I am fortunate to come from a family where the women have lived well into their nineties and beyond. My Great Aunt Hattie left us last week at the age of 103. She was quite a force of nature, ahead of her time in many ways. As a mentor and confidante she nurtured and encouraged the younger women of her family to strive to be whatever they wanted long before that was the fashion. My Mother often speaks of how Aunt Hattie had encouraged her to forge a role for herself in life. Hattie always advised the brides in the family to “keep a little something aside” for themselves. By this she meant a private savings account, which she had and kept hidden from her husband of over fifty years. She was quite a lady and I will miss her.
When Hattie was 85 she came to live with us. My Mother was her favorite niece and they were devoted to each other. I learned a lot having Hattie around while I was growing up. She began every day with a glass of lemon water. It was a routine she followed as long as she could remember. I thought it quite odd and always resisted any attempt to try it for myself. Then about a year ago I began to read about the benefits of the lemon water. Maybe Hattie was on to something for all those years. Hey, she lived a long and healthy life.
Apparently the use of lemon water traces is origins to traditional Chinese medicine, which uses nature to prevent and treat health problems. Legend has it that the ancient Romans used lemon water as a cure for the poisons of the day. In the 21st this vitamin C rich citrus fruit that also contains potassium, magnesium and calcium, is touted as a way to detox your system and possibly aid in weight loss. Lemons have digestive properties that can ease heartburn, nausea and even hiccups. Since lemons clear toxins the first thing to benefit is your skin. Your skin will not look bright until your body is free of toxins. There are those that swear drinking lemon water will slow the aging process and even fight wrinkles. Other benefits may include the reduction of the symptoms of asthma and arthritis. Also a natural diuretic, lemon water is good for those with urinary tract infections.
Biggest bonus of all…. lemon water is calorie free, easy and inexpensive to make. You can drink it warm, cold, or hot. Real devotees like Aunt Hattie (and the Chinese) would have a warm glass of lemon water every morning. Hattie would have a second glass with ice later in the day.
When buying lemons look for a bright color and relatively thin skin. Keep your lemons at room temperature. Before cutting, roll the lemon on the counter a few times to release the juice. You should use the juice of one half lemon for each eight ounces of water. One final tip…. I wash the lemons before I use them with a mild soap.
Give this 'old' but tried and true gift of a nature a try. I can’t promise Aunt Hattie’s years but I can promise, a refreshing and healthy drink.
Talk to you soon!
Bizzie Buzz
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