Lets talk Lemons!
Lemons ~ versatile and zero-waste
For home, kitchen and self-care.
Lemons! One of the most versatile fruits. Many people with a backyard have a lemon tree. Even those that have no backyard can have a dwarf version for their balcony. For those that don’t grow, like me, I’m a brown thumb, you can also buy a lemon or swap a lemon.
Lemons are so versatile in cooking and used for sweet or savory preparations. Other than making things taste delicious lemons also have antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Not to mention the skins or zest has essential oils which not only smell amazing but have lubricating qualities. If you have ever tried to get stickers or grease off anything and have failed, then try some lemon essential oil. There is more to lemons that squeezing some juice over fish or making a lemon meringue pie. Whether you have an abundance of lemons or just one, before using them think of the ‘nose to tail’ approach to a lemon. Before you go to squeeze a lemon, zest it and use the zest. After you have juiced a lemon don't throw the lemon out, you can still use parts of it in other applications. Here are some zero-waste, non-toxic and sustainable options that can be made/done in your home for your home, self-care, and kitchen.
One Fruit Many Uses
Some non-toxic, waste saving ideas
Lemon Cleaning Products
Home
There are many cleaning applications that lemons can be used for due to their antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Cleaning Liquid
Collect juiced lemon and unused zest. Put in a jar, fill with vinegar. Just run of the mill white vinegar. Keep under the sink until the jar is full. Once you have collected enough lemons and the jar is full store the jar in a dark cupboard for two weeks. The essential oils, lemon colour and juice will leach into the vinegar. After two weeks strain the liquid with a fine sieve or muslin cloth. This liquid gold can be used in the following applications and possibly more:
Fabric softener
Dishwasher rinse aid
Front loader mold deterrent, spray on rubber seals
Surface spray ~ half cleaning liquid, half distilled water in a spray bottle
Toilet cleaner ~ Add some eucalyptus to the surface spray listed above
Fire Starters
Dried lemon rind makes an environmentally friendly, non toxic fire starter. Peel the lemon and pop it on a tray in an oven until completely dry. I don’t have a wood fire however someone told me about this. My only question is if you had an open fire, would your house smell like lemon?
Stain remover
Mix lemon juice and bi-carb soda to make a potent stain remover on white clothes. Rub the mix on the stain and leave the item of clothing in the sun. The lemon and the sun act as a bleaching agent and remove the stain.
Lemon Juice Icecubes
KITCHEN
Store for later
While we can generally get lemons all year round when they are in season or if you ever have an abundance of lemons here are some ideas for utilising your lemons so you can use them when you don’t have any fresh:
Lemon Ice Blocks ~ Juice lemons and pour juice into ice cube trays. Keep lemon ice cubes and use in recipes that require lemon juice or add the lemon ice cubes to your favorite summer drink or cocktail.
Zest ~ With a peeler peel the lemon. Place the zest in a low oven or dehydrator and store in a jar in the pantry and use as needed when you don’t have fresh zest.
Preserve lemon ~ beautiful in Moroccan dishes. Top and tail a lemon. Cut an ‘X’ in one end and pour about one tablespoon of salt in that end. Place the lemon in a jar and using the end of a wooden spoon squish the lemon into the jar. What you want to achieve is the juice to spill out so the juice encases the lemon in the jar. Basically you are preserving the lemon in its own juice and salt. Works well when you squish multiple lemons in one jar.
Lemon oil ~ Put lemon zest and olive oil in a jar. The more zest and the longer you steep the zest, the stronger the oil.
The list of what you can make with lemon and preserve is endless; curd, cured fish, lemonade, syrup, marmalade, gelato etc.
Lemon Zest Salt Mix
If you are squeezing half a lemon for the juice, if you don’t plan to put half the lemon to make cleaner, zest the lemon with a peeler first. You can then use the peel for something else or dry it for later. Dry lemon zest in a low oven or dehydrator. Once dry couple the zest with dried rosemary and rock sea salt. This little trio is the perfect topping to foccacia. If you put this mix in a blender or grinder you can refine the salt and its perfect with lamb.
Magnesium bath salts with lemon and rosemary/
SELF-CARE
Due to lemons antibacterial properties there was one point when the world couldn’t get hand sanitizer that I considered washing my hands in lemons! Other than hand wash here are some self-care ideas for lemons:
Bath Salts
Add dried lemon zest, rosemary and magnesium flakes to make a beautifully relaxing bath soak. Warning when you exit the bath people may want to eat you. Just don’t mix your bath lemon salts with your kitchen lemon salts!
Lemon Sugar Scrub
Combine dried and blended lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar and coconut oil for a great sugar scrub for your legs. The perfect lemony exfoliate for your legs.
Morning pick me up
Squeeze lemon juice in water (I like mineral water) for the perfect morning pick me up. Gets your body started for the day and wakes you up with a zing.
Keep the colds away
Boil the kettle and pour hot water in a mug. Add and squeeze and slice of lemon and honey. If you are feeling daring a splash of whiskey to the drink will also put you to sleep.
For advice on your skin care regime best to speak to a beauty therapist and for health advice, your doctor.
Lemons are so versatile in many applications, but sometimes if you have beautiful lemons there is nothing better than cooking with them. From the classics such as lemon meringue pie to the simplicity of squeezing lemon on fish.
We have shared one of our favourite recipes below; lemon biscotti.
What is your favourite lemon recipe? Contact us
Recipe
Lemon Biscotti
Elevate your coffee or tea with this slightly naughty, slightly indulgent soft pillow of goodness.
Click image to view
Words By
Anita La Forgia
Multipotentialite, lifestyle elevator and initiator of Levata
A treechanger who cooks to elevate life. Anita is passionate foodie using local, quality and seasonal ingredients. Living in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria she frequents the local farmers markets each week, with her beloved luggy. Her grandparents instilled the life skills of sustainable living, before sustainable living was a buzz word. She grew up in a restaurant and completing her International degree at César Ritz colleges in Switzerland, the heart land of hospitality, food and service.
Image source: Levata
Credit:
The lovely ladies in my community who provide me with lemon ‘swaps’
Another lovely lady who gave me the idea of dried lemon rind as fire starters.