It is the hottest day of the summer. The sun is relentlessly beating down on you, as if to avenge all of last winter's cold, cloudy days. But you are determined to avoid taking a break until after you have mowed the entire lawn. Your skin feels like leather, and your throat is as dry as the Atacama Desert-the hottest place on Earth. You keep reminding yourself that Earth contains 326 million trillion gallons of water, but that just makes you thirstier. As you start feeling faint, pushing the lawnmower seems akin to pushing a beached whale. Then suddenly, you spot the silhouette of a mysterious, unidentifiable figure approaching you. You brace yourself for anything. As the figure nears, it extends its arm and asks, "Would you like an ice-cold glass of lemonade?" You ask for lemonade and wish you could have asked for a kitchen counter stool as well. After all, not only are you thirsty, you are also tired. For summertime or any time, kitchen counter stools are ideal for enjoying all types of beverages.

Water Works

Your family members and guests can sit on your kitchen counter stools and have a refreshing glass of ice water. How much water should you drink daily? Water is certainly important to your body, as water makes up over half of a person's body weight. But you may not need eight glasses of water. For example, many food already have very high water content. These include the following fruits: apples, bananas, grapefruits, grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes. Vegetables with much water include broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, and squash. In addition, one's water intake should be spread throughout the day. Lastly, answer the following questions, to help calculate how much water you need for a day:

* What is your weight?

* How much will you exercise?

* Do you have a fever?

* Are you pregnant?

* How many alcoholic drinks will you have?

* Are you in a dry, or very hot or cold climate?

* Are you at a high altitude?

Smoothies Bring Smiles

While water is the best drink health-wise, other healthy choices can be whipped up to serve to anyone sitting on kitchen counter stools-whether they are at a counter, island, or dining room table. Fruit and vegetables juices are traditional choices, packed with flavor and vitamins. Also, a juice extractor is a handy machine that mechanically divides juice from the pulp - or solid portions - of most vegetables, fruits, herbs, and leafy greens. And, the pulp can later be used in breads and muffins! But perhaps the hottest trend in healthy beverages is the smoothie. This is a sweet beverage that has been blended and chilled. Fresh fruit or fruit juices are mixed with crushed ice, or frozen yogurt or fruit. Whether it is your next door neighbor or an out-of-town guest, everyone will sit on your kitchen counter stools in anticipation as you prepare a smoothie!

Hard Facts about Soft Drinks

While smoothies' popularity is increasing, soda consumption is skyrocketing! Sodas now make up a quarter of all beverages in the U.S. This does not mean, however, that sodas are completely safe to drink. Drinking too many sodas can result in problems such as increased weight, more cavities, weaker bones, and addiction to caffeine. But drinking an average of one soda or less per day would not do much harm. A soda with ice will hit the spot for anyone seated at your kitchen counter stools. And for an added touch, try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to root beer to make a root beer float!

A Mango Tango Smoothie or plain water can be perfect remedies for the dog days of summer or any other day, for that matter. And serving them to friends and family seated at kitchen counter stools will make the experience extra special!