Lemons are in season in November, which means now is the perfect time to give them a squeeze and show how much you love them. Used in cooking, beauty treatments and cleaning, lemons have many naturally wonderful powers. If you’re eating them, for example, you’re getting a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and potassium.

Here are some of our favorite reasons to fully commit to your lemon love and grab a whole bag next time you hit the grocery store.

Boost Your Beverages

Fresh lemon juice is an essential element in many classic cocktails, including one of my personal favorites: the French 75. Beyond the world of adult beverages, many nutritionists recommend starting your day with a glass of warm water and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Why? Not only are you getting a dose of immune-strengthening vitamin C, but you’re also gently waking up your digestive system and preparing it for optimum function throughout the day.

Take it a step further and add a lemon slice to your green tea, which boosts your body’s ability to absorb the catechins in the tea. Catechins are the compound believed to reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, and studies have shown that the lemon juice helps you absorb as much as 13 times more catechins than when you drink green tea on its own.

Another bonus: getting your recommended eight glasses of water a day is that much more enjoyable with a slice of citrus.

Add Zest to Recipes

 Lemon zest and juice are staples in my kitchen. Both are essential elements to a delicious batch of hummus. Try it in this super simple recipe I use every time I’m craving a flavorful yet healthy dip for my veggies.

They’re also one of the main flavors in my favorite pasta recipe of all time, which I bust out anytime I’m entertaining and it always gets rave reviews: Nigella Lawson’s Linguine with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms. It’s so simple and so so delicious I could eat the entire batch all to myself!

Lemon juice also makes a wonderful vinaigrette to brighten up your greens. Simply add one part lemon juice to two parts olive oil and your favorite flavorings. I like to add a bit of Dijon mustard, crushed garlic, a squeeze of honey to balance it out, plus a bit of salt and pepper. Yum!

Get a Healthy Glow

Lemons have numerous applications when it comes to your skin care. They’re beneficial for healing acne, removing blackheads, reducing oiliness, and lightening dark spots and discoloration. No other beauty product brings that many amazing benefits for such a small investment!

To enjoy the beauty benefits of fresh lemon juice, all you have to do is cut one in half and rub it all over your face. Wait a few minutes before rinsing it off, and be careful of any broken skin as it may sting. You can also use the juice to exfoliate dry lips. Just apply some juice to your pucker overnight and rinse off in the morning for a smooth canvas for that dark matte lipstick that’s so hot right now.

Keep Your Home Clean

Lemons have multiple applications in the world of house cleaning. Use them to clean countertops, cutting boards, dishes, and even laundry! Check out this awesome list of ways you can use fresh lemon juice to cut grease, kill bacteria and brighten whites without having to use harsh chemicals normally associated with household cleaning products.

Show Your Lemon Love!

When life gives you lemons, don’t pigeon hole them into lemonade, try one of our suggestions and boost your lemon love today. How do you like your lemons?