Top Health Benefits Of Citrus Fruits And Their Peels

Why Are Citrus Fruits Good for You?

• Vitamin C: You're probably familiar with the fact that citrus fruit tends to be very high in Vitamin C which helps boost your immune system, and can help support your body when it comes to fighting off colds and other illnesses.
• Fiber: It's always better to eat the fruit than drink the juice for vitamin C content because citrus fruits also provide fiber, which is helpful for your digestion.
• Antioxidants: Another benefit of citrus fruits is their high level of antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage and help prevent diseases.
• Hydration: Citrus fruits can help keep you hydrated due to their high water content, making them one of the top hydrating foods.
• Low in Calories: In general citrus fruits are low in calories, if eaten, not when you drink the juice alone. This makes them a great snack, they're delicious, hydrating, and, thanks to the fiber, satisfying.

Don’t Throw Away the Peels!

1. Zest: The zest (the outer skin of the peel) is full of flavor. You can grate it and add it to your cooking or baking for a bright, flavorful kick. If you have a lot of peels you can even freeze the zest so you've always got some on hand.
2. Peel: Save the peels to add to ice tea, seltzer, and other beverages. Depending on which type of citrus and the recipe you can also add the peel to sauces and soups. Got too many? Freeze those too!
3. Candied Peels: You can make a sweet treat by cooking the peels in sugar and water. These candied peels are delicious and can be used as a garnish or snack.
4. Trash Can: A few citrus peels at the bottom of your kitchen or bathroom trash can will help absorb odors and add a slight citrus scent.
5. Cleaning: Citrus peels have natural oils that are great for cleaning. You can use them to make a natural cleaner by soaking them in vinegar. Fill a canning jar with citrus peels, cover with vinegar and let sit for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain, add an equal amount of water, and pour into a spray bottle. Voila! Homemade citrus cleaner.
6. Freshener: Dry out the citrus peels, put them into a fabric bag and use to store in your sock drawer or linens.
7. Aromatherapy: The scent of citrus is refreshing, uplifting, and can make your home smell great. You can gently boil citrus peels on the stove, add a little cinnamon if you like. Or you can dry them out and place them in a bowl to make a space smell nice.

Fun Ways to Eat More Citrus

1. Smoothies: Add to your smoothies for a burst of flavor and vitamins. Be sure to either remove the peel or the pith, the bitter white part under the peel, so it's doesn't overwhelm your smoothie.
2. Salads: Squeeze lemon or lime juice over your salad for a tangy dressing. Don't forget to add orange or grapefruit segments to the salad for a sweet twist.
3. Snacks: Keep a bowl of clementines on the counter for a grab-and-go healthy snack.
4. Drinks: Make your water more exciting by adding slices of lemon, lime, or orange. You can also make homemade lemonade or limeade.
5. Cooking: Use lemon or lime juice to flavor your fish, chicken, or vegetables. The juice adds a fresh taste that makes your dishes delicious. If you're cooking iron-rich foods like leafy greens or beans, be sure to add a generous squeeze of citrus juice to make the iron easier to absorb.

Broiled Grapefruit with Cinnamon

Broiled grapefruit is a wonderful dessert. It's super easy to make and a refreshing, tangy addition to a summertime meal. When you broil it with just a little sugar and cinnamon it caramelizes the citrus sugars and adds a bit of a spicy kick from the cinnamon. It's also fabulous as an addition to a breakfast or brunch menu.

Whether you want to start your day with a burst of flavor or end a meal on a light, refreshing note, adding broiled grapefruit to the meal is a perfect choice.

I like to set it out before the meal and then pop it in the over while clearing the table. You'll want to savor the tartness and sweetness of the grapefruit while it's fresh out of the oven and still warm.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• Wash grapefruits and cut in half
• Use a knife to separate each section from the peel so it's loose
• Place in a baking pan (I usually get four into an 8 x 8 pan)
• When ready to prepare this dish preheat the oven to broil
• Sprinkle the grapefruit halves with cane juice crystals
• Add a pinch of cinnamon to the top of each half
• Broil for 3-5 minutes until the sugar melts slightly into the fruit

  Serve

Most Delicious Lemonade (or Limeade)

There’s nothing so refreshing as a tall glass of old-fashioned lemonade on a hot summer day. It's a classic that everyone loves, especially when it's made from scratch.

This nostalgic treat is so simple to make you'll never want to use the storebought stuff again.

There are just a few simple ingredients—lemons (or limes), sugar, and water. You'll need one less lime simply because they're slightly more tart than lemons.

Make up a batch of this wonderful lemonade, quench your thirst, and lift your spirits. It's like summer in a glass

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• In a large pitcher

  Juice 4 limes (or 5 lemons)

  Mix with 1 C. evaporated cane juice crystals

  Stir well until crystals are dissolved

  Add 6 C. water

  To serve add ice to a glass and add the lemonade

  For a slightly fancy presentation use a vegetable peeler to carefully cut a curl of lemon peel before cutting the lemon in half to juice it. Add the lemon peel to the glass after you've added the ice and the lemonade.

In Conclusion