Trip to the library helps you stay cool

By Betty Himes
Adult Services Librarian, Muskogee Public Library

July 19, 2008 10:45 pm

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Staying cool in the summertime heat involves more than lying in a deck chair with a tall drink, though that sounds wonderful when just touching your vehicle's steering wheel can give you a first-degree burn.
If you would like to cool off with a refreshing drink check out “The Smoothies Bible” by Pat Crocker. You’ll find smoothies of fruit, like Blueberry Banana; vegetable, such as Spiced Carrot; herb, including Calming Chamomile; and dairy and dairy alternative, like Coconut Milk. If you want more ideas try “Juices & Smoothies” by Suzannah Olivier, healthful recipes guaranteed to cool you down delightfully.
You’ll find more juice recipes in “The joy of juicing” by Garry Null, “The juicing book” by Stephen Blauer, “The food processor bible” by Norene Gilletz, and Good Housekeeping’s offering “Blend it!” The last two include recipes that involve cooking, but you can easily ignore them.
If you are determined not to cook you will find suggestions in “The complete book of raw food” edited by Lori Baird and in “Raw — the uncook book” by Juliano Brotman. If you prefer to wrap or enfold dinner, you can “Wrap it up” with recipes by Amy Cotler or try “Wraps — Easy Recipes for Handheld Meals” by Mary Corpening Barber and others. Becky Mercuri in “American sandwich” suggests varieties outside the ordinary like Ajax Diner’s fried catfish po-boy. “Super Sandwiches” by Rose Dunnington suggests Tuna Melt-In-Your Mouth, and Island Wrap with plantains and salsa.
It’s hard to get cooler than ice cream. If you don’t have a family recipe handed down for generations, try making a family tradition with “Iced Delights” by Shona Crawford Poole or “125 best ice cream recipes” by Marilyn and Tanya Linton.
You may find your flavor in Williams-Sonoma “Ice cream,” which includes classic, fresh fruit, elegant and indulgent categories. Williams-Sonoma also offers luscious and mouth-watering “Mastering frozen desserts,” reportedly made easy with step-by-step photography.
Come by the library to browse in the cool, use the computers or find some recipes to help you chill out.