A Twist in the Tale of Traditional Lemonade Days

Just this past Tuesday, we celebrated another Lemonade Day, but let’s not mix it up with the familiar National Lemonade Day in May. While the May event focuses on nurturing young entrepreneurs through the classic lemonade stand experience, August 20th is dedicated purely to the love of lemonade itself. This delightful summer staple has quenched thirsts and sweetened palates since the mid-17th century, proving its timeless appeal.

Lemonade Through the Ages

Tracing its roots back, lemonade has not only served as a refreshing beverage but also played a role in historical commerce, with vibrant scenes of lemonade vendors dotting the streets of Rome and Paris centuries ago. These spirited beginnings highlight the drink’s integral part in social settings and its evolution into a symbol of leisure and refreshment.

The Essence of Lemonade Day

Today, Lemonade Day on August 20 serves to celebrate this iconic drink in all its glory, inviting everyone to savor its sweet, refreshing zest. It’s a day to appreciate lemonade’s simplicity and versatility, perhaps inspiring you to experiment with creating your own perfect blend. Whether you like it still, sparkling, sweet, or tart, lemonade continues to spark joy and creativity.

Beyond Just a Beverage

However, Lemonade Day is more than just about enjoying a delicious drink; it aligns closely with the larger mission of Lemonade.org. This organization is dedicated to preparing youth for life’s adventures through entrepreneurial and experiential learning, primarily by encouraging the traditional act of running a lemonade stand. These activities imbue young minds with crucial skills in business and customer service, cultivating future leaders and innovators.

Lemonade Variations to Explore

While classic lemonade remains a beloved choice, the world of lemonade variations is vast. From the cloudy lemonade favored in North America to the fizzy versions popular in the UK and Australia, this beverage transforms to match regional tastes.

Try This Simple Lemonade Recipe

In celebration of Lemonade Day, why not try making your own batch? Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

• Ingredients:
• 1 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6-9 lemons)
• 1 3/4 cup sugar (adjust based on your preference)
• 7 cups cold water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices for garnish
• Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is fully dissolved to create a simple syrup.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining water. Adjust sweetness and tartness as desired.
3. Add ice and lemon slices to the pitcher or serve directly into glasses garnished with lemon slices.

Embrace the Spirit of Lemonade Day

Whether you decide to whip up your own lemonade or support a local lemonade stand, remember every sip celebrates a rich history and a brighter future. So here’s to Lemonade Day—may it be filled with refreshing moments and sweet memories!

Further Reading and Celebrations

Curious about more lemonade facts or how you can participate in next year’s May Lemonade Day event focused on youth entrepreneurship? Visit Lemonade.org for more information, tips, and ways to get involved.

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Let’s raise a glass to the sweet simplicity and bright future of lemonade. Cheers to Lemonade Day!

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/episodes/stm-daily-news-starliner-stuck-in-space-new-blue-origin-mission-so-cal-metrolink-innovations-and-more

LAKEWOOD, Colo. /PRNewswire/ — August is a month that inspires everyone to gobble up  the last, tastiest bits of summer. Summer nostalgia seems to burn the brightest in August. From the sounds of kids splashing in a pool, to peaceful nights with starry skies and the calming buzz of insects, to backyard get-togethers with family and friends and sweet summer treats…like pie! To commemorate its 69^th anniversary, Natural Grocers® proudly introduces a limited-edition Pecan Caramel Pie coffee to its collection of Natural Grocers® Brand Products. Fair Trade Certified™ and organic, this Always Affordable℠ ground gourmet coffee is on sale ($6.99/10 oz) August 9 – September 7, 2024, while supplies last.^[i]  Customers can stock up now and enjoy this toasty addition long after summer has passed.

HAVE YOUR PIE & DRINK IT TOO
Sustainability, quality and community are behind every Natural Grocers Brand Product, including this limited-edition variety of Pecan Caramel Pie flavored coffee. The company is committed to source 100% organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee for its private label brand and was the first national private label grocery line to execute to this high standard challenge since 2018.^[ii]

Pecan Caramel Pie

 “Our 2024 Anniversary Coffee is from the same trusted supplier that has provided our entire selection of Natural Grocers Brand Organic Coffee,” said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing at Natural Grocers. “It comes in BPA-free bags, and is certified organic and fair trade, from an employee-owned company which has demonstrated the same enthusiasm for taking care of their neighbors as they do for making great coffee since 1935.”

PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES
The 2024 Anniversary coffee blend is one of twelve variations of the company’s decadent, yet affordably-priced house brand coffees, each supporting the effort to expand the Natural Grocers Brand Products line.

• Roasted in the USA from Globally Sourced Coffee Beans
• Made from 100 % Arabica Beans
• Organic and Fair Trade Certified
• Made with Natural Flavors
• No Artificial Flavorings, Colors, Additives or Preservatives Added
• Available in 10 oz.
• Packaged in BPA-Free Bags

RECENT ADDITIONS AND COMING SOON
Established in 2016, the house brand presently includes over 800 high-quality products, exclusively available at Natural Grocers stores. Learn more about Natural Grocers’ product standards by clicking here. Recent additions to the Natural Grocers Brand Product Line include items such as three new flavors of Baked Organic Dog Treats, an entire collection of vegan, gluten-free and Fair Trade Certified Castile Soaps and eight scrumptious varieties of Organic Cereal. Customers can expect to see more premium-quality additions at Always Affordable Prices℠ to the house brand line, including three new varieties of frozen pizzas and additional seasonal flavored coffees, expected in stores this fall.

• Click here for a media kit featuring the new 2024 Anniversary Coffee, courtesy of Natural Grocers.
• To request media samples, or for any press-related questions, please contact Katie Macarelli: kmacarelli@naturalgrocers.com.

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers’ flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its “Commitment to Community” and “Commitment to Crew”. In fiscal year 2023, the Company invested $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 169 stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.  

^[i] Offer available from 8/09/2024 to 9/7/2024 and is redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at participating stores. Quantity limited to stock on hand, no rainchecks. Unless otherwise noted, all discounts are on regular prices, cannot be redeemed for store credit or cash and cannot be combined with other offers. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

^[ii] For more information on the Fair Trade™ Certified Sustainable Coffee Challenge, visit https://www.fairtradecertified.org/news/sustainable-coffee-challenge/.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Advertisement

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

Aim for Healthier Hydration with a Habit-Building Beverage

Aim for Healthier Hydration with a Habit-Building Beverage

(Family Features) Begin building tiny, healthier practices into routines you already have to help make it easier to establish habits you can stick to. This concept is called “habit stacking,” and it can help you improve habits from morning to night.

Consider those busy mornings when you need an on-the-go solution rather than opting for sugary foods and drinks, turn to Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies that include unsweetened green tea. When incorporated as part of an overall healthy diet, unsweetened tea can support heart health.

This no-sugar-added recipe from Lipton, a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign, can help you enjoy healthier mornings while checking emails or hydrating before heading to the office.

Choosing beverages with no added sugars can contribute to a healthy heart, according to the  American Heart Association, making these smoothies perfect for building into a morning routine. Because it’s predominantly water, which is needed to keep your body running at its best, unsweetened tea provides a delicious way to hydrate without ditching those healthier habits.

Visit Heart.org/eatsmart to find more habits that contribute to heart health.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

• 3          cups water
• 8          single-serving green tea bags
• 16        ounces frozen mixed berries (about 3 cups)
• 2          medium bananas, peeled, cut in half and frozen
• 1          cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
• 2          teaspoons fresh-grated peeled gingerroot (optional)
• 2          teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
• 2          teaspoons chia or flax seeds (optional)

1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
2. In food processor or blender, process tea, berries, bananas and yogurt until smooth. Add gingerroot and vanilla, if desired, and process until smooth. Pour into four glasses. Sprinkle with chia seeds, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving (without optional ingredients): 136 calories; 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 3 mg cholesterol; 23 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 18 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 8 g protein.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association