lemon

Normally, for a special occasion party like a bridal shower, I like to serve a specialty cocktail. But for my friend Melissa's upcoming shower, I'm making a specialty mocktail instead. Several of the guests are pregnant, and to include them in the fun I'll offer these berry-lemon sparklers. They consist of muddled berries with fresh lemon juice and a splash of seltzer for effervescence. For those who prefer to sip something potent, I'll pour sparkling wine. I plan on picking up a case of my favorite girlie bottle, Sofia Blanc de Blancs by Francis Ford Coppola.

I'll also have white wine on ice in case anyone wants to imbibe that. To look at the mocktail recipe I'm going to use, keep reading.

Just because it's the middle of the week doesn't mean you can't enjoy a leisurely meal on the patio. On your way home from work, pick up some chicken pieces, tomatoes, and fresh bread. While the chicken marinates, prep the ingredients for the salad and pour yourself a glass of wine. Then when the grill is hot, toss the chicken on the grill and read a book, watch TV, or catch up with family as the chicken cooks. It really is that simple! To see exactly how to do it, get the recipe now.

Each March, I bake my favorite uncle a cake for his birthday — but this year, I was at a total loss about what to make. It had to be transportable (he lives an hour away) but also unique. That's when I remembered a special cake that I'd tried awhile back.

"This is going to sound weird," a friend told me when she'd brought it over, "but this cake is made from olive oil and rosemary, and it'll blow your mind." She was right!

The earthiness of the rosemary, nutty olive oil, and bright citrus elements really complement one another. The refined cake turned out to be perfect for his understated birthday celebration. Enjoying a piece is like eating a sliver of sunshine. Read more for the recipe.

I'll be watching this year's Academy Awards from a friend's couch, but I've found the perfect drink to sip while getting dolled up for the affair. As a fan of the original sidecar, I couldn't miss the opportunity to try out a sparkling variation of the classic. This version contains all the elements of a traditional sidecar — brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon — but a splash of seltzer and a coarse sugar-coated rim give it an ethereal lift. The beverage itself contains little sugar, so the candylike rim adds a welcome sweetness. With its gilt hue, it's the ideal tipple to serve at an Oscars viewing party. For a cocktail that's worthy of its own golden statue, keep reading.

Seeing PartySugar's menu for a Greek dinner made me realize how long it's been since I've made my favorite Greek dish, avgolemono. If you've never heard of this homey soup (av-what?), avgolemono is a Mediterranean specialty made up of four basic elements: chicken stock, eggs, lemon, and rice. When preparing it, remember to add the hot broth gradually to the lemon-egg mixture, otherwise you will cook pieces of the egg. Prefer not to work with raw poultry? Throw already-cooked chicken breast into the simmer. Or, make it a complete, from-scratch meal by poaching chicken breasts with rice, vegetables, and herbs. See which recipe fits your cooking style when you read on.

After putting together an entire Thanksgiving meal, there's nothing more appealing than a quick simple chicken and pasta dinner. However, uncomplicated and hassle-free shouldn't mean bland and boring. This recipe combines six ingredients to make a innovative and delicious dish. With layers of ricotta cheese, large flat noodles, and seared chicken, it's kind of like a deconstructed lasagna. Don't leave out the olives because they add a punch of salty flavor. Are you intrigued by the sound of this updated chicken and pasta? Then check out the recipe and read more

Once, on a trip to Sorrento, I stayed in a beautiful pied a terre that overlooked a lemon and blood orange grove. At night, the fragrance from the blossoms and newly fallen fruit was intoxicatingly heady, and so heavy that it made me dizzy. Combined with the Sorrento moonlight (and the limoncello), well . . . let's just say that since then, real lemon has been one of my favorite scents. It's so refreshing and cool, with the bitter edge that makes it exciting, too. And lemon can be eminently feminine without being floral or cloying, which is part of what makes it such a singular scent. I'm always nostalgic for Italian sojourns long past this time of year, so I've put together some lovely lemon products that have all the yummy tartness of the original. Take a bite out of a couple yourself — and stay away from the limoncello.

No matter how healthy my lunch is there are still days where I hit that dreaded afternoon slump. My eyes begin to glaze over and I start to zone out at my desk. A quick walk outside usually helps, but, depending on my workload, I can't always get away.

Luckily I've found a quick and simple solution in the form of rosemary or peppermint oil. I know that there are doubts surrounding the validity of aromatherapy, but I definitely feel refreshed after taking a small whiff of these oils — I'm more awake, lifted, and ready to work.

If oils are hard for you to find, keep a lemon at your desk for afternoon sniffing. Citrus fragrances, especially lemons, have been shown to lift people's moods.

Have you ever used aromatherapy as a pick-me-up? If not, how do you beat your afternoon slump? Tell me in the comments section below.

To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, take half of a lemon and pop it into the disposal. If you do this monthly, it'll help prevent icky odors from building up, and keep your sink, disposal, and kitchen all smelling fresh. I've found that using a lemon that's already been juiced works fine as well.

If you already have an odor issue in your disposal, try using half of a lemon followed by a handful or two of baking soda.