The challenges of military life mean that holidays are often spent alone, separated from the significant other serving in the military. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that has grown over the years to make the month about romance. The history of Valentine’s Day isn’t clear, but it was part of the Christian and Roman celebrations as early as 270 AD. The day isn’t about remembering St. Valentine anymore and moved to Valentine messages being sent to friends beginning in the Middle Ages. The modern Valentine celebration is about fancy dinner, flowers, cards, and if you believe the commercials, sparkly jewelry. But is that what Valentine’s Day is truly about?

When the commercials have moved from the surprise car purchase for the holidays to all the chocolate and travel commercials, it signals the move to Valentine’s Day. Let’s be honest, Valentine’s candy was put up in the stores while the Christmas trees were still in the aisle over. With all the commercialization and visual images, it is hard to imagine spending Valentine’s Day alone, but that is the reality to many military spouses across the world. So what do you do?

Go It Alone

One way to jump into the holiday alone is to jump in it as just that. Plan a date for yourself. Do what you want to do to celebrate. No, your significant other won’t be there but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a self-care date to yourself. Order food that your significant other doesn’t like, rent or borrow a movie from the library that you like and make it a movie night in with your favorite nosh. Or maybe take yourself out. Eating alone isn’t lonely – you can bring a book or listen to an audiobook or just sit and people watch all while enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. Being alone isn’t lonely. Just because your significant other is serving or training elsewhere, doesn’t mean you aren’t loved and supported. You can enjoy a date night in or out for yourself to celebrate the day if you want to.

Family Adventure

You can enjoy the holiday altogether. Get the kids together and make a plan for local adventure to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Maybe head to a local museum or zoo or garden and make it a family date. While your significant other may not be able to join, they will likely enjoy pictures of you and your family out and about enjoying where you live. If you really want to go all-in, consider getting a hotel stay for the weekend for you and the kids. If you have young children, look for a kid-friendly hotel with stools and lowered towel racks or separate sleeping quarters to help you have a relaxing time as well. If you have older children, consider looking for hotels with teen programming that will give them fun events to engage in.

Friend Date

Deployments and training exercises mean that there are multiple service members gone together and leaving their loved ones behind. This also means there is a network of significant others who will be celebrating Valentine’s Day alone. Considering making an event for everyone. You can make it adults only, or adults and kids as an event with crafts, snacks and activities. If you have your own circle of friends, gather them together and host an event – a lunch, dinner or movie! Break out the fancy china and goblets for your friends. Try out a recipe that you have been looking at, or order in. You can make of it what you like and you desire. It’s what you and your friends want it to be or make of it.

Virtual

Maybe your significant other is in a location with the ability to virtually connect. If so, plan a date at a time that works for you both. Maybe virtually watch a movie together, or share a hot beverage with each other over FaceTime.

Or maybe your friends are now scattered across the world because of military life, and you can use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to connect everyone together. Virtually connect on a platform you can all use at a time that works. Share the favorite beverages or snacks you enjoy where you are living. It’s a fun time and an excuse to catch up with your friends.

While Valentine’s Day may have a “traditional” look, nothing about military life is traditional – embrace it and go with it! What will you do to celebrate this year?

The phrase “new you” in the new year is a common phrase used to motivate healthy eating and exercise. The new year also starts a new insurance year. Preventative medicine is screening examinations and other screenings based on age and gender. Preventative is just that – to prevent problems. This is a screening of general health and wellness and may change based on personal medications and chronic conditions.

Blood Pressure

This simple check with a blood pressure cuff is typically done at every visit with your medical provider. This is a screening for elevated blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure, hypertension, is a common condition that can increase the risk for stroke and heart attack if it is not diagnosed or treated as early as possible.

Cholesterol Check

An annual lipid check checks cholesterol levels. This is covered by insurance annually and is even covered for children now. Once over the age of 35, this screening tool is recommended to be used annually. Sooner, if there is a higher risk for a family history of heart disease. This test is a blood test that is best taken when fasting, meaning nothing to eat for at least 8 hours prior to the blood draw.

Mammogram

Women between the ages of 40 and 44 are recommended to begin mammography once a year per the CDC. The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends mammogram screening to begin at ages 50-74 for women of average risk for breast cancer – meaning no personal or family history of breast cancer. The USPTF also recommends screening every 2 years. For women with a personal or family history of cysts or breast cancer should discuss when to start imaging with their medical provider. Screening mammograms are x-rays of the breast. There are breast MRIs that are used but are not typically recommended or covered for basic screening for women with average health.

Cervical Screening

The American College of Gynecology has updated cervical screening through PAP smear to every 3 years for those aged 21-29, and every 5 years after that with HPV testing. This screening is for those with an average risk of cervical screening. Repeat screening is based on the results of the pap smear. While some insurances may cover annual screenings when the guidelines are updated some insurances did not continue to cover the annual pap smear. Check with your carrier what they will cover.

Colonoscopy

The American Cancer Society recommends the first screening for colon cancer for those with average risk (no personal or family history of colon cancer) beginning at age 45. This can be done via a stool-based test where the individual uses stool cards checking for blood or a colonoscopy – where a camera is used to visually check the health of the length of the colon. These tests should be discussed with your medical provider to determine the best testing for you. Anyone over the age of 85 are not recommended to continue colorectal cancer screening, with the recommendation for people aged 76 to 85 to discuss screening with a medical provider.

Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations for things like flu and vaccinations for travel are recommended based on occupation, travel, and health. Ask your medical provider what vaccinations you should get. A regular checkup is a perfect time to ask this.

Dental Cleanings

In general, military dental insurance covers 2 cleanings a year for adults. This means it can be sooner than 6 months apart, perfect for those who may move sooner than the 6-month mark and may not be able to see a dental provider at the new location. Good dental hygiene is linked to improved blood pressure in addition to gum health.

While it isn’t what anyone looks forward to or enjoys, healthy living includes screenings. Schedule your visit with your medical provider this year.

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.

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.

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!

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.