I've been complaining about the heat quite a bit recently - way more so in real life, don't you worry ;) - even though a lot of people would consider the current temperatures in the UK to be lukewarm at best. But blimey, it's hot.

I think the main problem with British people and the weather (and why we talk about it so much) is because we're not geared up for anything other than mild drizzle. Our houses/offices/modes of transport are not insulated enough for truly cold weather or ventilated enough for hot weather. We also build cheap, flimsy houses on our flood plains and get surprised when they get torn apart in high winds and fill with water during storms. We're a funny bunch.

Of course with climate change, we're going to have to get more used to extreme weather and the answer is not going to be turning on the air conditioning in the summer. Kate over at Living the Frugal Life has put together a list of ways to keep cool without having to resort to electricity-draining fans/coolers.

Since, as Kate points out, cucumber is a cooling plant, it'll be double cooling to have it in a frozen dish - like cucumber sorbet.

Feeling dry-mouthed always makes me feel hotter - this is a great way to freshen up.

Team it with gazpacho - like in this recipe - as an inverse wasabi, use it as a palate cleanser/cooling side dish at barbecues or just guzzle it down whenever you're feeling one step away from combustion.