Got Lemons?

We've all heard the saying: "When life hands you lemons..."

• make lemonade?
• add vodka and make lemon drops?
• make lemon meringue pie?
• clean the kitchen?
• throw them back?

Whatever your answer to the saying may be, lemons are actually quite amazing and you can have them at your fingertips any time of year.  

Lemons add flavor and depth to meats, veggies, fruit salad and beverages. They are a source of legend among small children looking to make some candy money on hot days. They take tea from normalcy to an "Arnold Palmer." (Add vodka and you get a John Daly.) The simple yellow fruit can cook meat. (Add lemon juice to raw tuna, shrimp or other seafood and you get ceviche...yup that's the whole secret).  It can clean your kitchen: the acid in lemons is a powerful antibacterial agent and cuts through grease like whoa and leaves everything smelling so, well lemony.

Research shows that lemons can also promote increased energy levels and metabolism.  What does it all mean? Embrace the lemon and let's help squeeze the negative connotation out into something delightful. 

Amazingly enough, lemon trees are surprisingly easy to grow and you don't have to live in the tropics. They make great house plants, can be fun for the whole family and will keep your pantry stocked with one of the most versatile, natural, organic food and cleaner around.

Start with a lemon seed that hasn't been refrigerated and wrap it in a wet paper towel. Place the paper towel in an unsealed plastic bag to retain moisture and leave it somewhere warm (not hot). Give it a few days, keep it damp and sure enough roots will start to sprout. Once that happens you are ready to place your seed in potting soil. Keep the soil moist (not wet), warm (55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and in a sunny window and sure enough you will have a sprouting 'tree' in no time. Winter will bring you fragrant flowers and you'll have useable fruit in as little as two growing seasons. If you don't want a several year long family project, mature Meyer lemon trees are available at Schartner Farms and /.

What are you waiting for? Take those lemons and make something of it all. Oh and when that happens in life in the figurative sense, try to find the silver lining. You may be surprised at what grows from life's challenges.