SUMMER is here with all its sunniness and HEAT!! It is time for all of you people to take some basic care in regard to food, clothing, drinks, skin etc.
Here a few basic tips and recommendations for all you people to beat the summer heat and enjoy the sun without getting a sunstroke/ sunburn.
TOP 4 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT AND STAY COOL IN SUMMERS
Take special care of your kids in summer by making sure that they drink enough cool water, wear comfortable loose cotton clothes, and do not go out to play during the peak sun hours. Also make sure to sprinkle some prickly heat Cooling Powder
on their backs. a) Try to stay indoors during peak times that is around 11 AM to 4 PM and sometimes even up to 5 PM , till the sun is down and the heat becomes less intense. Try and go out doing your business in the morning times before 11 AM and after 5 PM in the evenings.
or wear a hat, wear loose light colored cotton clothes that can keep you cool. Also wear a good sunscreen on all exposed areas of your skin and take care that your sunscreen has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 (SPF 30) if you are living in India. 
Wearing a sunscreen / sunblock can protect your skin from premature ageing, dark spots and even wrinkles. Also carry a water bottle with you and keep sipping water frequently.
Use Sunglasses
whenever you are exposed to the hot summer sun, as SUNGLASSES protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays and also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes and prevent wrinkles , dark circles etc. You can also use an under eye concealer with SPF above 15. b) Don't eat outside foods esp. fried foods in summer as they tend to produce excess heat inside the body. Rather stick to good old Coconut water and bottled mineral water or fresh hygienically processed fresh fruit juices.
Hydration is the key factor here to keep your body healthy. Make fresh fruit juices with the available seasonal fruit and add some crushed ice, garnish with mint and drink to keep the heat away.
Eat foods that are light on the stomach and easy to digest such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Mangoes are the fruit of this season, but don't forget to take Watermelon and other watery, juicy fruits like Litchi during the summer months.
c)Bath twice a day esp with cool water, as it helps in cooling the skin and body, do wash your hair once every two days. Use a nice anti-frizz conditioner for your hair as heat tends to frizz up hair.
You can use a nice citrus / cucumber/ sandal scented soap for that extra fresh feeling. Don't forget to use a good Deoderant
/ Antiperspirant after bathing. Use a light, fresh, non-greasy moisturizing lotion. Additionally, you can use perfumes
which are fresh, floral, or citrus scented to make you feel and smell fresh throughout the day.Invest in a good moisturizing lip balm as heat tends to crack/ chap lips too. Stick to light, matte make up. Drink lots of cool water throughout the day.d) You can make ICED TEA and COLD COFFEE along with the regular fruit juices and fresh lemonade (lemon juice mixed with water and sugar with a pinch of salt and mint for added freshness) and laze on your favorite chair reading a book on your kindle e-reader .
Here are the Recipes for iced tea and cold coffee.
ICED LEMON TEA RECIPE
Ingredients
Tea powder/ tea bags
Crushed ice
Water
Sugar
Lemons
Mint leaves
Process
Make the tea depending on your tastes, you can make it strong or light. The process is to boil the tea leaves with water and then strain using a sieve. You can store the cooled liquid in the refrigerator for future use too.
Next, take the liquid in portions as needed and add water, sugar, the juice of a lemon, and ICE as needed (for a glass of iced tea, you need a spoon of sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice) and pour all these into a blender and blend for 2-3 minutes. Your chilled iced tea is now ready to drink. You can garnish with mint leaves and serve.
COLD COFFEE RECIPE
Ingredients
Instant Coffee powder
Sugar
Milk (Vegans can use Soy milk/ Almond milk)
Crushed Ice
Water
Vanilla essence
Process
Boil the required amount of water and add the instant coffee powder to make the brew and stir well to mix. A spoon of instant coffee powder should be added to make one glass of cold coffee or you can add it as per your taste whether you want it light or strong.
Now add milk as required. Generally, milk has to be added 3 times more than the coffee brew made with water. Next, add sugar to taste (a spoon or two would be nice) and stir well to mix. Pour these ingredients into a blender and add crushed ice, a few drops of vanilla essence and blend for a few minutes. Chilled Cold coffee with a great taste is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
Happy Summers ! Have fun.
