lemon love

Since having kids, my health has become a top priority for me. 

Everything is exasperated after having children. Growing a baby, pushing that baby out, breastfeeding, not sleeping and the mental game of parenting puts extreme wear and tear on us mamas.

Of course the joys are far greater than we've experienced before, the excitement of watching our creations turn into their own person but our weaknesses get exposed quick! 

Like most, I'm always in search of new ways to improve my health. So I'm going to share some of the things I've been doing lately to achieve a healthier mind and body. 

First up... Lemon water. So incredibly simple and yet so powerful. 

Add some fresh squeezed lemon juice to the water you are already drinking or if you aren't drinking enough H20 this is a great way to spruce it up and make you want to drink more of it!

Here's 5 reasons to add lemon water to your diet

1/. Support Immune Function-  high in antioxidant vitamin C,  Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which provides anti-inflammatory effects. Lemons also contain saponins which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Last but not least, ascorbic acid enhances iron absorption among other vitamins and minerals in the body.

2/. Alkalize the body- Although lemons may seem acidic, they are actually one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Containing both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood.

3/. Aid digestion-  Believed to stimulate and purify the liver, lemon juice is traditionally understood to support digestive hydrochloric acid in the stomach further aiding digestion. 

4/. Clear skin- Vitamin C and other antioxidants found in lemons help combat free radical damage. Free radical damage especially as caused by UV exposure and environmental toxins  is responsible for many symptoms of aging. Antioxidant intake can help offset this damage, minimizing wrinkles. Further, lemon juice can be applied topically to scars and age spots to help reduce their appearance. Traditionally used as a liver stimulant, lemon water is also believed to help purge toxins from the blood, helping to keep skin clear of blemishes.

5/.  Promote healing:-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

Lemon water....simple and very economical and a perfect beverage for summertime sipping.