"l" is for limes (or lemons, if you prefer) and lentils

Limes & Lemons

I am in love with limes. I read an article once that differentiated limes from lemons, and there wasn't too much difference as far as nutrients and "good-for-you" qualities. But the tastes are apparently quite different: lemons are sour, while limes are both sweet and bitter. Does it say something about me that I prefer limes to lemons? Probably best to NOT go there...

Actually, the biggest reason I prefer limes is that they are seedless. I squeeze a half of a lime into a bottle of water and begin my day that way. Yep - straight, sour/bitter water right to my body after I wake up. I find that it clears the funk out of my mouth and my brain. And, scientifically, it works to rebalance the pH of my systems after a night's haitus. I also love limes in smoothies, on avocados, mixed into ricotta cheese for a quick 'dessert' (thanks, South Beach, for teaching me that one). Limes also seem juicier than lemons (at least most of the time).

I never grew up with fresh limes or lemons, and it's a real treat to have them regularly in my fruit bowl. I even used fresh lemon juice on my hair (and then sat in the sun) today - yay for 'natural' blondes!

Lentils

As I have continued, little by little, to add more healthy items to my eating habits, my Naturopath (the excellent Jill Clarey) challenged me to eat more beans - plant protein, lots of fiber, good nutrients. You may have seen my post on beans (along with a little ditty to make you smile). Turns out that lentils have similar qualities to beans (maybe they are beans? I guess I need to research a little more), they're faster to cook, and I like them very much! Just as a side item, instead of rice or potatoes, or in a soup. Try them yourself - yummmmm!