Delicious Without Cooking and Fun Without Electricity

Wherever you’re reading this from, you might just agree with me that this weekend was hot. Extremely hot. The kind of hot that gets you nervous about the whole global warming thing.

In this kind of weather, hot meals sound pretty unappealing, as does cooking because it will just make your small Brooklyn apartment feel even more like an oven. So in these scorching months, I think salads are the way to go! Not only are they healthy and delicious, depending on what you put on them, they might require no cooking at all. You’ll also save a ton of money if you purchase the goodies to top them off with in bulk at the store or local farmers market. The salad restaurants can cost an arm and a leg if you like about 10 toppings like I do!

Here’s a list I’ve come up with for some excellent, no need to cook, toppings for your super healthy summer salad:

Kale

Corn

Black beans

Jicama

Craisins

Fresh berries

Almonds (or any nut that you enjoy)

Cheese

Croutons (my personal favorite)

Edamame

Sesame sticks

Canned tuna

Tomatoes

Salsa/mango salsa

Mandarin Oranges

Avocado/Guacamole

Mix and match these for countless flavor combinations, and you’ll never eat a boring salad again!

Now all you need is the dressing, although with toppings this good, you could probably skip it!

Here’s a couple recipes for simple, healthy dressings to make at home:

Basil Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients

         1 cup olive oil

         1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

         1/4 cup honey

         3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

         2 cloves garlic, minced

http://bit.ly/MdFR0a

Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing

Ingredients

         1 cup olive oil

         1/4 cup soy sauce

         1 lemon, juiced

         3 cloves garlic, minced

         3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root

         1 teaspoon prepared Dijon-style mustard

         2 teaspoons honey

         ground black pepper to taste

http://bit.ly/L42KCq

Now all you need to follow up your refreshing and healthy salad is a fun activity that will keep you cool and doesn’t require much electricity.

Here are a few of my favorites, or some ideas that I’ll be trying out this season:

Board games

Nighttime or early morning walks

Water balloons

Gardening

Arts and Crafts

Frisbee

Swimming

Yoga – inside or out

Letter writing

…and of course, going out for ice cream!

Summer is my favorite season because it’s my personal reminder to slow down (because you really can’t move too fast in the heat) and enjoy the simple things. Nothing sounds better to me in the summer than fresh fruit, or a cool salad. Also, I love going outside, when it’s not too hot, and enjoying nature. While I know not everyone is with me on this, I’m not a fan of just staying in the air-conditioning, so it’s a fun challenge to discover new and fun ways to beat but also enjoy the heat. As long as you put the sunscreen on and stay hydrated, I say enjoy the summer!

7 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat

Get your shorts on folks! It’s a soupy 89 degrees in the concrete jungle today, and boy does it feel hot! I always like to brag about how I can handle the heat after spending 6 years in the desert in Tucson, AZ. However, it’s pretty easy to handle 115 degrees when you’re either in an over air-conditioned building, or floating on a raft in a pool with a cool beverage in your hand. This 80% humidity business is really throwing me for a loop! I’m finding that I need to get a little more creative to stay cool in the city.

Here’s a few things that I’m doing, and hopefully you’ll find some of these tips useful no matter where in the world you spend your hot months.

1. First and foremost – drink lots of water!

I, of course, learned this lesson the hard way roughing it out in the desert. When I moved to NYC, I was honestly very surprised by how much less water people are drinking, and how much less I started drinking myself. But seriously folks, let’s just stay hydrated! Also, throw in some beverages with electrolytes every now and then, and eat some salty snacks (healthy ones!) that will help you retain some of that water you’re drinking.

2. Get efficient with your at home cooling methods.

I’m in a new apartment in Brooklyn, and instead of a window I just have a skylight in my bedroom. Crazy I know! Where am I supposed to put the window box air conditioner?

This past weekend I broke down and bought a standing fan that’s energy efficient, and it does the trick! If you are lucky and have A/C, keep that thermostat at 78! Here are some more tips and tricks about staying cool in your home.

http://bit.ly/K9zleL

3. Turn you lights off when you don’t need them!

Living in a relatively small apartment, you quickly realize that your lights generate a surprising amount of heat. Here’s a quick fix – turn those suckers off when you don’t need them or when you leave the room! This will keep you cooler, and happier when you receive your electric bill.

4. Treat yourself to some cooling treats!

I love watermelon. If there was a watermelon contest I could enter, I know I’d be pretty stiff competition. If you enjoy watermelon half as much as I do, slice one up and enjoy, and you’ll be hydrating yourself at the same time.

Spice things up! Eating spicy foods causes your body to perspire, which is its natural way of cooling itself. So pass that spicy salsa!

Break out the mint! Throw some in a glass of iced water with some slices of cucumber, or make a delicious mojito. The mint, which has a natural cooling effect, will counteract the warming effects of the alcohol. 

Check out this site for more great ideas on summer treats!

http://on-msn.com/Lcgqfw

5. Protect yourself!

Staying cool in the summer also means looking cool, which to me means taking the necessary precautions to protect your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays. I have pretty fair skin and have known from an early age that I’m at high risk for skin cancer. I have formed a few good habits by treating sunscreen like lotion for my face and body in the morning. Just make it part of your routine, and you’re less likely to forget. Also, keep a travel size of sunscreen with you at all times, because you never know when you might be outside for an extended period of time.

Oh yes, and don’t forget your shades. Yes they do make you look fabulous, but they’re also performing an incredibly important function, so don’t forget them! Keep a cheap pair in your car or office, just in you’re caught without them.

6. Have fun outside!

This might just be me, but more than half of the time in the summer months, it feels much better outside in the fresh air than inside. Especially in the early mornings and evenings. If you’ve got your sun protection on, go for a jog, have a picnic in the park, a day at the beach, or an evening stroll. I hate being cooped up all winter, so in the summer I like to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible!

7. Go see a movie!

I know this completely contradicts my previous tip but…movie theatres are freezing! I always have to bring a sweater when I catch a flick! What better way to beat the heat than by enjoying a summer blockbuster in an oversized icebox? Save some money and catch a matinee – they’re during the warmest part of the day anyway, so might as well!

Stay cool out there, and enjoy the summer!!!

Have some tips for me? Please share, I’d love to hear them!