Interesting Facts About Lemons You Should Know

Interesting Facts About Lemons You Should Know

Lemons are a species of small evergreen tree native to Asia.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C.
Lemons are a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron.
Lemon trees produce fruit all year round.
Lemon trees can produce more than 500lbs of lemons every year.
The high acidity of lemons makes them good cleaning aids.
Lemon zest, grated rinds, is often used in baking.
Lemon tree leaves can be used to make tea.
Arizona and California produces most of the United States’ lemon crop.
The most common types of lemons are the Eureka, Meyer and Lisbon lemons.




When we were kids, our first introduction to lemons wasn't so good. But now that we're all grown up, we actually like the tasty tangy flavour it adds additional taste to our recipes for chicken, cookies Etc, but most importantly, cocktails.
But now our bonding with lemons has moved from the kitchen to the bathroom, as we incorporate this citrus fruit (lemon) into our beauty regimen. Lemons are a great source of Calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium -- minerals and antioxidants that improve the appearance and condition of our skin, hair and nails.
So here are the awesome uses for lemons you should know.
Lemons for acne and blackheads. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of lemon make them a natural alternative to treat acne. Simply slice open a lemon and rub it across your face. Or you can add a few drops of honey to a lemon half before applying it directly to the affected area where you have blackheads. Wait 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

Teeth whitener.

Professional treatments for Teeth whitening can cost a fortune. Save your money and time with a homemade teeth whitener using lemon juice and baking soda. Mix the two ingredients into a solution and put onto your teeth with a Q-tip. Leave on for less than one minute (the acid is strong enough to break down tooth enamel) and gently scrub off with your toothbrush.

Get rid of oily skin.

To get oil free skin we do some pretty weird ways to bring down the glow on our faces, including costly medicines. But swing a cotton swab with a little lemon juice is just as effective. Try doing this before going to bed and wash your face the next morning to prevent oily skin.




They fade dark spots and blemishes. 

Ugly Acne scars and marks are embarrassing and a pain to get rid of. Lemon juice's citric acid gradually fades spots and you will get back your even tone. Be cautious of open wounds or cuts on the face, as it can sting real bad.

Strengthen nails.

There are so many nail hardeners on the shelves at your local medical store, but you can get the same results – that to naturally – by using lemon juice and olive oil. The solution will not only condition weak and fragile nails, but it will also whiten yellowing nails.





Brighten your hair colour. 

The cheapest way to brighten your hair colour. Mix 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice and 3/4 cup of water in spray bottle. Sprits lemon water onto your hair but do not saturate scalp. Leave mixture on your hair for 2 hours, spending not less than 30 minutes in the sun. Be sure not to get lemon juice on your skin before going in the sunlight. Repeat these steps at least once a week, and you will notice that your hair is significantly lighter.

Lemons cleanse the face and body.

Lemon will deep cleanse the excessive sebum build up on the skin which attracts dirt and bacteria. Lemon is also one of nature’s best astringents and will tone the skin without drying. If you're not sure about what's skulking inside your favorite face or body wash, you can always be certain with a homemade cleanser made out of lemon juice, yogurt and an essential oil like lavender or chamomile. Massage this on to remove dirt and bacteria, while moisturizing your skin at the same time.

They soothe cracked lips.

Another overnight beauty treatment that only requires slicing open a lemon is an exfoliate for cracked lips. Rub the fruit onto your pucker, and then wash off the next morning. The lemon juice will remove any dead skin cells so that your lipstick goes on super smooth.

Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/lemon-beauty-benefits_n_3743905

Nutritional benefits of organic carrots

Nutritional benefits of organic carrots

They’re sweet. They’re Big. They’re orange. They’re beautiful. Latin scientist may know the vegetable as daucus carota, but we just call them carrots. They can grow all over the seasons, and there are over one hundred species of carrots of all colors and sizes.

The good thing about organic carrots is that they have wonderful nutritional benefits, like helping to prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as its good for eyesight. Here are few great nutritional benefits of organic carrots.

Strong antioxidants

Powerful Antioxidants, help to fight from cell damage done to the body by toxins that find their way from our environment into our bloodstream. Along with wonderful antioxidants like vitamin C, carrots contain phytonutrient antioxidants like beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has some outstanding benefits, and may protect the body from lung cancers, stomach, cervix, colon, uterus, and the oral cavity.

Nutrients rich

Along with 400% of your daily vitamin A, a serving of carrots will provide nutritional vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E and K, and also plenty of fiber, potassium and manganese. Organic carrots have a little bit of everything. This vitamin rich vegetable has the highest amount of carotene when compared to other fruits and vegetables. In addition it is an excellent source for vitamin B, C, D, E and K. You can eat them raw or cook them as you wish.

Eye Care

The retina of the eye needs vitamin A to function. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid pigment which is an essential antecedent for vitamin A. Deficiencies in vitamin A are the leading causes of blindness in the developing world. Lack of vitamin A can also lead to Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness. Extra vitamin A can prevent night blindness as well as fighting macular degeneration and the formation of cataracts to keep your eyes healthy.

 

Protect from cardiovascular disease

There is a direct connection between eating more carrots and lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease. Carrots contain a variety of antioxidants and polyacetylenes which, together, provide a protective shield to the heart, Making carrots part of your everyday diet is an excellent way to prevent heart related disease, and to maintain your cholesterol level (a major factor for heart disease). Eating root vegetables like organic carrots also lower the chances of having a heart attack.

Good for your teeth

Carrots act as natural coarse, stimulate your gums and cleaning sticky plaque from your teeth. They help keep your teeth clean after meals by stimulating saliva to help scrub stains on your teeth. The minerals found in carrots will also help killing germs in your mouth and prevent tooth damage.

Reduce the risk of heart problem

A study from Harvard University indicates that eating more carrots can reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. The study suggests that eating more than five carrots a week can greatly reduce this risk of heart stroke.

Hair Benefits Of Carrots

Since years, carrots have been known to promote hair growth and add thickness to the hair. Being loaded with vitamin A, carrots offer the following benefits for your hair.

 Help to control Hair loss:

Carrots are great for combating hair loss as they provide your hair with vital vitamins, making them stronger, thicker and shinier. Drinking carrot juice makes your hair healthy. This is the best benefit of carrots for the hair.

 Hair Growth:

 Consuming 2 to 3 glasses of carrot juice daily stimulates the hair growth and thickens your hair. Vitamin C and Vitamin E in carrots improve the circulation in the scalp, thus helping hair growth and prevent premature graying of hair.

Source: http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/29/organic-carrots-nutritional-benefits/