Back to school is in full swing, and all hats off to parents and teachers for being so brave in navigating the first full weeks of school.
From toddlers to college-age adults, this time of year explodes with hustle and bustle! As a mother and teacher, I know that this time of year is also full of emotions. From the first year of formal school to the first day of last year, there is something about this time of transition that makes us stop and think.
On the one hand, there are those of us who enjoy creating a color-coded calendar marked off as a kind of old-fashioned time clock, but on the other hand, some of us declare that there hasn’t been nearly enough summer to go around.
Some families rejoice in the return of a stable routine, while others may try to get around getting it all done: sports schedules, homework, professional work, managing the household, the list that seems to never end.
Some of us lament that our kids are another year older, others feel overwhelmed by buying all the supplies on our back-to-school lists. However, others celebrate a new pack of crayons and are excited to use a new lunch bag with a healthy bento box full of favorites.
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Whether you’ve been dreading the start of school, or you’re so excited that you can’t sleep, it’s time, and one thing’s for sure, our eating habits are making some adjustments, too. “Tis the season to start meal delivery kits, sign up for weekend meal prep, budget a little extra for takeout, restock your snack bag, or do whatever we need to do to make it happen between now and the holiday.” Holiday.
If you’re excitedly toasting to the new school year or need to wind down a long school week, this refreshing recipe turns lemons into delicious lemonade and is sure to give us some well-deserved satisfaction in especially hot August weather. It so happens that passion fruit puree is, in fact, full of vitamin A and other antioxidants that will help us strengthen our immunity – something that will definitely come in handy this fall.
Whether you’re posting the perfect back-to-school photos or hiding all your first-day snaps, here’s hoping everyone has a safe, growth-oriented school year. I challenge you to sit back and enjoy your last lemonade of summer because very soon, we’ll be counting down to a new calendar year instead!
Rosemary simple syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup of water
4-6 rosemary – leaves removed
Simmer all ingredients over medium heat for five minutes. Then turn off the heat and leave for 30 minutes before removing the rosemary leaves. Set aside to cool.
Real lemons – lemons pre-cut into quarters. 1.5 lemons per 8 ounces of lemonade
100% Real Passion Fruit Puree – I found this brand on Amazon, if you can’t find it at your local grocery store.
Rosemary lemonade
Mix four to six wedges with 1.5 ounces of rosemary simple syrup. Add 1.5-2 ounces of passion fruit puree and 1-2 ounces of your favorite spirit – vodka, gin, or white rum all work well.
Shake vigorously with ice and serve.
Sheridan Lane is the Director of Culinary Program and Operations at Lincoln Land Community College.