When an American Asks for Lemonade...

“I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade...and try to find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party." ~Ron White

    ...this is what they want:

American Lemonade
the juice of five fresh lemons, squeezed (do not cheat and buy bottle lemon juice)
1 cup of sugar (feel free to use honey if you can work out how much or any other healthy sweetener. Just be aware it may affect the taste of the finished product)
1/3 cup of boiling water
cold water up to one quart

Squeeze your lemons, removing the seeds or pips as they call them over here. Pour boiling hot water over the cup of sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon juice, top up with cold water to make 1 quart. Refrigerate until cold. Serve iced. MMmmmmm!

   As with so many things, I had no idea when I arrived over here that ordering Lemonade would get me something unexpected...and unwanted. In the UK lemonade is lemon-lime soda pop. Think Sprite--because that is what you will get. Ugghhh! There is nothing healthy about soda pop--of any flavor.
   On a really hot day there is no better thirst quencher in my opinion than a glass of fresh lemonade. Water hydrates, sugar provides instant energy, and lemons provide Vitamin C which helps support the immune system and collagen production, enhances wound healing; it protects DNA from damage and mutation into cancer cells, prevents cataracts, stops arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by stopping plaque from forming and getting rid of plaque already adhered to artery walls, keeps cholesterol in the bloodstream from oxidizing thereby lessening the chance of a stroke or heart attack, and helps asthmatics with lung function, improving asthmatic symptoms and lessening the body's production of histamines; helps diabetics regulate blood sugar levels, and has been shown to effectively treat pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Vitamin C increases sperm counts, fights periodontal disease and assists in treating Parkinson's disease!
   Before the British Navy figured out how to access and use lemon juice to fight scurvy, it regularly lost half of the sailor's on any given ship, to death from lack of vitamin C. There are a minimum of 110 mgs. of vitamin C in a quart of fresh lemonade. It really does quench thirst and make one feel cooler. American BBQ's are not complete without a large crock of refreshing Lemonade. Try it!!