Summertime Tips And Drinks To Keep You Cool During A TEXAS Heat Wave

 August has come to TEXAS and with her she brings a HEAT WAVE. I have primarily lived my entire life in Texas and at the age of 46 {creeping up on 47 quickly} I have just given in to the notion that God allows Texas to be hot. You may ask, 'why would He allow such heat'? Now that is a good question that deserves an equally good answer. But sorry to say, 'I do not know why God allows such heat'. Maybe because we are Texans and as such we are TOUGH and can take it! Could be. Or Global Warming maybe? I don't think so....and please don't send me tacky e-mails about your politics. All I do know is, I am a menopausal woman in the middle of an oppressive heat wave. My internal body temperature hovers around 120 degrees on a good day. I have a theory that if my internal body temperature ever meets the external air temperature I will actually spontaneously combust. Wouldn't that be a sight!

So instead of focusing on the oppressive heat let's look at this thing differently. Let's ask ourselves, 'how can we stay cool'? Here are a few of my ideas.

Turn Your House Into a Cave

Keep your blinds and shades SHUT! Keep as much sunlight from

coming into your home as possible. Window reflectors are a good

start: cardboard wrapped in aluminum will keep the light and heat

out. Just make sure you have the reflective side on the outside.

Take a Shower

Take a cool shower or bath to fully appreciate the cooling and

cleansing, powers of water.

Have a Cookout or Get Take-Out

This is not the time for cooking indoors, you are just going to raise

the temperature in your home. This gives you a great reason for

take-out!

Take a Nap

HELLO! This is my favorite idea so far! A nap is the perfect

antidote to dealing with all this heat. Taking a nap in the middle of

the day also has proven health benefits, so it’s a win-win situation.

Eat Things That are COLD!

Ice cold watermelon, 7-11 Slurpees or an Icee, Ice cream, Frozen

fruit, COLD WATER!, Frozen lemonade, Root Beer floats, Shaved

Ice, SNO-CONES....anything and everything that's COLD.

PROCRASTINATE

Yeah, you read that correctly. Do not use your washer/dryer or

dishwasher in the hottest part of the day. Just like the oven it's just

going to make your house hot. Throw a load of wash in as you are

headed to bed and into the dryer on your way out the door.

Have An Extra Spicy Lunch

Spicy foods actually cool your body off, so eat the hot salsa!

Pillow In The Freezer

Put your pillow, or just the pillowcase, if you don't have a mammoth

fridge, in the freezer for an hour before you go to bed. Your head

will thank you.

Dress smart

Good thing white is a hot summer trend! Wearing loose-fitting,


light-colored clothing will help heat dissipate from your body.

Drink up

What's the best beverage to combat heat? Water, water, water! Stay

away from alcohol and caffeine if you can.

Spritz yourself

A spray of water that dries and evaporates, can help cool you off. A

spray bottle or even one of those fans with water will do the trick

nicely.

 

Turn on the FANS

Whether they be ceiling fans or oscillating floor fans, they will help

your air conditioner not run ALL day and keep you cool in the

process.

If all else fails...Go for a SWIM

Not much to say here except make sure to wear sunscreen!

If you are experiencing a heat wave as all
good Texans are, here are a few thirst quenching drinks to cool you down.....way down.

Berry Berry Smoothie

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup strawberry ice cream or frozen yogurt

1 cup of milk

What To Do

Combine raspberries, blueberries and blackberries

in a blender with ice cream and milk.

Blend until smooth.

Cucumber and Lime Spritzer

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 12-ounce cans club soda

1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from 3 to 4 limes

1 cucumber, thinly sliced

What To Do

In a pitcher, combine the club soda, lime juice,

and cucumber. Serve over ice.

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

1 12-ounce can ginger ale

1 1/2 cups pineapple juice

4 pieces fresh pineapple, cut into triangles

What To Do

In a pitcher, combine the ginger ale and pineapple juice.

Serve over ice with a piece of pineapple.

Fresh Strawberry Shake

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled,

plus extra

unhulled berries for garnishing

1 cup sugar

2 3/4 cups heavy cream or half-and-half

What To Do

Cut any large strawberries in half. Place the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours.

In a blender, combine the sugar and cream or half-and-half. Blend for about 20 seconds or until the sugar dissolves. Add the frozen berries and puree. Divide the mixture among 4 glasses and garnish with the whole berries. Serve immediately.

Cranberry Spritzer

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

2 cups sparkling apple cider

5 strawberries

2 1/3-ounce packages strawberry-flavored

Pop Rocks candy, optional

What To Do

In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice and cider.

Cut 1 strawberry in half, rub the rims of 4 glasses with the cut pieces, and dip the rims in the Pop Rocks to coat, if using.

Serve the juice mixture over ice in the prepared glasses. Garnish with the remaining whole strawberries.

Try these summertime drinks and

stay cool in our Texas heat wave.....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

the domestic curator ~ ronda