Zing into Wellness: Celebrate National Lemon Day

Happy National Lemon Day! Learn more about the properties of lemons and find out how to incorporate them into your daily routine, because when life gives you lemons... squeeze the health benefits! 

Key Takeaways:

• National Lemon Day is on July 23 this year.
• Learn about the nutritional benefits lemons offer.
• Find out about lesser-known lemon hacks for health and wellness. 

Harness your zest for wellness and celebrate National Lemon Day this year!

Table of Contents:

1. Happy National Lemon Day!
2. Start Your Day With Lemon Water
3. Make Fresh Lemonade
4. Use Lemon Zest in Your Cooking
5. Household Hacks: How to Use Lemons for Cleaning
6. Celebrate National Lemon Day With Healthy Detoxes and Natural Cleaning Recipes

Happy National Lemon Day! 

July 23 marks National Lemon Day this year. Lemons are more than just drink garnishes and sour wedges. They offer some surprising health benefits, too!

Lemons are a part of the citrus fruit family, along with oranges, grapefruits, and limes. They emit a slightly sour, clean-smelling scent. 

Why is National Lemon Day important? 

Lemons help your body detox, thanks to their natural antioxidant properties. They also add dimension and flavor to any dish, hot or cold. 

You can even use the outer parts of lemons in cooking. Lemon zest is a popular addition to sauces and meat dishes. 

Lemon water is a refreshing way to wake up each morning. 

Some folks even say that their morning lemon water “wakes up” their digestive system, preparing it for breakfast and beyond. 

Learn more about the health benefits of lemons and some surprising uses for them inside your home. 

Start Your Day With Lemon Water 

Why is lemon water a popular morning drink? 

Starting your day with either a cold, room temperature, or even warm glass of lemon water not only hydrates you, but it also kick-starts your digestive and immune systems for the day. 

Lemons contain vitamin C and other antioxidants. They support your immune system and help detoxify your system by getting rid of harmful free radicals. 

Lemon water may improve your digestion by reducing morning bloating and breaking down the food you ate the day before. 

Without a bunch of toxins floating around in your system, you can gain energy and vigor for the day ahead of you. 

Make Fresh Lemonade 

Nothing says “summer” like fresh, homemade lemonade. 

National Lemon Day falls during the peak of summertime heat, which is the perfect time to enjoy this refreshing and classic drink. 

The only ingredients you need are ripe lemons, sugar or an alternative sweetener, and water. You can also use simple syrup to sweeten a pitcher of lemonade. 

Squeeze your lemons into a tall pitcher and then add cold water and a sweetener of your choice. Garnish your glass with a lemon wedge to be extra festive. 

Homemade lemonade usually lasts for about a week in the fridge. Enjoy this tart, sweet, and refreshing summer beverage in honor of National Lemon Day! 

Use Lemon Zest in Your Cooking

Lemon zest is made by grating the outer yellow peel of lemons. The zest is a tart, slightly bitter part of the lemon that brings a unique flavor to any dish you cook. 

The zest of a lemon contains high amounts of vitamin C, the immune-boosting vitamin found in citrus fruits. 

Special plant compounds in lemon zest may help improve your heart health, skin health, and natural detoxification as well. 

You can use lemon zest in many dishes and sauces, including:

• Salad dressings

• Baked goods (cakes, cookies, and muffins)

• Meat and vegetable marinades

• Soups

• Pasta sauces

• Dry seasonings

• Pesto sauce 

• Fish dishes 

Lemon zest intensifies the flavor of anything you cook, making dishes tangier and more dimensional than lemon juice alone. 

Household Hacks: How to Use Lemons for Cleaning

Lemons aren’t just tasty additions to your summer diet. They can also make a wonderful DIY cleaning ingredient!

Household cleaning mixtures with lemon are naturally antibacterial and acidic, which helps cut through dirt and grime. 

Cleaning With Lemon Halves 

You can easily clean some types of countertops, sinks, and other surfaces using half of an unused lemon. Simply rub the lemon half wherever you see stains and grime. 

Since lemons are naturally acidic, they make for great quick cleansers. If you don’t have time to mix up a DIY cleaner, the lemon-half method is perfect for your household. 

Due to lemon’s acidity, you should avoid using this method on brass fixtures or certain surfaces, including stone and hardwood.

Making a Lemon-Based All-Purpose Cleaner

Lemon and vinegar are two common household cleaner ingredients. 

Their natural acidic properties work together to form a non-toxic cleaning agent for most household surfaces. 

Place lemon peels in white vinegar for a few weeks to allow the vinegar to absorb the lemon compounds. 

Remove the lemon peels and fill the jar or bottle with water to dilute the vinegar. Your all-purpose cleaner is ready to use! 

Remake this cleaning recipe every two to four weeks to keep the mixture fresh and free from spoilage. 

Infuse a Clean Scent Into Your Home

Lemon essential oils are perfect for refreshing your home air and making it smell like you’ve just spent the day deep cleaning. 

Lemon oil is a natural odor killer that leaves behind a subtle but fresh scent. Spread this pleasant scent throughout your home using an essential oil diffuser. 

Some concentrated lemon oils are antibacterial and meant for cleaning. Consider adding some to your DIY household cleaner. 

What Not to Do 

Never use lemon-based cleaners on electronics of any kind, wood surfaces, natural stone, or furniture upholstery. 

You should never mix lemon juice with bleach, as this can create toxic chlorine gas. Always research the chemicals you’re mixing beforehand. 

Celebrate National Lemon Day With Healthy Detoxes and Natural Cleaning Recipes 

Lemons are the world’s favorite multipurpose citrus fruit. You can use them for cleaning, detoxification, and delightful flavor alike. 

To celebrate National Lemon Day this year, consider adding lemons to your daily routine in some way. 

Whether you drink lemon water in the morning or make your own non-toxic all-purpose cleaner, you can be festive while paying attention to your health.