Common Migraine Triggers

Ways to Beat the Heat and Stay Cool

Sunshine brings warmth, light and joy, but when it gets too hot, pleasure turns to misery. If you’re experiencing a severe heatwave right now, your number one priority will be to cool down, and if you anticipate severe heat to come, you’ll need to prepare. Here are some simple ways to stay cool when the temperature soars:

Close all windows, drapes and blinds

You may yearn for fresh air on a hot, still day, but you won’t get any through an open window. Quite the reverse: heavy, stifling air will waft in, making your rooms as hot as the environment outside. In these circumstances, you’ll need to close the windows as well as the drapes and blinds. Shut out all light and heat, and your home will start to cool down.

Use fans

If you have any electric fans available, put them to use as soon as the heatwave starts. If not, it may be worth buying one or more to ensure basic comfort through the hot spell. Bear in mind, though, that fans will be much in demand at this time, so get to the shops early, before supplies run out. You can also make manual fans to wave over the face and body for extra refreshment. A sheet of paper folded into pleats will serve the purpose, as will a sheaf of grasses or reeds, a large leaf, a widebrimmed hat or any stiff fabric.

If you have a pile of ironing to do, now is not the time. The heat from the iron will raise the temperature of the air even higher and the task will become intolerable. Other heat-generating appliances, such as your water heater, kettle, oven and cooker hobs, will also add to the heat around you, so avoid using them if you possibly can, even if it means changing your arrangements for the time being.

Immerse your feet in cool water

When your feet are cool, the refreshing sensation will filter up through your body, so fetch a tub of cold water and step in. You may need to sit down for this remedy, but the relaxation will also help you stay cool, so don’t feel ashamed to cast the do-list aside and take a seat. If feasible, bring the water level up to your knees or waist, or lie down in a bath of cool water.

Wear loose clothing

Heat makes you sweat, so the pores in your skin need plenty of space to function when you’re hot. High temperatures can also cause your body to swell and expand, so allow for this when dressing for the day. Wear the loosest possible clothing, avoiding tightfitting belts, straps and ties. If one garment feels uncomfortable, swap it for another, putting comfort before appearance while the heat lasts. Fashion and beauty can wait; coping is what matters right now.

With these simple cooling methods, you can minimize the misery when the next heatwave hits. Listen out for the warnings and prepare in advance, to ensure the best strategies. With an iced drink in your hand and cool water lapping around your knees, you can ride a scorcher with ease.

Drink plenty of water

Hot weather dehydrates the body, so drink plenty of fresh, chilled water to compensate. This will help you keep well and comfortable, easing the strain on your heart and other vital organs as your body contends with the heat. Plain water is easiest for the body to digest, but weak tea, juices and other light drinks will also keep you refreshed.

Use ice

Ice packs can be wonderfully soothing and reviving in hot weather. While your whole body may be suffering, a cold pad on your forehead, back or chest will help reduce your body heat and help you relax. But ice melts fast in high temperatures, of course, so as you take one icepack out of the freezer, be sure to insert another. Ice cubes for drinks can also be used for the purpose, but if you don’t have packs of cubes, just fill any small containers with cold water and freeze them for an hour or two.

Since it’s inexpensive and delicious, chances are you keep pasta in your pantry. During the warmer months, a cold pasta salad can be a refreshing change from hot meals. Pasta salad is a very flexible dish. The only musthaves are the pasta and something to serve as dressing. Here’s a guide to making pasta salad with what’s available in your pantry.

PICKING YOUR PASTA

or frozen vegetables would be great additions to a pasta salad. Before they go in the salad, canned vegetables need to be drained and frozen vegetables have to be cooked.

You may decide pasta, dressing, and veggies complete your salad. Or you might add a bit of chopped cheddar or a few sprinkles of parmesan. If you’re looking for a protein source, you could try tuna, a can of beans (drained), or canned ham

Small pasta shapes like macaroni, farfalle (bow-tie), rotini, and penne are the easiest to make pasta salad with. Even a long pasta like spaghetti will work if you break it into smaller pieces before cooking.

CHOOSING A DRESSING

You’ll need about 8 ounces of dressing for every two cups of dry pasta you’re cooking. One of these would make a great dressing:

• Mayo • Plain yogurt • Ranch dressing • Italian dressing

Also, making homemade dressing is as simple as mixing a cup of mayo with two teaspoons of mustard, and two tablespoons of vinegar. A homemade vinaigrette is easy to prepare too. You only need to stir together one-fourth cup of vinegar and three-fourths cup of oil. Any vinegar and oil works, but popular choices are olive oil with red wine vinegar or cider vinegar.

FINDING OTHER INGREDIENTS MAKING THE SALAD

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and then rinse with cold water. Then, drain again and toss the pasta with a little oil. The oil keeps the pasta from sticking together. Let the pasta chill for about 30 minutes. Next, use a large bowl to mix your pasta, dressing, and other ingredients. Chill your salad for at least another 30 minutes.

Pasta salad usually has some combination of veggies, cheese, or meat. One classic combo is grape tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, bell pepper, and red onion. Since you’re using what’s available in your pantry, you may need to look at alternatives.

Other good vegetable choices include peas, mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, carrots, or olives. Canned

THE TAKEAWAY

Pasta salad is a delicious dish that’s easy to prepare with common pantry ingredients. Since boiling the pasta is the only cooking required, making pasta salad isn’t time-consuming. And every time you make pasta salad, you can change the ingredients based on what’s in your pantry.