Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Hey Uncle Sam, Stay Out of Service Members’ Bedrooms

By

cheatingservicemembers

Rumors are not evidence.

The Department of Defense is full of adulterers. From privates to generals, you can find service members, both enlisted and officers, who have committed adultery by cheating on their spouses. While it is commonly believed that if a service member is unfaithful to his/her wife, the Armed Forces will discharge him/her, military spouses can rattle off countless examples (many based on rumors) where the service member isn’t punished for cheating. A few of these examples reach national news headlines, as in the case of Gen. David Petraeus and Army Col. James H. Johnson III. But the majority of military adulterers never face repercussions from their chain of command and never face the public scrutiny.

If service members cheat on their spouses, but never get kicked out of the military isn’t this no-adultery rule pointless?

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a federal law, enacted by Congress, to govern legal discipline and court martials for the Armed Forces. The UCMJ is the guiding legal document for all service members. Articles 77 through 134 of the UCMJ outline the “punitive offenses” or crimes that service members can be prosecuted.

Here is a list of offenses that are listed in the UCMJ:

  • Captured or Abandoned Property (Article 103)
  • Absence Without Leave (Article 86)
  • Drunken or Reckless Driving (Article 111)
  • Dueling (Article 114)

Adultery is NOT listed as a punitive offense in the UCMJ.

That said let’s look at Article 134, the General Article within the UCMJ.

Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the Armed Forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the Armed Forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.

–Article 134 of the UCMJ

It’s the typical catch-all paragraph that the government loves to have in any legal document.

Technically adultery is punishable by reprimand, dismissal and prison. But service members are rarely charged with adultery as a stand-alone offense. If they are charged with adultery, it’s usually tied to a list of offenses. That was the case for Air Force Lt. Kelly Flinn, the first female pilot of a B-52 bomber. She faced a court martial for adultery for an affair with a married civilian, lying about the affair by denying it to an investigator, fraternizing with an enlisted man in another brief affair and disobeying a direct order. In the end, Flinn was allowed to be discharged from the military instead of facing a court martial.

marriedcouple

If service members cheat on their spouses, but never get kicked out of the military isn’t this no-adultery rule pointless?

Adultery, as a military offense, is rarely prosecuted because of the necessity of 3 Elements of Proof, as outlined in the Manual for Courts-Martial. Here are those elements:

  1. That the accused wrongfully had sexual intercourse with a certain person;
  2. That, at the time, the accused or the other person was married to someone else; and
  3. That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

This means that a court martial needs to have documented evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. Evidence normally requires photographs, a confession and eyewitness testimony. Rumors are not evidence. The 3 Elements of Proof also requires that the government show that the individual’s conduct had some direct negative impact on the military. It is nearly impossible and time-consuming to prove that a service member committed adultery.

militaryadultery

Technically adultery is punishable by reprimand, dismissal and prison.

Knowing that it is nearly impossible to punish a service member for adultery, I think DOD should stop including adultery as an offense. Let’s leave adultery where it belongs– in the bedroom– and work on the true issues of today’s military community.

What’s your opinion of including adultery in the UCMJ? Share it in the comments section below.

How to Stay Informed on Food Safety Alerts

By

Guide to Staying Informed on Food Safety Alerts and Product Recalls

Commissary shoppers should sign up for email alerts to stay informed on food recalls.

I learned the news from a recorded phone message. An East Coast grocery store chain was alerting me to the fact that the organic apple juice I purchased 2 weeks earlier was recalled by its manufacturing company. I was relieved to receive this informational food alert phone call.

But this instance of a food product recall led me to wonder about the rest of my family’s food purchased from our military commissary. How will I know if this food is recalled? And what should I do if I find a recalled item in my pantry or refrigerator?

Your Guide to Staying Informed on Food Safety Alerts and Product Recalls

  1. First of all, you need to understand how a food safety alert or product recall happens. The majority of food recalls are voluntarily initiated by manufacturers and distributors. For example, Kraft Foods Group issued a voluntarily recall of 7,691 cases of select varieties of regular Kraft American Singles Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product late last month. Strict federal regulation ensures that food manufacturing companies work diligently to actively recall any food with potential health risks.
  2. Next the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will evaluate the potential severity of the recall. They will make sure that all reasonable efforts to remove or correct the problem are being made. This is when the recall notice is posted on websites for consumers and stores are contacted to remove the item from their shelves. Whenever a commissary has a recalled or withdrawn product in its inventory, the product is immediately removed from store shelves. Typically there is a sign posted on the empty shelves alerting customers about the food recall.
  3. Then it is the customer’s responsibility to check their pantries for recalled food products.
  4. If a customer has a recalled item, they should return that item to the commissary or grocery store for a refund.

One thing to keep in mind is that food recalls are not unusual. In a 12-month period from July 2102 to July 2013, there was more than 600 food recalls in the United States and Canada. The most typical recalls are due to contamination (such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella) and misbranding (undeclared allergens such as peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, shellfish). Finally a food recall doesn’t mean that people have gotten sick from a particular item. Most times, there aren’t any reported cases of hospitalization, but the manufacturing company is exercising caution.

Are you worried about food alerts and product recalls?

Consider subscribing to email alert service through the FDA. These emails keep shoppers informed on timely FDA news and information.

Guide to Staying Informed on Food Safety Alerts and Product Recalls

Are you worried about food alerts and product recalls?

For the latest food safety alerts and product recalls affecting products sold at military commissaries, visit the Food & Product Recalls page at the commissaries website.

Money Terms Every MilSo Should Know

By

6355840185_c3de79a0b7_oServicemembers and their spouses quickly learn that the military lifestyle includes a lot of acronyms and code words. DoD (Department of Defense), MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), Temporary Duty (TDY), Roger, Copy. The list goes on and on.

What military spouses don’t realize is the importance of knowing military financial terms.

There are so many different components to remember and understand that spouses should educate themselves too. Military members completely rely on MyPay to access their earnings, so you should consider setting up a limited access account too.

Below is a list of the must-know financial terms that will help military spouses digest and navigate through all the sections of the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and military life.

  1. Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): The accounting and financial institution responsible for paying military members, DoD employees and other governmental departments. DFAS is also responsible for retirement pay.
  2. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): The amount given to a service member based on their location, rank and dependent status assessed from the regular housing market on or around the duty station. Formerly called Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ), it’s still in LES statements as such, but means the same thing as BAH.
  3. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The taxable amount given to designated families to fund non-housing costs depending on their location to supplement the area’s cost-of-living. Not all duty stations receive it and to find out if your location includes COLA pick your area here: OCONUS (overseas) or CONUS (continental United States)
  4. Basic Allowance for Sustenance (BAS): The money given to military members to offset the cost of food with all ranks within enlisted or officer getting one set amount unless overseas.
  5. Family Separation Allowance (FSA): Military members receive this when they are away from their duty station and family for a TDY lasting more than 30 days OR on an unaccompanied tour that brings them to another location.
  6. Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP): It’s mostly given to military members deployed in dangerous situations and is determined on location and/or certified by the commander. Both pay categories are categorized together but still separate, read here for specifics.
  7. Hardship Duty Pay (HDP): Classified into 3 different categories: location, mission and tempo, it’s given to service members that are assigned to areas that offer lower than standard living conditions depending on the duty.
  8. Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP): It’s additional pay awarded to military members that have a non-typical duty or or even extended stay. Mostly given to those that volunteer for a particular service.
  9. Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): Pay given to military members that holds a job considered hazardous like flight crew and/or parachute teams.
  10. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): The type of retirement plan given to service members that can be deducted from their pay. Similar to the civilian 401(k), it’s a great way to invest and is encouraged for service members.
  11. Date of Initial Entry to Military Service (DIEMS): This is the date that you first entered into military service and cannot change. It’s very important in calculating your retirement benefits when it comes time.
  12. Pay Allotment: Military members can utilize allotments to help with various payments that are required such as loans, rent or outside insurances. The funds are taken away straight from pay and given to the designated institution.
  13. Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA): There are particular deductions that are taken away from military members’ pay, such as Federal Taxes, Social Security and Medicare.
  14. Servicemember Group Life Insurance (SGLI): The deductions via military members wages that covers life insurance. If servicemembers have dependents, there is a separate deduction for family members. This covers life insurance during time in service.
  15. Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP): Signing up for a SBP typically happens at retirement and funds are deducted from retirement pay, which gives surviving family members an annuity (a specific amount per month based on the lifespan of the beneficiary) in the event the servicemember cannot receive it anymore.
  16. Retirement Plan (RET PLAN): Usually, at a minimum of 20 years, servicemembers are granted retirement pay. It should currently be on your LES statement. Depending on your plan of service, there are four different plans that the military can chose from: Final Pay, High-36 Month Average, REDUX and Disability. To decide the best plan, members should seriously consider their military path. This link calls out each plan in more detail: http://militarypay.defense.gov/retirement/.

There are a handful of civilian financial terms that are uncommonly known that you should know outlined below.

  1. Net Worth: Think of it this way, it’s all your total assets (the money that goes in your pocket plus other investments like if you own a home) minus liabilities (debt and/or overhead costs). The overall wealth of your family.
  2. FICO score: The FICO score is calculated using the figures from your consumer credit files on: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion as well as other factors based on your credit habits with your payment history as the number one contributor. That’s why it’s very important to pay bills on time, at it’s minimum and pay it off in a timely manner.
  3. Interest: It’s a designated percentage based on a figure that is given in a set amount of time typically calculated in savings plans and credit debt.
  4. Individual Retirement Account (IRA): Separate from a 401(k) or TSP, it’s an account put together by an individual usually via a bank or credit union that saves money for retirement. The funds that are collected are set-up to be tax-free or tax-deferred depended on the type of IRA. There are three types: Traditional, Roth and Rollover. It’s recommended to establish an IRA, especially if having a 401(k)and/or TSP isn’t available. Who wouldn’t love extra money at retirement that offers tax benefits?! Consult your financial adviser.

 

Did you know these military money terms? Did we miss any? Please share them in the comments section below.

What’s on Sale at the Commissary in September: Back to School Lunches Solved

By

It’s that time of year where the kids are all heading back to school. While it might be a relief for some parents who spent the summer trying to fill the days with fun activities, a new stressor presents itself.

What’s for lunch?

Prepping school lunches can be a challenge. Will your children really eat the food you pack or will they trade it with friends? Will it end up in the trash? Don’t waste your money and time making lunches your kids won’t eat. Instead of worrying about this, talk to them. Ask them what they really like. My mom sent me to school with a bologna sandwich pretty much every day for one year. I might have traded it for PB&J.

Before you tear them away from their iPads and tablets, look at this month’s commissary sales ad. Give them choices as opposed to the open question, “what do you want for lunch?” Lunchables, for example, are very quick and easy lunches. It’s all there; no need to worry or stay up late making lunch. In September they are on sale for $1.75 each. When was the last time you spent $1.75 on lunch? With this great savings, give them options. Do they want turkey, ham or roast beef?

Mix up lunches throughout the week so they aren’t eating the same thing consecutively. A Lunchable midweek is great when you get home late from school activities and you just want to go to bed. When you have more time, make a sandwich with Oscar Mayer cold cuts. It’s on sale for $2.75. Top it with a slice of American cheese ($2.50 this month) and complete the lunch with a Yoplait yogurt ($0.45), fresh fruit or carrots and maybe a snack cake. Your kids will be happy that they have lunches they’ll actually eat and you’ll be happy to save money at the commissary.

To make  your savings even bigger, take advantage of the Commissary Rewards Card. Ask your cashier for the free card and register it online. There you can clip virtual coupons and have them right on your key chain. You won’t have to worry about forgetting paper ones in the car again.Commissary Rewards Card

Combine these great September savings and the Commissary Rewards Card with case lot sales and you’ll be able to stock up on lunch items for the entire semester. The customer appreciation case lot sales, stateside only, started in August but many are going on in September. A list of dates by commissary are available online.

Your target before school starts: read the commissary sales ad, virtually clip coupons and venture through the case lot sales…maybe leave the kids at home and enjoy the trip.

Want to know the weekly Manager’s Specials? Sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter!

Tips for Delicious Granola Bars, Easy Trail Mix

By

My husband and I LOVE to hike. We met while he was stationed at Fort Drum and spent a lot of time exploring nearby parks and camping. Now, at Fort Belvoir, we’re still spending a lot of time outside exploring and enjoying everything Virginia has to offer!

Our snack of choice while hiking is a tasty granola bar.

GranolaBar3

It’s so easy to handle in just one hand and all the different ingredients are held together by chewy goodness that keeps it mess-free. In celebration of National Trail Mix Day (Sunday), I thought I would share our favorite homemade granola bar recipe and tips on making an easy trail mix.

Quick No-Bake Granola Bars

What you’re going to need:

  • Cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper or Wax paper
  • large sauce pot
  • Spatula

Ingredients
-⅔ cup honey
-¾ cup creamy peanut butter (if allergic, you can use almond butter)
-¼ cup light brown sugar
-1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
-2 cups quick or instant cook oats
-2 cups rice cereal

Optional
-½ cup chocolate morsels
-½ cup shredded coconut

I add in chocolate and coconut! If you don’t like chocolate or coconut (or both), just leave it out of the recipe for a chewy on-the-go treat that’s still very tasty. Feel free to add any of your families’ favorite treats to nibble (i.e. M&Ms, Pretzel bits, or anything else you can think of) instead of chocolate or coconut.

Instructions
1. Line parchment paper or wax paper on the bottom of your cookie sheet.
2. Heat large sauce pot and add honey, peanut butter and brown sugar till all combined.
3. Mix in vanilla extract then add oats.
4. Add the chocolate morsels and just half of the shredded coconut (¼ cup).
-If desired, add ingredients of your choice instead of chocolate and coconut.
5. Slowly fold in rice cereal with spatula to avoid smashing.
6. When everything is combined together, pour mixture on the parchment paper or wax paper and mold it into a rectangle that is about half an inch thick. Press down the rest of the shredded coconut on top.
7. Cool in fridge for an hour or until it’s solid. Then slice it up in your desired size and wrap in plastic wrap.

*Important note: if you want to add more of your choice ingredients (in addition to chocolate and coconut or instead of) than what the recipe yields, use a little more honey and peanut butter to make sure it holds together nicely. I really like it when everything is stuck together, so it doesn’t break apart while you’re hiking.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Easy Trail Mix

There is so much freedom in putting together your own trail mix. Depending on your family-size or preference, just add equal amounts of each ingredient. Here are some of the most commonly used items that can help you mix together the best trail mix for your family!

  1. Nuts
  2. Favorite cereal
  3. Pretzels
  4. Dried fruit
  5. Seeds (pumpkin or sunflower)
  6. Popcorn
  7. Something for your sweet tooth (i.e. mini marshmallows, chocolate chip, M&Ms and/or peanut butter chips)

*Only add a fraction of the ingredients for your sweet tooth. If you add a cup of everything, just add ½ cup of the sweets.

What would you add to your granola bar recipe or include in your trail mix?

Need Money for Food? You May Qualify for FSSA

By

Facts on FSSA for Military Families

FSSA applicants must submit accurate paperwork annually.

The Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) is a financial support program that few active duty military families utilized or know about. This Department of Defense program is designed to help service members reach financial stability so that they will no longer be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) , formerly known as food stamps.

Eligibility for FSSA is based on the family’s income and household size. There must be at least 1 dependent living in the home to qualify. If the household income is not 130% above the poverty line then the family may meet the requirements. There is an online worksheet that can be used to determine eligibility. Note that you do not have to qualify for or be utilizing SNAP at the time of application for FSSA.

In order to prove your income level the sponsor must provide a copy of his or her LES, pay stubs for other working family members, current bank statements and previous tax returns. To verify your household size you need the service member’s Page 2, a list of dependents as shown in DEERS and social security numbers. Once the application is completed online and the service member has their commanding officer sign off on it, the amount of FSSA will be determined and paid. This amount will be no more than $1,100 a month and therefore, there are other things to consider when accepting this financial support.

Facts on FSSA for Military Families

Enjoy family time and worry less about money.

While this allowance is non-taxable, it can change your eligibility for other financial support programs such as subsidized school lunches, WIC (Women, Infant and Children nutritional support program) as well as earned income tax credit.

The purpose behind FSSA is to provide military families with enough financial stability that they will no longer need SNAP specifically, but hopefully this will also help families alleviate the need for some of these other programs.

Each command is required to have a FSSA Coordinator so if you have questions or simply prefer filling out paperwork in person rather than using the online worksheet, they are available. You can also get detailed information on FSSA at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Army Community Services, or Marine Corps Community Services.

Re-certification must take place 30 days after a change in household income or family size as well as when there is a change of duty station. It may be more convenient to use the online worksheet if you find your family situation changing frequently. The loss or addition of a spouse’s job for example will change your income level as will advance in pay grade for the active duty member. At minimum, each year the family will need to be re-certified.

Payments will not automatically stop due to a change of duty station or situation; it is the member’s responsibility to inform the FSSA Coordinator of this change. A change of as small as $100 in income must be reported within 30 days. If this or any other change is found and not reported there are repercussions such as disciplinary action and wage garnishment.

A Department of Defense official recently said that 668 full-time active-duty members and activated guardsmen and reservists are receiving FSSA.

All of these facts are not meant to scare or deter military families from applying. The application process and re-certification are quite simple. This is simply an explanation of the program in detail so that families know about the program and how to apply for it.

FSSA Facts for Military Families

How would you feel checking out at the commissary without your SNAP card? Relief? Less anxiety?

How do you feel about the FSSA program? Have you used it?

Add a Little Spice to Your Meal

By

Salt. It’s one of those condiments that you probably use every day.If you eat out a lot or grab a lot of fast food, you may find yourself adding salt more often at home than eating out at restaurant. That’s because processed food is loaded with salt in order to give it flavor.

Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your meals without adding calories or fat.

Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your meals without adding calories or fat.

Too much salt can leave you feeling bloated and lead to weight gain. It can also raise your blood pressure and put you at risk of stroke.

Now, if you don’t eat a lot of processed food, you probably don’t need to worry about getting too much salt. But, either way, there is a better way to make your meals more palatable-

herbs and spices.

Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your meals without added fat or calories. Not only that, but they can even be beneficial to your health in other ways. The most common reason people don’t use herbs is because they don’t know how.

Let’s look at 9 herbs and spices and give you ideas on how to incorporate them into your meals.

Basil

Basil is an amazing antibacterial and helps your body protect against cellular damage. In addition, it’s been studied for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. The oils in basil actually work the same as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Try This Recipe: Easy Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Cilantro

Cilantro is one of those herbs that people either love or hate. Don’t feel bad if you hate it – there’s a scientific reason for it. If you love it, though, know that it’s high in Vitamin K and will help promote healthy bones and helps your blood clot.

Try This Recipe: Mexican Lasagna

Cinnamon

This spice has been linked to lowering blood sugar levels for Type 2 diabetics. In addition to that, the warming aspect of cinnamon can satisfy your craving for sweets without adding a lot of calories.

Try This Recipe: Banana Cinnamon Bread

Ginger

Most famous for it’s anti-nausea properties, research has shown links between ginger and pain management, too. It may also protect against colon cancer and kill off ovarian cancer cells. Side benefit: It has immune-boosting properties, too.

Try This Recipe: Beef with Broccoli Stir Fry

Mint

Mint is great for treating digestive issues. Peppermint, especially, is anti-microbial (stops the growth of bacteria) and can help stop the growth of certain types of cancer. As if that’s not enough, it can help ease asthma symptoms, too.

Try This Recipe: Citrus Mint Cooler

9 Herbs and Spices You Should Add to Your Diet

Fresh or dried, oregano can help protect you from food poisoning.

Oregano

This little herb is a strong antifungal and antibacterial which could help protect you from unwanted food-borne illnesses.

Try This Recipe: Quick Cajun Rice Skillet

Rosemary

Rosemary is excellent for reducing inflammation, promoting circulation and boosting your immune system. It’s anti-inflammatory properties may even help with severe asthma.

Try This Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Acorn Squash with Shallots and Rosemary

Thyme

This herb is full of antioxidants that will help fight inflammation, signs of aging and even can help prevent cancer.

Try This Recipe: Rosemary and Thyme Chicken

Turmeric

This is probably the most exotic spice on the list and it’s a relative of ginger and one of the main ingredients in curries. It also packs a whollop of health benefits. It’s been linked to helping ease depression and arthritis symptoms.

Try This Recipe: Chickpea Curry

Looking for more recipes? Search the Military Shoppers Recipe contest for new treats. Want to know more about healthy foods? Visit The World’s Healthiest Foods.

Do you have a winning recipe that uses one of these 9 herbs or spices? Enter your recipe in the MilitaryShoppers Recipe Contest. Everybody who posts a recipe will have a chance to win a $50 commissary shopping spree.

Military Spouse Says ‘No One Hires Someone Like Me’

By

Untitled-2Dear MilitaryShoppers,

I’m a wife to an E7. Who might get QSP’d soon. I have dedicated my life, as many others, to my family and husband. Now, we are faced with him losing his job. I haven’t worked in a long time. No one hires someone like me. I need a degree. Please, any info?

–Supportive Military Spouse

Dear Military Spouse,

I am sorry to hear that your husband will be facing Qualitative Service Program or QSP. No one expects to face involuntary early separation, but it is a reality in the downsizing of today’s military. This transition to the civilian world will be hard.

I think the first thing you need to do is take some time to figure out what you would want to do after he gets out. Will you guys be moving to a different location than you currently live? What’s the job market there? What’s the cost of living? Do you already own a home there?

But before the early separation, you need to put together your resume. Include all your volunteer work with the military through the years and any jobs you might have had. Do not think that no one will hire you because you do not have a degree. You do have something to offer, it is just a matter of putting things together so that you can start applying for the right jobs. You should be able to go to the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) on post to receive assistance with your resume and to find some professional guidance.

Once you have completed your resume, create a LinkedIn profile. Start with the information on your resume and add it to your profile. Start connecting via LinkedIn and even Facebook with potential job leads. Practice your elevation pitch. Let your friends and family members know that you are actively seeking employment.

You can start looking for jobs online at sites such as Indeed.com or Craigslist. Check the listings everyday and apply to any of them that you think would be a good fit. Research military friendly employers and plan to apply for jobs with these companies. Attend a local job fair along with job fairs for veterans and military spouses. Again, be ready to talk about your work experience.

1365612276cagn4

Another option would be to start your own business. This option is not for everyone but it is something to think about. What are your talents? What are your abilities? Some military spouses have started businesses and are then able to be the family breadwinner after the service member gets out of the military.

Losing the security that the active duty Army brings can be very scary but there are options. Even though you haven’t worked in a long time, it is still possible for you to find a job. It might take some time but you should be able to find something eventually. Stay positive.

7 Ways Pets Make You Happier, Healthier

By

7 Ways Pets Make You Happier

While owning pets can be a big responsibility, you get way more out of it than you put into it.

Having a pet can be a lot of responsibility. They’re little beings that need love, shelter, food and care. It may seem like a lot of work, but what pets give back to you can be exponential.

It doesn’t matter which type of pet you fancy, either. Dog, cat, guinea pig, mouse, fish or snake. We connect with them on a level close to that with other humans.

Studies have been circulating for years linking emotional and physical well-being to pet ownership. Lonely and depressed people are urged to get a pet or to volunteer at a shelter where they can have interactions with animals in an effort to boost their social functioning.

While some may balk at the idea that stroking a puppy could make you more social, many swear that having a pet makes them happier, more productive people.

It’s not so difficult to see why when you break it down:

1) A sense of security. This can be key for children with special needs, though we all benefit from a sense of security. Pets can help ease separation anxiety and teach children how to calm themselves in stressful situations. As adults, it can be comforting to know you aren’t going home to an empty house.

2) No more lonely nights. The days of coming home and vegging out on your couch feeling sorry for yourself are long gone. OK, you will probably still veg on the couch if you’re a cat person, but at least you won’t be alone. Pets fill your space with energy and life.

7 Ways Pets Make You Happier

In essence, animals fulfill a basic human need– touch.

3) Get fit. If you have a dog, chances are they’ll need some exercise which means getting up and getting out and walking yourself. Dog owners routinely say a side effect of getting a pup is getting into better shape. Now, that’s not to say you can’t walk a cat– I’ve seen it done– but you probably won’t. This is one area where dogs definitely rule.

4) Zap stress. While pets come with their own stressors as anyone who’s come home to a chewed shoe or accident can attest, they do a heck of a lot to reduce your overall stress. Some studies have shown that petting an animal can ease depression symptoms and even your heart rate, making you feel relaxed. This is why animals are used in hospitals for therapy.

5) A true confidant. Because animals can’t talk, many find it easier to spill the beans to a pet. Service animals are often used in this capacity and provide a safe place for people to talk out their problems. Animals are often used in treatment for traumatic stress for just this reason. Plus, just having someone to talk to who won’t talk back can be pretty sweet.

Pets make you more compassionate and considerate.

Pets make you more compassionate and considerate.

6) Live longer. Pet owners live longer than those without pets. Probably because they’re not as stressed out (see No. 4), are more active (see No. 3) and have something that adds meaning to their lives. Older adults with pets have 30% fewer doctor visits than their counterparts.

7) You’re just a better person. Pets can bring out the best in people. Pet owners tend to show more empathy and compassion to other people. They may be more generous and care more about others. When I was dating, I always knew a guy was decent if he had a pet.

In essence, animals fulfill a basic human need– touch. Pets love unconditionally and add a lot to the lives of their owners.

Take a look around at pet owners you know (or yourself) and see how pets have changed them.

What characteristics do you notice?

 

Use Food to Boost Your Mood

By

We know that our food choices are influenced by our mood.

Foods to Improve Your Mood

The right kind of carbs can elevate your mood.

When we’re stressed out– and really, when are military spouses NOT stressed?– we feel a little run down and turn to sugar, caffeine and carbs to give us a much-needed boost.

But this is a vicious cycle because what we eat will determine our mood. How many times have you scarfed down something fast, cheap and easy for a quick boost and then felt guilty or depressed later on?

Don’t beat yourself up. It happens to the best of us. But there are other options.

Here’s what you need to know about food and how it affects your mood:

Omega 3s Fight Mood Swings

The University of Maryland Medical Center lists several health benefits for Omega 3s. Some studies have shown that fish oil helps reduce mood swings in those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Others have shown that it may reduce depression symptoms. In addition, Omega 3s also fight inflammation, diabetes and ADHD symptoms.

Things to eat: salmon, walnuts, flax seeds (Grind first. Their tough exterior makes flax seeds impossible to digest whole.)

In a bad mood? Change your diet.

Fish oil may help to reduce mood swings.

Protein Promotes an Even Energy Level

Eating high-quality protein, especially in the morning, will set you up for a productive day. Protein allows your blood-sugar level to rise and fall gently instead of spiking sharply and then plummeting when you eat carbs.

Things to eat: organic eggs, almonds, greek yogurt

B Vitamins Keep Depression at Bay

Weill Cornell Medical College created a pamphlet based on the connection between low levels of B vitamins and depression. B6 and B12 both are essential to the creation of dopamine and serotonin, the two neurotransmitters that affect your mood.

Things to eat: chickpeas, bananas, spinach, clams

The Right Carbs Elevate Your Mood

Skip the donut, but don’t go completely carb-free. Healthy carbs are good for you. They keep your energy level even (like protein), and also increase your serotonin (like B vitamins).

Things to eat: whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans

Foods that Can Boost Your Mood

Skip the sugary food and guilt when you need a mood boost.

Eat Regularly

Skipping meals makes you more apt to binge on unhealthy items. We’ve all been there and it’s bound to happen. Once it does, vow to get back on track. If you have a busy day, plan ahead and keep some of these healthy “fast” foods on hand for when you need a snack.

Things to pack: almonds, walnuts, fruit, yogurt

What are your tips for resisting the junk food urge when stressed?

**If you’re doing all the right things and still feel down, make an appointment to see your doctor. A variety of things may be happening and medication or supplements may be needed. Don’t feel ashamed or scared to ask for help.**