Creative uses for Citrus:
Flower Arrangement with Citrus Vase-
Select your favorite glass vase and line the sides with circular slices of citrus. Next place your flowers in the vase and fill the spaces of water with additional citrus.
Citrus Jello Shots- Cut your citrus in half and scoop out the inside. Wash inside and outside with water and pat dry. Boil 1 cup water and add 1 package of flavored gelatin. Stir in gelatin and remove from heat. Next add a chilled mixture of 1 cup vodka(or the alcohol of your choice) and 1/2 cup water. Make sure this is very cold to help jellow set. Pour into citrus halves and let sit overnight( orat least 4 hours.)
Citrus Clove Tealight Candles- Select an orange and carve a hole on top just large enough to fit the candle. Place the candle in the hole and line the outside of the candle with approximately 20 cloves by sticking htem directly into the orange.
Citrus Salt Scrub- First, Blend 2 slices of orange and 2 slices of lemon. Then add 1/2 cup Olive Oil and 1/2 cup Sea Salt. Blend until smooth. This will keep for 2 weeks.
Citrus Sugar Scrub- Blend 2 slices of orange and 2 slices of lemon. Next add 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup sugar. Blend until smooth and store in an airtight container.
Citrus Potpouri-
Dehydrate the slices of citrus by leaving them in the sun or placing them in the oven at about 140 degrees Farenheit for 8 hours on a wire rack. Make sure to thinly slice the citrus. Use a variety of citrus such as Blood Oranges, Lemons, Oranges, and Tangerines. Once dried, mix with cinnamon sticks and cloves(optional). Store in a bowl or mesh bag.
Triple Citrus Cupcakes
Cleaning uses:
Brighten Hair- Lemon juice can speed up the natural blond highlights blond hair gets from sunshine when left in, but it can also brighten and re-fresh all hair, removing product build-up. Mix 1 part lemon juice with 4 parts water, rinse hair with lemon water and then rinse clean with clear water.
Clean Cutting Boards- The best way to clean cutting boards - plastic or wood - is to rub them with a cut lemon half. For stubborn stains (strawberries, beets) or caked-on bits, use some coarse salt to help scrub the board clean. Rinse well and dry.
Clean Garbage Disposal- Running juiced lemon shells or any peel through the garbage disposal will freshen and deodorize it.
Clean Glass- Rub glass with a cut lemon or soak in lemon juice and water to add sparkle back to dull glass. This is especially effective with cloudy coffee pots, pitchers, or decanters.
Soften Cuticles- Mix 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1/2 cup warm water. Soak fingertips in this mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse hands, dry, and push back cuticles.
