Dear Red Hot Mamas

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: July 12, 2012

Well, here we are in July already. How’s all that sunshine working out for you? Where I live in New Jersey, the heat is on! Last month, the temperatures were sizzling hot, reaching to almost 100 degrees on the thermometer.

These temperatures make me want to hide in the movie theater for hours on end. The problem is there are only so many shows to see. Not to mention, the popcorn is starting to taste like cardboard. So how can we survive the heat and actually enjoy the summer? Some tips to keep you from feeling like a fried egg:

• Hydrate
• Dress in layers
• Wear a hat
• Use a fan
• Walk around the mall
• Wear breathable, non-wicking fabrics
• Cook and eat light
• Go swimming
• Coordinate exercise times when it’s coolest (dusk and dawn)

Water is the best beverage choice for staying hydrated. If you get dehydrated you may suddenly feel tired, hungry and light headed. Our bodies are comprised of water; The brain is 75% water, the blood 83%, and the heart 80 to 90% water. It’s important to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day to stay hydrated. How can you tell if you’re hydrated? The answer my friends, is in the toilet bowl. Now, I don’t want to get into the potty talk too much, but urine should be a pale straw color. If darker, you may need to drink more water.

Fruits and vegetable that are high in antioxidants help repair cells after sun damage. Fruits like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, cherries, oranges and grapes as well as vegetables like red bell peppers, kale, beets, brussels sprouts.

Do you have other tips that work for you in the heat? Don’t beat around the bush! Share them with other women who are suffering relentlessly through the heat! The Red Hot Mamas Inspire Forum is a new platform where you can share information, ask for tips and even air out your dirty linen in public!

Red Hot Mamas in the Washington area reached out about starting a group in their community and we have listened to their request! A new RHM program will kick off this summer at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington. So head West and chill out with the new RHM program in Longview. While you’re at it, take a dip in the mighty Columbia River to cool off.

If you prefer to cool off at the beach, consider the August edition of Essence Magazine and the July edition of Connecticut Magazine for some summer reading. You might as well brush up on your health and menopause while you’re enjoying that sunshine!

For ways to make sure your journey through perimenopause and menopause is a smooth one, check out Hope for the Change. In Connecticut Magazine, The Pause that Distresses looks into the challenges women face at menopause. RHM advisor, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin and I discuss valuable information, including how society’s acceptance has changed over the years.

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin
Founder and President
Red Hot Mamas