|
|
| Back to the Table of Contents |
Cooling choices
|
by Karen Roth
|
I have never liked summer's
hottest days. A good friend, and heat lover, once shared her idea that
we feel most comfortable in the weather of the month we were born (She
had a summer birthday.) If this is true then my November birthday could
explain my aversion to hot weather. Whatever causes it, I dread the
stifling days and sticky nights of summer even if I know it makes my
tomato plants thrive! As we become increasingly aware of our energy-
wasting ways, I also hesitate to use the air-conditioner we put in the
window much earlier than usual this year.
During our early heat wave, an article with ideas on how to stay cool
seemed appropriate. When complaining to a Co-op cashier about the heat
on a recent day, she gave a gentle suggestion, "Stay in the shade."
This reminded me we can all make active choices instead of passively
complaining!
Some choices can be made by controlling our home environment (see
below). But since perception of heat is such a personal thing, the
cooling system you were born with is the first place to focus. The most
important thing is to drink water often. We are continuously sweating
on hot days, even if we do not notice it, which means we need replace
water as we lose it. The cooling effect of water can also be used
externally by tying a wet bandana around your neck (some people even
add an ice cube). Additionally, the fast cooling effect of the
evaporation of alcohol and other astringents has long been used to cool
the skin. My mother used to wipe witch-hazel extract on my skin on hot
summer nights, a practice she learned from her mother.
Daily applications of deodorants have become a common practice. Many
people think of antiperspirants and deodorants as the same thing, but
they have very different roles. We are designed to sweat to cool down.
Therefore, using an antiperspirant is counterproductive!
Antiperspirants work by closing, clogging or blocking pores which is
the opposite of what you want. For this reason, all the products at the
Co-op are deodorants only, which work by neutralizing the smell of
sweat and by antiseptic action against odor-causing bacteria. There are
many common products that act as deodorants, the simplest being baking
soda. It acts by neutralizing odors rather than covering them up. A
Puff can be used to apply a light dusting of baking soda, or three
teaspoons in a cup of water can be used as a body spray. Adding a few
drops of the antibacterial essential oil of Lavender can enhance the
smell and effectiveness. Other essential oils with antiseptic
properties are tea tree, sweet orange, lemongrass, rose, clove
eucalyptus, cinnamon or birch.
If you prefer purchasing prepared items, the Co-op has many products to
meet your cooling needs. Among them are an extensive deodorant
selection, WiseWays Herbals Calendula Body Powder and Witch-Hazel. The
Wellness staff can direct you to the ones that will meet your
individual needs.
Finally, if you have sweated significantly during the course of daily
activities, the salt remaining on your skin can make you feel warmer
and sticky. A quick rinse in the shower, with minimal water use and no
soap needed, can immediately cool you down. And try to remember...
"Stay in the shade!"
|
Karen Roth is a member of the Co-op's
Nutrition Education Committee
|
Home
Cooling
|
•
During the day, close all windows, lower shades, close curtains and
keep exterior doors closed.
• In the evening, open windows and exterior doors so the cooler night
air blows in.
• Open interior doors, including closets and kitchen cabinets. If you
leave them closed, they store the daytime heat.
• Individual fans directed on you will use much less power than a whole
room air-conditioner.
|
Basic
Deodorant Powder Formula
|
½
cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch
Antibacterial essential oil
Place baking soda and cornstarch in a glass jar. Add essential oils
(start with a drop or two and add more if needed). Stir and cover.
Dampen a powder puff, cotton ball or sea-sponge, and dab into the
mixture. Pat under arms.
|
Basic
Liquid Deodorant Formula
|
¼
cup witch hazel extract
¼ cup aloe vera gel
¼ cup mineral water or herbal water
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (Use less if this feels too sticky.)
Antibacterial essential oil
Optional: 1/3 teaspoon grapefruit seed oil as a preservative if you
used herbal water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to blend.
|
Recipes
from: Bethold-Bond, Annie, Better
Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living. New
York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.
|
| Back to the Table of Contents |
|
|
|
