Slice of Sunshine

The Mighty Lemon

    Lemons are very common, and can be found almost anywhere. They are used for cleaning, for their aroma, and in food and drinks... as both an ingredient and a garnish. But these little yellow jewels are far beyond an ordinary fruit. And although life may hand you a lemon... you can do so much more than just make lemonade!                                                                               

   The perks lemons can provide to the body are endless.

For the Skin:   Lemon water cleans the skin, ridding it of bacteria and preventing breakouts.  This leaves your skin looking fresh and healthy!  Lemon pulp is also excellent for the skin and can also soothe insect bites and stings.  Topically applied, it can help stop bleeding (though it may sting a bit).  If you add equal parts of water, lemon, and sugar, the mixture can be used to keep the hands smooth.

Relieve Fevers:  Lemon is very good for cooling the body.  It does this by encouraging the body to sweat. Lemon juice combined with water and honey is the best natural tonic to take when you have a fever. 

Relieve Hiccups:  For  every person that hates the hiccups, there is an equal amount of theories on how to get rid of them.  The best way...  lemon and warm water! So stop standing on your head and take a drink!

Digestion:  Lemon with hot water acts as a liver tonic and eases a multitude of digestion problems including nausea, heartburn, and gallstones.  Lemon stimulates your body's production of bile, aiding in prompt food  digestion.

Weight loss: Lemon is a natural diuretic and helps flush out toxins and bacteria. On top of being an easy calorie burner, lemon and water help detoxify your system.

    Two super easy tips to help you incorporate lemon into your diet are to add slices of fresh lemon to all of your beverages, especially water. It will give it and you a refreshing boost. Use lemon as a flavoring to eliminate some sodium in your dishes.

    Here are some great recipes to start you off on your journey with lemons.

Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

1/8 cup Olive Oil                                                                                                 

1 Tbl Dijon Mustard

½ Lemon, juice and zest

TT Black Pepper

TT Salt

1Tbl Basil, chopped

1 tsp Honey

1- Mix Olive Oil, Mustard, Lemon, Salt, Pepper, Basil, and Honey until thoroughly combined.

Blueberry Lemon Poptarts
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tbs sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
1/2 lb unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes and frozen
6 tbs coconut butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
3/4 cup ice water
1 egg, lightly beaten
Blueberry filling (recipe follows)

1- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Freeze the flour mixture, butter, shortening.
2- Pulse the mixture in food processor, in five second bursts until the butter and shortening are the size of small peas. Add the ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together.
3- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, divide in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
4- Preheat oven to 350F.
5- Remove one dough from the refrigerator and roll until 1/8 inch thick.
6- Cut 14 - 3"x2" rectangles of dough.
7- Place 2 teaspoons of blueberry filling on 7 of the rectangles, leaving a 1/4 inch border all around. Lightly brush border with egg wash and top each with another rectangle of dough. Crimp edges of the pocket with the tines of a fork to seal and slash the tops of the pockets with a very sharp knife.
8-  Place pockets on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Lightly brush the tops of the pockets with egg wash and lightly sprinkle with sugar.
9- Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees at the halfway point, until the pockets are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. Poptarts are best served warm.

    Blueberry Lemon Filling

           1 cup blueberries

           1/4 cup water

           Zest of 1 lemon

           2 tbs cornstarch
           1/4 cup lemon juice
           1/4 cup sugar
           Pinch of salt

1- In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is smooth.
2- In a small saucepan, combine the water, blueberries and lemon zest and heat to a simmer. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, until the berries soften.
3- Add the cornstarch mixture, sugar and salt and cook for 1-2 minutes more, until the mixture is translucent.
4- Remove from heat and let cool completely before using as blueberry pocket filling.

“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.” -Conan O’brien

The health benefits of beer: 1 6 reasons why you should drink it!

1. Beer for better digestion Beer, and especially dark beer, contains up to one gram of soluble fiber in each 30 cl glass - unlike wine, which doesn’t contain any fiber at all. Fiber plays an important role in intestinal transit (a fiber deficiency can cause gastric and intestinal disorders such as constipation or diarrhea).

2. Beer keeps your kidneys healthy. A Finnish study singled out beer among other alcoholic beverages, finding that it was better for your kidneys.In fact, each bottle of beer you drink reduces the risk of developing kidney stones by 40%.

3. Beer to lower your bad cholesterol The fiber in beer can also help reduce your levels of LDL cholesterol, i.e. the “bad” type of cholesterol.

4. Beer can increase your vitamin B levels Beer contains several B vitamins (B1, B2, B6 and B12). A Dutch study found that beer drinkers had 30 percent higher levels of vitamin B6 than their non-drinking counterparts, and levels that were twice as high as those of wine drinkers. Beer is also a generous source of vitamin B12, an anti-anaemic factor not found in many foods.

5. It can help lower risk of diabetes. This is another remarkable benefit of moderate beer consumption. According to a 2011 Harvard study of about 38,000 middle-aged men, those who drank one to two beers daily had a 25% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The alcohol content in beer increases insulin sensitivity, which helps prevent diabetes. Moreover, beer is a good source of soluble fiber that plays an important role in the healthy diet of people suffering from diabetes.

6. It can help minimize risk of cancer. Beer contains an important antioxidant known as xanthohumol. Xanthohumol is known to have powerful anti-cancer properties that help fend off cancer-causing enzymes in the body. Specifically, moderate beer consumption helps prevent a certain chemical reaction that can lead to prostate cancer in men. Beer has also been shown to reduce the chances of getting breast cancer in women.

7. Beer reduces your risk of a heart attack Beer drinkers have a 40 to 60 percent reduced risk of suffering a heart attack compared with non-beer drinkers.

8. It can help cut down risk of strokes. Studies by the American Stroke Association have shown that people who drink moderate amounts of beer can cut their risk of strokes by – get this – a whopping 50% compared to non-drinkers. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health explain that moderate amounts of beer daily helps prevent blood clots that block blood flow to the heart, neck and brain, which is a leading cause of ischemic stroke. However, when you drink beer moderately, your arteries become flexible and blood flow improves significantly.

9. Beer helps prevent blood clots The ingredients in beer help prevent blood clots from forming.

10. Beer boosts your memory According to studies, beer drinkers are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than non-beer drinkers.

11. Beer helps combat stress Researchers at the University of Montreal found that two glasses of beer a day can reduce work-related stress or anxiety.

12. Beer as a cold remedy Drinking warm beer is an excellent cold remedy! When barley is warmed up it improves blood circulation and helps you breathe when you feel congested. It also provides relief for joint pain and boosts your immunity. So, how do you prepare it? Heat a bottle of beer in a double boiler and then add four small teaspoons of honey.

13. Beer for stronger bones! A 2009 study concluded that the elevated levels of silicon in beer can contribute to higher bone density.

14. Beer makes skin more beautiful Good news for women! Certain vitamins in beer can regenerate the skin and have a positive impact on pigmentation. Your skin becomes smoother and suppler.

15. Beer as a cure for insomnia Lactoflavin and nicotinic acid, which are both present in beer, can promote sleep!

16. It can help treat dandruff. Another interesting fact about beer is that it is considered one of the best natural treatments for dandruff. This particular health benefit of beer is attributed to its high yeast and vitamin B content levels. Just rinse your hair with a bottle of beer two to three times a week to get rid of dandruff and make your hair extra soft and shiny.

The research has it! Clearly beer has many beneficial properties which can contribute to a happier healthier you.  However, remember alcohol should be consumed in a responsible manner and  should never be abused. 

A Slice of Sunshine...

The Mighty Lemon

    Lemons are very common, and can be found almost anywhere. They are used for cleaning, for their aroma, and in food and drinks... as both an ingredient and a garnish. But these little yellow jewels are far beyond an ordinary fruit. And although life may hand you a lemon... you can do so much more than just make lemonade!                                                                               

   The perks lemons can provide to the body are endless.

For the Skin:   Lemon water cleans the skin, ridding it of bacteria and preventing breakouts.  This leaves your skin looking fresh and healthy!  Lemon pulp is also excellent for the skin and can also soothe insect bites and stings.  Topically applied, it can help stop bleeding (though it may sting a bit).  If you add equal parts of water, lemon, and sugar, the mixture can be used to keep the hands smooth.

Relieve Fevers:  Lemon is very good for cooling the body.  It does this by encouraging the body to sweat. Lemon juice combined with water and honey is the best natural tonic to take when you have a fever. 

Relieve Hiccups:  For  every person that hates the hiccups, there is an equal amount of theories on how to get rid of them.  The best way...  lemon and warm water! So stop standing on your head and take a drink!

Digestion:  Lemon with hot water acts as a liver tonic and eases a multitude of digestion problems including nausea, heartburn, and gallstones.  Lemon stimulates your body's production of bile, aiding in prompt food  digestion.

Weight loss: Lemon is a natural diuretic and helps flush out toxins and bacteria. On top of being an easy calorie burner, lemon and water help detoxify your system.

   
    Two super easy tips to help you incorporate lemon into your diet are to add slices of fresh lemon to all of your beverages, especially water. It will give it and you a refreshing boost. Use lemon as a flavoring to eliminate some sodium in your dishes.

    Here are some great recipes to start you off on your journey with lemons.

Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

1/8 cup Olive Oil                                                                                                 

1 Tbl Dijon Mustard

½ Lemon, juice and zest

TT Black Pepper

TT Salt

1Tbl Basil, chopped

1 tsp Honey

1- Mix Olive Oil, Mustard, Lemon, Salt, Pepper, Basil, and Honey until thoroughly combined.

Blueberry Lemon Poptarts
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tbs sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
1/2 lb unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes and frozen
6 tbs coconut butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
3/4 cup ice water
1 egg, lightly beaten
Blueberry filling (recipe follows)

1- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Freeze the flour mixture, butter, shortening.
2- Pulse the mixture in food processor, in five second bursts until the butter and shortening are the size of small peas. Add the ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together.
3- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, divide in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
4- Preheat oven to 350F.
5- Remove one dough from the refrigerator and roll until 1/8 inch thick.
6- Cut 14 - 3"x2" rectangles of dough.
7- Place 2 teaspoons of blueberry filling on 7 of the rectangles, leaving a 1/4 inch border all around. Lightly brush border with egg wash and top each with another rectangle of dough. Crimp edges of the pocket with the tines of a fork to seal and slash the tops of the pockets with a very sharp knife.
8-  Place pockets on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Lightly brush the tops of the pockets with egg wash and lightly sprinkle with sugar.
9- Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees at the halfway point, until the pockets are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. Poptarts are best served warm.

    Blueberry Lemon Filling

           1 cup blueberries

           1/4 cup water

           Zest of 1 lemon

           2 tbs cornstarch
           1/4 cup lemon juice
           1/4 cup sugar
           Pinch of salt

1- In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is smooth.
2- In a small saucepan, combine the water, blueberries and lemon zest and heat to a simmer. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, until the berries soften.
3- Add the cornstarch mixture, sugar and salt and cook for 1-2 minutes more, until the mixture is translucent.
4- Remove from heat and let cool completely before using as blueberry pocket filling.

“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.” -Conan O’brien