Lemons provide vitamins and minerals to support an active lifestyle. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Their appealing scent reduces stress, and they are easy to access, transport, and incorporate into your daily diet.
Lemons provide vitamins and minerals to support an active lifestyle. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Their appealing scent reduces stress, and they are easy to access, transport, and incorporate into your daily diet.
I love having a glass of warm lemon water to start my day. I also cook with lemons by infusing oils with citrus flavor. Simply slice the lemons, heat oil over medium heat, and add lemons for five minutes, turning once. Add desired protein and herbs and cook in the infused oil until it reaches your preferred doneness.
Homemade lemonade marries the power of lemons to other super foods, such as ginger and strawberries. During the summer months these drinks offer a nice alternative to sugar-filled sports drinks, and they are also something the entire family can enjoy.
The best part about anything homemade is that you can modify the recipe to suit your own individual taste buds. Have fun and enjoy the benefits of lemons while creating your own signature lemonade or one of these below.
Summer Lemonade Recipes
A glass of lemonade, a good book, and a lounge chair make for a perfect summer day. [Photo courtesy of V. Capaldi]
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients for Basic Lemonade:
- 2 lemons
- ¼ cup of honey (or desired natural sweetener: maple syrup or stevia)
- Filtered Water
- Ice
Methods:
- Juice the two lemons, add to the blender, and mix well until it makes almost a little froth. Next, fill with filtered water to top and desired sweetener, blending well. Pour over mason jars filled with ice and enjoy.
- Ginger Lemonade: Using the lemonade recipe above, add 2 inches of peeled ginger to lemon juice, mixing well. This takes a little longer to get the ginger really married to the lemon juice, so be patient. This is a great athletic drink offering huge wellness benefits.
- Strawberry Lemonade: Using the lemonade recipe above, add 1 cup of strawberries to lemon juice, mixing well. The best berries are the ones almost ready to be tossed, making a sweet and healthy refreshing summer drink the family will love.
What’s more fun than homemade lemonade? Popsicles.
