Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Back to Basics - Beverages


Today's kids spend entirely too much time indoors on nice sunny days. They are plugged into TV and video games and computers, missing out on 'the good stuff'! When I was younger, the good stuff consisted of creating our own fun, and reaping learning experiences. My friends and I would paint with watercolors for hours, and then go door to door offering our fabulous art work for sale, much to my mothers' dismay (she probably wondered what the neighbors were thinking, that her husband could no longer afford to feed his family?!?)! We painted pictures of horses and dogs for the animal lovers, flowers and sunny skies for nature lovers, and even produced CLOWNS for the boldest of art lovers! Such fun we had, and yes - we did earn a few cents here and there!

While we painted pictures, other neighborhood kids had lemonade stands. That's the GOOD stuff! Back then, Kool-Aid was the wonder drink - came in a package that you opened, added water and sugar, and Wha-LAA! Instant refreshing beverage! Easy-Peasy!Nowadays, you can buy bottled lemonade, lemonade with artificial sweeteners, lemonade as an additive to alcoholic beverages - who'd have thunk it back in 1950's? My favorite lemonade has always been the kind that is sold as fresh squeezed, at the County Fairs. Lemon Shake-ups! Tastey, but pricey, it is generally sold for between $3 and $5 a cup-full! My wallet says YIKES, when I know I could make it at home, where the lemons are '2 fers' at the local market!
Here's my recipe for Luscious Lemonade, organic style!

Wash and juice 4 organic lemons. (You don't need an electric juicer - pull out one of those vintage hand juicers - they work great and add a bit of nostalgia to the process! What FUN!) Put the peels in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup honey and 1 quart boiling water, and let sit for 30 minutes (this will release the lemon oil from the peels). When the peel mixture is cool, remove the peels and stir in the lemon juice. Chill, and garnish with fresh mint!

No powdered mixes, no high-fructose corn syrup - just REAL old-fashioned Lemonade!



17 comments:

BrittanyMarie said...

That sounds yummy, I think I might try that!

Mrs Cullen said...

mmm, lemonade sounds awesome :P

Yeah, you can buy those shells with the characters and stuff on them but i sort of like the natural ones :)
haha
how old are his kids?

April said...

I love real lemonade...your recipe is a keeper! I agree about kids spending too much time indoors. When I was younger, I was outside all day long! I insist that my girls go outside and take walks with me at our local park everyday. Good for the soul!

Chatty Crone said...

That sounds wonderful - I'm going to hard copy that recipe. The mint sounds like a great touch.

Your right - when I was young I was outside from morning to night.

I think communication and organized sports has a lot to do with kids not playing out so much.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

I was the same way. I spent so many of the daylight hours playing outside and I knew that the moment the street lamp came on, I'd better high tail it home or else. In the summer months I was always swimming in the pool. While "today" is different for my kids, I do limit their tv, computer and video game time and encourage outdoor play. They have the same street lamp rule as well..."don't make me whistle for you!"
As for lemonade, your sounds yummy but with a family of seven, we go through it fast so alas, it's the mix for us.

Angela said...

That sounds good! I've never heard of boiling the rinds like that.

I was watching the news and seen the radar that it is raining at my house and my kids were outside playing in the rain! lol I had to call them in. It took 2 times to get them in. It is a cool 69 degrees outside with 94% humidity. They are now inside playing with legos and ds games! lol

Hugs,
Angela

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

"Lemonade, lemonade,
Made in the shade
And stirred with a spade..."

That old rhyme...

I like yr recipe. When people PRESS the peels, the bitterness comes out, but with your oil-extraction method that won't happen!

LADY JANE said...

Wooooo...I love to make lemon shake ups! I once had a recipe for homemade lemon italian ice...hmmmmm....gooooooooooooooooing to have to look that one up! Have a great day...no lemons here...fun post!

ocmist said...

You brought back the memories again! That's one of the main reasons I love reading your posts... that and the recipes! We were always outside, too. I was usually galloping up and down the ditch beside my Mom's house or taking care of my Breyer Horses, etc.

My kids spent most of their time outside too... especially when we moved out here. They took the motors out of old lawn mowers and then sat in the hole and rode them down the steep hill in our side pasture, besides riding the horses and looking for snakes, etc.

My Mom had a Lemon tree (Sister's place now and it is still there) and we used to make lemonade and sell it. I STILL love the fresh lemonade and my Little Bear had a blast when I showed him how to make it with those old glass squeezer things.

I've never tried anything like your recipe, but it sounds really wonderful! I'll have to give it a try. I also just add mint leaves to water and a little sweetener and make iced Mint water, too.
Linda

Anonymous said...

Life was so simple when we were growing up. I remember those lemonade stands. Thank you for this recipe. It sounds delicious!

Shirl said...

Hello, I'm still making my Blue Monday visits. Thank you so much for stopping by. Loved your blue post, how cute. This post with the lemonade looks delish. I love home made lemonade.
Thanks for sharing!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Gosh, you did bring back lots of memories. Such a good post! Love the recipe!
Our poor neighbors were always answering my knock at their door. I'd sell potholders, girl scout cookies, school things...egad, they should have locked the door, and pulled the shades. Kids were always inventing ways, in our day, to make a little mad money. We were very creative, and thinking, and free to follow our ideas. Kids today don't have that. They're so used to organized activities...and not being on their own to think and choose. Oh well...progress, eh?

Ann said...

Oh my...you've brought me back to my childhood days... and memories of Kool-Aid and lazy summer days.

Barbara Jean said...

OOOH. Yum Yum!!

I have my Get R Done up and running.
Going to bed shortly so will leave you my posting info.

thanks for hosting.
Anxious to see what you have to share. =0))

barbara jean

http://treasuresfromtheheartgifts.blogspot.com/2009/08/get-r-done-friday-exspressly-corgi-and.html

Fifi Flowers said...

I use a mixture of Country Time Pink Lemonade and REAL lemons from my tree... it's YUMMY!!! NEED to make a new batch tomorrow and sit and read under an umbrella... oh yes that sounds perfect!

Lynn said...

Love that little lemonade sign!
Fresh Lemonade! My grandmother's treat for us on hot summer days. The hardest part was waiting all day for her to decide it was chilled enough to serve.

I've continued through all these years to make fresh lemonade. It's our drink of choice and there's always some in the fridge or being mixed. Grandma sweetened hers with sugar, of course. We use agave and a bit of stevia. Gets rave reviews from everyone!

Lynn said...

Love that little lemonade sign!
Fresh Lemonade! My grandmother's treat for us on hot summer days. The hardest part was waiting all day for her to decide it was chilled enough to serve.

I've continued through all these years to make fresh lemonade. It's our drink of choice and there's always some in the fridge or being mixed. Grandma sweetened hers with sugar, of course. We use agave and a bit of stevia. Gets rave reviews from everyone!