Apartment Therapy Re-Nest | Green Tip: Ways to Beat the Heat

It's been a record-breaking summer here in Texas, and not really in a good way: we average about 11 days above 100 degrees each year, but this summer we've already had 41. Today's high in Austin might hit 106. This oppressive heat makes even running errands a weighty chore--so we've been trying to stay cool without blasting the a/c at 68, tempting as it may be. Jump below for a few of our favorite tips.

Enjoy some agua fresca. Round up almost any kind of fruit (but melons and pineapple work really well) and run it through the blender, then strain it. Pour over lots of ice and enjoy glass after glass of fresh, super-chill fruit juice. We like to spice up watermelon juice with lime and mint for a tangy, sweet kick. Or try mint lemonade with sparkling water. Ahhhh.

Have a mid-day movie night. Close the blinds, turn off the lights, power up that DVD player, and relax for 2 hours while you watch a great movie. Popcorn optional.

Invite friends over for an indoor picnic. Make all the summer fixin's, and even roll out the blanket on the floor if you want, for authenticity's sake. Hopefully, you won't have to worry about ants putting a damper on the fun.

Keep glass mugs in the freezer....to turn any drink into a frosty mug 'o refreshment. Helps to keep your favorite beer on-hand, too.

Making it to the car might be a feat in itself, but if you can manage, find a natural watering hole near you. There are hidden gems all over the states--great places to take a dip that are naturally spring-fed, even in a drought. Look on your state's website for parks that have water, and then take a short trip to cool off. Spring-fed swimming holes also tend to remain a lot cooler year-round than man-made pools or lakes.

What do you do to escape the heat?

I love Watermelon Agua Fresca. I just like watermelon and mint and lime.

posted by roundabout12 on August 5th 2008 at 7:42am
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I keep a hot water bottle in the freezer and take it to bed at night. For baby, I'll tuck a lunch-size cold pack into a hiking sock and put it in the stroller.

posted by Snickidy on August 5th 2008 at 11:40am
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Back in the days when I lived sans A/C, my roommates and I had a number of methods for keeping cool:

1) Drink a Slurpee Big Gulp
2) Go swimming with your clothes on - then just hang out in wet clothes
3) Play in a fountain
4) Go to a movie
5) Take a 10 second dip in freezing cold watering hole

posted by broccoli3000 on August 5th 2008 at 2:24pm
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I filled some knee socks with rice and froze them. They are the perfect size/shape for draping around a neck (only when nobody can see you of course), and also great for sleeping with. Also, adding vodka or rubbing alcohol to the water in a hot water bottle or ziplock bag will keep it from freezing solid.

posted by zhasmene on August 5th 2008 at 6:26pm
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