Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Why Use Self Check Out?

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There have been a lot of changes to the shopping world over the last decade. The move from in-store shopping to an online mega shopping experience has made automated shopping more ideal. The ability to shop using a device has made life more convenient, easier, and clear-cut. You know the prices, the calculator on the app tells you the expected shipping costs if any, and it makes shopping clear and concise.

Self-Check-out

Maybe the convenience to shoppers wasn’t the reason for self-check-out additions in the stores. Self-check-out allows for the store to have one or two employees watching over multiple check-out areas. Some big stores have also added the convenience of using their app to scan items while shopping and then using the scanner at self-check-out to complete the check-out process. This level of convenience for the customer with these additions helps lessen moving items in and out of the cart, in addition to fewer people handling items for those who are trying to limit that.

Why Receipt Checking?

With all of the technology for checking out with scales for measuring the weight of each item as you put it into a bag, cameras at self-check-out and all over the stores, and with the addition of apps for self-check-out convenience, why the receipt checking?  Big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club have receipt check out on the way out whether there is a self-check-out or a traditional check-out. If those big box stores have this gap, it isn’t surprising that other stores have added this. But this adds another stop and another touchpoint for those who are trying to limit contact.

Company Policy

Per one store, the policy for checking every receipt is to catch and deter shoplifting, and they check every receipt on the way out and are not targeting any individuals.  Another store said the reason they check the receipts to make sure that people are not overcharged, not because they are worried about their customers stealing.

Self-check-out is a convenience they many enjoy. It is frustrating when the scales go off saying the item isn’t placed on it – come on machine, its toilet paper it isn’t heavy – and sometimes it is slower than the regular check out, but it is convenient. Will receipt checking prevent you from using self-check-out or using certain stores?

Masks Recommended for On Base Shopping

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Mid-December of 2021 masks and face coverings were recommended for shopping at the on-base Commissaries. The update occurred to maintain and align with local recommendations for mask-wearing. This has been met with confusion and frustration.

Mixed Signals

If it hasn’t been clear in the last two years, there have been varied adoptions of mask-wearing policy across the United States. Some states require mask-wearing, and some states don’t. For the holidays, some states like California required mask-wearing indoor and outdoor for a month coinciding with an increase in travel. With some states not requiring mask-wearing indoors, it has added an extra layer of confusion for those going on base to shop.

Federal Regulations

Federal properties require mask-wearing. Government buildings and the military exchanges have required mask-wearing on base to shop or enter. The commissary’s updated recommendation to wear a mask and align with local authorities has added confusion for those who don’t understand if they can wear a mask or not. Employees of the commissary are wearing masks, vaccinated or not.

Local Authority

Each state has varied on mask-wearing. If your local state has a mandate for mask-wearing indoor, it would make sense to continue mask-wearing while shopping at the local commissary. If there is no mask-wearing required at your base or commissary, then you can choose to wear a mask as desired.

Grocery Pick Up

If you don’t agree with mask-wearing inside, and there is a mandate in your local area, you can choose to do grocery pick up. There is no requirement to mask up when social distancing can be done outdoors, where grocery pick-up occurs. The grocery pick-up of click and go is without additional charge and can be easily planned and done from the comfort of your home before arriving at the commissary. Avoid all lines and waiting by picking what you need for groceries and letting someone else shop for you.

Simple Swaps for Healthy Snacking

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In with the holiday season comes the holiday dishes and treats. Traditionally, the dishes were heavier because the work was harder in the winter – longer hours outside necessitated hand pies stuffed with cream, potato and veggie, and meat goodness.  The majority of Americans aren’t performing hard labor dusk to dawn, but are commuting or sitting most of the day. This isn’t to say that enjoying holiday foods shouldn’t be done. The holiday time is a time to enjoy the cookies and great-grandma’s casserole. It is also the time for moderation and balance. An extra 200 calories a day could add up to a couple of pounds added in a month. Keeping a few healthy habits in mind over the holiday period will allow you

When you are eating meals, make sure to “budget” your plate with a mix of fresh vegetables and fruit along with the casserole and a roll. Keep it colorful with whole foods in addition to the more prepared foods.

Have fresh fruit and vegetables on hand. Having “quick” snacks like cookies and chips are easy to reach because they are there and ready. If you have vegetables like baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and snack peppers on hand, you are always ready for a veggie fix. Get cucumbers, celery clean, cut, and ready for any snack to go. Prepare sliced apples, pears, nectarines, or whatever is seasonally available every couple of days so they are ready to grab.

Except for mealtime, don’t sit with food in front of you. It is easy to bring over a bag of chips to hang out with the family while watching a movie. Sitting down with food can lead to mindless eating. If you are sitting down for family movie time, consider portioned foods. Scoop out a serving size of the chips. Or swap the chips for a handful of nuts for a more filling snack.  Edamame is a delicious veggie-packed with folate, iron, and magnesium – steam it over boiling water and snack on it fresh from its shells.

If chips and dip are your jam, try these fun and easy swaps. Sliced bell peppers with guacamole provide vitamins that aren’t in chips, and the healthy fat and fiber in guacamole are filling. Hummus and celery provide the fiber that chips definitely do not offer. Cucumbers are another great veggie swap for chips. Apples and peanut butter are a great swap if you are looking for fruit, but make sure to limit the peanut butter to serving size.

Looking for a sweet and creamy snack. Mix some plain, full-fat Greek yogurt with mixed berries or frozen fruit for a delicious and filling parfait. The berries are a great source of antioxidants and yogurt is a great source of calcium, potassium, and protein which is filling.  You can also swap the yogurt for cream cheese.

Have the cookie on the sweets table, but stick to one or two. If you are still looking for sweets, try dark chocolate-covered almonds. Both dark chocolate and almonds are high in magnesium. Dark chocolate contains flavanols which are thought to lower blood pressure while reducing the risk of heart disease. Almonds contain monosaturated fats which are heart-healthy and can reduce appetite.

Hard-boiled eggs get a bad wrap for the smell. They are perfectly proportioned snacks to go packing protein and vitamin K and B12 in their to-go size. Moderate egg intake does not increase your risk for heart disease.

Looking for a sweet kick- look no further than fried fruits like cherries or apricots. Watch to ensure there is no added sugar in the dried fruit which can add in extra calories. Dried unsweetened coconut is a favorite for its filling snack, and is easy as a snack on the go or while doing a game night with the family.

Marinated vegetables are a great addition to a charcuterie board of plates. Add marinated artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, or even olives for a pack of flavor in addition to the healthy properties of the fiber.

The bottom line is eating in moderation. Have the pie, and the veggies too. Having the holiday casserole is wonderful, and the holidays are about making those memories with your friends and family. Making healthy eating a daily habit and choice will keep you eating happy and healthy all through the year.

Make Your Own New Years Soba at Home

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Toshikoshi Soba means New Year’s Eve Noodles. The custom began in Japan in the Edo Period. The noodle represents long life. The noodle dish is a popular dish eaten on New Year’s Eve when ringing in the new year in Japan and while traveling to Japan to enjoy it in person may not be done as easily right now, making it at home can be done. Soba noodles are often found in Asian markets across the United States and are usually found in the International Aisle in the Commissary. In some parts of Japan, Udon is the more common noodle and is eaten. If you are unable to find Soba noodles, you can use the ramen noodles from the packet and skip the flavoring packet.

Why Soba?

Soba is an easily prepared meal, and the noodles are readily available in Japan. After a holiday of busy schedules and meals that take a lot of time and care to make, a soba dish is a welcome treat.

The soba noodle is also a lucky symbol in Japan. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat, a hardy plant that is has come to symbolize resilience due to its hardiness.  The long length of the noodles often are regarded as a symbol for long life and longevity.

Ingredients

  • Bonito Flakes
  • Soy Sauce
  • Mirin
  • Sugar
  • Nori (Seaweed flakes)
  • Soba Noodles
  • Toppings as desired (see below)

Preparation

To make the dashi stock for the noodle dish, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Once boiled, add in 2-3 cups of bonito flakes. Turn off the heat and let the flakes steep for 10 minutes. After that time, strain to remove the solids. You can save the solids to add as a topping to the noodles or discard – this is purely based on taste preference. Store the dashi stock in a bowl.

Using the pot you used for the broth, add ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup of mirin and 1 TBL sugar, and a pinch of salt together. Mix and bring to a boil for about a minute. Then add in the dashi stock you made earlier.

In a separate pot, bring to boil salted water. Once it is boiling, put in the soba noodles, or any noodles you chose. Cook until tender. Once cooked, pull out the noodles and rinse them under cold water.

Serve the noodles covered in broth and with any toppings you desire. Nori sheets or flakes are common toppings as well as green onions. These are easily found in the international and produce aisles. You can also poach eggs to put on top to add creaminess to the dish. There are a myriad of “good luck” toppings as well.

Toppings

Soba isn’t just noodles and broth.  And if you want to add extra luck to your new year, you will add these toppings.

Green onion- The Japanese Long Onion is called “Negi.” The verb “negu” in Japanese means “to pray for protection.” Adding green onions to your soba is thought to add protection.

Tofu – Tofu is considered a favorite food of the Japanese fox god Inari who oversees the harvest. So eating tofu with New Years Soba brings luck in trade and the harvest in the following year.

Seafood – Kamaboko, or red and white fish cakes, add the lucky colors of red and white to the noodle dish.

Whether you try your hand at New Years Soba this year or use it to take a break from the heavier meals of the holidays, here is to 2022 being a year of health, wealth, and luck for all!

Family Planning for Military Families

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Is there a right time to start trying for a baby? This is a question that couples often discuss in their “family timeline.” The factors of finances and being old enough to be ready are often discussed. There is more to making this life-changing decision.

Military families have unique obstacles and challenges to planning a family. Moving can happen on short notice, deployments change the family dynamic and structure at home, and depending on where you live there may be little to no support from a network of family or friends. Weighing all of these challenges are additional logistics to consider. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a family.

Financially Ready

This means different things for different families. For some, it means totally paying off all debt. But for some that isn’t a feasible goal – that school loans will be present for 15 years, so paying that off means they will be 40 when they start to have children. For some, it means having a financial buffer so that one parent can take off work for a period of time with a newborn, and there may or may not be maternity/paternity leave.

This may also mean your job or your partner’s job is in a place where you feel you are financially ready to support a job change or children. Perhaps you have a specific financial goal, or a certain savings amount in mind – like an emergency fund of two- or three-month savings as a financial buffer.

There are resources on your military installation that can help you shape goals and budgets for children if specific financial goals are in mind before having children. On Navy and Marine Corps bases, the Navy Marine Relief Society can provide budget guidance. The Fleet and Family Support Center on Army bases provides workshops and classes on budgets and finances. On Air Force Bases, the Airmen and Family Readiness Center (AFRC)s off financial education, readiness, and budgeting classes.

Emotionally Ready

Having children is an emotional endeavor. When you are in a committed relationship with your partner and have reached “that stage,” you may be in an emotional state of readiness. If your partner and you continue to think about and feel ready to be parents, and are concerned about regretting not having children – you may be emotionally ready. Emotional readiness is not something you can evaluate in one moment. There also isn’t a timeline for how long you have to feel ready. Have a conversation with your partner – if you both are feeling emotionally ready then decide together when you want to check in again to see if you are ready. Being a parent is a journey of ups and downs like a roller coaster – starting off with the same goals will help the journey go as smoothly as possible.

Physically Ready

Before embarking on the journey of parenthood – ensure that you are both healthy. Before pregnancy, IVF or adoption, getting an annual exam from your medical provider will ensure you are up to date on preventative medicine exams.  These exams can help you manage chronic conditions that may change with pregnancy or children. Whoever coined the phrase sleep like a baby was just plain wrong. Newborns are up several times in the night, sometimes for several hours. The lack of sleep can lead to frazzled emotions.  Being at your optimal health can help you weather the storm of sleepiness nights and colic.

Geographically Ready

This one may never be perfect for a military family. In the civilian world, families often live near their parents or extended family which can provide an extended network of support. This is especially important after a baby is born to both support the parents and the child as they grow. If there are not military installations near family, it may not be possible for a military family to be stationed there – much less time it during a pregnancy or birth.

While being near family is not usually feasible for the military family, most military families are in the same situation. This creates a unique network that understands what it is like to parent alone and may be ready and willing to help with meal assistance, babysitting or even helping to clean house to help out.

Living overseas can be a frightening concept for some. While it is daunting, there is medical care provided by the military which usually means you are receiving care in a language you are familiar with and understand. The overseas community is a tight network due to being in similar situations – far away from family. While it may seem like you would have less support from others while overseas, the reality may be the opposite.

So, while being “geographically ready” may be a goal – don’t make this a deal breaker.

The truth is there is no perfect time. Having a family and what that looks like is different for each family. There isn’t a way to perfectly plan or predict it. What you can do is plan ahead as much as possible. Ensure you have financial resources in place to support a child, time off from work, and any support you may need.  And here is the honest truth – no one is ever 100% ready or prepared, but military families know how to go with the flow! Any pre-planning that can help and will make that process a bit smoother.

From Military Housing to Food, the Pentagon Evaluates Military Needs

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The Pentagon is reviewing the needs of military families, especially given the economic changes and difficulty after COVID-19. From the temporary BAH increase to cover the increasing rental costs across the country to the increase in 2021 BAH rates, the Pentagon is analyzing the needs of military families and responding to those needs. A November 17 memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated he wanted to address the challenges of “food insecurity, extended wait times for housing, drastically reduced housing inventories, and sudden, sharp increases in rental or purchase costs for housing.”

Fifty-six geographic areas were identified as areas with a high cost of living leading to the temporary BAH increase in those areas to help cover those costs. The temporary BAH increases are in place from September to December 2021. The rate increase required an application by the service member demonstrating the need and the rate increase is given as a lump sum payment on January 1, 2022.

An additional measure released by the Pentagon to help recently PCS-ed military families is the extension of temporary lodging reimbursement beyond 10 days in areas with housing shortages.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that he has asked the Army, Navy, and Air Force departments to come up with a strategy to address food insecurity. In a November press briefing, he gave the departments three months to find an “economic security toolkit” to identify military service members and families that have food insecurity and connect them with resources to address that.

Austin stated in a Pentagon press briefing, “Our men and women in uniform and their families have enough to worry about. Basic necessities like food and housing shouldn’t be among them.” One reason these measures are being made is that BAH is currently included as income for federal programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.  Consequently, non-taxable pay such as BAH and BAS can disqualify servicemembers from such federal programs despite the financial need.

The November 17th memo from Austin also outlines increased stability for service members and families, when feasible, through extended tour length – beyond 36 months – for both CONUS and overseas tours at locations where the quality of life conditions are comparable to U.S. standards.  The memo also permits flexibility on CONUS assignment reports dates where housing wait times and reduced inventory are present.

The federal government announced on November 10th that the inflation rate increased to 6.2% in the last year, which is an unprecedented increase since 1990. While the 2.7% pay raise and 2.9% BAH increase are less than inflation, the Pentagon is looking to support troop housing and economic stability through other measures including the temporary BAH increase and addressing food insecurity.

Practical New Year’s Resolutions-Military Style

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A new year is approaching, whether you are ready or not. The history of making New Year’s Resolutions dates back to ancient Rome when then Emperor Julius Cesar introduced a calendar with the beginning, the first date of the calendar was January 1st. In light of the new calendar, and the start of the new year, the Romans would celebrate the new year by making promises of good behaviors in the new year. The New Year became the time when knights of the middle ages would renew their vows of chivalry and commitment to knighthood values.

While modern New Years’ traditions don’t call for vows of chivalry and knightly values, it is still customary to make personal goals and promises.  Truly making a New Years’ resolution isn’t as easy as saying it out loud – saying it is the easy part.  For a successful New Years’ resolution that goes from a resolution to reality, you need a practical plan that still includes a stretch goal – pushing yourself.  Here are some realistic resolutions that your military family can make a reality.

Saving Money – for the PCS

Whether you are PCS this year or next, the next move is always on the military family’s mind. Saving money early for the military move allows for smaller amounts of money to be budgeted out for a longer period of time. If you are moving in 6 or 12 months, start the budgeting in the new year to avoid the surprise of big expenses at move time. Another way to plan ahead of the PCS is to start gathering boxes and packing material, especially if you are moving. When taking down holiday decorations, get them ready for the PCS so you aren’t doing that when time is limited during the PCS prep time. Looking for more ways to save and prepare for the move, check out this article here.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

A common New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier. Eating on a budget often feels like an insurmountable task. The prep work for eating healthy on a budget is research. First, determine what you want to start preparing. Whether it is borrowing a healthy cookbook from the library, or investing in purchasing one, plan out what you will eat. There are also resources on workout websites like BeachBody and ever popular-Peloton. Once you have found what you will cook, the next level of research starts on a grocery trip to determine what it would cost for fresh vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, plant-based pasta, low-sugar pasta sauces. Make sure to check labels for the sodium and sugar content as these added ingredients can pack on extra calories. The other key to healthy eating is meal prep. Take time once or twice a month to prepare the recipes for instant pot, crockpot, or air fryer (whichever device you have – no need to buy a new one). This way you can toss them in your device in the morning for dinner that night. Meal prep for lunch is key as well – making sure to keep portion sizes in mind.

Prepare for Deployment

Deployment is not easy. It is a time apart from a family member and is a change in routine. If a deployment is in store for your family in the new year, a goal to approach the deployment with positivity is a worthy resolution. One way to approach deployment with positivity is making a monthly goal for the family at home. Perhaps plan a monthly local outing to provide something to look forward to and countdown the time apart. It is difficult to nail down FaceTime dates with unknown schedules of deployment, so make achievable goals of connecting through letters and emails.

Rock the Care Packages

Care packages are a great way to connect with a deployed loved one or friends and family that are far away. As a way to stay connected, make a goal of making monthly care packages. Plan out monthly themes. If you are looking for ideas, check out Spousely for care package ideas and sticker kits to add pizazz to a care package. Plan outings to gather items to send in the care packages. Send personal and local items in the care packages. If you hit a snag in planning, check out these ideas.

Learn a New Skill or Hobby

Check out your military installation’s hobby shop to grow your auto skills. If there is a craft shop on your base, check out their schedule for classes in pottery, stained glass, or painting to learn a new skill. If your base doesn’t offer any of these options, check out in town for local businesses that offer classes. You can do this as a family for bonding, or individually for some personal time. If the new year is bringing a deployment, learning a new hobby monthly is a great way to countdown to homecoming as a family left behind.

The key with New Year’s Resolutions is planning achievable goals. Plan out how to achieve your resolutions, and you will be well set for the year. What will be your New Years Resolution this year?

Holiday Movies to Watch this Season, and Where to Watch Them

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It’s that glorious time of year of holiday movies. We all have our personal favorites that we go to every year – and you might even have that precious DVD or VHS! The digital streaming world has totally changed the holiday movie world, and now many more are at your fingertips.

What are you watching this holiday season? From new classics like Elf to tried and true stories like Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone – they are all here. Check out this list below with all the fabulous holiday movies for all ages from 0 to 99+, and where to find them this holiday season.

Amazon Prime

  • A Bad Mom’s Christmas
  • A Christmas Carol
  • A Christmas Story
  • A Muppet Christmas Carol
  • Arthur Christmas
  • Babes in Toyland
  • Christmas with the Kranks
  • Curious George A Very Monkey Christmas
  • Deck the Halls
  • Die Hard
  • Elf
  • Jack Frost
  • Jingle All the Way
  • Home Alone
  • Home Alone 2
  • Home Alone 3
  • Mickey’s Christmas Carol
  • Mickey Once Upon A Christmas
  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • Peppa Christmas
  • Prancer
  • Smurfs Christmas Carol
  • The National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
  • The Polar Express
  • The Santa Clause
  • The Santa Clause 2
  • The Santa Clause 3
  • The Star

Disney Plus

  • Arendelle Castle Yule Log – not a movie, but adds a fireplace ambience with your tv!
  • Babes in Toyland
  • Cool Runnings
  • Disney’s A Christmas Carol
  • Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
  • High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
  • Home Alone
  • Home Alone 2
  • Home Alone 3
  • Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas
  • I’ll Be Home for Christmas
  • Jingle All the Way
  • LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
  • Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon A Christmas
  • Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
  • Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
  • Noelle
  • Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
  • Once Upon A Snowman
  • Pluto’s Christmas Tree
  • Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
  • Santa Buddies: The Legend of the Santa Paws
  • Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
  • Snowball Express
  • Snowglobe
  • The Christmas Star
  • The Disney Holiday Singalong
  • The Mistle-Tones
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol
  • The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
  • The Santa Clause
  • The Santa Clause 2
  • The Santa Clause 3
  • The Search for Santa Paws
  • The Ultimate Christmas Present
  • Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

HBO Max

  • A Christmas Story
  • A Dennis the Menace Christmas
  • A Sesame Street Christmas Carol
  • Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
  • Deck the Halls
  • Elf
  • Four Christmases
  • Fred Claus
  • Jack Frost
  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • National Lampoon Christmas Vacation
  • Once Upon A Sesame Street
  • The Polar Express

Hulu

  • A Very Brady Christmas
  • A Very Minty Christmas
  • Christmas with the Andersons
  • Christmas with the Kranks
  • Curious George A Very Merry Christmas
  • Dear Santa
  • Deck the Halls
  • Elf
  • Holiday in Handcuffs
  • Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas
  • Jingle All The Way
  • Last Holiday
  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • The Holiday
  • The Mistle Tones
  • The Happiest Season
  • Prancer

Netflix

  • 48 Christmas Wishes
  • A Boy Called Christmas
  • A Christmas Prince
  • A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
  • A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby
  • A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish
  • An Elf Story
  • A Family Reunion Christmas
  • A Princess for Christmas
  • Alien Xmas
  • All I Want For Christmas Is You
  • Angela’s Christmas
  • Angela’s Christmas 2
  • Blown Away Christmas
  • Christmas Catch
  • Christmas with A Prince
  • Christmas with a View
  • Christmas Wedding Planner
  • Elf Pets – multiple movies
  • Elliot The Littlest Reindeer
  • Father Christmas Is Back
  • Klaus
  • Jingle Jangle
  • Happy Holidays from Madagascar
  • Holiday Rush
  • Holiday in the Wild
  • Holidate
  • Mariah Carey’s Merriest Christmas
  • Midnight At Magnolia
  • Miraculous: A Christmas Special
  • Nailed It Holiday
  • Operation Christmas Drop
  • Prince of Peoria: A Christmas Moose Miracle
  • Spirit: The Spirit of Christmas
  • Sugar Rush Christmas
  • The Christmas Chronicles
  • The Christmas Chronicles 2
  • The Great British Baking Show Holidays
  • The Holiday
  • The Holiday Calendar
  • The Knight Before Christmas
  • The Princess Switch
  • The Princess Switch: Switched Again
  • The Princess Switch 2: Romancing the Star
  • Trolls Holiday
  • White Christmas

Paramount Plus

  • A Fairly Odd Christmas
  • Bob the Builder Christmas
  • How the Toys Saved Christmas
  • Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas
  • Loud House Christmas
  • Happy Christmas
  • Santa Hunters
  • Surviving Christmas
  • Tiny Christmas

Peacock

  • 3 Bears Christmas
  • A Cinderalla Christmas
  • A Doggone Christmas
  • Aliens First Christmas
  • Curious George A Very Merry Christmas
  • Dr. Seuss The Grinch Musical
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 1966 cartoon
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 2000 Remake
  • Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol

The beauty of streaming is now you can take the movies on the go – and even to the gym. Who hasn’t wanted to watch Die Hard while on the rowing machine or on a break from lifting weights? What? Die Hard isn’t a holiday movie?  I beg to differ!

Holiday Cookie Recipes to Try This Holiday Season

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Tis the season for holiday sweets and treats. Chances are you have the traditional cookies that you bake with your family every year. The smell fills the kitchen providing that sensory memory of baking with your family and friends. Traditions are important, but it is also fun to mix up the cookie baking with fun and new recipes. While you may have your tried and true cookie recipes, check out these three recipes this year to try. Consider bringing them to a cookie exchange, or share them with a neighbor. Even if you don’t eat them, you are still providing a sweet treat this season.

Red Velvet Cookies

These cookies are the perfect time saver cookies because they are quick and easy to make. They only require 4 ingredients: Red Velvet Cake Mix, Oil, Eggs, and White chocolate chips. They may not have the typical seasonings of the season but they sure look the part with their red and white coloring.  

Directions:

  1. Mix together the red velvet cake mix as instructed including the oil and eggs. Make sure the mix is fully combined. You can use whatever oil you desire.
  2. Add in 1 cup of white chocolate chips. Coat these with a little bit of flour to ensure thorough distribution in the mix.
  3. Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes, time is dependent on the size of the cookie. Make sure the cookies are set before removing them from the oven.
  4. Let cool for 5 minutes before putting on a cooling rack.

Stained Glass Cookies

These cookies take a bit more time but are stunning to look at in addition to being just darn scrumptious. Make your standard cookie sugar recipe, and add a little pizazz with these cookies. You can even gift them as ornaments, or even gift tags with writing in edible ink. These are fun to do as an assembly line getting the entire family involved in the process.

Ingredients:

  • Make your standard cutout sugar cookie recipe
  • 1/3 cup – ½ cup of crushed hard candies (ie: jolly ranchers, rock candy, any hard candy you prefer)
  • Cookie-cutter – one large and one medium of the same shape

Directions:

  1. Once you make your sugar cookie recipe, make sure your dough is tough enough to withstand cutouts. In most recipes, there will be an addition of a little bit of flour so you can cut the cookies into shapes and they will withstand the heat in cooking and remain in the shape.
  2. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least one hour. This also makes the cutouts easier to make.
  3. Roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
  4. Cut out the cookies with the large cookie cutter.
  5. Within the cut cookies, use the smaller cookie cutter to cut out in the inner shape.
  6. If you want to gift these cookies as ornaments, use a toothpick or skewer to put a hole in the top of the cookie.
  7. Put all the hard candies into a sealed plastic bag. Crush up the cookies using whichever method you like – a rolling pin works well too.
  8. Into the well of the cookie, place the various colored hard candy.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375 F on a Silpat lined baking sheet. The baking sheet will allow for easy removal of the cookie once it is baked.
  10. Once out of the oven, let cool before putting a ribbon in the ornament hole on the cookie.

Candy Cane Meringue Cookies

These cookies provide a quick peppermint bite in cookie form. As meringue cookies, they require longer baking periods at lower temperatures.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large egg whites (make sure there is no egg yolk in your mix, or your meringues won’t rise properly – a tip heard often on Great British Bake-off)
  • ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • Crushed peppermints
  • Possible additional ingredient: if you want to add a pop of red to your cookies, you can add red food coloring

Directions:

  1. Beat egg whites to add air. Add in cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. When you pull out the beaters, the egg white peak slightly bends.
  2. Once the soft peaks are achieved, slowly add in the sugar a spoonful at a time. (It helps to sing A Spoonful of Sugar while doing it for all parties involved). Once all the sugar is added and mixed in, keep mixing until stiff peaks appear. This means the peaks do not bend when put on the end of the spoon or beater.
  3. Fold in crushed peppermint pieces. Be careful not to remove all the air just you just put into the egg whites.
  4. Fill a pastry bag with the egg white mixture to pipe onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or spoon onto the sheet. If you want to add food coloring, add the drop of coloring to the pastry bag.
  5. Bake at 225 F for 50-60 minutes, checking halfway through to rotate the cookie sheets to different racks.
  6. Once cookies are firm to the touch, turn the oven off and leave in the oven with the jar slightly ajar for about one hour for slow cooling.

While these cookies may not be the first ones you turn to this holiday season, they are delicious, easily gifted, and great fun to make!

When All You Want For Christmas is a Real Christmas Tree thanks to Trees for Troops

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If the smell of fresh pine and glowing lights from those green boughs get you in the holiday spirit, you might be looking for a fresh Christmas Tree this holiday season. The cost might be a limiting factor while you try to stay within the budget for an already expensive month. As military families, there is an organization developed to specifically deliver holiday cheer with free fresh trees to military families – Trees for Troops.

About Trees for Troops

Trees for Troops, a program of Christmas SPIRIT, has been around for 16 years. In 2005, FedEx partnered with Christmas SPIRIT with the goal of bringing Christmas Trees specifically to military families. Since 2005, 262, 265 farm-grown Christmas Trees have been delivered to military families across the United States and overseas! FedEx assists in delivering these trees to over 70 military bases around the world!

The organization works with Christmas tree retail outlets that commit to collecting donating trees. This year there are 55 locations that have committed

How to Get a Tree

All donated trees will be picked up on December 6th and delivered to military bases over the following 2 weeks. To see if your base is getting a delivery, check this link for a map or check the list below.

All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in donation sites.

The following Air Force Bases will be receiving donations:

  • Little Rock AFB
  • Edwards AFB
  • Travis AFB
  • JB Anacostia Bolling
  • MacDill AFB
  • Robins AFB
  • Dobbins ARB
  • Minneapolis Air Force Reserve Base
  • Whiteman AFB
  • Niagara Falls ARS
  • Altus AFB
  • Shaw AFB
  • Ellsworth AFB  
  • JBSA Lackland
  • Hill AFB
  • Francis E. Warren AFB

The following Army Bases will be receiving donations:

  • Fort Rucker
  • Fort Huachuca
  • U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground
  • Fort Hunter Liggett
  • Fort Irwin
  • Fort Carson
  • Fort Benning
  • Fort Gordon
  • Fort Stewart – Hunter Army Air Field
  • Rock Island Arsenal
  • Fort Riley
  • Fort Campbell
  • Fort Knox
  • Fort Polk
  • Fort Leonard Wood
  • Fort Bragg
  • West Point
  • Fort Drum
  • Fort Sill
  • Fort Bliss
  • Fort Hood
  • JB Lewis-McChord
  • Fort McCoy

The following Marine Corps Bases will be receiving donations:

  • MCAS YUMA
  • MCAGCC Twentynine Palms
  • MCLB – Barstow
  • Camp Pendleton
  • MCAS Miramar
  • MCRD San Diego
  • Camp Lejeune – New River
  • MCAS Cherry Point
  • MCB Quantico

The following Navy Bases will be receiving donations:

  • Naval Submarine Base New London
  • NSA Panama City
  • NAS Jacksonville
  • NAS Key West
  • NOTU Cape Canaveral
  • NAS Mayport
  • NAS Whiting Field
  • NAS Pensacola
  • Naval Station Great Lakes
  • NAS JRB New Orleans
  • NAS Meridian
  • NCBC Gulfport
  • Naval Weapons Station Earle
  • NSA Mid-South
  • NAS Corpus Christi / Kingsville
  • NASJRB Fort Worth
  • JEB Fort Story
  • NS Everett

The following Coast Guard Bases will be receiving donations:

  • USCG Base Los Angeles Long Beach
  • USCG TRACEN Petaluma
  • Sector Humboldt Bay
  • NSB Kings Bay
  • PPC Topeka
  • Base Cape Cod
  • Sector Buffalo
  • Sector North Bend
  • SAS Corpus Christi
  • USCG Base Portsmouth
  • Base Seattle

Donate A Tree

The Christmas Spirit Foundation is able to provide Christmas Trees for military families thanks to donations. Donations can be done online and off here.  You can also select the Christmas Spirit Foundation as the organization you want to donate to through Amazon Smile. Through the Amazon Smile program, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of what you purchase to the organization.

If you are Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, you can also visit these retail outlets to buy a tree and donate it if you visit before December 6th.