going (crazy) without air conditioning.

June 25, 2013

strawberry coconut popsicles It’s easy to write about going without air conditioning in May. In the weeks before Memorial Day, when the nights are still cool and the air is still moving, it’s easy to imagine a summer spent singing into a fan and sucking on popsicles with nary a bead of sweat dripping from your brow. At the end of June, when the air in the tiny loft where you sleep is so thick that your husband flees and heads downstairs to wedge himself into the sliver of floor between the couch and dresser because that seems more appealing, you begin to question your sanity.
strawberry coconut popsicle James and I don’t have air conditioning. This is partially because thinking about the energy that we collectively consume from air conditioning sends me into a spiral of panic about the state of our planet, and partially because when you only have one real window, blocking it up with an air conditioner doesn’t seem like a viable option.

The truth is, after last night’s sleep, I’m ready for one of these.

Still, here are a few optimistic ideas for enduring a heat wave sans A/C. If you’re already scoffing at my naiveté, perhaps you’ll be interested in reading my recipe for strawberry coconut popsicles. Every heat wave needs a popsicle, air conditioning or no.

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22 Comments

  • Reply fore front June 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    i too go without an a/c. mostly because i hate the way they look but for the good of the planet too i suppose. i find hopping into a cold shower and barely drying off does the trick – along with a fan directed right at my body.

  • Reply pretty little things June 25, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    I could only imagine. We've hit a heat wave here and we are blasting out ac like no ones business! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

  • Reply The Sill June 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    air conditioning AND strawberry coconut popsicles, please!

  • Reply Amanda June 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Solidarity, sister. Warm, thick, possibly slightly grouchy solidarity.

    (I can promise this solidarity for approximately two more weeks, after which there is NO TELLING what might happen.)

  • Reply brittany snodgrass June 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    We live in Texas where air conditioning is a necessity. (We regularly reach 100 degrees over the summer.) I was always under the assumption that cooling was more efficient that heating, and it seems this might be the case: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13941744

    Those popsicles look delicious!

  • Reply rebecca June 25, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    YUM and gorgeous!

  • Reply Anonymous June 25, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Hot and humid in MTL, too. Watching summer movies helps; The Seven Year Itch is one of my favourites.

  • Reply Katie June 25, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Strawberry COCONUT popsicle? Yes please.

  • Reply Abby June 25, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    We go without air conditioning partially because of its environmental impact, and partially because I grew up without it and always managed (albeit grouchily) with fans. We have a window fan that cools things off considerably at night, and we try to cool off in other ways as much as possible. Swimming at the YMCA, spending mornings in libraries, and turning on the oven as little as possible seems to help!

  • Reply oneawkwardyear June 25, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    We don't have air conditioning either – in addition to the energy issues, I have this semi masochistic competitive streak that I sort of want to prove I don't need it…but I'm the one who loses when it is hot! I once tried freezing my bedsheets but it didn't really work, ha. http://oneawkwardyear.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/one-awkward-tip-beat-the-heat-freeze-yo-sheets/

    Now I just stick to fans and lots of cold showers. Good luck w/ the heat! – Liz

  • Reply Alexa June 25, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    i try every summer to hold out as long as possible before installing my a/c and usually end up using it for july and august. this year, though, i'm planning to go without, and knowing you are doing the same (and in the same city) is a great source of encouragement. thank you!

  • Reply Stephanie June 25, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    I use a dual window fan similar to this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/17133779?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227010003486&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=18138092350&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=39999912790&veh=sem
    Its great because it enables to blow hot air out, bring air in all at once! 😀

  • Reply Kristina June 26, 2013 at 12:01 am

    I currently live in Australia and in our apartment we also have no A/C. But gosh, I wished we had one during the weeks of heat last summer, days and days with 38 degrees celcius outside made the apartment boiling hot! We used two fans which helped! I am not a fan of A/C and think it is used way too often for no reason! The waisted consumption of electricty drives me mad! Enjoy your popsicles and try to stay cool 🙂
    Kristina x

  • Reply Inge June 26, 2013 at 1:50 am

    Those popsicles look so good! Two of my favorite things: coconut and strawberries!

  • Reply Selene Over the Pond June 26, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    i've never tried!

    i have to do it!

    thank you

  • Reply Barney Ranjan June 28, 2013 at 6:00 am

    Whatever your individual circumstances, Cooleasy can offer a solution for you. If any advice is required please give us a call and speak to a member of our friendly team on 0800 458 0101. No questions are silly and of course, advice costs nothing.

  • Reply Nancy Crutcher June 28, 2013 at 6:11 am

    Wow! I love those popsicles and strawberries as well. When summer time comes I always make my kids like these popsicles and I call it iced candy. It's actually delicious because I blend some fresh fruits and mix with water and sugar before I put it in the freezer. They really love it. –http://www.justairllc.com

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