"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is the optimistic, transformative and sometimes humorous approach the author takes on the challenges she has faced in her life. Using original poems and stories illustrated with images of sunshiny vintage lemon packing labels as well as original photographs, the author vividly portrays her triumph over the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" known as life. The concluding essay is by Dilgo Khentyse Rinpoche, whose Tibetan Buddhist meditation called Dzogchen the author credits for enriching and transforming her journey.