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Strawberry Peach Lemonade
PIN THIS RECIPE!Life should always include a lemonade in hand when sunshine is a blazin’ during summertime festivities. And when I say festivities, I mean anything you do throughout the day. Workout out – lemonade. Going to the bathroom – lemonade. Walking the dog – lemonade. Yelling at the kids while they ruin the house since they are home from school for the summer – lemonade.
Speaking of kids, over the weekend I went to a BBQ that included all friends that either have children or are pregnant. For me, a person that has no yearning to have children at the moment, I still enjoy talking to people about their kids. I like hearing their different experiences, their ups and downs, the love for their children. I like hearing all of it. What I do not like is when they start hounding me about making babies, even after I say I’m not ready. Or tell me that my husband isn’t getting any younger. It makes me not want to have children even more, just to spite them. I just hate when people act like having children isn’t a big deal. It’s a big f*cking deal. And to someone like me, it’s a very scary deal. I just wish I had more friends that understood that, or at least respected it.
Sorry to get all deep on ya today. These situations just continue to happen and that anxiety weighs pretty heavy on me for a few days after it’s brought up. And it just feels like the weight is completely on me. Whenever these friends bring up having kids or are pushing me to have kids, it feels so disingenuous. Not like they hope I have kids to experience a love that is so incredibly pure, but instead, they hope I have kids so they have someone to commiserate with. That’s what it honestly feels like, whether it’s true or not. It’s just a weird time in my life that feels so private but so in the spotlight at the same time. It’s a weird place to be in as a woman.
Instead, I want to concentrate on a fun trip coming up. My husband has been wanting to rent a house for the whole family for a little family vacation for quite some time now. And we finally decided on Mexico. This won’t be until next year, but it’s still exciting to look forward to. If I was having a baby, we probably wouldn’t go there. Ya know, Zica and kidnappings and all that jazz. But since I’m without child and don’t plan on being with child, we can all go. And I can go to Aspen in a couple weeks. And the Caribbean in August. And I can also drink lemonade in a quiet house, filled with simple puppy snores. Seems like a pretty good deal to me. But who am I to judge? I’m the old 29 year old married woman that still isn’t pregnant. What do I know.
I just thought about what it must be like reading my blog for the first time, knowing nothing about me. Tough one to walk into. But I promise I’m positive 34% of the time!
Strawberry Peach Lemonade
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups roughly chopped strawberries
- 2 cups roughly chopped peaches
- 3/4 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 large lemons)
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Place strawberries, peaches, honey and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and let reduce for 10 minutes. Let cool for another 10 minutes then place in a high speed blender and blend until completely combined.
- Strain mixer through a sieve into a large pitcher and then add lemon and 6 cups of water. Mix to combined then place in the fridge to cool completely.
- Serve lemonade over ice!
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Oh, Hi! I’m Juli.
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49 thoughts on “Strawberry Peach Lemonade”
I have never commented before but had to weigh in today about all the unsolicited kid comments! My husband and I are now expecting our first. We’ve been married 9 years this month and I’m 33. And we waited till we were good and ready! We had a lot of goals – like my finishing my Ph.D and doing lots of travel and Crossfit and getting a dog (and we still have lots of goals!). And you know what? The timing is just right for us. It’s a HUGE life change and everyone has to do it when it’s right for them. But people asked us a lot too, and I hated it. It’s incredibly frustrating that people ask these kinds of questions or just plain give you advice once you hit a “certain age,” and of course, as the woman, you bear the brunt of their nosiness! That was so tough for me too, and I hope you’ll be able to have confidence in your decisions and all of the incredible things you’re doing in your life and tell them so. You don’t have to justify or explain anything. Do your thing girl!!!
People are jerks about having children. Seriously. I don’t understand it. It’s none of their business and if, IF you guys decide to have children, it will be pretty obvious. We were married more than 10 years before we had children, and now that we do- I NEVER ask anyone about it. Plus, I just think it’s rude- maybe you desperately want children and one of you can’t, the reason doesn’t really matter- it’s just no one’s business. People need to shut up about it. And this coming from someone who loves her children, loves being pregnant and birthing (yes! It’s amazing. And sometimes awful- and I was TERRIFIED of it before I got pregnant). Anyway, I’m rambling now- but I am trying to say that I sympathize and I think people can be jerks. And thoughtless. And I apologize for their lack of humanity.
I have posted here before that I am childless by choice. My choice. “None of your business,” is what I say to them. The only thing I can tell you is that at a certain point and/or age, people will stop asking and/or tire of getting the same answer from you. It’s a beautiful day when that happens. Until then, enjoy their children and give them back when you go home.
Stick to your guns. My twin sister and I both have different agendas and she has been married for almost 7 years and they still do not have kids. They absolutely plan on it, but the timing is not right yet. Right now we are trying because it’s wher emy husband and so are. We are 30!!! It’s ok to live your life and I applaud you for that! Enjoy your time with your husband and win Jackson, and do you!
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Juli – you do you. And you look good doing you. As a single 29 year old I experience a whole lot of other questions… and sympathies which I never asked for! UGH
And thank you for putting together a non alcoholic beverage .. seems like so many bloggers ignore my part of the world that doesn’t drink! It’s often frustrating so I appreciate you!!!!!
you can easily make any of my alcoholic beverages virgin simply by removing the alcohol!
I made the decision to be childless in my early teens, and although I was told that I was too young and that I would change my mind later here we are years later and I have not changed my mind. Thankfully my mother understood, unfortunately my older brother did not. I am now in my late 30’s, married with zero thoughts of children and my dear brother still bugs me about making him an uncle.
At first I had a tough time with the endless comments and questions….I even had a person once tell me that I was basically going against God by not having children!! That one was tough, people can really be mean 🙁
I started telling people that I am way too selfish about my own time and energy to have children, and that seemed to cut them off, like they just had no response for me admitting that I was selfish. I’m finally at a point where my inner circle (other than my brother) stopped asking me about children and it’s wonderful!
Whatever you decide to do, people will find a way to comment. Have kids, don’t have kids, have kids too early or too late in life, no matter what you will get comments about it. That’s life, luckily you have super yummy lemonade to sip on as you mentally roll your eyes at their comments 😉
You’re so funny and honest and REAL, Juli!!! Thanks for that. I’m a 42-y.o. woman who never wanted to trade my freedom for a kid, so I can identify and offer support with what you’re feeling. Every decision has positive and negative results, but you’re wise enough to know that. You’re the best, thanks for being you. XO.
Hi Juli! I am 33 and we are childless by choice. I can say that in the last year or so people have finally stopped asking me about it as much. I hope it gets easier for you. I like dogs. No little people that need me 24/7/365 until death. That sounds scary as hell.
Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty or less than for not having children according to their schedules. I’m childfree by choice and plan to remain that way. I’m almost 31, amazingly pleased with the life I’ve built for myself, and thankful to report that *most* of the “when are you going to have children?!” comments have stopped, at least from the people who know me well. Having kids is a HUGE decision that not a lot of people seem to give a second thought to and just do it by default because it’s “expected” of them or some damn thing. I loathe that mindset and though I have no qualms with people who genuinely want kids, I always cheer (at least in my mind if not out loud) when I hear stories like yours or those from people who have chosen not to procreate at all. Someone waiting until they’re ready or not wanting kids at all!? What a novel fucking concept! I say good for you. If you have kids one day when you want them, that’s awesome, and if you decide you never do, that’s also awesome! It’s your body, your life, your journey. There is so much more in this world to define yourself by beyond your parental status and so much you can contribute beyond raising children, but many people seem to lose sight of this, especially once they’ve had kids of their own. There are people out there who are open-minded and respectful of that though, even if they’re few and far between. I hope you find more of them and until then, keep doing what’s best for YOU, and keep kicking out awesome recipes!
I think maybe it’s partly a geographic / work thing – I am 32, live in Boston, work in a corporate office with a bunch of other child-less 30-somethings and no one ever asks me shit 🙂
I also feel like it’s rude to ask in general . What if the person really wants kids and has been trying and is having trouble? Or just had a miscarriage?
Also my BF and I met this couple in their 60s on our last vaca. They had no kids and had travelled all over the world together. Goals!
big time goals
“But since I’m without child, and don’t plan on being with child, we can all go” hahahahaha
I agree. Literally just got married and already all the pressure. It crazy how this happens! Its like we are so accustomed to this routine that anyone who doesn’t follow it is a weirdo. Do you! 🙂
This looks AMAZING!!!! SOOOOOO trying this today <3
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I waited until 34 and 9 years of marriage to have my first, and I am SO happy I did. We traveled, drank a TON of wine when we lived in Napa, spent too much money on nice dinners, and basically had a blast. Plus, I got to focus 100% on my career and I didn’t have to feel guilty about that.
I HATED it when people bugged me about having a baby because I had no desire to have a kid for a long time, and once I did decide that I wanted to have a kid, I went through 2 years of fertility treatments.
Anyway, live it up until you decide you’re ready, and don’t let anyone tell you what’s right for you!
lol. I was 33 and with my husband for 13 years before we had kids. Much like you I spent my 20’s working hard in my career, building a business, traveling and just getting ahead in life. By the time I hit 30 I still didn’t know whether or not I wanted kids…
Live your life to the fullest. Kinda rude of people to ask.
People stopped asking whether we wanted kids as they assumed we didn’t, but then we had our first everyone started asking if we would have another one and when! I’m actually surprised how many people ask this because to me that is private.
I am almost 39, childless by choice, and have heard it all. The best was when a friend casually dismissed my reasons for not having children and said, “but you would look so cute pregnant!”
Riiiight…’cause that’s a great reason to grow a whole new human and be responsible for them for the rest of my life.
I’m single, 30, childless, and failing every single milestone I’ve been brought up to believe I’m supposed to meet. I used to get upset about it and now I just blankly stare at people when they try to engage in conversations about that stuff. It’s so frustrating that we have these expectations put on us where we’re supposed to meet at a certain age or point in our relationships or else we are seen as not on track or “normal”. I totally relate to this post and appreciate it.
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My husband & I have been together for 13 years, married just over a year and I am in the same boat.. The commentary is not as bad with my friends but more so family. The crazy thing is that we have 11 nieces & nephews between us both so why do people feel like we just HAVE to pop out kids?! Better yet, why is it their business?! If I were to say “well you already have several so why do you insist on having more” then I’d be the jerk but others can basically judge for not? I honestly just feel like the people around us who act like that are jealous that we don’t have them because we get to do whatever the hell we want, lol. Ugh. Don’t mean to rant but I have read your blog for yearsss and I can completely sympathize with your situation. Love ALL the food, beauty and fitness posts as I stalk you on here, IG and snapchat <3
yes! i hate that double standard!
My husband and I were married TEN years before we had our son. I was 37 when I had him – and I don’t regret that decision ever! It is a huge decision and it’s OK to be selfish right now! You enjoy yourself and tell everyone to GFY
XO
People always get a little confused and upset when other people are not following the deadlines and rules they have in their mind. I do this myself sometimes. Nothing to worry about.
I love the lemonade, and perfect for the first day of summer! Will need to load up with some fruit tomorrow!
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Okay, so here’s my take. The thing that is expected of you by everybody is highschool-college-marriage-kids-more kids. I have FOUR kids and people STILL say, “About time for another one isn’t it?!” Um, no. I have done my time, these kids all know how to swim and brush their teeth and sleep all night and follow our two rules (1. eat something green every day 2. don’t be a dick), factory closed.
People are always going to ask, and to them it’s like asking about the weather or the traffic or your job-just something to talk about. You can’t change that, so the only thing you can change is your own reaction. When they say “When are you going to have kids?” you just smile and say, “I’m going to Mexico!” And think about the fact that those people can’t travel without a tiny human strapped to them and sucking the life out of them and getting diarrhea and making the trip numpty-nine jillion times more complicated and freaking expensive. There are great things about having kids, but they are HARD and they are forever.
I am totally in awe and respectful of people who don’t want kids, know it, and honor themselves by sticking to that decision rather than making themselves and their children miserable by having kids they didn’t actually want. I know TOO many people in that situation. So I say, take the advice you give us, and that you give everybody who tells you cheese isn’t Paleo, and YOU DO YOU.
I have learned over the last few years that everything people do or say has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. They could very well be pushing because they’re not able to deal with the fact that you are still free to do whatever you want whenever you want and they want you to do what they’re doing so they feel better about their own decision. I could also be pulling all this out of my ass since I don’t know your friends. But my thoughts are the only two people who get any say in if/when you have kids are the two people who will be creating/caring for said kid. End of discussion. Also on a totally different subject and I hope this isn’t offensive in anyway, but that girlfriend on the Bachelorette this week legit could have been your sister! I saw her and I was like “wtf is Julie doing?!”
it really does feel like that! and i totally take that offensively hahahahaha
We were married ten years before kids and I feel your pain….we were hounded all the time. Our response was “We practice making babies every night”…haha. That usually shut people up.
Boo to people with deadlines. My husband and I have been saying 5-10 years for the last 5 years (newsflash: it’ll be at least 5 more years). Meanwhile his sister got pregnant within 2 weeks of getting married and that alone gives me anxiety…which confirms that I am not ready for my own yet.
I am 53 years old, and we waited too – my husband and I used to wonder what everyone would ask once we did have kids – “When are you moving into assisted living?” As an aside, we had three boys, and I still have people telling me we should have another so we could have a girl. For sure it works just like that.
The lemonade looks divine. And made to add a shot of vodka to.
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hahaha omg that’s so ridiculous!
I will be 36 later this summer and am childless by choice. I’m also single by choice. I got a lot of those questions–Don’t you want to get married? Don’t you want kids?–when I was in my 20’s, but people got the idea at some point when I got in my 30’s and the questions slowed down. Almost all of my friends have children, some as many as 4, and that’s fine if that’s what they want, but it’s not what I want. My parents were more accepting than my friends, and I think it’s because my friends want to share that part of their life with me….do married couple things and have play dates for the kids…but I enjoy living for me and doing what I want when I want it. I have dogs and cats, and I love them to pieces (especially my dogs). Besides, there are enough children in this world, and I simply don’t feel the need to bring another into it. I may adopt at some point…I’ve considered that before. Anyway, my point is, YOU DO YOU! Don’t let anyone pressure you into living their reality!
I’m 30, I’ve been married for 3 years and have no plans for kids anytime soon!! And I absolutely hate when people tell me I’m not getting any younger! I feel your pain, so let’s ignore them together! I’m really enjoying my child-less 30s!
it’s the worst
Hey Juli- Quick question for ya.. I’m looking at purchasing a blender (have a basic ninja blender now) and want to upgrade but don’t want to spend my life savings on one! Do you recommend the Blendtec that you have posted? Not sure I can sleep well at night spending $800 on a blender. My husband would probably have a cow! I’ve also heard good things about Vitamix…Ninja Professional… Just need your thoughts.–Thank you!!
PS. TOTALLY wait to have kids.. like you talked about in your podcast about getting a tattoo.. definitely wait!! We have 3 year old twins at home and it’s just as fun as it sounds! : )
i’ve loved my blendtec with the small mixer it comes with. i honestly use it every single day! so i would definitely recommend it which is why i link it! i also love my ninja blender too, but i use my blendtec more. and i love the – it’s as fun as it sounds hahahaha!
Just know that it goes for any situation that you would be in… if you did already have a kid.. people would hound you for when you’re “supposed” to give them a sibling (like its as easy as wrapping a present or something.) For some reason people always think that their opinions are wanted- when they’re totally not. Im 28 and I have a 1.5 year old ( was totally not prepared to get pregnant when we did- but she’s the absolute BEST).. and people who i’ve known for 2 minutes think it’s their job to tell me when i NEED to give her a sibling (she cant even talk yet so how do they know she wants one?) Or that now its time for a boy. Shut your face people.. and unless your coming to my house to change diapers and wake up in the middle of the night– i don’t need your 2 cents.
Dont let them make you anxious. Not worth it!
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I think the weirdest part for my husband and me (we’ve been married 10 years and we are both 32) is that when we were newlyweds (22 year olds with absolutely no money or stability) people asked us alllll the time about kids. Now, a decade later, as stable 32 year olds with retirement plans and such, no one asks. I guess they figured out we aren’t planning on it but it does also suggest to me that the commenter above who said it’s kind of like talking about the weather for people is right–particularly the first 1-3 years of marriage people just don’t know what else to ask you…which is super dumb. How about what I do every day? What my work or career is? What I do for fun or to stay in shape? A good book I’ve read or show I’ve watched recently? Etc etc. People are mostly awful. :-/
I am 38 and my husband and I have two fur babies. Living in NE, we hear all the time about not having kids. Like it’s the thing to do: go to college, get married , have kids. I have heard it all and thankfully just this year the pressure has stopped. I even shared an article on FB Jennifer Aniston wrote about being childless and then someone called my mom and said they were concerned I was infertile. What the fu*k. Myob. (Do people say that anymore!?! Well I just did). So that caused a whole big thing with my mom. Thankfully she understands. I keep waiting for “the feeling” or the “yearning” and it’s not happening. After years of beating myself up for feeling inferior because I don’t want kids I can finally say I have arrived at a peace with it. When people say to me, “but you would be a great mom!” I say “well do you want to come over for the 4am feedings when I just can’t deal?!” No? Didn’t think so. I have a career, my husband owns his own practice, we travel. Marriage is hard enough as it is without throwing a kid in the mix. I wish people had more self awareness when they say things to people about marriage and or kids. Juli, you do you and don’t worry about what others think. 9 years into the future when you are my age you will be so glad you didn’t waste your 30s feeling inferior or less than a woman.
I am childless by choice, married 6 years, and every day happy with my decision. We got married at age 30 and were hounded with questions about kids for the first year or so of marriage, then it died down some. At first I kind of skated around answering but finally started being more direct “No, we’re not having kids. We have two dogs and love our life the way it is. I’d be happy to babysit sometime!” When people tell me we’ll change our minds I let them know that my husband has had a vasectomy and that shuts things down pretty quickly. Guys hardly ever get asked, it’s such a double standard!
I agree that it feels like many friends with new babies just want someone to share in their misery or go on play dates with them. It does change the dynamic of some of your friendships for a while but as your friends’ kids get older they get more interested in hanging out again, and I’ve found other new like-minded friends who are more interested in travel, being active, cooking, etc. than raising kids also. A great book I read in my 20s when I was still on the fence was Two Is Enough: A Couple’s Guide to Living Childless by Choice by Laura Scott. Definitely worth a read!
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thanks for the recommendation!
What a beautiful lemonade. Absolutely stunning.
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Shit that looks SO good….and beautiful too!
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I can completely relate on the rude comments about having kids… although I’m pregnant now (after being together nine years, and yep – the comments started then), family members constantly asked us when it would happen. I don’t understand why people think it is an appropriate question. Not only are there people who don’t want kids or aren’t at that place in their life, but also so many people who struggle for years trying to get pregnant and that question just becomes a repeated stab. To top it off, I’m a labor and delivery nurse and while I adore my job, I am honestly asked by every single patient if/when I’m having kids. I always responded that my dogs are my babies and that is good enough for now!
I made this for my family as we celebrated my brother-in-law’s birthday. Everyone loved it, especially my 2 1/2 year old nephew! Thanks Juli! 🙂
awesome!! glad to hear it!
I know you were going for levity, but the whole “zica and kidnappings and all that jazz” thing was really unnecessary. That sort of negative stereotyping is very detrimental. First, while Zika has made it to Mexico is not quite as widespread as in Caribbean islands or Brazil, there have been very few cases of hydrocephalus, and as long as you’re smart and wear mosquito repellent you should be fine. As for the kidnappings, unless you’re going to, I don’t know, freaking Ciudad Juarez or Tamaulipas, you’ll be fine. If you’re fine going to New Orleans and wouldn’t make a huge deal out of it, you’re fine going to Mexico.
p.s. It’s spelled zika.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html – Aguascalientes, Baja California (includes Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, and Mexicali), Baja California (includes Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, and Mexicali), Chihuahua (includes Ciudad Juarez, the city of Chihuahua, Ojinaga, Palomas, Nuevo Casas Grandes and Copper Canyon), Baja California Sur (includes Cabo San Lucas and La Paz)…and honestly there are way more than just those cities listed, but you can see the advisory within the website. this is not negative stereotyping, these are the facts that are written on the US travel website where kidnappings, carjackings, and murders of US citizens are all mentioned. those are all things that also happen here, right in Colorado and the US. and these are issues my mother-in-law was very worried about and almost kept us from booking our trip, hence why I even mentioned it. and i apologize for spelling zika wrong. i’m so sorry i offended you, that was not my intention. just talking about some of the facts that i recently found out. i’ve been to mexico on 6 different occasions so i’m obviously not afraid of it.
Looks very refreshing. Will definitely try this but perhaps replace the peach with another fruit. Peach is not common on my country, and when you get it, it’s very expensive.
Hi Julie, I want to try this but I am wondering, what is the benefit of heating and reducing the fruit (as opposed to blending it raw)? Thank you.
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it just gives it more flavor, in my opinion! you can totally blend it raw, i just prefer the taste when it is heated and reduced. it brings out the sugars more from the fruit!