Lemonade.

Yesterday I had a hankering for some authentic LEMONADE. The craving always hits when the sun is shining bright and I'm feeling parched. Anyways, I was at the supermarket and picked up Newman's Own Old Fashioned Roadside Virgin Lemonade. Ingredients: Pure Filtered Water, Sugar, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lemon Pulp, Lemon Oil ... as it should be -- no "lemon flavor" or high fructose corn syrup. Not only was Newman's Lemonade a dollar cheaper than "Simply Lemonade" {which isn't simply lemonade...because it contained lemon flavor, coloring, and even more unnecessary stuff!} but with Newman's Own I know that I'm supporting a cause. Since 1982 over $270 million has been given to thousands of charities. But the cause that I love best is Newman's "Hole In The Wall" Camps For Children With Serious Illnesses, Laughter Is The Best Medicine. After Newman's passing I read a very touching article written by a woman who's son had attended one of these camps, and how it had affected her life and the happiness of her son. Here's a bit about the camp:

Our Mission

Hole in the Wall Camps is a nonprofit umbrella organization that serves a global family of camps for children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions as well as camps in formation. Since its founding in 1988, the family of Hole in the Wall Camps has provided more than 119,374 children with a camp experience, all free of charge.

The Association of The Hole in the Wall Camps is a not for profit umbrella organization set up to serve existing Hole in the Wall Camps as well as camps in formation. Our mission is to extend the magical Hole in the Wall Camp experience to as many children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions as possible.

Our Philosophy

The family of Hole in the Wall Camps provides children from all 50 United States and 39 countries worldwide who on a daily basis face challenges associated with serious illnesses, a respite from their day to day lives and into a carefree, fun environment. Throughout their time at camp, the children are encouraged to challenge themselves through camp activities, skill building projects and teamwork exercises. All of the camp activities are designed to allow full participation by the children despite their medical conditions and abilities. This program encourages children to achieve things they never thought possible, and leave camp with a sense of accomplishment.

All of the camps are free of charge and are staffed by a 24-hour, highly-trained medical team, a dedicated program staff and enthusiastic volunteers from all over the world.

Our Hole in the Wall Camps

Paul Newman and friends founded the first Hole in the Wall Camp in 1988 to allow children who have been cheated out of their childhood because of illness to regain a sense of self, a joy in life. As the need for summer camps specific to children living with serious medical conditions increased, so did Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC). Today, the family of Hole in the Wall Camps is reaching children all over the world, with the idea that laughter is the best medicine.

Aside from the summer camp season, HITWC offer year-round programs that go above and beyond the traditional sessions, which include:

• Family & sibling camps that allow the entire family to find comfort and support in other families facing similar situations
• Bereavement camps that help families cope with the loss of a child
• Reunion camps that bring former campers and staff together
• Specialty camps, such as Double H’s adaptive ski program that offers exciting opportunities for children to experience new adventures
• Hospital Outreach Programs designed to restore joy and laughter in the lives of children who are too ill to leave the hospital and attend camp

PAUL NEWMAN

Paul applied his greatest commitment and derived his deepest satisfaction from his quiet work in philanthropy. He used his influence, gave of his financial resources, and personally volunteered to advance humanitarian and social causes around the world. He accomplished this with an uncanny ability to break new ground. In 1982, he founded Newman’s Own Inc., which was one of the first food companies to use all natural products. Today, Newman’s Own, Inc. is a successful food business of which all net royalties and profits after taxes are donated to thousands of charities worldwide through Newman’s Own Foundation. As of August 2009, over $280 million has been awarded to grantee recipients in all 50 states and in 31 countries around the world.

While Paul Newman was a Hollywood star of extraordinary celebrity and a person recognized for exceptional commitment and leadership for philanthropy, he lived his life as an ordinary person, which he always considered himself. He was a man of abundant good humor, generosity, and humility.

SO, next time you are at the supermarket, maybe spend a few extra cents to buy a brand with integrity...a brand that actually gives back, and asks for nothing in return. A side tidbit of why I love John Newman is because he was married to his wife, Joanne Woodward, for 50 years. When asked how he managed such a long marriage in Hollywood he said "Why fool around with hamburger, when I have steak at home?". Classic.

Alas, you cannot make it to the store to buy Newman's Own Lemonade...here is my favorite at home recipe for some "CLOUDY LEMONADE"

Ingredients

- 4 cups chilled club soda or carbonated water/ water - 2 whole unwaxed lemons, cut into eighths - 1/4 cup superfine sugar - Ice cubes

Instructions

Put the water, lemons, and sugar into a blender in two batches, and blitz until the lemon is pureed

Sieve the lemonade into a pitcher, pressing down into the sieve, then pour into tumblers filled with ice