When Life Gives Lemons: Lessons & Recipes

You know the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But, there’s more to glean from the sourest moments in life than lemonade. From difficult setbacks to failed relationships, don’t stay stuck in the sourness. Get that grater out for zesting, and open your mind and heart to possibilities. Learn to make the best of any and all of life’s challenges. Oh, and keep reading this article!

When life gives us lemons, consider it a blessing in disguise that can lead to a new chapter of fresh opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Shift your perspective, and find a silver lining no matter how difficult or complicated. Persevere and remember Nelson Mandela’s advice that “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Metaphorically speaking, lemons can hold valuable life lessons and, similarly, physical lemons can offer numerous health and beauty benefits. Along with immune-boosting properties, real-life lemons can nourish your body and uplift your spirit.

Incorporate lemons into your daily routine for a more positive and energized outlook on life. Citrus contains some of the most refreshing and invigorating fruits around. Their aromatic scent is reminiscent of optimism and can revitalize and restore your senses.

Why to LOVE Lemons…

Good source of vitamin C essential for a healthy immune system.
Improve digestion and promote healthy bowel movements.
Boost energy levels.
Brighten, exfoliate and detoxify skin and hair.
Reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.

The following are some quick and easy ways to embrace lemons’ bountiful benefits and boost your health and beauty.

Celebrate with Lemons Daily

*Bored with bland water but need to stay hydrated? Squeeze some lemon juice or add a ring or wedge of lemon to iced water. Sip throughout the day to boost your immune system and add a daily dose of vitamin C.

*Stay hydrated with healthy lemon and lemon-inspired teas including lemon peel, lemongrass and lemon balm. Lemon peel steeped in hot water will glean the health benefits of lemon without the acidity and sourness of the lemon juice.

*Lemon juice in cooking and baking adds a refreshing bright flavor and just the right amount of acidity into salads, soups and many other dishes. Finely chop or grate lemon zest, the yellow part of the lemon peel, to add a delightful citrusy flavor to cakes, cookies, salad dressings and marinades.

*Energize, uplift your senses and freshen up your home with the natural scent of lemon. In a diffuser or spray bottle, dilute a few drops of lemon essential oil with distilled water or green tea and spray around your house or work environment. Spray lightly on your face and body as a toner.

*Brighten your skin and reduce acne with a lemon face mask: Mix together one tablespoon lemon juice, one tablespoon honey, one tablespoon plain yogurt, ¼ mashed banana and one tablespoon oatmeal. Add ¾ tablespoon ground coffee for extra exfoliation. Apply a mask to your face, let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently rub into skin to exfoliate and rinse off with warm water.

*Brighten your hair, remove product build-up and bring out natural highlights with a lemon hair rinse: Mix together one cup chamomile tea and one tablespoon lemon juice. After shampooing, pour the lemon rinse over your hair, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Embrace Life’s Most Sour Moments

Even in the midst of adversity, there is always an opportunity to find something positive. When we face challenges, we can choose to either let them get the best of us or use them as an opportunity to grow and learn. As Helen Keller noted, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Not much is achieved without hope, confidence or ambition.”

In our world of constantly being bombarded with notifications, advertisements and negative news, welcome in the spread of positivity and remember that, when life gives us lemons, we have the power to transform our entire life’s experience into what’s special, meaningful and fulfilling.

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Susan B. B. Schabacker

Susan B. B. Schabacker is a proud writer, team member, and fan of Forsyth Magazines and writes multiple articles every month for Forsyth Woman and Forsyth Family. She loves writing and is also pleased and honored to write for National Geographic and National Geographic Kids. Susan is a co-author of a children’s book, Huckleberry Robin, based on a three-generation true family story and hopes to write more children’s books. Susan is also a local singer/songwriter/musician (and aspiring artist) working on recording her third album about COVID-19 (Coronavirus), called Beyond the Virus, that has become both a local and international collaboration. Currently, she lives in the Winston-Salem, Piedmont Triad area of NC, where she has resided for over 20 years. Susan graduated with a B.A. in Corporate Communications and a minor in dance from Elon University. She has had the opportunity to travel internationally to Budapest, Hungary for classical ballet, when she attended UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts); London, UK; and Beijing, China, where she studied abroad through Elon University. In Stockholm, Sweden, she had a marketing internship at Hachette-Filipacchi, publisher of Elle and other magazines. She also had another marketing internship in London with the Bramah Museum of Tea. Susan is the founder, owner, and master tea blender of a local tea business, Tea-lation! (@Tealation on FB + IN), which she has designed ads for in Forsyth Woman. She hopes to share her love for life + teas and encourages everyone to share, sip, and savor their cuppa happy! Susan looks forward to writing more articles and books and embarking on a long and successful career in music. Susan’s other passions include: photography (@SBBSPhotography on FB + IN), acting, cooking, and arts + crafts.

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