Citrus- the Natural Mood Enhancer

Scientists have determined that being exposed to various citrus-y scents can actually reduce anxiety and depression. An added benefit comes with
the ingestion of the vitamin C contained in these fruits. In addition to promoting healthy skin, it can also help fight infection and reduce the risk
of having a stroke. So not only is a lovely arrangement of lemons and limes on your table going to look appealing to your eye, they can actually make YOU more appealing in the eyes of others.

One way to incorporate citrus into your life is by burning a delicious-smelling candle. Grapefruit has become a very popular scent recently and will fill your home with uplifting aromas. Lemon is another popular candle scent. Room sprays are also readily available in citrus scents such as orange. You'll notice the difference immediately. I often use a lavender spray when I want to relax, but there's nothing like the scent of citrus to invigorate and energize me.

Another idea is the old standby of turning lemons into lemonade. Don't stop there, though. Orangeade and limeade are equally as delicious. Slice a few thin slices of some of these fruits and float them on the top of a pretty pitcher of limeade. Cut through half of a few thin slices and position them around the edges of the pitcher. Or shave off a long curl of the zest and hang it from the rim of the pitcher or glass.

Explore your favorite beauty supply store or drugstore,too. You'll be amazed at all the wonderful citrus scents being used in shower gels, soaps, even shampoos. There's nothing like dragging yourself to the shower in the morning and then finding yourself rewarded by the stimulating, delicious fragrance of grapefruit.

The citrus family includes many other fruits. Though those mentioned above may be the most popular, tangerines and clementines aren't far behind. In addition, keep your eyes open for the more seasonal Meyer lemons and key limes. Both of these can be eaten out of hand and savored. They aren't nearly as tart as their common cousins.

Another way to add citrus to your life is by growing a miniature tree. They actually produce edible fruits, though they may take longer to grow than you'd expect. Nothing beats having that tropical image before you in a sunny window in the middle of winter. Many varieties can be ordered through catalogs, such as the one from Four Seasons Nursery. You can also grow lemon balm in your garden. It grows quickly and cutting it just stimulates it to grow bigger. Just hang the cut bunches of balm upside down and let them dry in a shady spot in your home. Crush the dried leaves and use them throughout the year as potpourri.

The list is endless. Penzeys offers wonderful lemon and orange extracts, as well as minced and powdered lemon peel. All of these are scent-sational additions to muffins and pies. You can even add a little to cream cheese and spread it on toast or a bagel.

Ponder the ways to bring citrus into your life. You'll feel so much better for it. And while you're pondering, why not enjoy a Daiquiri? After all, it, too, is built around a love of citrus-y limes. Here's the recipe:

3 ounces of rum
1 teaspoon of sugar
the juice of two limes
cracked ice

Shake all the ingredients and pour into a tall cocktail glass.

Sit back and enjoy. Now doesn't that lift your mood?