Got Limes?
- Limes. Citrus Aurantifolia. Source: Wikipedia
My favorite fruit is of course the gorgeous lime and while there are many many therapeutic reasons to love limes such as:
[...] the health benefits of lime include weight loss, skin care, good digestion, relief from constipation, eye care, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders, etc. – Organicfacts.com
My personal top three reasons why I love limes are:
- Limes make beautiful, cheap centerpieces.
There’s nothing more gorgeous than a natural centerpiece. Of course if it doesn’t cost you an arm and leg to make it yourself, I’m all for it. Limes add a bright burst of green to any room and all you have to do is throw them in a bowl! Easy peasy, limey squeezy.
And when they start to look,well, ick, you can cut the limes in slices and put them down your garbage disposal as an eco-friendly way to clean and refresh it. Read more about that here.
- Insect venom eliminator. Bet you didn’t know this one!
When I was 5 years old, my family took a vacation to the beautiful island of Barbados in the West Indies. This was probably 1980 looking at how old my brother is in the photos, and for kicks my parents rented an open air jeep to tour the island’s sugar plantations. Why do I vividly remember this outing?
Well, for starters I got stung by a yellow jacket while sitting in this super safe jeep. Notice the car seats in the photo above? Yeah, they didn’t have ‘em, and look closely… my brother is tied, yes tied, to the back of his seat with a leash. Yes, a leash. Guess he was runner…
Anyway, it was my first wasp sting and I screamed. I remember the searing pain out of nowhere vividly. My dad screeched over to the side of the road which coincidentally bordered a lime orchard. Somehow, and I have no idea how he knew this, he hopped a fence and grabbed a lime off a tree. Like McGuyver, he bit into it and then rubbed the juice and peel on the site of my throbbing wound. Within minutes, I was pacified. Apparently, the acid from from the fruit neutralizes the alkaline venom of the sting (you can read more here and here).
- And most importantly, I love limes because they are key ingredient in real margaritas of course! My mom’s signature drink.
The Real Margarita
So now you can see why I love the mighty LIME, they can make a room pretty, numb me from pain when combined with tequila and limes can cure insect bites saving me from unbearable pain. Pretty good for a little lime.
Do you have a favorite fruit or vegetable? This post was written in conjunction with the Red Dress Club writing prompt.
Very nice! I love the photos
Limes are awesome. Margaritas are one of my most favorite drinks, totally agree with the natural centerpiece…and I had no idea about using to relieve sting pain! Learn something new every day!
Margaritas are certainly a cure for what ails you, well, except for the hangover. Add the cute cabana boy as the delivery system and some fresh squeezed lime in my guacamole and you’ve got one happy camper.
YUM!
Mmm I *love* limes! I didn’t know most of those uses- except for the margarita of course- but nothing beats that smell!
Funny, I love them too, but had a “difficult” one tonight. didn’t get nearly enough juice out of it for my avocado black bean salsa. Any secrets for picking a good one or getting more juice out? I’ve heard microwave?
I roll ‘em on the counter hard against the palm of my hand. That usually works unless you have a real ‘lemon’ – get it?! ha ha ha!
Wish I’d known about using limes on insect bites. Could have cured several screaming incidents with my daughter. Of course it would have required a grocery stop. No lime trees here. Sigh.
Bet that was beautiful Gen! Would love to see a pic.
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