The summer heat is on it's way and before I know it we will be enjoying (maybe enduring is a better word) the hot Arizona heat. I remember last summer getting our electric bill and Drew & I were just shocked and realized we had to change some things. We turned the thermostat up 2 more degrees, I only ran the dishwasher right when we went to bed at night, and I only used the washer/dryer early in the morning or really late at night. We also "tried" ( I use it loosely because I could've tried harder) to cut back on using the oven, stove, crock pot...anything that would heat up my kitchen/home. This summer I am determined to cut back on it even more.
I am prepared to make burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, steak, etc...out on the grill and a friend yesterday suggested putting my crockpot in the garage or on the back patio if I use it. But I don't want to get too bored with grilling or eating the same things every week. The 120 degree weather is hard to bear and I won't necessarily want to be outside grilling in that heat anyways. I am looking for new "cool" summer food ideas.
So my question is, what do you cook or prepare in the summer to keep your homes cool?
13 years ago
6 comments:
Spaghetti-Fill your pot with water, put in spaghetti. Put lid on it. Bring to boil. Turn off burner and leave pot on that burner for 10 minutes. I don't imagine this will work if you have a gas stove though. Works with potatoes too, but I can't remember how long to leave them on the burner.
Eat ice cream for dinner :) I don't know much about heatless cooking, but I read one way to save on your energy bill is to unplug all the appliances that you're not using. (phone chargers, blow dryers, tv.) As a stay at home mom, I realize this may not be as easy, but it could be worth a shot.
We grill a lot in the summer, too. But you can just cook your food earlier in the day. I've been doing that a lot, if it required the oven. I refuse to turn the oven on past like 3:00. And if I'm not prepared and it's dinner time, we either grill or go out. Once your house gets hot, its like it can never cool.
April! We have the same problem! I just borrowed my mom's solar oven. You can cook everything you love - just in the back yard and using the sun. Its awesome. I'll forward you an email - there is a group order going in this month for a really good price. See you this weekend!
Lisa
More of a "save money on the electric bill" answer than anything, make sure you have a digital thermostat and program it. more than once I've found if I lived with an analog thermostat, my bill was 30-40% higher, and we were less comfortable! Also, check for drafts through doors & windows, review your insulation, and cover up any windows facing the sun with either blinds or vegetation. Hope that helps!
Did you see my food post? I have learned to make just about anything on the grill, pizza, meatball subs (the post)....last night I made enchiladas. My plan this summer is to eat TONS of salads, do the grill thing, crockpot/panini press outside and well eat popsicles and ice cream :) good luck! I also noticed that if I leave the tv on all day, it heats up our house, especially if it is a plasma. Also, make sure you are turning off your lights. We did that faithfully for a month and save $10! thats over 100 for a whole year.... :)
Post a Comment