Canine Climate Control

As a human being, I am very grateful to William Havilland Carrier for inventing the miraculous machine we know as the air conditioner. This 100-plus degree summer wouldn’t be bearable without an AC in my house, but I’ve learned that humans aren’t the only ones who suffer when the dog days of summer hit with full force. Dogs obviously can’t sweat and have much more body hair than humans, so they’re especially susceptible to the dangers of heat stroke in the summer. You can use Lowes coupons to protect your pet’s health by installing an AC in his dog house this summer.

You might think that sounds crazy – who gives their dog their own personal air conditioner? But canine climate control isn’t just for the pampered pooches of the rich and famous, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to ensure the health and safety of a loved one as temperatures rise. According to the Humane Society of the United States, a dog house does not provide adequate refuge from summer’s soaring temperatures because the lack of air circulation in these structures can cause the temperature in the doghouse to swell high above the temperature of the outside environment – and if you won’t be home during the day to let your dog come in and enjoy the cool air in your home, using Lowes coupons to get a small, cost-efficient air conditioner for his house is the best way to protect him from the summer heat. You can find instructions for how to easily install an ac for your dog here.  

15 Minute Cookout Solution: KFC-Style Coleslaw

         

           It’s not summer without a cookout, and it’s not a cookout without coleslaw. You could bust out a few KFC coupons and pick up some slaw for your next get-together, but there’s something about home cooking that really adds to the experience (plus, you can claim the praise when guests ooh and aaah over it!).

            Here’s a recipe for killer coleslaw based on KFC’s killer side dish that’s sure to compliment your next cookout perfectly.

INGREDIENTS

            8 cups finely-chopped cabbage (approx 1 head)

            ¼ cup carrot, shredded

            2 tablespoons minced onion

            ½ cup mayo

            1/3 cup white sugar

            ¼ cup milk

            ¼ cup buttermilk

             2 ½ tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

            1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar

            ¼ teaspoon black pepper

            ½ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

            For a really scrumptious slaw, the cabbage and carrots need to be very finely chopped – aim for pieces the size of rice.

            In a large bowl, combine mayo, sugar, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Beat until smooth.

            Add cabbage, carrots, and onion. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours minimum. This recipe serves 10 to 12.

            Who wants to spend time slaving over a hot stove when it’s already hotter than a firecracker outside? This recipe rocks because it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive – the perfect pot-luck contribution that’s also a universal favorite. Of course, if you can’t be bothered to chop cabbage, you can always print out a few KFC coupons and grab some on your way to the party – but then all credit goes to the colonel! 

Chill Out With Your Dog This Summer

Everyone loves popsicles in the summertime – even dogs! When the mercury rises, you can mix up your dog’s dietary routine from the usual Kibbles and Bits coupons with this “pupsicle” recipes. They’re pet safe, super refreshing, and easy to make with ingredients you have on hand. Bon appétit!

Basic recipe:

         1 banana, ripe

         4 cups natural orange juice

         ½ cup plain yogurt

Puree all the ingredients in a blender and pour into ta popsicle mold. Freeze & feed to your favorite pet! You can mix it up by substituting peaches, watermelons, blueberries or strawberries for the banana.

Savory popsicles:

         If you had chicken for dinner, your dog can enjoy it for dessert! Let the leftover chicken carcass simmer in a pot of hot water for an hour and a half. Cool, pick the meat off, and discard the bone. Combine chicken broth, mashed up carrots/peas/corn or other leftover veggies, pour into popsicle mold, and freeze. These can be a bit messy and are best served outside.

Lazy pet owner’s recipe:

         Cube some watermelon, put it in a plastic baggie, and put it in the freezer. This cool all natural treat is the easiest way to let your dog enjoy a sweet taste of summer!

        

If you don’t have a popsicle mold, you can freeze your pupsicles in a small Tupperware container or empty single-serve yogurt containers. Remember that these pupsicles can’t substitute for the well-rounded meal Kibbles and Bits coupons provide, so feed them to your dog only as a special treat. 

The Secret To Staying Sweat Free This Summer? Secret Deodorant, Of Course!

        

          It’s finally summer, and that means it’s time to work on my tan. I’m not one of those girls who can lay out by the pool for hours, though – I get terribly bored. I prefer to enjoy my time outdoors while being active – running, biking, playing tennis, volleyball ….but being so sporty can come with embarrassingly smelly consequences. All I have to do is step outside in the summer and I start sweating like crazy, so the problem only gets worse once I increase my speed. I go through more Secret deodorant coupons in the three months of summer than in all the other months of the year combined, I swear.

            I’ve found that, when the mercury rises, regular deodorant isn’t enough to keep me from disintegrating into a soppins mess. I’ve taken to bringing in the reinforcements, but it’s totally worth it. I recommend Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant, which contains a maximum amount of the active ingredient aluminum trichlohydrex GLY. This is a powerful natipirspirant that effectively corks your sweat glands, so you don’t soak the underarms of your favorite sundress. Plus, it won’t stain your clothes and she smell is really light and pretty. I’ve found it works best if I use this antipirspirant before bed, giving the active ingredient overnight to get to work. I apply my regular deodorant on the way out the door in the morning, and my sweat is under control. If you tend to sweat a lot in the summer, don’t miss out on these Secret deodorant coupons – secret clinical strength runs about 8 dollars a stick (less with the coupons) but it’s worth every penny.

Weather-Proof Your Beauty Routine

        We’re setting heat records here in NYC, and we’re nowhere near the dog days of summer yet. I want to look fabulous all summer long, and weather-proofing my look takes a little extra work when the mercury rises. How you adapt your routine and which makeup coupons you use this summer is tied to your climate – so read on for tips on how to make you makeup work for you this summer, no matter where you live.

Desert Heat
       A hot, arid climate – and areas at high altitude – are characterized by dry air, which sucks all of the moisture out of your skin, leaving your scaly, dry, and dull. The Top layer of your skin can actually get so dry it flakes off, says LA dermatologist Av Shamban. Plus, dehydration accentuates fine lines. How to beat the desert heat?
        Dr. Shamban says the key is to repair the top layer of your skin so it can serve as an effective barrier against water loss. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizing sunscreen before you put on any other makeup. At night try a ceramide-rich lotion like Aveeno’s Advanced Care Moisture Cream to soften skin while you sleep. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water!!!
Triple H
      This stands for hot, hazy, and humid. Under these conditions, sweat pools on your skin instead of evaporating. It mixes with your body’s natural oils and bacteria, which form a slippery, grimy biofilm – which can act like a magnifying glass, exaggerating imperfections. Obviously this is something you want to beat – here’s how.
        To effectively battle these conditions, you’ll need to soak up the breakout-inducing oil and grime that can collect on the surface of your skin. Dr Shaman suggests washing your face and body with a gel cleanser (the best type at fighting grease) as a first step. You’ll want to do a salicylic or glycolic acid peel once a week to unclog pores, and you can skip moisturizer in the day. Instead, use makeup coupons to wear a light, oil-free foundation with built-in SPF.

Deathproof Plants for A Stunning Summer Garden

I’m somewhat of a brown thumb – I even killed the bamboo plant that sat on my desk at work, which I have been told is next to impossible. But horticulturally-challenged homeowners rejoice – these hardy plants bloom beautifully in the summer, even in harsh conditions, and even if the gardener is not especially gifted. If you’re looking to use your Lowes coupons on plants that won’t pass away immediately, try one of these no-fail varieties:

COREOPSIS
Also known as Thickseed, this flower is a member of the daisy family. Native coreopsis are vibrant gold, but plant breeders have altered the blooms into a variety of shades that make any garden more impressive. They are drought-resistant and bloom in even the hottest summers.

GAILLARDIA
Also called blanket flower, these are related to sunflowers and daisies. The big blooms (up to 4 inches across!) are long-lasting and come in pretty shades of orange, red, and yellow.

HARDY HIBISCUS
This is a lovely addition to a summer garden because each plant produces many large flowers. Colors range from white to pink to red, and they are known to thrive in poor soils while withstanding both extreme heat and cold.

HOLLYHOCK
This country charmer adds old-fashioned flair to any garden. They can grow anywhere from 4-8 feet tall and grow in nearly any color you can imagine, including red, yellow, pink, white, purple, and orange.

MAY NIGHT SALVIA
Also called meadow sage, this plant produces violet-blue spikes throughout the summer and are known to attract bees and butterflies. They may grow as high as three feet tall and are often the first to bloom in spring.
So grab some Lowes coupons and a trowel, and go ahead and garden without fear – these flowers will bring you enjoyment all summer long, no nurturing required.

Hooray! It's June (aka National Iced Tea Month)

Get ready, kids: the month you’ve been waiting for is about to arrive. I can’t wait for June. It’s the official start of summer, yes, but it’s also National iced Tea Month. I’ve never heard a better reason to use Arizona Iced Tea coupons, and I suspect they’ll be very popular this month and all summer long.

Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. In 2010, Americans drank well over 65 billion servings of tea, which adds up to more than 3 billion gallons!

If that, about 85% of all tea consumed stateside is iced, though hot teas are more popular in other nations. Iced tea is a refreshing alternative to sugary soft drinks or lemonade, and it may even have positive healthy benefits.

According to new findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there is evidence that those who consume an average of two cups of green tea every day have a lower body fat percentage and weigh less than those who do not drink tea.

Iced tea contains a nominal number of calories, but it has been shown to help maintain proper fluid balance in the body, and flavonoids – a compound found in tea – have been shown to protect the skin and keep blood vessels healthy. I’ll take some Arizona Iced Tea coupons and drink to that!