Chill. Out.

By Nancy Van Patten, Marketing/Food Writer

You don’t need me to tell you the temperature. It’s that open-your-pores-up steambath kind of hot. It radiates off the asphalt and through your shoes so quickly that everyone should have some pep in their step-except it’s too hot to move that fast. We’re all dragging, and who wants to wade through the day like that? Well, let Whole Foods Market Johns Creek lighten your load. Here are some ideas to help you beat the heat.

First off, hydration. You all know to drink plenty of fluids to stave off the heat, but certain foods may be just as effective as water. Leafy greens, watermelon and tomatoes are all good choices, and doesn’t that sound like a nice refreshing salad as well? Another good food choice is the cucumber. Did you know that the interior of your basic ‘cuke is up to 20 degrees cooler than the exterior air? That’s what I call a “green” air conditioning system. Slice some cucumbers and put them in a pitcher of ice water—it’s mighty refreshing. And if you’ve been participating in sports or working outside and need to replace some electrolytes, reach for a container of coconut water.  Its primary minerals and electrolytes are similar to the ones found in fluids in the human body, so it does a neat job of replacing the things you need the most. You could call it an all-natural sports drink, without the artificial junk that jags your system into hydration and leaves you deflated later.

Even though you’re eating light, you’ll still need some proteins. Stick to the ones you can find on a shelf—I’m talking beans and tuna fish. Beans contain water, lots of protein, and in either dried or canned forms are simple to prepare. A can of tuna fish (stick with the ones packed in water) can be added to any salad without weighing you down. And did you know our 365 Everyday Value™ Chunk Light Tongol Tuna packed in spring water won “Best Overall” in a taste test conducted by the good folks at Epicurious.com?  Yep. You, too, can add an award-winning tuna to your dinner.

Keeping cool can extend to your pets, too. Add ice to your pet’s water in the morning, so as it melts they’ll have plenty of refreshment all day long. Chill a carrot in the refrigerator-make sure it’s size-appropriate for your dog—and offer it up as an all-natural, chilly chew toy. And if you have one of those hard-rubber toys with a hole in the middle for a treat, stick some ice in one end and seal it with some peanut butter. It’s messy, so let them enjoy this outside—but not for too long, you don’t want your critter to overheat.

Speaking of overheating, your skin may feel like a hot mess in August. Switch to mineral-based foundation powders, which are lighter on the face, and find a moisturizer that combines with an SPF of 15 or higher to provide one clean layer of moisture and protection on your face. Keep your sunscreen in the refrigerator or if you’re at the park or beach, in your cooler—it’ll be a nice swipe of cold on a hot day, plus it might remind you to use it more often-that is, if you’re like me, and you’re always. In. the. Refrigerator.

Hope these tips help you beat the heat lamp of August.  Remember, our store is a nice place to chill. If you’ve got some tried-and-true methods on beating the heat, please share them with us!