Hy-Vee Recipes and Ideas

Simply fill a silicone ice tray with aloe vera for single-use cubes that are easy to remove and apply to skin. The cold gel is instantly soothing on sunburned skin as the aloe works to reduce and prevent peeling. You can use bottled aloe vera or gel from your own aloe vera plant.

Also check out, How to Treat Bug Bites, Sunburns, and Poison Ivy.

No air conditioner? Make one! This DIY makeshift air conditioner is simply an ice pack attached to a fan. The cold blast of air is perfect for camping trips, working in the garage, hanging out outside, and keeping rooms in the house cool.

Beat the heat with delicious homemade "ice cream" using just one ingredient: bananas. Just blend frozen bananas until they are super creamy. This could take a few minutes, but it's worth it. Then add with your favorite ice cream mix-in, such as chocolate chips or nuts.

Make your own ice pack using a sponge, water, and zip-close plastic bags. Just soak a sponge in water, place it in the bag and freeze until you're ready to use. This simple DIY ice pack is perfect for tossing in a lunch bag or tending to summertime bumps and bruises.

Crumpled up aluminum foil is a great tool for cleaning dirty grill grates. After grilling, crumple foil into a ball and run it over the grill grates to remove stuck-on gunk and grime. You can also use tongs to hold the aluminum foil ball.

Cool drinks down in record time by wrapping bottles and cans in a wet paper towel and placing them in the fridge or freezer. The longer you leave them, the colder they'll get. You can even speed up the freezing process with this method.

Trying treating summertime bug bites without opening the medicine cabinet. Instead, apply oatmeal, aloe vera, or cold tea bags. Any of these at-home treatments can help reduce itching and irritation.

To repel mosquitos, leave out a small bowl of sliced lemons and cloves. Place the bowl on a picnic table while you dine outdoors or near little ones while they draw with chalk or lounge outside. Mosquitos are averse to all things citrus and the smell of cloves.

Create your own signature ice pops using ice cube trays and a blend of your favorite juices and sodas. Simply pour your preferred drink into the trays, add a wooden stick and freeze for a few hours before enjoying. Then be sure to give your frozen flavor a fun new name.

You can pre-mix your favorite summer cocktails by the batch, then pour into individual serving sizes using snack-size zip-close plastic bags. Store them in the freezer or fridge until happy hour. Then just insert a straw and seal the top around the straw. Cheers!

Serve a drink straight from a watermelon! Just scoop out the inside flesh and blend with juice (or something stronger). Next, attach a spigot for easy pouring and add your drink mix back into the melon. Voila!

Who remembers this fun trick? We do! Have some bubbly summer fun by repurposing an old wire hanger into a DIY bubble wand. Use pliers to untwist the hook and reshape the wire into your choice of design. Wrap any exposed ends and the handle with electrical tape for safe and comfortable handling.

Looking a little orange? You can remove a fake tan with a mixture of baking soda, water, and coconut oil. Combine a couple tablespoons of baking soda with enough water and coconut oil to form a paste, then gently scrub on the affected areas.