Beat the Heat

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: May 26, 2010

Summertime, and the living is easy for some people. For those Mamas who are already “red hot”, the dog days of summer can be their nemesis. The scorching heat and harmful rays are often the bane of the hot flashing menopausal woman. The sun may bake the asphalt but as the ice cream man rings his bell, remember there are ways we can avoid being “burnt by the sun”!

Instead of being a perfectly tanned bahama mama, you may suddenly become a red hot mama in the summer. Your face becomes a crimson shade of red, your upper body seems to be ablaze with fire. Yes, it’s hot in here. Hot flashes are turning up the heat. Cool off with these simple solutions to help you cope:

• Watch what you eat. Certain foods can trigger hot flashes. Hot, spicy foods, hot beverages and alcohol are contributors. So be aware of these triggers.
• Keep exercising. Women who exercise have fewer episodes of hot flashes. See below for some ways to stay active even in the sweltering high summer.
• Dress in layers and peel off the layers to make you feel cooler. Light tank tops and t-shirts should be the last layer of everyone’s summer wardrobe.
• Stop smoking. Smoking may exacerbate hot flashes. Not to mention, smoking on the beach is not attractive.
• Learn to relax and try deep breathing exercise. Sit outside at night and breathe in the cool summer breeze.
• Stay cool! Keep the temperature of the room cooler, particularly when you are sleeping. Air condition and fans are our friend this time of year.
• Keep a hot flash diary to identify what is triggering your hot flashes (i.e., coffee, jalepenos, etc.)
• Don’t let the heat stop you from exercising!

Continue your exercise regimen through the summer months. Staying active during these months are just as important as any other time of the year. Regular, physical activity will keep you healthy and happy. Follow these simple rules to avoid overheating and remain safe during the summer:

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Hot weather can drain the water right out of you (up to a quart of water can be lost in an hour of exercise). Drink water before, during and after you exercise.
• Don’t work out during the most hot, humid hours of the day. Try it in the morning or evening instead. Or, go to the gym or YMCA. Try walking around in the shopping mall even!
• Cool down in the water. Swimming is excellent aerobic exercise. Head to the beach or the YMCA to perfect your doggie paddle style.
• Stop those rays from taking a toll on your skin by slathering on the sunscreen! Before you start exercising, apply SPF 15 (at least) sunscreen.
• Style yourself with the right clothing. Loose-fitting, light-colored, synthetic fabrics are good choices to allow circulation of air between your skin and the environment.

Summer Essentials:

After diving into the pool, dive into a good book. Summer reading lists aren’t just for the kids these days. If you’re wondering what to read this summer, you might want to check out Amazon’s Summer Reading Store. Big-buzz books, bestsellers, beach reads and more are available. What do you think of when the magic of the ocean and beach come to mind? Mermaids, of course! Our choice for a whimsical summer read is the Sue Monk Kidd novel The Mermaid Chair. You will get lost in the magical, emotional quick-read.

For treating those tastebuds, try to chill out with light summer foods. Our recommendation is to cool off with some very easily prepared.

Gazpacho

• 4 cups tomato juice
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, minced
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

In a blender or food processor, combine tomato juice, onion, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, tarragon, basil, parsley, sugar, salt and pepper. Blend until well-combined but still slightly chunky. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. **from allrecipes.com