I don't know about you but come Spring time I am always craving salads and fresh greens.  With just four ingredients you can make a refreshing salad dressing that compliments springs greens perfectly and is just another way to utilize those healing properties of lemon.  Throw in some fresh fruit, nuts (or nutty granola), chia seeds, and some craisins or chopped dates and you have one delicious and satisfying salad!

3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup raw honey
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (don't forget to zest the lemon first for future use)
1/2 teaspoon Real salt

Add all the ingredients into a blender jar and blend on high until smooth.  Keep stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.

I went to a church function where we had a cheese ball spread, there were some really fabulous cheese balls but one in particular stood out and it was one for dipping fruit in.  I had never seen a cheese ball for fruit and it was so delicious I had to come home and make my own version, but instead of a cheese ball I made mine into a dip - dips are so much easier and I am all about keeping it simple.

8 oz. cream cheese
3 Tbsp. sweetener (coconut sugar, sucanat, powdered xylitol, agave, pure maple, honey, etc)
zest of one lemon
1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
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Blend together with a hand mixer until smooth and pour into a dish or if you want to actually do a cheese ball you can wrap it in plastic wrap and roll into a ball.

"Graham Cracker" topping
The original cheese ball was rolled in crushed graham crackers which is reminiscent of a cheesecake so I wanted to keep that flavor as a sprinkle over the top of my dip.  To do this I mixed some almond flour with a pinch of Real salt and a dash or two of vanilla extract.  Mix together to let the flavors mesh and then sprinkle on top of the dip or if you are doing a cheese ball just roll it in this mixture.

Now comes the fun part.  Cut up or peel whatever fruit you feel like and start dipping away!

I love to use fresh lemon juice whenever possible and I never use a lemon without first zesting it.  We talked about how potent the health properties are in the peel so never discard it.  If I am not ready to use the lemon zest at that moment I go ahead and dry it for later use.  Dried lemon zest not only works great in recipes calling for lemon zest but you can also use it as a sprinkle in soups, over salads or desserts as well as in herbal tea blends.  You can also make some hot lemon refresher by steeping the lemon zest as you would prepare any tea. 

Before zesting the peel you'll want to make sure you clean it real well.  I use lemon infused vinegar aka multi-purpose cleaner or fruit and veggie wash.  After squirting with the wash I use the fruit and veggie cleaning cloth from Norwex and give it a good scrubbing.  It should now be ready to zest.  To dry the zest, let it sit for a couple of days on the counter until crisp.  Keep in mind that I do live in Utah where there is very little humidity, if you have a lot of humidity keeping it on the counter won't work, you'll want to place it in a warmed oven or a dehydrator.

Store your zest in an airtight container where it will be ready whenever you are!  I like to keep a spice jar full of the zest in my spice drawer and the rest I keep stored in a glass jar in my storage room, which is dark, dry and cool.  And don't be surprised when your dried zest turns an orange color, this is normal.

For more ways to use your lemon zest, cute labels for your jars and other great ideas for using lemons you can visit Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth by clicking on the link above.  

On the third day of the creation we were blessed with the almighty plant kingdom.  Our loving Father in Heaven created these amazing bodies for us after His own image and He knew what would be needed to keep these bodies in good health and to heal them when they were out of balance.  Among these plants were herbs, grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables, all for the benefit and use of man and made specifically to work with our bodies to help them function correctly.   I have been covering herbs and how they work with the body and now I would like to begin a new series on healing foods.

I want to begin with the lemon because it is one of my favorite winter time fruits.  Lemons are part of the Rutacea family which also include limes, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, etc.  Lemons have the strongest properties of all the citrus fruits and the peel is the most potent part of the fruit. 

• alterative
• antibacterial
• antiviral
• antioxidant 
• antifungal
• antacid
• antiseptic
• astringent
• digestive
• hepatic
• lymphataic
• anti-inflammatory
• styptic
• tonic
• flavonoids
• B-complex vitamins

• minerals like iron, copper, potassium, and calcium
  

Ever wonder why so many cleaning products, including laundry detergents are scented with lemon?  It's not just because it smells fresh and clean, lemon has strong disinfectant properties making it the perfect cleaning agent. Just remember that those lemon scented products, are just that, scented.  If you want the real disinfecting power of lemon you can make your own cleansers and sprays using real lemon.  Other cleaning properties include:

• stain remover
• air purifier and deodorizer 
• removes adhesive
• removes tarnish from certain metals (patch test)
• brightens whites and colors
• cuts through grease
• throw some lemon peel into your disposal to freshen, disinfect and clean
• washing hands with lemon juice will remove the onion/garlic smell after chopping
• likewise rubbing a cutting board or any dish/container will remove undesirable smells while also disinfect

• astringent properties tighten the pores and firm the skin
• bleaching properties for both skin and hair (I always think of Annie on Annie Get Your Gun washing her freckles off with a lemon:)
• helps restore natural pH level to skin
• balances oily and acne prone skin
• balances blotchy and discolored skin
• soaking elbows or knees in scooped out lemon halves will soften and lighten that rough, dark skin
• use the powdered, dry peel in facial cleansing grains or scrubs
• balances oily hair and dry scalp
• removes build up on hair 
• treats dandruff and lice

*Make sure you only use lemon on exposed skin in the evening due to the photosensitizing potential lemon can have on some skin.

• good source of vitamin C, which helps the body fight off infection and disease
• immune system builder
• cough, colds and flu
• sore throat and laryngitis
• infections
• prevents and treats scurvy
  
• aids digestion
• helps dissolve kidney stones
• mix with olive oil to treat gallstones 
• bladder and kidney infection
• expels toxins from the body, specifically through the blood, liver and kidneys
• cleanses the body both inside and out
• although it may sting a bit will stop a cut from bleeding and prevent infection
  
• tonic for all body systems - drinki it in warm water first thing in the morning
  
• relieves cramps and muscle spasms
• drink a warm cup of lemon tea before bed for "restless leg" syndrome
• bug bites, stings and insect repellent (including flies)
• varicose veins, hemorrhoids
• cold sores (apply juice or essential oil directly to sore) apply several times a day
• canker sore and mouth ulcers

• The most effective way to utilize the medicinal properties of lemon is drinking the fresh squeezed juice in warm water.  Add some raw honey for ultimate healing (see hot lemon refresher recipe below).
• fresh squeezed juice
• lemon peel (zest) this can be fresh or dried
• powdered lemon peel
• essential oil

• natural preservative (due to the citric acid content)
• fruit and veggie wash to remove pesticides and dirt from produce (vinegar infusion or essential oil is the best method of use for this purpose)
• fresh juice tossed with cut apples, avocados or other produce will prevent browning

Citrus Series from Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth
Lemon Nutrition by Dr. Axe
Nutrition and You - lemon nutrition facts

Shared on: The Homemaking Party, Nourishing Joy, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Tuesday Garden Party.