Holiday Potpourri Served with Lemon Juice not Lemonade

We've all heard the statement; "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  Now,  I would rather you just make lemon juice each morning instead.  

I know you are wondering why I'm writing about lemons during this cookie, candy, and fruitcake season but all those goodies are the reason I am writing about beginning your day with lemon juice.

1. Lemon juice helps in digestion.  Eating all the sweet rich food we are offered at Christmas can cause our bodies to store unwanted toxins.  Lemon juice can stimulate the liver to produce bile to help in digestion which in turn reduces heartburn and constipation.
2. Lemon juice acts as a diuretic.  Increased urination is another way to help your body rid itself of toxins.
3. Lemon juice lessens hunger.  The fiber in the juice helps fight those cravings for that extra cookie or piece of candy.
4. Lemon juice provides a boost to your immune system.  The stress and exhaustion brought about by the Christmas season can bring on the winter ills.  Lemon juice is filled with Vitamin C and Potassium.  Lemons also have anti bacterial and anti viral properties.
5. Lemon juice freshens the mouth and helps with oral health.  All those holiday treats can leave unwanted germs in our mouths.

 Squeeze 1/8 lemon wedge into 1 cup of room temperature water, then drop in the whole piece of wedge.  Drink and wait 30 minutes before consuming any other food or drink.

 I use the lemon rinds to make a holiday potpourri to simmer on the stove.

Ingredients

• Rinds from 1 lemon
• 3 broken cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 3 broken bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon cardamon
• 1 nutmeg
• 1 quart water (add more as needed)

 Add all ingredients to a medium pot and simmer on very low heat.