how to beat the heat

I live in Texas, so one of the staples of summer time, right up there with barbecues and campfires, is the heat. Last summer we had weeks of days where the temperature would be over 100. It broke lots of records. I know that it's not like this all over the world (be thankful!) but it can still get pretty hot. So here's some tips for dealing with those sweltering days of summer.

1. invest in some good warm weather clothes. Shorts, tank tops, sundresses. Anything light and flowy is bound to be more comfortable than layered tops or pants. Going barefoot is always a viable option, but it's also great if you can find some stylish yet solid sandals to wear when you have to venture across pavement or hot sand.

2. drink lots of water. It seems obvious, but especially if you're outside, it's important to stay hydrated. Take a water bottle with you and fill it up with ice cold water before you leave.

3. on that note...eat cold food as well. There are an abundance of fruits & veggies -- watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, etc.  -- that make delicious chilled snacks. The heat is also great excuse to delve into popsicles and ice cream cones, of course. I found a recipe for ice cream sandwiches that looks good, although it's usually best to limit time using the oven, as that can really heat up the house.

4. go swimming. What better way to cool off than in the pool, lake, or ocean? Another alternative, if you don't feel like going anywhere, is to turn on the sprinkler. That's my childhood, right there. See also: water balloon fights and slip-n-slides.

5. simply stay inside with the air-conditioning. There are a lot of things you can do indoors, like go bowling or watch movies or read at the library or I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

A few last minute tips: whenever you can, stay in the shade; get one of those hand-held fans; and keep your hair up in a bun or a ponytail to get it off your neck.

Stay cool, my friends.

Kendall