Crazy about Citrus? Discover a Cornucopia of Citrus!

Some describe it as “the smell of happiness,” as light and bright as sunshine. The fresh, invigorating scent and taste of citrus can lift your spirits and your mood. You can’t get much more refreshing than citrus—be it a lemon, lime, orange or pink grapefruit—or other citrus fruits.

CORNUCOPIA OF CITRUS

Bored with the basics? There are lots of other options to try, like clementines (yay for no seeds), tangerines, tangelos, kumquats, limequats, yuzu, and finger lime. You can also find rare and unique citrus, such as satsuma mandarins, bergamot oranges, desert limes, Meyer lemons, and over 25 different varieties of Japanese citrus fruits.

CITRUSY TEA

Crazy about citrus and tea? Earl Grey may become your staple fav. Bergamot is the citrusy flavor that complements this strong black tea. Try it iced this summer and garnish with a lemon, lime or orange wedge.

CITRUS FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C and adding them to your diet can boost your immune system, warding off illnesses and diseases. You know the old adage—“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, how about an orange?

In addition to vitamin C, citrus fruits are also loaded with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. They are an ideal source of fiber, which aids digestion and can assist with weight loss. Containing phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, citrus can make you healthier and happier, enhancing your mood and reducing hypertension.

The many minerals in these special fruits can help improve bone health, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure. Eating more citrus fruits may also put you at a lower risk for certain types of cancers, including pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal.

CREATIVE CITRUS CREATIONS

Try squeezing an orange or other citrus wedge of your choice in your next wheat beer; a Meyer lemon round in your water; or a lime wedge in your tonic water. You can creatively cook and bake with citrus, drink it, and even clean with citrus essential oils in your cleaning products.

Mix your fav citrus essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba, olive, or avocado oil to make your own massage oil and add several drops to your bath water—along with baking soda and Epsom salt. Uplift, brighten, and refresh your mind, body, and spirit with citrus!

CITRUS SALT

Try different combinations of citrus fruits and see what smells best. Zest your fav citrus fruit(s) and mix with an equal portion of sea or kosher salt. Stir together well. No need to refrigerate. Makes an ideal homemade gift.

SWEET CITRUS SUGAR SCRUB

Ingredients:

¾ cup sugar

½ cup coconut or olive oil

1-2 teaspoons pure honey

½ cup citrus zest

15-20 drops of citrus essential oils (lemon, lime, orange, tangerine and/or grapefruit)

Instructions:

Combine ingredients and stir well. Do a sniff test and decide whether to add more essential oils. This luxurious, yummy-smelling scrub is both exfoliating and moisturizing. Treat your skin and share this marvelous mixture with your loved ones. This makes an ideal homemade gift.

REFRESHING CITRUS SPRAY (FOR SKIN, HAIR, AND ROOMS)

Ingredients:

Citrus essential oils (lemon, lime, orange, tangerine and/or grapefruit)

Distilled or spring water

Instructions:

Add water to a spray bottle, leaving a little room at the top. Add several drops of essential oils. Secure spray top, shake well, and test spray on yourself and in the air next to you. Decide whether you need more essential oils. Top off with more water and fill to the top.

CITRUS COOLER

Love citrus and lemonade? This delicious drink is the best of both worlds and will rock your world! Share, sip, and savor on a hot summer day. Best refrigerated and iced. Yields 1 gallon–16 servings.

Ingredients:

6 lemons

6 oranges

3 limes

3 quarts filtered water

1½ cups sugar or stevia to taste

Sprigs of mint

Instructions:

Pour filtered water into pitcher, squeeze in juice, add sugar or sweetener and stir well. Keep refrigerated, add ice and garnish with a sprig of mint in each glass before serving.

Cheers to citrus and cheers to you! You can’t go wrong with adding citrus to your life. Here’s to your health and happiness!

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Susan B. B. Schabacker

Forsyth Magazines writer since 2018. Susan Schabacker was blessed to be adopted as a baby and made her journey from South Korea to Massachusetts where she arrived safely into her adoptive mother’s loving arms. She later moved to New Mexico and, after a few years, moved to Winston-Salem, NC, to study classical ballet at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts from the eighth grade through high school. Susan has lived in the Piedmont Triad area for nearly 20 years and had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary; London, UK; and Beijing, China, where she studied abroad through Elon University. In Stockholm, Sweden, she had a marketing internship at Hachette-Filipacchi, publisher of Elle and other magazines. She graduated with a B.A. in Corporate Communications and a minor in Dance from Elon University. Susan loves writing and is pleased to have written for Winston-Salem Journal’s "Teen Page," Triad Living, KernersvilleMagazine, and of course, Forsyth Mags. She is a co-author of a children’s book, Huckleberry Robin, based on a three-generation true family story. Susan is grateful for her faith, family, and friends and is happy and excited to be part of the Forsyth Mags team. She spreads the word about Forsyth magazines and enjoys reading and sharing them with her family and friends every month.

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