How to Beat the Heat Naturally

Written by Kristin, Guest Post

I am a native of Florida. I should be used to summer heat. I should naturally love and embrace 101 degree heat waves like a pro. August in Florida is just plain old hot! I am still working on the embracing part.

Even with the heat, life must go on as normal. My children love the outdoors and being kept in the house for more than a couple hours can lead to absolute chaos. Playtime outside is a must.

We also have four new hens in our backyard. We have been busy prepping our yard for hens, cleaning waste, restocking hay, scattering feed, and searching for highly desired eggs.

Much of our outdoors time has also been spent prepping our soon-to-be Fall garden. I have been a bit neglectful to our garden this summer which means a lot more work.

Note to every gardener: do not let your garden go in between planting seasons, you will soon come to regret such a decision. Pulling weeds in August, in Florida, is  hot!

With all this summer work and play, I have learned, staying hydrated is critical.

Before our real food days, this meant Gatorade, Powerade, and store-bought specialty drinks like powdered lemonade and instant tea. I thought I was hydrating my body, but at the end of the day I felt tired, sluggish, and in great need of something more. My body still yearned for hydration.

Since turning to real food, our family chooses to beat the heat naturally. An approach that quenches the body’s desire for hydration and leaves us energized ready for more work and play.

Five Simple Ways to Beat the Heat Naturally:

1. Water

Water is your best friend in the summer heat, yet many of us just don’t get enough. Lack of water can quickly drain you of essential energy and cause that sluggish 3pm nap-time feeling. I have found the best way to keep myself drinking water is to carry a water bottle everywhere I go! Find a cute water bottle, one you will want to carry and drink from. If you aren’t a fan of plain old water, add a flavor infusion, naturally. My personal favorites are: strawberries, mint leaves and cucumber slices, lemons and cucumbers, and blueberries.  Simply add your flavoring to your water (in either a water bottle or a pitcher) and allow to sit in the fridge overnight. By morning you will have a delicious, naturally-flavored water to help keep you hydrated all day.

2. Juice

Seven years ago, my husband and I purchased our first juicer. At the time we weren’t quite sure what to do with it. We started experimenting with various fruits and veggies and later greens and even herbs. All these years later, I still love that juicer! I particularly love it during the summer, when after hours of being in the heat, I am looking for a quick, nourishing, refreshing treat. In a matter of minutes, I can make a perfectly satisfying drink packed full of nutrients. My kids (3 and 1) love to help pick out fruits and veggies to juice and place them through the chute. Here are two of our favorite summer juices:

Strawberry Lemonade:  1 lemon (peeled), 2 apples, 1 cup strawberries. Run strawberries through the juicer then add lemon and apples.

 Summer Green Juice: 1 cucumber, 1 handful kale leaves (or any green), 1 apple, 1 lemon (peeled), 3 celery stalks. Run the kale through the juicer wrapped around the cucumber, add the lemon, apple, and celery.

 Watermelon Cooler: 1 lemon (peeled), 2 limes (peeled), 2 apples, 5-6 watermelon slices. Run everything through the juicer. (You can also add mint leaves through the juicer to add a mint twist.)

3. Coconut Water

Coconut water is derived from young, green coconuts. It is a clear liquid with a sweet taste. Coconut water is a perfect substitute for sports drinks as it contains potassium and electrolytes as well as essential naturally-occurring  sugars.  Coconut water can be purchased in cartons on grocery and health food store shelves or can consumed fresh by purchasing young, green coconuts.

 4. Smoothies and Popsicles

Smoothies are a perfect summer treat as they pack loads of fruits and even veggies along with hydrating liquids such as water, fresh juices, kefir, and coconut water. After hours playing outside, a smoothie can both refresh and refuel the body providing essential vitamins and minerals. Smoothies also make the perfect popsicles! Pour any smoothie blend into popsicle molds, place in the freezer, and hours later enjoy a refreshing summer treat. Super kid-friendly! Need summer smoothie recipes? I love this smoothie recipe round-up from Wellness and Workouts. You can find my favorite Beet-Strawberry Smoothie here.

 5. Soup

Soup may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about summer and beating the heat. Generally, when I think of soup I think of sweaters, jackets, and mittens, however, soup is a perfect summer dish. Soups with a broth base provide essential vitamins and minerals to the body which is are easily lost in the heat of summer. I am not a big fan of heating my kitchen up in the heat, so I turn to my trusted crock pot during hot summer months. Placing a few ingredients in the crock pot in the morning means our family will come home to a delicious, nourishing soup to satisfy our tired bodies at the end of the day. Two of my favorite summertime crock pot soups are: Poor Man’s Chicken Noodle Soup and Black Bean and Vegetable Soup . If you just can’t bring yourself to enjoy a hot soup, a simple cold Gazpacho is a wonderfully refreshing summer dinner.

Spending only a few minutes each day, in my kitchen, I can naturally help my family beat the heat. This means we have more energy and are ready for hours of outside time, enjoying all the fun of summer.

How do you beat the heat naturally?