Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Cool Stuff



Baby it’s hot outside. Sweltering temps in the mid to high 90’s every day. How does one stay cool in this blistering heat? If you have a pool, you can play in the water and stay cool. But what if you don’t have a pool? Or what if you have a pool but you don’t want to hang out by the pool ‘cause you think you’re old and dumpy-frumpy looking and would rather have your fingernails pulled out one by one than be seen in all your jiggling pale glory?
(On vacation in Cabo)

Air conditioning? Sure, we love it and couldn’t live without it but you can’t spend your entire summer indoors right? Heck no. Below are a five liquid suggestions that can help you stay cool and quenched through the remainder of summer without the unnecessary humiliation of donning a Speedo or a bikini which in reality, look good on about 1 out of every 10 billion people.  
(Maybe me in my next life)

Cucumber Mint Water
It might sound like a strange combination, but cold water with a couple of slices of cucumber and a sprig of mint is a delicious, cooling summer drink. You can serve this up one glass at a time or put together a whole pitcher to keep in the fridge. Here’s how to make an eight-serving batch of cucumber mint water:
1.     Combine a half of a sliced cucumber and 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped mint in a four quart pitcher.
2.     Top the pitcher off with 16 cups of water and chill until you’re ready to serve.


Ginger Cooler
A spicy drink might seem counter-intuitive when temperatures heat up, but spicy foods actually help your body regulate its temperature. This ginger cooler will do the trick nicely!
  • 1/4c chopped ginger
  • 1/2c chopped mint leaves
  • juice of one lime
  • 6 cups sparking water
  • sweetener of your choice, to taste
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and serve chilled. You can strain this drink; if you don’t like the texture of the ginger and mint bits, but I prefer mine whole.

Iced Green Tea with Lemon and Mint
Avoid heating up the house with the stove and brew your tea in the sun instead. 15 bags of organic green tea
  • 1 gallon of water
  • 1/2c whole fresh mint leaves
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • sweetener of your choice, to taste
Combine the tea bags, water, and mint in a clean, gallon-sized container and set it out in the sun for 3-4 hours, depending on how dark you like your tea.
Remove the tea bags and add the lemon juice and sweeten, if you like.
Chill and serve over ice.
For a printable version of these recipes click on the link below:



Coconut Water
Coconut water is loaded with health benefits. It’s rich in electrolytes and potassium, which makes it perfect for replenishing your body after exposure to the summer heat. Of course, it’s not so easy for most of us to find a young, green coconut so that we can drink from it directly. Luckily, you can find cans or boxes of coconut water at most natural food stores.
Unlike its richer cousin coconut milk, coconut water is low in fat and calories. You can drink your coconut water chilled on its own or add a squeeze of lime to brighten it up.


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Melon Puree
It’s incredibly refreshing and simple to make. Melons are a great source of vitamin C, and when you puree instead of juicing, you retain all of that healthy fiber. Here’s how to make your own melon puree:
1.     Slice up a honeydew melon or cantaloupe into chunks.
2.     Blend until smooth, adding a bit of water to thin things out if necessary.
3.     Chill your puree before serving for extra cooling benefits.
You could probably make this with watermelon or any other sweet melon, but I’ve only tried honeydew and cantaloupe.

All of these cool, refreshing and delicious beverages will keep you well hydrated during the long hot summer days ahead. Personally, I don’t see any reason why these tasty libations couldn’t be enjoyed with the addition of a splash or two of vodka. Perhaps one of the flavored varieties, raspberry, mandarin orange, pomegranate, or melon would be lovely. Keep in mind, moderation is the key…..

(Lordy)

So, whether you’re pool side or just relaxing under the shade of a tree, stay cool this summer and remember; the first day of winter is only 170 days away!