Best Buys this Rainy July

We’re now well into the start of the school year and the rainy season. Are you prepared for the things you need this month? From bags to fruits to emergency kits, we’ll help you keep your shopping list on track with our roundup of the best things to buy in July.

July is the month of rainy season, which means preparation is key. Sometimes, the stormy weather can still be a motivation to be fashionable. And the right gear should keep you protected, dry, and trendy. Brands like Adidas, Columbia, Zara, and Topshop have chic and well-designed raincoats that you can choose from. Remember to add to your wet weather checklist a pair of rain boots and an umbrella too! If you have more than one set of each, feel free to mix and match your outfits.

A sturdy bag is one back-to-school essential that would be certainly useful not only for the semester or the entire school year, but for years to come. If you haven’t bought a bag yet, it’s never too late to shop for one.

When choosing a bag, keep in mind that compared to light-colored bags, ones with dark colors keep stains less noticeable. Also, make sure that it has a lot of compartments for all the things you stash inside. Some bags, for instance, have built-in laptop and cellphone compartments so you can carry your gadgets without worrying if they’d break.

Popular backpack brands include Herschel, Jansport, and Eastpak, which are available in malls nationwide. Lifestyle store Bratpack also carries most of these brands. More affordable backpacks are available at National Bookstore, while even cheaper versions can be bought at Divisoria.

Speaking of gadgets, it’s important to keep them waterproof for the rainy days ahead. This way, they can function at optimal performance and you don’t need to shell out for repair costs because they’re protected even if your bag gets soaked during a downpour.

Thankfully, you don’t have to go out of your way to buy gadgets with built-in waterproof features. There are accessories such as waterproof cases, gadgets bags, and underwater housing already available in the market today. These are sold at electronics stores such as CD-R King, Digital Walker, and iCenter. Prices range between PhP500 and PhP4,000. If you’re budget-conscious, you can always improvise by storing your gadgets inside a Ziploc bag.

Since flashfloods occur most often during the rainy seasons, it really doesn’t hurt to store an emergency preparedness kit in the house. Make sure that it has all the essentials like water, non-perishable food, toiletries, and a first aid kit. These items can be found in supermarkets and grocery stores, and even in home repair shops.

With the rains comes the increased danger of catching dengue. In fact, the Department of Education has taken their anti-dengue drive a notch by having vaccination programs in schools.

At home, you can protect your loved ones from mosquitoes by keeping a bottle or two of insect repellent lotion. Look for ones that offer up to eight hours of continuous protection so you don’t have to worry about reapplying overnight. Insect repellent lotion brands like Off! Lotion and Human Nature Bug Shield DEET-Free Lotion are available at the toiletries section of most supermarkets and grocery stores.

The wet weather makes people more prone to catch colds. Aside from taking vitamin C supplements, you can strengthen your immune system by eating lots of fruits.

One fruit with numerous health benefits is the avocado, which is rich in healthy fats, potassium, and fiber. Studies even show that eating avocados lowers your risk of heart disease.

This July, you can see lots of avocados at the grocery store. From sweet to savory preparations, the avocado is a versatile fruit, so take advantage of the time that it is in season.

For breakfast, skip the butter and instead mash up a sliced avocado, drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Slather on top of thick-cut baguette, thrown into the toaster, and in minutes, you have avocado toast. Optionally, you can add a fried egg for an extra protein boost. For snacks, you can make guacamole by mixing sliced avocado with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. This is a healthier dip compared to bottled or canned ones. For dessert, mash up the avocado with milk, sugar, and ice cubes for a sweet treat reminiscent of childhood days. For drinks, you can also have avocado shake using the same ingredients but this time, whirled in a blender. The possibilities with avocados are truly endless.

When buying avocados, choose ones without dark blemishes on the skin. Perfectly ripe ones should yield to light pressure from your fingers. Local varieties tend to turn deep purple to dark brown when ripe. If buying unripe ones, store in a paper bag in room temperature and consume within a few days.

Also in season are atis (sugar-apple), guyabano (soursop), and guava. You can buy these fruits at affordable prices at the public market. There, you can haggle with fruit vendors when buying several kilos, unlike purchasing them at a fixed price at the grocery store.