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Summer Camp at Home

07/08/2024 By Heather Walsh

Creating a summer camp experience at home can be a fantastic way to keep kids engaged, entertained, and learning during the summer months. For military families moving, doing a summer camp at home allows for continuity no matter where you move. Themed weeks incorporating crafting projects, virtual field trips, and taking advantage of free local activities, you can create a memorable and enriching experience for children of all ages, yes, including the adults!

Theme Ideas

1. Nature Exploration Week:

  • Activities: Go on nature walks, create a backyard scavenger hunt, and learn about local wildlife. If you are unfamiliar with local wildlife or natural items, use the local library or tourism websites for lists.
  • Crafts: Make leaf rubbings, build bird feeders using pine cones and peanut butter, and create nature journals to document findings.
  • Field Trips: Visit a nearby park or nature reserve and participate in any educational programs. The best part – local and state parks are typically free!

2. Space Adventure Week:

  • Activities: Study constellations, build model rockets, and watch documentaries about space exploration. Check out Hoopla through base or local libraries to stream documentaries for free.
  • Crafts: Create galaxy-themed paintings, make DIY telescopes, and build a cardboard rocket ship.
  • Field Trips: Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum here.

3. Arts and Crafts Extravaganza Week:

  • Activities: Set up crafting stations with different materials and themes.
  • Crafts: Use recycled materials to make sculptures – this can include but not limited to paper towel and toilet paper cardboard, unused coffee filters, aluminum foil and parchment paper to create new patterns for painting or modeling clay.
  • Field Trips: Visit local art museums or galleries that offer free admission through Blue Star Museums.

4. Sports and Games Week:

  • Activities: Organize backyard games like relay races, obstacle courses, and mini-golf tournaments.
  • Crafts: Make DIY trophies and medals, create personalized team t-shirts, and design a mini-golf course using household items.
  • Field Trips: Attend a local sports event or visit a nearby sports complex. Check out your local Blue Star Neighborhood for chances to get tickets for free, donated by local teams.

5. Science Experiment Week:

  • Activities: Conduct fun and educational science experiments using household items.
  • Crafts: Create volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, build a homemade weather station, and make slime.
  • Field Trips: Virtually visit science museums like the California Science Center, a participant in the Blue Star Museums program.

Crafting Ideas

Using Nature:

  • Leaf Rubbings: Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes, place them under a piece of paper, and use crayons to create rubbings.
  • Pine Cone Bird Feeders: Roll pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed, then hang them in the yard to attract birds.
  • Nature Journals: Encourage children to document their outdoor adventures by drawing pictures, pressing flowers, and writing about what they see.

Using Things at Home:

  • Recycled Material Sculptures: Use old boxes, bottles, and other recyclables to build creative sculptures.
  • Homemade Playdough: Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring to create colorful playdough.
  • DIY Instruments: Make musical instruments like shakers with rice and empty bottles or drums with empty cans and balloons.

Virtual Field Trips

Many of museums offer virtual tours and online resources, making them accessible to everyone – making it easy to explore them no matter where the military sends you.

1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.):

  • Explore exhibits on the history of aviation and space exploration through virtual tours and online collections.

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, NY):

  • Participate in virtual tours and explore thousands of artworks from ancient to contemporary periods.

3. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN):

  • Enjoy online exhibits and educational resources tailored for children.

4. The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL):

  • Discover virtual exhibits featuring masterpieces from various periods and cultures.

5. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Boston, MA):

  • Access virtual tours and educational programs that explore art from around the world.

Free Activities at Local Libraries and Michaels

Local Libraries: Many libraries offer free summer reading programs, storytimes, and craft sessions. Even if you are just driving through an area, you can participate in the activity. Check your local library’s schedule for activities such as:

  • Storytime Sessions: Enjoy themed storytime sessions that include reading, singing, and interactive activities.
  • Craft Workshops: Participate in free craft workshops where children can make bookmarks, puppets, and more.
  • Summer Reading Challenges: Encourage kids to read by participating in summer reading challenges with rewards and incentives. If you are moving and won’t be at one library, check out the DOD MWR Library.

Michaels: Michaels stores often offer free or low-cost crafting events for kids. Look for activities like:

  • Kids Club: Join the Kids Club for free crafting sessions where children can create projects like painted rocks, friendship bracelets, and more.
  • Camp Creativity: Children can explore different crafting techniques and materials in Camp Creativity sessions.

By organizing theme weeks, engaging in creative crafting projects, exploring virtual field trips, and taking advantage of free local activities, you can create a dynamic and enjoyable summer camp experience at home. These activities provide entertainment and foster learning, creativity, and family bonding.

When Do I Get An Updated Next Generation ID Card?

04/05/2021 By Heather Walsh

The Department of Defense announced that the paper-based Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card is being phased out to a Next Generation USID card that provides more security.  The security features on the card prevent counterfeiting and fraud, in part of keeping government facilities safe. Gone are the days of the green card for members of the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) and Inactive National Guard, blue for retirees, pink for retired members of the Reserves and National Guard under the age of 60. The tan card used for dependents, disabled veterans, full time USO personnel service in OCONUS, and other categories is being replaced.

There are three Next Generation USID cards

  • Geneva Convention Identification Card (for those in the IRR or National Guard or civil service that do not rate a CAC card)
  • Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card
  • Dependent Identification and Privilege Card

Color Coding:

  • White designates current/former Uniformed Service members and their dependents and other remaining personnel
  • Blue bar designate non-U.S. citizen sponsors and their dependents

Where do I get a Next Generation USID card?

As of December 2020, all ID card issuance facilities are able to provide an updated card. Check for a location and appointments near you here.

Any current USID cards that are not expired will remain valid through their expiration date. There is no need to update the card at this time unless you card is expired. Any cards that may have INDEF as an expiration date should wait to try to update your card in summer 2021. Expired cardholders are able to continue to use the expired card for base access through March 2021 and receive medical care through June 30, 2021.

Bottom Line: If you have an unexpired card, you do not need to renew your card until your current card expires. If you have an expired card, you must update your card by March 31, 2021 in order to have continued base access. If base access is not a concern, card holders can use an expired ID card for medical care through June 30, 2021. If you have an INDEF expiration, try to update your card during the summer of 2021.

Any more questions about updating your ID card? Contacts are listed here.

6 Ingredient Dishes You Need for a Complete Thanksgiving Spread

11/17/2020 By Military Life Administrator

Thanksgiving has snuck right up on us this year and with so many added stressors in our lives these days, who doesn’t need a little something that’s quick, easy and delicious. Thanksgiving often entails lots of planning, shopping, prepping and hours of cooking, but with these Military Shoppers’ recipe submissions, you’ll have none of that!

In the interest of basically everyone across America, we’ve compiled a complete Thanksgiving spread of just six dishes that call for only six ingredients or less! So check them out, get to your local commissary to pick up the ingredients and come Thanksgiving day enjoy more time with immediate family and less time running around the kitchen!

Stuffed Mushrooms This hearty classic will make your mouth water and have your family asking for more, more, more. Want to forego the stuffing this year? Pop these on your table and it’s a two for one. Mushrooms and stuffing all in one easy dish.

Bacon Tossed Brussel Sprouts Who doesn’t love bacon? Brussel sprouts are a classic component of so many Thanksgiving meals. Buttery, rich and tender. We’ve all heard the old saying, “everything’s better with bacon!” These sure are.

Photo Credit: ©Edalin
/Shutterstock

Honey Baked Ham Change things up this year and forego the Turkey thawing, stuffing, basting and temp checking. Heat up a pre-cooked bone in ham with this super easy glaze and you’ll be glad you did! The smell of brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon will bring back all the nostalgia of the holidays to keep your spirits bright!

Orange Cranberry Sauce We love this rustic orange cranberry sauce and the fact that you throw everything into a pot, bring to a boil and it’s ready to set in 15 minutes is an added bonus. Not only is it delicious, but it’s certainly gorgeous set on your Thanksgiving table.

Photo Credit: ©nadianb /Shutterstock

Southern Style Mashed Potatoes Evaporated milk, sour cream and butter set these southern style mashed potatoes apart. No peeling, no chopping, just rinse, boil and blend. Easy and delicious!

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins Round out your Thanksgiving table with these decadent chocolate pumpkin muffins. Boxed devil’s food cake mix and pureed pumpkin are the picture of perfection when combined to make these memorable muffins.

Host Your Best Ever Super Bowl Party with Supplies from the Commissary

01/09/2020 By Meg Flanagan

Whether you’re rooting for your favorite team or really just there for the commercials, everyone can agree that the big game requires incredible snacks. And the Commissary is fully stocked to create your best ever Super Bowl party!

Host Your Best Ever Super Bowl Party with Supplies from the Commissary

We’ve got you covered for drinks, appetizers, snacks and bigger bites. Huddle up and run the play for a great 2020 Super Bowl bash!

Special Teams Snacks

Set up a yummy spread to please everyone.

  • Chips & Dips Bar: grab all of the chips and dips or DIY your own with an allergen-free recipe from military spouse owned Physical Kitchness! Get tons of variety, from savory to sweet, to match every palate.
  • DIY Nachos: this can double as a heavy appetizer or main dish, but it equally great as a snack station. Set out salsa, guacamole, sour cream and all the nacho fixings.
  • Veggies & Fruits: pick up a platter or two of pre-sliced veggies and fruits from the Commissary. Dip is usually included, which makes it so simple for game day!
  • Pigs in a Blanket: grab cocktail weiners from the Commissary and wrap them in heat-and-eat croissant dough. Bake, serve and go!
  • Taquitos: if you’re doing nachos, you can double down with frozen, fully prepped taquitos! Serve with shredded cheese, enchilada sauce and sour cream.

Appetizers to Run Interference

Sure, you could just make the snacks into an appetizer station, but that ruins the fun of the party. Try these easy ideas, all made with ideas straight from the commissary!

Photo Credit: ©zoryanchik
/Adobe Stock
  • Swedish Meatballs: grab a pack of frozen meatballs and then follow the rest of this recipe from The Skinny Fork for Game Day Meatballs!
  • Chili: whip up a big batch of chili, loaded with ground beef and all the beans. Serve it as is, with baked potatoes or as a topping for your versatile nacho bar.
  • Meat on Sticks: pop different cuts of meat, like beef or chicken, onto sticks then bake, broil or grill until cooked. You can spice things up with different seasonings, like BBQ sauce or curry-inspired spice blends. We like these bacon wrapped grilled chicken kabobs from The Bakermama.
  • Wings & Drummies: is it even a game without chicken wings? Grab frozen, pre-seasoned, wings and drumsticks from the Commissary’s freezer aisle for a simple Super Bowl appetizer.

Mains that Stick to Your Ribs

Football means winter. Winter means hearty, yummy food that fills up hungry bellies. Try these easy Super Bowl meals for your party!

Photo Credit: ©Bart /Adobe Stock
  • Homestyle Stew: whip up a yummy stew, using meat from the Commissary’s meat department. Add carrots, onions, potatoes and diced or stewed tomatoes to the beef along with stock. Serve with baked potatoes and crusty bread.
  • DIY Flatbread Pizzas: set up a pizza station with pita bread, sauce, cheese and other toppings. Keep the oven hot and quickly cook up custom pies for your pals. These cook up super fast, about 5-8 min per “pizza.”
  • Slow Cooker Ribs: set it and forget it meals are the best! Combine ribs, 1/2 can of Dr. Pepper and your favorite BBQ sauce in your slow cooker. Cook on low for about 6-8 hours, plenty of time before the big game!
  • Lasagna, Any Style: layers of gooey cheese and savory sauce plus pasta sounds incredible! Instead of DIYing this, grab a family-sized frozen dish for a simple heat and eat option that’s sure to please a crowd.

Don’t Skip Dessert!

If you thought you were done with dinner, you were wrong! Celebrate sweet victory with desserts that everyone will enjoy.

Photo Credit: ©dusk
/Adobe Stock
  • Cookies: pretty simple, but crowd-pleasing. Head to the Commissary’s bakery for a pre-made tray of cookies or pick up some cookie dough in the dairy aisle. Either way, it’s deliciously easy.
  • Oven-Roasted S’Mores: layer a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place graham crackers halves on the foil, topping with marshmallows. Place in the oven, set to broil, briefly. Top with 1-2 squares of chocolate and the other half of each cracker. Serve with napkins – this can get messy!
  • Ice Cream Bar: set out several fan-favorite ice cream flavors, plus toppings like whipped cream, hot fudge and cherries. Everyone can dish up their own sundae exactly the way they like.

Crowd-Pleasing Beverages

Having a good drink situation is ideal, especially for Super Bowl. It’s basically an all-day party and you need to stay hydrated.

Add these to your shopping list:

  • Wine: 1-2 bottles each of red, white and sparkling
  • Beer: 1-2 variety packs, maybe from a local brewery or from one local of your preferred team
  • Liquor & Mixers: grab the ingredients to make basic drinks, like gin and tonics or margaritas.
  • Non-Alcoholic: grab a whole bunch of soda, water, sparkling water, ice tea and juice – it’s not just for kids!

Love to host Super Bowl parties? Share your best tips with us!

Bringing the Benefit To You

07/12/2018 By Military Life Administrator

 

NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel: (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105

FAX: (804) 734-8248 DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

 

 

Release Number:         48-18                                                                                                                       

Date:                              July 12, 2018

Media Contact:             Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                                (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                           kevin.robinson@deca.mil

 

Bringing the benefit to you

On-Site sales bring commissaries to Guard/Reserve patrons

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

 

Note: To see a video related to the Guard and Reserve On-Site Sale program, go on DeCA’s YouTube site to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orhGmjG4l3c. For photos, go to DeCA’s Flickr site at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/sets/72157698976622705 .

 

 

FORT LEE, Va. – “Bringing the benefit to you,” is a fitting slogan for the Defense Commissary Agency’s Guard and Reserve On-Site Sale program, which observes its 10th anniversary this year.

“For the past decade these sales have provided the commissary benefit to those who have earned it, but don’t live or work near a commissary, and its legacy is impressive to say the least,” said Willie Watkins, DeCA’s chief of e-business.

The program has served over 430,700 customers at more than 930 sales events, which have yielded more than $18 million in patron savings, Watkins noted.

The on-site sales have been held in diverse locations ranging from Marietta, Georgia, to Hilo, Hawaii, and Bismarck, North Dakota, and the agency is always on the lookout for more sale opportunities. Here’s how it works:

  • Sales are cooperative efforts between sponsoring Guard and Reserve units, and commissary store directors who together determine sale locations and dates. A contingent at DeCA Headquarters gives guidance and oversees the process
  • Sales average two or three days and are open to all authorized commissary shoppers
  • Sales feature a wide variety of commissary products largely determined by shopper preferences at each location
  • Customers shop and pay for purchases much like they would at a commissary. There are also preorder and prepay sales – where customers order their groceries on-line and pay for them prior to pick-up at the designated location – and hybrid sales that are a combination of conventional and preorder/prepay
  • Sales are easy to find. DeCA’s website has a Guard/Reserve page that lists sales locations and dates along with contacts for more information on particular events

The program isn’t content to rest on its laurels. Watkins said they’re looking into the possibilities of joint ventures with the military Exchange services, which could serve as sale sites or sales pick-up locations since they have a number of stores at locations that don’t have commissaries.

“The commissary heritage is one of adapting to meet the needs of its patrons, and so we’re continuing to do that as we continue our tenth year of providing this valued service,” Watkins said.

-DeCA-

 

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

 

 

Stay Connected to Your Commissary Benefit

COMMISSARIES.COM: Visit www.commissaries.com to learn more about the Defense Commissary Agency: check out the latest news, find a store near you, see what’s on sale, create a shopping list, learn of food and product recalls, scan employment opportunities, read frequently asked questions, submit a customer comment form online through DeCA’s Your Action Line and more.

 

COMMISSARY CONNECTION E-NEWSLETTER: Stay connected with the latest news about your most valued benefit, Hot Links to additional savings, shopping sprees, contests, commissary promotions, events and more, go to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm and subscribe to the Commissary Connection newsletter.

 

COMMISSARY CONNECTION BLOG: To see regular posts about topics of interest to commissary customers, including commissary news, human interest stories, shopping tips, videos and notifications about programs or events, go to http://commissaryconnection.dodlive.mil/. You can also subscribe to this forum by going to www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm.

 

FACEBOOK: Visit www.facebook.com/YourCommissary, DeCA’s Facebook page, where you can post comments and share news, photos and videos.

 

YOUTUBE: To see DeCA’s latest videos, visit www.youtube.com/DefenseCommissary.

 

TWITTER: To see DeCA’s latest “tweets,” visit www.twitter.com/YourCommissary.

 

PINTEREST: To see DeCA’s theme-based image collections, visit http://www.pinterest.com/YourCommissary.

 

FLICKR: To see DeCA’s latest photographs, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/commissary/.

 

INSTAGRAM: To see DeCA’s latest photographs, visit https://www.instagram.com/YourCommissary/.

 

 

 

 

Budgeting: A Path, Not a Cage

04/23/2018 By Military Shoppers

*This is a guest post contributed by Catherine Hershey.

Budgeting, much like exercising, only works if you have a clear and realistic path to success. This includes pushing your comfort zone while keeping up some of the things you rely on to ensure you follow-through. It is not responsible to expect yourself to transform from being a spending junkie or a Starbucks addict to a minimalist budgeting angel of peace in one day. It is a process which must start right now, right where we are. It is easy to put things off to the non-existent future saying “after the house is remodeled, then I will be stingy” or “After all my maid of honor duties are over, then I will spend only on necessary things” or “I’m just really having a bad day, I need a shopping spree and a night out. After today I won’t spend money”. Celebrating milestones, making your home comfortable and inviting, or pouring your creative mind into hobbies and passions, are all things that are important and worthy of your hard earned money on. My husband and I both have hobbies and interests which require a bit of spending. Instead of cutting these things out in the interest of saving money, our hobbies serve to fuel our motivation for cutting back the unnecessary spending. In order to make room for the fun things, it is important to have a tight hold on the every day expenses. But taking control does not happen overnight. It requires a path that will lead you on a fulfilling life-changing journey, one step at a time.

STEP 1: TRACK EVERY DOLLAR

Before you can figure out exactly how much life costs you and how much money is wasted, you need a visual representation of all the incoming and outgoing money. In our house, we have a large white board in a visible (yet private) area on which we have listed our spending in categories: Bills, Grocery, Eating Out, Car, Cash, Other. You may also consider adding categories such as Entertainment, Household, Travel, etc. At the bottom of the column we have written the total amount spent, the total amount earned, and the Margin (or difference) between the two. Every Friday, I pull up our bank statement on the computer and write down each transaction in a notebook in the appropriate column, then and update the whiteboard with the totals. At the end of each month, we input the totals into an excel sheet which tracks our averages in each category as well as the total amount earned and spent for the year.
This may seem like unnecessary work considering the existence of banking apps such as Mint that can do this for you. But I find that physically writing each one down helps me to feel like I have more control and more understanding of our current situation. Furthermore, doing this once a week, rather than seeing it every day on my phone, helps me to not obsess and stress over it.

Once you have a clear idea of where the money is going, you can see where spending can be trimmed, which brings us to step two.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY OVERSPENDING AND PROBLEM SOLVE

It is time to examine each column and determine whether there is unnecessary spending going on. For instance, our grocery bill was high for several months in a row. So I decided to get better at cooking and meal planning. My goal was to have 30 good recipes that everyone liked so I wouldn’t have to repeat any and we wouldn’t get sick of them. At the beginning of our marriage, I knew how to make three things. Every week I would try a new recipe (from the internet, or one of the cookbooks I have). Some were terrible and some required a few tries to get right, but we eventually found some keepers and my list steadily grew. Now, I am able to sit down and put together a whole meal plan once a week (accounting for our lunches and the kids’ snacks) and our grocery spending has become more consistent and steady. More importantly, the practice of trying a new recipe every week has become a habit which is steadily making me a better cook and our mealtimes are becoming more diverse and enjoyable. Hint hint: the commissary is a great place to find new ingredients for those diverse, cultural recipes you want to try!

Moving on to the next category, our Eating Out spending was high for several months in a row because my husband was eating out for lunch most days during the week. With some experimentation and creative thinking we finally figured out what kind of lunch I could send to work with him that would be appropriate for the kind of job he was doing and how much time he had for lunch. This saves us on average $50/week.

I did however notice there were still many Starbucks transactions, adding up to about $60/month. This was partly because my husband left for work at 6am every morning and partly because there was a Starbucks near the playground where I frequently took the kids for play dates. We solved this problem by setting the coffee maker every night to turn on at 5:30am the next day, picking up a flavored coffee creamer, and buying a $30 cold brewer. This way we always have several varieties of coffee available to us and are able to take a mug or thermos full when we leave the house. Our Starbucks spending went down to about $10/month.

We believe that budgeting is about problem solving and will take time. It should be treated as a life changing journey with some give and take. Some months you will be right where you need to be, some months you will drop the ball. Those months shouldn’t be discouraging, but a chance to learn what you can do better next time.  You can’t learn to be a good cook in one day, but if you try something new every week you will soon have a months worth of good recipes which will keep you from getting bored and eating out.

STEP 3: SET GOALS

The fun thing about budgeting is there is no set amount that you should be spending in each category, that is totally determined by you. Combing through our lifestyle habits and finding where spending can be trimmed is an exercise that requires a lot of humility and self honesty.

But without something driving you to cut back the extra spending, you will continue bad habits and drown in guilt. This is why it is important to have long-term goals as well as monthly budget goals. Most of us have some sort of debt and this is a good motivator to cut back on spending. When you have figured out how much your spending can be cut down month to month, make big goals for putting that money towards paying off your debt and saving for your future. Because of the lifestyle changes I mentioned above, we were able to pay off our 6-year car loan in 3 years, and cut my student loans in half in 2 years. This kind of success is empowering! Once you achieve one of your goals it becomes easier to conceive the kind of future you want and draft the steps you need to take to get there.

Budgeting needs to be revised for the 21st century. The methods that our parents used are out of date and need some revamping. The envelopes full of money method is no longer effective, as most of our financial transactions are digital. It is time to embrace a journey of honest change rather than simply putting a cage around our money.

 

Boosting Your Fitness Levels as a Veteran

03/08/2018 By Military Shoppers

by guest contributor Lucy Wyndham

The transition to civilian life can be challenging for vets, but one setback they don’t often expect but often have to face, is weight gain. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity, vets gain between 2.2. And 2.9 pounds per year when they are discharged, which is double the amount gained by those on active duty.

Being aware of this tendency is vital in itself, since it can serve as motivation to not be just another statistic; to take the reins of your health and wellbeing by embracing a healthy lifestyle and diet. Of course, make sure to check out the many discounts on sporting and leisure activities which are available to vets, so you ensure you have fun while working on your fitness.

Increased Risks in Some Vets

For male and female vets, there are specific factors that can be considered risks for greater weight gain. These include having less educational qualifications, being overweight when discharge takes place, being in an active field within the military, and having experienced deployment with exposure to combat.

A Fitness Program for All Seasons

Although there are a wide variety of fitness options vets can choose from, the essential components of losing weight and keeping it off, include cardiovascular and strength training exercises. Interval training is also vital for those wishing to lose body fat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends training five days a week, enjoying 150 minutes of moderate intensity cardio training and at least two strength training  sessions a week.

Building muscle is an important way to increase your metabolic rate; at rest, a pound of muscle burns 250% more calories than a pound of fat. You don’t have to worry about building bulk; by lifting a moderate amount of weight, you should build enough muscle to give you a lean, fit look and keep obesity at bay.

Photo by Justyn Warner on Unsplash

Short but Intense

Interval training involves pushing yourself to peak intensity for a few seconds or minutes and cooling down with lower intensity activities, then repeating this cycle a set number of times. As noted by Time, “Working out in short, intense bursts can be just as good for your heart and muscles as longer endurance regimens.”

Interval training causes muscle cells to work more efficiently, and burns significantly more calories than a traditional cardio routine. One recent study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting revealed that two weeks of high-intensity intervals improves one’s aerobic capacity as much as six to eight weeks of endurance workouts.

A Workout that Fits Your Lifestyle

You are much more likely to stick to a workout if it ignites your passion. If you haven’t been in the gym for a while, approach fitness calmly, obtaining prior medical approval and the help of a qualified trainer.

If you are into military-inspired workout programs, inquire about the suitability of CrossFit or Warrior Dash, which will push your endurance.

Your workouts don’t need to be centered around a specific plan, of course; if nothing ignites your passion like working out in the great outdoors, a run or brisk walk for around an hour a day will do plenty to boost your heart health.

If you have always found working out to be a chore, choose from a plethora of activities that wield powerful benefits despite seeming like a party (think dance, Zumba, or mountain biking); being open-minded to new activities is an ideal way to discover new hobbies.

If you have been in combat or you are facing stress, anxiety, or depression, making time for holistic practises such as yoga or Tai Chi, is a must; these activities are currently used as complementary therapies for a host of stress-related conditions (including substance abuse), since they have been proven in numerous studies to lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Staying fit after leaving the military is vital; if ever you lack the motivation to hit the gym or put on your trainers and head out for a jog, remember that your physical and mental health and wellbeing are intricately linked. Exercising regularly will improve your mood, keep stress down, and build your self-confidence, while helping keep heart disease and cancer at bay.

 *this article was submitted by guest contributor Lucy Wyndham

5 Reasons to Tie the Knot Before Deployment

02/08/2018 By Military Shoppers

**This is a guest post contributed by Heather Lomax. 

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting milestones in a couple’s life together. But when one of you is in active duty, the question of “when” becomes more and more pressing with each passing day.

While you might be more inclined to wait for marriage, there are several benefits to getting married before deployment.

Housing Allowance Benefits

Housing benefits are extremely beneficial for military families who are constantly on the move from base to base. And not only are there allowances given to spouses but children as well.

The housing allowance is presented from the date of marriage, but you must have your marriage license in order to get approved for benefits. In some states, there’s a waiting period to receive your marriage license that ranges from one-five days, so be sure your license comes in time for the day you wish to apply for benefits.

Medical Care Benefits

The Tricare Military Medical System provides health care coverage to military spouses and children. Once the marriage is confirmed and the application is approved, a military ID card is issued. Military spouses can also file for reimbursement should they require a medical ID card before it is officially issued to the couple.

Family Separation Allowance Benefits

This is a benefit that spouses receive as a supplement to income while their husband or wife is deployed. It can help pay for things like groceries, gas, and other necessary living expenses. The only caveat is that this benefit takes 30 days of active duty in order to go into effect.

Movement of Dependents and Household Goods

Moving is expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Fortunately, our government is sympathetic to this additional hardship put on military families, which is where household goods benefits come into play. Once the active duty family member applies for a new station, the government will reimburse for any relocation and travel expense.

Base Benefits

Being married to a soldier and living on a base can have some huge perks when you’re a Military ID cardholder, especially if you have children or wish to have them in the future.

For one thing, military base shopping centers have competitively priced items with no tax added, so you can buy groceries and clothing for cheap compared to the rest of your area.

Bases also provide family support services to service members and their dependents, such as counseling, daycare, and religious services.

Furthermore, card holders get special access to education services offered on-base ranging from babies to adults. On top of that, outdoor activities and holiday events are usually free-of-charge for card holders. So, in order to take full advantage of the base benefits, it literally pays to be married!

Heather Lomax is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Challenge Coins Ltd.

Commissary Coupons and Military Savings

08/15/2016 By Military Shoppers

7982845668_27c397a825_kCommissary coupons and military savings brought to you by MilitaryShoppers.com make saving at the Commissary easy!  Sign up for free and receive military coupons and savings delivered direct to your inbox from MilitaryShoppers.com.  Maximize your savings and make the most of your commissary benefit with digital coupon technology by way of the commissary rewards card.

Commissary Rewards Card

The Commissary Rewards Card offers digital coupons that you load onto your account and are deducted from your total when your card is scanned at checkout.  Participating is easy.  Pick up a commissary rewards card during your next visit to the commissary.  Register your card on commissaries.com.  Once registered, login to your account and start loading military coupons on to your account.  Be sure to scan your card at the register and your coupons will be applied.  Easy as 1-2-3.

 

MilitaryShoppers.com Savings and Commissary Specials

Now combine those savings with the military coupons, deals and offers from MilitaryShoppers.com and you’ll really see a difference in your grocery bill.  MilitaryShoppers.com works with brands and corporations that are devoted to making a difference in the military community.  We bring you offers and savings that are unique to the military and are committed to providing you with Commissary Specials each month.  Commissary Specials are update monthly and delivered directly to your inbox, so be sure to sign up for our email newsletters.

Good Financial Habits Create Peace of Mind

02/15/2016 By Lucy Wyndham

During February 22-27, the nonprofit called America Saves promotes Military Saves Week to encourage military families to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth.  It’s a perfect time to review your savings habits, make changes, and set goals to create greater peace of mind and improve your long-term financial stability.

Consider these facts: Only 50% of Americans say they have a savings plan with goals; and surveys show that money is the top source of psychological stress for adults. Money issues not only create stress, they strain relationships, lead to conflict, and are a leading cause of divorce. However, this doesn’t have to be the case if you create a realistic budget and a financial plan–and stick to them.

Many people don’t know where to start. My advice is to begin with goals in mind. America Saves suggests:

  • Saving for emergencies
  • Paying off debt – especially high interest rate debt
  • Opening a retirement account and regularly contributing to it
  • Saving for big purchases such as a car, house or your children’s education

Fortunately, there are several federal programs that help military families save for the future.  By taking advantage of technology, you can boost your savings habits:

  • Save automatically using MyPay
  • Save for retirement using the Thrift Savings Plan
  • If deployed, use the Savings Deposit Program

However, it’s one thing to create a budget and plan, and quite another to follow through on your best intentions.  Begin to cut spending in areas that drain savings opportunities:

  • Keep a daily record of all expenses. Then, analyze where you spent money needlessly, such as that latte on the way to work or eating out daily for lunch.
  • Pay off high-cost debt immediately. Loans and credit cards with high interest rates, for example, can eat up savings fast.
  • Stick to a budget for special occasions such as birthdays, vacation trips and holidays. Going into debt for these events is not worth it.
  • Change shopping habits to reduce impulsive purchases that may set you back on budget goals.

Yet, oftentimes it’s difficult to squeeze more money out of your paycheck for monthly needs– let alone set aside money for bigger goals.  A good strategy is to start small and look for simple ways to trim spending.  Just changing your mindset can make a big difference:
Save loose change – .50 cents a day adds up to $180 per year
Bring your lunch to work more often – save approximately $5 per day that can be transferred to savings
Eat out two fewer times a month – save $30 per month or $360 per year
Pay off credit card bills completely each month and on time to avoid spiraling interest and late fees – $25 per month or $300 per year

These tips are just the beginning. If you want more resources and ideas, go to www.militarysaves.org and begin your journey to financial security.

Military Saves Week Guest Article for MilitaryShoppers.com

by Don Giles

President, Armed Forces Bank

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