6 Cool Ways to Escape the Hot Weather

We are entering the second half of Summer and the heat is still on. With triple-digit temperatures within reach each day, it seems like the only options for staying cool are to stay indoors in front of the air conditioner. But why get stuck inside when you can enjoy the sun while staying cool?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Join a Raft-Up Party: Take hundreds of boats and tie them up together and what do you get?  An aqua-palooza you don’t want to miss! If you’ve never been to a raft-up event before, it’s a nonstop party on the water. There’s music, hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people and plenty of booze to pass around. If you don’t have a boat or a friend who has one check out check out raft-up.com – the site lists hundreds of events and happenings from Florida and Kentucky to the Hamptons, and you may be able to hitch a ride!

Make Ices to Suck On in Minutes: Handcrafted cold novelties on a stick have been the rage ever since Popbar and other gourmet Popsicle brands hit the scene. Gone are the days when preparing homemade Popsicles required overnight freezing.  Now, thanks to the Quick Pop Maker by Zoku, anyone can whip up a batch of mouth-watering iced lollies in less than ten minutes. You can test out your artisanal skills in the frozen department by experimenting with juices, creamy fillings, chopped fruit and even vegetables!

Take a Cold Pool Plunge: You don’t need to join the polar bear club to reap the benefits of cold therapy. An increasing number of day spas throughout North America have cold water plunge pools which are great for the muscles and a refreshing treat in the heat. While startling at first, the transition to cold on a hot day creates a total body buzz by promoting circulation and improving vascular health.