Guest guest Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 28 creative uses for lemons When we first toured our current apartment, one of the delightful things we discovered is that it had a lemon tree in the backyard. Once we moved in, we tried to think of all the things we could make with lemons, and we found quite a few, including sugary lemon bars, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest for baking, lemon cheesecake, and last but not least, lemonade. Four years on, the novelty of having our own lemon tree may have dimmed, but now and again we’ll be reminded of how lucky we are when we find yet another use for this amazing fruit. So when life (or a friend with a lemon tree in the backyard) gives you lemons, try out some of these ideas. Food & Beverages a.. Grill fish on top of lemon slices to prevent the fish from sticking to the grill[1] b.. Try gremolata, a mixture of lemon zest and finely chopped garlic and parsley, as an alternative to salt and pepper[2] c.. Include lemon zest in marinades for pork and poultry[2] d.. Create a flavorful lemon butter to garnish seafood and fish[2] e.. Freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays to use in summer drinks[2] f.. Make preserved lemons for use in Moroccan recipes, such as tagine g.. Add lemon juice to rice, cauliflower, or potatoes while cooking to enhance their white color [2][3] h.. Prevent eggs from cracking while boiling by coating the shells with lemon juice[3] i.. Ensure easy peeling of cooked eggs by adding one teaspoon of lemon juice to the cooking water[3] j.. Use lemon juice to help homemade jam set without using pectin[4] k.. Dry lemon peel for use in flavoring baked goods[4] Cleaning & Home Improvement a.. Remove garlic, onion, or fish odor from your hands by rubbing them with a piece of lemon coated in salt[2][3] b.. Rid your hands or clothes of stains from berries, beets, or ink with lemon and salt[2][4] c.. Clean copper pots or remove rust stains with half a lemon dipped in salt[1][3] d.. Mix lemon juice and baking soda for an effective stain remover[3] e.. Dry slices of lemon to use in holiday decorations such as wreaths or garlands, or to include in potpourri mixtures[1] f.. Fill bowls or vases with whole lemons to create elegant table centerpieces[1] g.. Keep insects away from stored clothing using dried lemon rind[4] Health & Beauty a.. Use juiced lemon halves to moisten dry elbows[1] b.. Bite into a lemon to redden your lips (a common practice in the court of Louis XIV)[2][3] c.. Make a face mask using lemon and honey[3] d.. After shampooing, rinse your hair with water and lemon juice to prevent dandruff and to remove soap film[3] e.. Soothe sore throats with lemon juice, either by gargling or drinking in a hot beverage f.. Take the sting out of insect bites with lemon juice[3] g.. Apply lemon juice to cuts to disinfect them and help them heal faster[3] h.. Treat a nose bleed with lemon juice[3] i.. Mix lemon juice with olive or almond oil to treat eczema[3] j.. Combine lemon juice with papaya juice to get rid of athlete’s foot[3] Sources: [1]HGTV [2]DIY Network [3]VISTA Magazine [4]Plants For A Future ------------------------- ------------------------- Around the House Eliminate fireplace odor There's nothing cozier on a cold winter night than a warm fire burning in the fireplace -- unless the fire happens to smell horrible. Next time you have a fire that sends a stench into the room, try throwing a few lemon peels into the flames. Or simply burn some lemon peels along with your firewood as a preventive measure. Get rid of tough stains on marble You probably think of marble as stone, but it is really petrified calcium (also known as old seashells). That explains why it is so porous and easily stained and damaged. Those stains can be hard to remove. If washing won't remove a stubborn stain, try this: Cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh into some table salt, and rub it vigorously on the stain. But do this only as a last resort; acid can damage marble. Rinse well. Make a room scent/humidifier Freshen and moisturize the air in your home on dry winter days. Make your own room scent that also doubles as a humidifier. If you have a wood-burning stove, place an enameled cast-iron pot or bowl on top, fill with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and apple skins. No wood-burning stove? Use your stovetop instead and just simmer the water periodically. Neutralize cat-box odor You don't have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors or freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh. Deodorize a humidifier When your humidifier starts to smell funky, deodorize it with ease: Just pour 3 or 4 teaspoons lemon juice into the water. It will not only remove the off odor but will replace it with a lemon-fresh fragrance. Repeat every couple of weeks to keep the odor from returning. Clean tarnished brass Say good-bye to tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt (or substitute baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and coat the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. Use the same mixture to clean metal kitchen sinks too. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse. Polish chrome Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. http://www.rd.com/tools-and-quizzes/extraordinary-uses/extraordinary-uses-for-lemons/article.html From Grandfather Oak ------------------------ Goddess Bless! GrannyMoon http://GoddessSchool.com http://goddessschool.com/Paganstudies/index.html http://goddessschool.com/Paganstudies/healingarts.html The GoddessSchool Bookstore http://astore.amazon.com/ancestordetect08/ " Do not ask Goddess to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet! " ~GoddessSchool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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