre Sante!

1-2 peeled and thinly sliced cucumbers
1 zucchini thinly sliced (use 2 if yours is small)
2-3 thinly sliced tomatoes
2 thinly sliced carrots
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 large basil leaves cut into tiny strips (Chiffonade)
salt
pepper

I used a mandolin slicer for the vegetables so they would all be the same thickness.  For a 1/2 cup of lemon juice I needed 3 lemons.  I put all the vegetables in a large bowl.  In a smaller bowl stir the olive oil and lemon juice together, add salt, pepper, and basil.  Pour over vegetables and toss well.  The longer it sits the better it tastes.  Mine only sat about 30 minutes before we ate it.  Enjoy.

Recipe of the week: Lemon Charred Edamame

I don't eat much in the way of soy, but once in awhile I like edamame.  There's a restaurant here in Corona called Citrus City Grille, they serve a charred edamame with citrus salt, this is my version of theirs.  Let me know what you think.  A Votre Sante!

1 lb organic edamame
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
the zest of one lemon
fresh ground pepper
kosher salt


In a skillet heat the olive oil, add the edamame, let it get slightly browned on one side before stirring.  Once the edamame is browned on both sides, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and pepper and salt to taste, enjoy!

Recipe of the week: Lemon Basil Brussels Sprouts

I feel as though I'm finally starting to come out of my funk, the proof is I've cooked 4 out of the last 5 days!  A few months ago my friend and I had lunch and PF Chang's and they'd recently put "lemon scented Brussels sprouts" on the menu, we both loved them.  This is my attempt at duplicating their recipe.  I used my food processor for this so if you don't have one, you'll have to slice everything.  Lots of people don't like Brussels sprouts, I'm not one of them.  This is going to become a regular recipe at my house.  Let me know what you think.  A Votre Sante!

Lemon Basil Brussels Sprouts

1 lb Brussels sprouts
1 lemon (for zest and juice)
1 one inch piece of ginger peeled & grated
3 green onions
1 Tbsp Thai basil (or regular basil if you can't find Thai)
1 clove garlic
olive oil
1 tsp salt
pepper

Using the slicing blade on the food processor, slice the Brussels sprouts and onion.  Transfer vegetables to a bowl and add the zest of the lemon, ginger, and salt.  Toss with the juice from the lemon.  In a large skillet heat about 1 Tbsp of olive oil, add garlic cook for about 2 minutes then add vegetable mixture.  Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes (half way through add the basil), add fresh ground pepper and more salt if needed.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week: Lemon Blueberry Cookies

I love berries, raspberries are my favorite but blueberries are a close second.  I found this recipe on a blog I follow and wanted to make it today, since I'd just bought blueberries and lemons from the farmers market yesterday.  You could easily make this gluten free by using almond or coconut flour.  These aren't overly sweet so you could eat a couple of these before a workout.  Let me know what you think.  A Vorte Sante!

Lemon Blueberry Cookies


Ingredients
1 stick (or 1/2 cup) butter; room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar
zest of 2 lemons
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup blueberries
raw sugar; for sprinkling

Directions:
In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, light brown sugar and lemon zest together until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and vanilla extract, scraping down bowl frequently.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix until dough comes together and fold in the blueberries.  Scoop any desired size and bake @ 325 degrees until edges start to turn golden brown and centers of cookies are baked through, about 13-14 minutes.  Cool.

Recipe of the week: Bellissimo

Several years ago I spent a week at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas and discovered an amazing cocktail.  Sadly, when I was there this past week, it's no longer on the menu.  Good thing I called and asked for the recipe way back when.  I told the bartender what was in it and since he had everything on hand, he was able to come up with a pretty good imitation.  Here's the original recipe (or at least what they told me and how I've been making it).  Let me know what you think.  A Votre Sante!  


1 Shot Red Alize
1 Shot Bicardi Limon
1 Shot sweet and sour mix
2 large dashes Angostura bitters


Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake vigorously until very cold. Strain into a tulip shaped glass or champagne flute, serve with slices of lemon and orange.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week: Lemon garlic dressing

I've been making this recipe for years. It tastes a lot like Caesar dressing but doesn't have raw eggs or anchovies in it. You can make it up and leave in the the refrigerator for up to a week. I usually make it several hours before I'm going to use it, so the flavors have time to develop. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken or fish. Let me know what you think. A Votre Sante!


Lemon garlic dressing

Juice of 1 large lemon (homegrown if you can get it)
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tea sea salt
1/2 tea black pepper (freshly ground if possible)
1/2 to 3/4 cup safflower oil (Or 1/2 safflower 1/2 olive)

Combine lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Beating continuously with a fork, slowly add the vegetable oil in a stream. Let stand until ready to serve. (A little goes a long way)

Recipe of the week: Lemon Bars

My kids have wondered why lemons are ripe in the winter and yet lemonade is something you usually drink in the summer...things that make you go hmmm. The secret to making fabulous lemon bars is home grown lemons, if you can get them. I've been lucky enough to have lemon trees at a couple of my houses. And sure enough, they're always ripe in December, just in time to make lemon bars for Christmas and if I'm feeling ambitious goodie plates for my friends. A Vorte Sante


Lemon Bars

1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar (granulated or raw)
1 cup unbleached flour
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar (granulated or raw)
2 Tbsp unbleached flour
2 tea finely shredded lemon peel
4 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 baking powder

In a medium bowl beat butter and sugar until combined. Add 1 cup flour until crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of a 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 oven for 15-17 minutes (or until just golden).

In a small mixing bowl, combine eggs 3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp flour, lemon peel, lemon juice and baking powder. Beat 2 minutes or until combined.

Pour filling over baked layer. Bake another 20 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges.



Sift powdered sugar over the top, cut into squares.