26. LET THEM HAVE LEMONS

Another food to add to our list of super-healing foods is the lemon, which is the most widely used citrus fruit in the world. Articles abound on the Internet that lemons are valuable in healing many diseases. Since they are a good source of vitamin C, citric acid and potassium, it seems this lowly fruit would have to contribute to good health.

Most of us learned in elementary school that lemons were valuable in healing scurvy years ago. In the year 1747, Dr. James Lind was on board a ship that had been at sea for two months. Twelve of the men, who were all perfectly healthy at the beginning of the voyage, were now weak. They had swollen gums and legs, and their teeth were falling out. These symptoms were common on long sea journeys. Many men died. Dr. Lind wanted to discover the cause.

He divided the men into groups and gave each group something different daily: cider, vinegar, seawater, etc., and one group was given two oranges and one lemon every day. At the end of only six days, the men who ate oranges and a lemon were so improved that they could return to work. The other men were worse.

After the voyage, Dr. Lind recommended giving sailors citrus fruit and juices as part of their diet. His advice was not taken seriously. Dr. Lind died 47 years later, in 1794. The next year, the Royal Navy adopted the practice of giving seamen citrus as part of their diet. Scurvy immediately vanished from the Royal Navy.

It is the high vitamin C content which gives lemons the ability to heal scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C.

Perhaps the strongest statements being made for the value of lemons are the claims that this fruit can kill cancer. The Institute of Health Sciences in Baltimore, MD, says that lemons have more power in killing cancer cells than Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutically in the world.

Other claims made are that lemons are antibacterial, antiviral, aid in digestion, treat acne, regulate blood pressure, fight parasites and worms, reduce stress and anxiety and prevent aging. Many drink lemon water every morning for cleansing.  

I have always thrown away the lemon rind, but now information claims the rind has 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon pulp, plus the peels are health rejuvenators in cleansing the body of toxic elements. Since reading this news, I have been blending the whole lemon, rind and pulp, to make salad dressing. I cut the lemon in quarters and take out the seeds. Another idea that would work as well is to wash and freeze the whole lemon. Then grate the lemon on your salad, vegetables, soup or spaghetti sauce.

What a blessing to “Let them have lemons!” They are a superfood! 

LEMON PUDDING
1/3 c cornstarch (heaping)
1 lemon zest of grated
1/4 t salt
2/3 c honey
1 15-oz can coconut milk (Thai Kitchens)
2 c water
2 lemons juice
1 t vanilla
1/4 t turmeric (for color)
Blend all ingredients together. Pour into pot and bring
to a boil stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. Chill. 

LEMON PIE
2 c pineapple juice
1/2 c water
1/3 c cornstarch
2 1/2 T fresh lemon juice
1 T orange juice concentrate
1 T pineapple juice concentrate
1/2 t grated lemon peel
Dissolve cornstarch in water and add to the pineapple
juice. Bring to a boil, stirring until thickened and clear.
Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients and
mix well. Cool and pour into baked pie shell.
OATMEAL-ALMOND PIE CRUST
1 1/2 c oatmeal blended to flour
3/4 c ground almonds
1/4 t salt
1/3 to 1/2 c water for soft dough
Mix first four ingredients and then add water. Mix lightly
and dust with oatmeal flour. Roll out two crusts and put
in the pie pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes
until slightly brown. Cool before adding pie filling. 

POTATO SALAD WITH LEMON DRESSING
Scrub 3 pounds of potatoes and boil until tender. Drain
and refrigerate to make cold. Peel and cut into cubes.
Add chopped onion and salt. Pour dressing over the
potatoes and mix well.
DRESSING
1 lemon
1/2 c olive oil
2 cloves garlic
salt to taste
Cut the ends off the lemons and cut into quarters.
Remove seeds and add lemons, oil and garlic to
blender and blend until smooth.

LEMON SALAD DRESSING
1 lemon cut in pieces and seeded
3 T warm water
1/2 c olive oil
1 garlic clove
2 scallions
1/2 medium tomato
Blend all ingredients.