Desert coolers
To get the effect of cold monsoon breezes blowing in your bedroom, while temperatures outside are pushing 40 degrees Celcius, get yourself a desert cooler. Desert coolers are quite different from their rather feeble plastic peers – they're basically large metal boxes with three sides consisting of wire netting panels covered with straw or wood shavings. Swap out a standard air-conditioner for a desert cooler to save big bucks on electricity, especially if you have a big home. Another big plus – since these are water-filled, you don’t have to worry about installing humidifiers. In other words, say bye-bye to dry, dehydrated 'air-conditioner' skin. A desert cooler works in any room with good cross-ventilation. In fact, these babies work best when the windows and doors are open, so you can breathe fresh, cold air even in the summer!
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Forget scarves and hats! Instead of getting a sweaty scalp and mussed-up hair, keep your body temperature down while you are outdoors with a wet compress. This easy DIY requires neither extra power nor complicated gadgets - a bottle of cold water and a clean hanky is all you need. Every half-hour, soak the fabric of your hanky with cold water and sponge the back of your neck with it. Ta-da! Instant relief from the heat.
Earthen pots
Apart from filling bottles of water to stash in the fridge, invest in a regular unglazed, unpainted earthen pot. Fill the pot with drinking water and store it in the kitchen. The natural properties of unglazed earthenware make them excellent cooling vessels. The water inside will stay cool despite the surrounding temperature – and you don't have to make do with unpleasantly warm tap water after a six-hour long power outage!
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Cold lunches
Cold lunches save majorly on cooking fuel, so you can avoid slaving away over a hot stove and feel virtuous about it, too! In case you're wondering what on earth you could make for a cold lunch, look no further than good old curd-rice! Chilled curd-rice is a perfect lunch on a scorching day, when the thought of hot sambar and rice is enough to put anyone off! Jazz up your curd-rice by adding grated carrots or finely-chopped raw mangoes, or a tempering of mustard seeds, asafoetida and chopped green chillies. Or you can serve it up with a side of homemade raw mango relish or pickle. Salads like Greek salad, cold turkey salad or fruit salad are excellent for weight-watchers, especially when served with home-made iced tea. Chilled gazpacho soup, potato-mayonnaise or chicken mayonnaise salad and cold pasta salad work for people who like heavier lunches. And don't forget the ice-cream for dessert, to make it a really happy, chilled-out summer!