Sour~Sweet~Life Enhancing: LEMONS

Fabulous immune boost. Handle for pain. Aid to weight loss.

by Dr. Ana

Today I was looking for information on foods that would provide the energy needed to stop a phlegmy cough.

According to Chinese medicine here is a starting list: lemon, yam, watermelon, yogurt, kale and watercress, bananas.

Let’s talk lemons!

Lemons are one of the best foods you can take as a daily beverage to promote improved and excellent health.

The How-To is easy:

Squeeze 1/2 lemon into warm water and drink it first thing in the morning, and even at a meal (plain, or if you’re a sour-wimp you could add a little raw honey).

There’s an interesting lemon water drink which, with the addition of cayenne pepper, improves digestion,  brings up energy and is warming.  By extension this is a great drink if you want to lose weight; it’s an easy remedy for fatigue; and if you have a condition that makes you feel cold, this is a simple solution.

While lemon is acid (citric acid to be exact, which is why you can clean your countertop with it), once metabolized lemon acts as an alkalinizing agent for your body.  And since a fabulous functioning immune system is due to maintaining the perfect alkaline-acid balance, a warm glass of lemon is a great idea even for the healthiest among us (raise your hand if you’re in that category!).

Start now on the lemon water regimen.  Friends, family and co-workers will wonder what you’re doing to feel and look so healthy.  Then, to wow overnight company, here is a Qi Juice (lemon water HBC recipe) recipe for you to throw at them the morning after:

Ingredients:

32 oz of strawberries

4 lemons & 4 limes

2 Tablespoons grated ginger

1 Cup finely chopped parsley & 40 fresh mint leaves

30 drops liquid stevia or 1/4 tsp powdered

One gallon pitcher

Directions:

1. Puree together the strawberries, 2 Cups of water and the mint leaves

2. Extract the lemon and lime juice (by hand or machine or squeezer)

3. Finely chop the parsley and grate the ginger

4. Mix all the ingredients into your gallon pitcher and add water to fill (if it’s not sweet to your taste add more stevia)

5. Stir before serving

This recipe is from our 5-Flavors eating cookbook (Includes vegan, vegetarian, macrobiotic, standard American, gluten free 109 pages of delicious recipes)

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