Don't Sweat the Heat

With the "dog days of summer" on it's way, now is a good time to start thinking about how to stay cool. Nobody likes to sit in a hot, sweaty, humid, airless house. Not only is it uncomfortable. it's also not good for you.

So, what do you do when you can't afford the high cost of air conditioning? You find other ways of keeping cooler.

First of all, you need to stay out of the sun when it is at it's hottest. You also need to avoid exercising, walking, or traveling during the hottest part of the day. It's also a good time to visit the library or the local mall.

There are things you can do to keep yourself a little cooler.

• Block the sun

By closing your blinds and curtains you can reduce the amount of heat coming into your home by up to 45%, especially if you are using the heat and light blocking drapes.

• Turn off the lights

Any light gives off heat. Turning off your lights will lower the temp a little. If you use long lasting florescent bulbs, even better, they put out 70% less heat than regular incandescent bulbs.

• Get a spray bottle

Fill your spray bottle with cool water and spritz yourself.

• Eat light

Now is the time to bring out those salad recipes that you have wanted to try. Salad are lighted, won't weight you down, and you don't have to turn on the stove or oven and heat up the kitchen.

• Use fans throughout the house

If you use your fans to help cross ventilation you will be a cool, happy person. Use any kind of fan; ceiling fan, box fan, revolving fan, pedestal fan and window fan, they're all good.

• Dress for the weather

Wear light airy clothing. Better still, what's wrong with wearing your bathing suit around the house?

• Drink lots and lots of water

• Make your own imitation air conditioner

Place a bowl of ice cubes directly behind a box fan and turn on the fan. The ice will chill the air.

• Soak your feet

Soaking your feet in a container of cold water will make your body temperature cool down.

• Avoid use of electric appliances

Electronic appliances such as microwaves, hair dryers, toasters, and, yes, laptops put out heat.

• Make cold treats.

Snacks such as frozen juice pops, jello, pudding and ice cream all have the ability to help you through an especially hot day.

• Sit in some water

If your lucky enough to have a pool, then you are set for summer. If you don't there is nothing wrong with buying yourself a small child's pool and sitting in it. Or sit under a sprinkler, or take a cold shower.

• Don't forget to drink refreshing cold drinks

• Insulate your attic

Any of the cooler air in your home will escape through the attic. Insulate and you will keep the cooler air in and the hot air out.

• Put weather stripping around windows and doors

This is another area where you will lose cool air and let heat in.

• Get a dehumidifier

The higher the humidity the hotter you will be. Lower the humidity and you will be able to better tolerate the heat.

• Plant a tree

Instructions:

1 cup boiling water

2 green tea bags

2 cups white grape juice

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 cup chilled ginger ale

Directions:

Steep green tea bags for 5 minutes until strong and dark, remove the tea bags & cool the tea to room temperature.

In a small pitcher, combine tea, grape juice and lemon juice and refrigerate until well chilled.

When ready to serve, divide among 4 glasses and top off each with 1/4 cup of ginger ale.

Make 4 glasses of Green Tea Cooler

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ( about 6 large)

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 lime)

1 cup sugar

6 cups water

1 cup fresh raspberries, chopped

Directions:

In pitcher, combine the lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and water.

Stir until sugar is totally dissolved and add the raspberries.

Chill overnight.

Serve over ice.

Make a 2-quart pitcher.

Ingredients:

2 Oranges

2 lime

2 lemon

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

1 nectarine, sliced into wedges

1/4 cup fresh blueberries

3/4 cup regular simple syrup (recipe at bottom)

3 cups ice

3 cups club soda

Directions:

Cut of one of the oranges, one of the lemons and one of the limes in half and cut that half into thin slices and put in a large pitcher.

Juice the remaining 1 1/2 orange, 1 1/2 lime and 1 1/2 lemon and pour into pitcher.

Add simple syrup, kiwi, nectarine, and blueberries and stir to combine.

Add club soda.

Pour into individual glasses over ice, allowing bits of fruit into the glass.

Makes a 2-quart pitcher.