When Life Gives You Lemons…

August 20, 2014 is National Lemonade Day! Lemonade originated in the Mediterranean region in the 13th century and the recipe eventually made its way to Europe and then to America. The beverage was sold as an everyday refreshment and as a tonic, used to treat colds and other ailments. In France, you could purchase a glass from street vendors known as “lemonadiers.”

To celebrate National Lemonade Day, make your own homemade lemonade to share with friends and family. Dissolve 2 cups of sugar in 1 cup of hot water. Then stir in 2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 gallon of cold water. Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!

Fun Recipes:

Pink Lemonade Jello Shots:

Ingredients:

12 whole lemons
1 cup pink lemonade
2 packages plain gelatin
1 cup vodka

Directions:

Cut the lemons in half. Scoop out the insides. Add the lemonade to a saucepan; sprinkle the gelatin over the juice. Let it sit for 2 minutes. Heat the lemonade over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vodka. Pour into the lemon halves. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Cut the lemons into half and serve.

Lemonade Cucumber Popsicles: 

*Makes 3 cups of popsicle mix

Ingredients:
1 cup julienned seedless Cucumber
1 fresh squeezed Lemon, remove any seeds
2 cups cold Water
Natural Sweetener added to taste (use your favorite).
Maple Syrup, Honey & Agave are good too.

Directions:

Slice lemon in half & squeeze it over a strainer into 2 cups of cold water. Sweeten lemon water to taste with your favorite sweetener. Fill popsicle molds 2/3 with lemonade. Freeze uncovered for about 1 hour. Take pops out of freezer. Scrape & stir any ice crystals that have formed. Add a spoonful of the julienned cucumber to the pop molds. Be sure to leave a tiny bit of room at the top of your popsicle mold so they don’t overflow when you add the stick. With a popsicle stick or a butter knife, press the cucumber into the mixture so it is evenly distributed. Add your popsicle sticks, freeze pops for another 3-4 hours until solid.

Skin Brightening Lemon Scrub: 

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
½ a lemon freshly squeezed
1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil

Mix all ingredients together. Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion, then shower it off