When I was much younger I had a Marie Claire health and beauty book. I can still picture some of the images of young girls with toned bodies and glowing skin doing cartwheels on the beach. I don't really remember much of that book but I do remember that it had a whole page on how fantastic drinking lemon tea in the morning is for you.
Being young and impressionable, I insisted on starting my day like this for weeks but being a teenager, I soon forgot about it. I've gone back to it every now and then since but most recently, on my trip to South America last year, I drank it every morning religiously. Among other things, it's said to kick-start your metabolism and help with managing weight which was just what I needed when travelling for 5 weeks just two months before the wedding.
It must have done something because despite indulging more than I should have, I came back exactly the same weight as I left (I did have a stomach bug at one stage though which might have helped).
A year later I'm back on the lemon tea bandwagon. It's quite a morning ritual for me now. If I visit your blog in the morning, I'm most likely commenting as I sip on my lemon tea. I've stuck at it for three weeks now and I don't intend on giving up.
The thing that can be rather tedious is preparing it every morning but I had a stroke of very simple genius a couple of weeks ago.
I'm sure most people will think I'm mad for suggesting this is genius but it sure changed my mornings. Now, instead of having to cut and juice and strain every morning I just pop out a lemon ice-cube and pour over some boiling water. Easy = much greater likelihood of me sticking to it.
I have the juice of half a lemon in my tea (some people just have a slice) which filled one cube perfectly. I zested all the lemons first so there was absolutely no wastage and now I have a nice little supply in my freezer ready for baking and cooking.
It also means that when lemons are in season (I hang my head in shame at buying imported lemons at the moment) you can stock up and have a healthy supply ready to go.
So why drink lemon tea in the morning? Here are just a few suggested benefits I've found if you drink it in the morning first thing. I'm not claiming any of these, this is just what I've read:
- It's good for your stomach and digestive system. There are many specific benefits (some of which are a little yuk) but if you're interested, Google.
- It can help with fever when you're sick, which is probably why I always find lemon and honey to be soothing when I have a cold or flu.
- It can relax your mind and body and so reduce blood pressure because it acts as a blood purifier.
- Can help you lose weight faster.
- Reduces throat infections (see point 2 as well).
- Apparently it has anti-aging properties (because it's so high in vitamin C) and can reduce blackheads, wrinkles and make you glow. I think this is what it said in my Marie Claire book all those years ago. I vaguely remember a very glowing face on the page.
I'm yet to see many of the benefits but at the very least, it can't be bad for you so I'm sticking with it.
What about you? Do you have any morning rituals. Anyone who has been a regular lemon tea drinker and seen the benefits?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lemons
- hot water
- ice cube tray
- zip lock plastic bag
Instructions
- Zest the lemons and place the zest in a zip-lock bag.
- Juice the lemons.
- Strain the juice and then pour into the ice-cube tray.
- Freeze until solid.
- Transfer cubes to a ziplock plastic bag.
- When it's time for tea, place a cube in a tea cup and cover with boiling water.
- Drink (maybe add a little cold water) through a straw.
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Claire Saunders says
Hi Claire!
I have been searching for a tea that has these benefits. I've tried all sorts of herbal teas but I didn't stick with them because they tasted yucky and I couldn't strain all the tea ingredients out so the tea had "things" in it. Anyway my daughter and I are going to start the lemon tea routine. It's great that it has benefits for both of us--the tea for clearing up her face and for me the wrinkles that are coming! Thanks- Claire
PS. Love your name ;). It was my grandmothers' name.
Claire says
Thanks Claire. Can't really take credit but I like my name too!
Lemon tea first thing in the morning really is great. So easy too and cheaper than fancy teas!
karry-ann baldwin says
I'm going to try it lemon tea thank you
Sal says
As a devoted drinker of lemon tea, I am loving this ice cube idea. I can't wait to try it!
Claire says
It's great isn't it?!
Martine @ Chompchomp says
Such a refreshing way to start the day. I'm currently addicted to lemon and ginger tea in the morning. I'm sure it kick starts me better than my coffee (which I still have!)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I've been drinking lemon tea for ages now and also wrote about it on my week in the life of eating. The only thing I'd caution you with is drinking it through a straw as the lemon is very acidic and can wear on enamel. Other than that, I think it's fantastic :)
Claire says
Oh I forgot to mention that! I've drunk it through a straw since I read your post on the detox. I was very impressed, I couldn't have done that!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Oh good! I wouldn't have wanted to happen to that lovely smile of yours!
Claire says
:-)
GourmetGetaways says
I think I may have had the same Marie Clair book!
I think your method is absolutely genius, I love lemon but have never though to do this with the zest and juice.
I even have some limes in the fruit bowl which are more yellow than lime because I haven't done anything with them. Thanks for sharing :)
Claire says
Thanks! I'm guilty of the forgotten lime too. Now it's just taking the time to juice and zest them all ready.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I have heard that this is good for you but it always seemed like too much work. But I love the idea of freezing it - that's genius! And your pictures are so pretty, it's relaxing just to look at them.
Claire says
I can't believe it took me so long to come up with it Stephanie! So much easier and the bonus is that if you need lemon juice for anything else you've got it ready.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet says
Great Idea freezing the lemon tea and then topping it with hot water to make lemon tea :) I'm going to have to make this soon ~ I heard lemon is good for weight loss too hehe
Claire says
Apparently Daisy! That would be a nice bonus :-)
Jess says
Claire - I am so glad you shared that tip! I too have read many many times how good it is to drink this in the morning, but I've never been able to get my act together and actually do it. Not even once - woops. ;) The freezing in ice cubes may be the answer I need.
Claire says
Well I know you love freezing as much as I do Jess so definitely your answer!
vanessalillian says
My experience of travelling in South and Central America is it's the extra walking that balances out the steak, the burritos and the lomo saltado. And of course the obligatory stomach upset(s)!
But I'm definitely interested in your lemon theory and I like what you've done with freezing it. Might have to give it a go. It looks like a good idea for times when you don't want a caffeinated hot drink.
Claire says
Ahh yes Vanessa but not when you're on a cruise! Yes that's true too actually it's a nice warm drink when you want it. Add a little honey for something sweet.