Crafting a cookout but keeping an eye on the budget? First, don’t buy more food than you’ll really need — or buy with an eye toward repurposing the leftovers throughout the week. You can also pick less-expensive cuts to grill; for example, marinated skirt steak can give your cookout that south-of-the-border flair as the filling for delicious grilled steak fajitas. Finally, remember to check the local thrift for lightly-used grilling accessories such as tongs and oven mitts, and you’ll be able to save on supplies while helping fund veterans’ programs.
Tag: summer
Cooking Out: Gas or Charcoal?
For summertime grilling, the age-old debate rages on: Which is better, gas or charcoal? Beginners and people who want to cook out frequently without having to tend coals should probably opt for a gas grill, even though they usually cost more to buy initially, Chowhound says. Charcoal grills allow for a wider range of temperatures, but can be difficult to control for the neophyte — and definitely require a more demanding cleanup regimen. But while gas is great for delicate foods such as vegetables and fish, only charcoal can impart the smoky flavor that says barbecue.
Easy Ways to Beat the Heat
With the Fourth of July festivities now complete, the worst of the summer’s heat and humidity still lie ahead for many parts of the country. While a certain amount of swelter and sweat are to be welcomed while you’re on a weekend trip to the ol’ swimming hole, many people still wilt when the temperatures rise, hiding from the heat indoors.
There are simple ways to keep cool even without the benefit of A/C, though. To keep your home cool, HuffPost says, keep the blinds and curtains closed against direct sunlight. In the bedroom, swap out flannel and fleece for lightweight cottons. Grill outside instead of cooking indoors. And be sure to set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
If your indoor space is still too sultry to sleep, try a few of Greatist’s “hacks” to keep from tossing and turning. Put your sheets in the freezer before bed, or put them on the mattress slightly damp—evaporation will cool the air around your body. Place trays of ice in front of your fans. And apply cold water to your pulse points before you drop off.
Your internal temperature has a big effect on how well you cope with the heat. The metabolic processes behind digestion raise body temperatures, the Daily Mail notes, so eat smaller, lower-protein meals more often. Eating spicy foods encourages sweating, which—while perhaps unsightly if unchecked—cools the body down.
While a frosty adult beverage may be appealing in hot weather, the story notes, alcohol tends to dehydrate, which may make you feel hotter. And no matter how much ice you add, caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and cola actually increase metabolic heat, adding to discomfort. Still and sparkling water are always good options when you’re looking to cool off.
And finally, if you’re taking a road trip and worried about your car’s performance, use a protective window shade to keep the cabin cooler when parked, TripSavvy says. Then, get rid of the built-up hot air by opening the windows; close them again and blast the A/C for a few minutes before adjusting the system to a maintenance level for the long haul.
Whatever you do, don’t let the summer heat ruin your good time. Try a few of these tips and tricks, and you can make the most of the hottest days of the year while barely breaking a sweat.
Beat the Summer Heat
The dog days of summer are now in full swing, and it’s going to be tough to keep your cool outside of air-conditioned environments. Reader’s Digest offers a number of tricks to help stay cool through the summer heat, including making a refreshing peppermint tea mist and chilling your bed linens. Above all, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid large, protein-heavy meals if you want to beat the heat, experts say. While ribs and brats from the grill may be tempting, metabolizing a big meal can raise one’s body temperature by 2 degrees!
Pack Light for Summer Travel
To ease and organize your summer vacation planning, says the Organized Home blog, pack light! Zipper bags will come in handy: Pack small items in them to organize your suitcases, or use them to pack each day’s outfits for a child. Deliberately underpack if you’re going on a leisure trip, since you’ll probably pick up a souvenir T-shirt or two, and pack only your most worn-out socks and underwear. You can wear them one more time and toss them when you’re done.