Saturday, July 14, 2018 • Page 1B
Summer survival ADVICE
Beat the heat with these summer tips By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Well, you live in Houston and while you’ve prepared yourself for a sizzling summer, it’s now close to the midway point and you might be reaching your limit for hot, humid days. If that’s the case, check out these ways to beat the heat. Places to go While many Houston museums, like the Rothko Chapel and the Houston Center for Photography, are free year round, others offer free days during the week. Check out the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum which is free on Thursday from 1-5 Photo from Wikipedia p.m., the Houston Museum of African American Culture which has its Houston’s diversity in Museums offer ways to stay active yet cool during the free hours on Thursdays from 6-8 Summer season. p.m., or the Czech Center Museum If you have kids, like free bowling, mypoppins.com/. Houston which is free the last Mon- and don’t mind a bit of a drive, see Lastly, Reliant is sponsoring 11 day of the month from noon-4 p.m. kidsbowlfree.com/ for participating Beat the Heat Centers throughout Additional museums include the locations. The closest participating Houston, where people can keep Children’s Museum of Houston, one to the Leader area is the Emer- cool and minimize home electricfree on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.; the ald Bowl at 9307 Boone Road, which ity usage while enjoying free water, Health Museum, free on Thursdays is a 20 minute drive. But there’s free snacks and entertainment. The two from 2-7 p.m.; the Houston Museum bowling daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. closest to The Leader area are the of Natural Science, free on Thurs- through September 3. Participants Acres Homes Multi-Service Center days from 6-9 p.m. (except on June must be age 18 or younger. If you at 6719 W. Montgomery and the 21st); the Museum of Fine Arts, are willing to pay a little for the ex- West End Multi-Service Center at Houston, free on Thursdays from perience, Del Mar Lanes at 3020 170 Heights Blvd. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; and the Holocaust Mangum Road has done an extenMuseum Houston which is free on sive renovation and is ready to see Tips and recipes Sunday. you. Reader Lauren Williams also For a complete listing, visit houFor other fun ideas, check out shared some of Reliant’s tips to help muse.org/free-admission-times/. houstononthecheap.com/ or mom- people manage their energy usage
when temps continue to climb. One of these is to follow the 4x4 principle - During the summer months, setting your thermostat four degrees higher when you’re away from home for more than four hours can help reduce electricity usage and costs. When your thermostat is set below 78°F, each degree cooler may increase your costs by up to five percent. For additional tips, see reliant. com. To make your nights cooler, consider folding sheets and pillowcases, putting them in plastic bags, and placing them in the freezer until just before bed - that’s from mothernaturenetwork.com. For a less labor intensive nighttime cool, Real Simple suggests freezing a cotton sock filled with rice, then putting it between your sheets. As for summer time beverages, reader Jennifer Scogin is a fan of Advocare products. “Rehydrate is an electrolyte drink, a great substitute for Gatorade,” Scogin said. “The Pineapple Coconut flavor is tasty with Rum - so I’ve heard.” The internet is full of recipes for summertime hydration. One healthy (and quick) option is CucumberMint Water which takes five minutes to prepare. See myrecipes.com/ recipe/cucumber-mint-water for the recipe. Happy cooling!
Preferred Health Directory chiropractic care
Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss
Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A. 713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
optometry
Food is fuel and hydration By Melissa Hawthorne, MS, RD, LD, CDE
1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 713 864-8652
For The Leader
Photo supplied When heading to the beach or any other out and about spot, it is important to protect yourself from the summer sun’s rays
Protecting your skin from damaging UV rays By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Summertime is the best time for many – sun, sand, and the water call their names, and off to the waterfront or beach they go. But there is some very real danger if we’re not careful -- and some easy ways to prevent it. UV radiation is one of the leading factors for developing skin cancer, such as basal cell, squamous cell and the more commonly recognized melanoma cancers. Additionally, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with an estimated one in five Americans likely to develop it during their lifetime according to the American Academy of Dermatology. So how can local neighbors guard against the effects of UV rays? Further complicating the matter for potential vacation-goers could be the recent act signed into law by the governor of Hawaii, which will be the first bill in the country that will ban sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs when it goes into effect in 2021. However, Alpesh Desai of Heights Dermatology says there are still
several ways to safely enjoy the summer months The best kind of sun protection, he said, is physical blocking, such as clothing with certain ratings that protects the body from UV radiation. For those just catch that itch to hang out at the beach in swim or beach-wear, however, there are also alternative sunblock options available, such as those with zinc and titanium oxide, which work by sitting on top of the skin to deflect and scatter damaging UV rays away from the skin. “Those are the top two ways to protect your skin that has nothing to do with those two components [that might be banned],” Desai said. More than meets the eye However, it takes more than just slathering on any product that insinuates sun protection – and Desai noted a common misconception between two widely varying products can make all the difference. While the terms are used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between sunscreen See UV Protection P. 6B
Water is an essential component to everyday health. Proper water consumption will help a person to reduce their afternoon fatigue, regulate body temperature, process fat more efficiently, suppress appetite naturally and excrete waste products with proper kidney function. But, how much water does a person need to drink? The answer varies depending on the individual. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink 3 liters of water per day and women should drink 2.2 liters per day. Because body sizes vary, another commonly used recommendation is to take your body weight in pounds, then divide by two, with the quotient being the number of ounces of water that individual should drink daily. Using this method means that, for example, a 150-pound person should consume at least 75 ounces of water a day. On top of all these recommendations, you must factor in your activity level as well as the amount you perspire, as those differences may require an increase in the amount of water needed. Meeting these water consumption goals can be daunting for the average person to accomplish, but the great news is that you can use the foods you eat to satisfy your recommended water consumption target! The Institute of Medicine estimates that individuals consume 20% of their water intake from food if choosing the right types of food. To help increase that percentage, below are the top hydrating foods to eat daily. Cucumbers – Made up of approximately 96% water, this is one of the most hydrating foods and is also great for reducing swelling and getting a daily kick of vitamin C. For a new twist on cucumbers, try making a refreshing and cool cucumber soup this summer. Strawberries - This summer berry is 92% water and oh so flavorful. One cup of whole strawberries
Summer Sweets
Opia VisiOn Center
obstetrics / Gynecology
Hawthorne
is only 80 calories! Add sliced strawberries to a yogurt parfait for a delicious breakfast. Broccoli - This green vegetable is 91% water and only 25 calories per half-cup cooked! Broccoli is also a great source of fiber and vitamin C. Try roasting broccoli for a sweeter taste. Bell peppers - Multi-color bell peppers are 92% water. They are also a rich source of fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and betacarotene. Sauté a large batch of bell peppers on Sunday and add them to different dishes throughout the week: tacos, flank steak or salads. Mixed Greens – Adding mixed greens to a daily meal plan is convenient and easy. Mixed green salads are low in calorie, full of nutrition and 91% water! Always keep a large container of organic mixed greens in the house to use for a quick and healthy side dish. Cantaloupe – This tasty and sweet summer time melon is 90% water. Not only is it hydrating, but one cup of cubed cantaloupe is 80 calories and is a good source of vitamin C and potassium.
Dr. Stephanie Fulton Stephanie Fulton, M.D.
1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
Major Hospitals
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center
No matter how you slice it, cantelope is a good summer source of nutrition and hydration.
in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
July is...
National Ice Cream Month
We have some choice locations to check out in next week’s Food and Drink Section B. To advertise contact your sales rep 713.686.8494