Staying cool in the summer is important for many reasons that include health, fashion and comfort. From an uneven complexion to frizzy tresses, from hot
air blows to room heat, from confused stomach to summer clothing... Pesky
warm-weather issues:
SKIN:
Exfoliate for clearer, smoother skin
Exfoliation removes dead, dulling skin
debris to prevent congestion and improve hydration from toners and
moisturizers.
Befriend H2O
High
temperature and outings leads to dehydration, which results in headaches and
dizzy spells! Eight 8-ounce
glasses of plain, filtered water every day help maintain critical moisture
balance of the body and skin, and assist in detoxification. (If you drink
caffeinated beverages, you must triple the amount of water you drink!)
Blemishes
Pimples can be more prolific in summers due to heat, sweat and extra oil. And,
unfortunately, they're not limited to the face (“There's also backne and buttne
:D”) Regardless of where acne pops up, Use a glycolic or salicylic-acid
cleanser and make sure everything you apply to your skin—from makeup and facial
soap to body wash and sunscreen—is oil-free so you don't further clog pores. Keep
your face moisturized not greasy!
Eczema
This skin condition—characterized by dry, scaly discolored skin that may or may
not itch—is commonly caused by stress and heat. It tends to show up around the
feet, elbows, knees, neck, and underarms. Avoid triggers like perfumes and detergents, which can make
the irritation worse, and opt for gentle fragrance-free cleansers and
moisturizers.
Heat Rash
When temperatures
and humidity level rise, skin heats up and flushing can occur on any area of
the body—with or without a bumpy, inflamed appearance. Apply a topical over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for
three days to bring down the inflammation or antifungal treatment.
FOOD:
A big wedge of watermelon
Made up of 90 percent water, which keeps you
well-hydrated. Loads of vitamins A and C content, has no fat and is packed with
lycopene, an antioxidant which may aid in the prevention of cancer and
cardiovascular disease.
Citrus Fruits
Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and
limes, are among the most cooling of all fruits. Aside from their delicious
taste, citrus fruits can keep you healthy and looking younger. Citrus is
considered a super food for healthy skin due to its wide array of phytonutrients
that function as antioxidants, including flavones, anthocyanin’s, polyphenols
and vitamin C. Citrus is also considered to be especially important in
digestion as it helps aid in the breakdown of rich and fatty foods. (Best energizers!)
Kulfi
This will
probably upset gelato fans, but of all the icy, creamy desserts out there,
kulfi's best one for summer. A traditional Indian ice cream developed to melt
slowly in the heat of the Indian subcontinent, kulfi tends to be creamier and
denser than its Western counterparts, with flavors such as rose and mango and
cola J . It's
served in matkas (little clay pots) that keep it even more insulated. Street
vendors sell popsicle-like versions.
Korean fried chicken
A trendy food in South Korea that’s
caught on around the world, Korean fried chicken has won over as a crunchy
finger food for hot weather. Koreans have perfected the holy fried chicken
trinity: crispy, thin skin that still retains some gooey fat underneath, a
strong spicy flavor and delicious moist meat. (Recommend it with cold beer or
soju and a side of pickles.)
Shaved milk ice
Known as “cotton ice” in Chinese,
this Taiwanese dessert has
become popular across East Asia in the last few years. Instead of plain crushed
ice, this version is made with frozen condensed milk that's run through a
shaving machine to create thin sheets of white milk ice that piles up in folds.
Affogato
Affogato means
"drowned" in Italian, and we really wouldn’t mind being dunked into a
sea of this Italian dessert. A scoop of vanilla gelato is scooped into a cup
and a shot of hot espresso is poured on top. The result is a beautiful swirl of
semi-solid ice cream and streaks of golden, bitter coffee. Adding a shot of
Amaretto or coffee liqueur ups the flavor.
Lemonades & Limeades
Made for sitting on the porch.
Juice Drinks
Favorite
fruit coolers.
Sodas & Floats
Old-time
refreshers.
Iced Coffee
Caffeinated
quenchers
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CLOTHING:
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Wicking fabrics
Are man-made fabrics designed to
relieve body of perspiration by “wicking” moisture away from the body and
speeding up the evaporation process, thus keeping the body at a stable
temperature. These fabrics are most commonly used in athletic or specific outdoor
clothing, and they help keep the body cool during activity. These fabrics are
made with a special weaving process that works in tandem with the body’s
cooling process. Manufacturers who use these fabrics have adjusted the weave
or added special coatings to manipulate the fabric to their needs.
Cotton and linen:
all-time favorite fabrics to chill in
heat!
HOME :
It's hot
enough to melt a bushman's boots. But cranking up the air-conditioning is not
the only way to stay cool.
Try a
desert trick. When the air outside is dry and
cooler than the air inside, hang a damp sheet in an open window. Incoming
breezes are cooled by the evaporating water.
Block the
sun. Closing curtains and blinds
(ideally with sun-deflecting white on the window side) can reduce the amount
of heat that passes into your home by as much as 45 percent.
Make a
"cold compress." Fill a cotton
sock with rice, tie the sock with twine, and freeze it for two hours before
bedtime. Then slide it between the sheets. Rice retains cold for a long
period because it's dense and starchy.
If not any of above
all works… just jump into a nearby pool and have a cool poolside party
swaying your hands, legs and hairs
Vitasta
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