Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

The Sweetness of Red, White & Blue

By

Top 10 delicious recipes for Fourth of July

Red, white and blue desserts are guaranteed to impress your guests.

Red. White. Blue. These 3 simple colors put together evoke emotions of the American spirit, ignite the passions of a patriot and the need for a mouth to chant U-S-A. This week we celebrate Independence Day.

More than 326 million Americans will commemorate the birth of our nation by waving handheld flags at community parades, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs with their neighbors and under the darkness “oohing” and “ahhing” at the bright flashes of fireworks.

I always associate the Fourth of July with flag-themed desserts.

The dessert doesn’t necessarily have to be an edible flag, but if you want to impress your guests, it helps to be creative. Thankfully strawberries and blueberries are in season this month and make flag creation affordable and delicious.

Here are my top 10 recipe recommendations for red, white and blue treats.

Fourth of July JELL-O

Using a package of berry blue gelatin and a package of strawberry gelatin, you can easily create blue and red JELL-O cubes. This dessert is perfect for a party with lots of little fingers. JELL-O is especially delicious when it’s cubed. One note: Plan ahead to have enough time to allow the JELL-O to set.

Patriotic Gelatin Salad

We all know that Independence Day is July 4th, but I don’t limit the festive food to one single day. My family enjoys eating Fourth of July desserts throughout the entire month. For that reason, I skip on making Patriotic Gelatin Salad on the holiday, but make it for a neighborhood potluck on a week when I have extra time and the patience for the steps of dissolving gelatin, placing that layer in the fluted tube pan and then chilling it for more than 30 minutes before adding another layer.

Firecracker Red, White and Blue Cake

This cake is red, white and blue on both the inside and out. You prepare the cake batter as directed on the box before dividing it into 3 bowls (one for red food coloring, one for blue and the other is the white batter). Once the cake is baked and cooled completely, you drizzle the white frosting back and forth around the cake in a striping pattern before drizzling blue and red frosting on it. Make sure all 3 colors of frosting can be seen on the cake.

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

My childhood best friend Kelly’s birthday is July 3. Guess what type of birthday cake she had every year? This Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake. I always liked how the sliced strawberries are arranged as the stripes to create the American flag. Always serve this cake chilled from the refrigerator.

Patriotic JELL-O Cake

Another cake that is served chilled is this Patriotic JELL-O Cake. In this recipe, you prepare and bake 2 round white cakes as directed on the box. Once the cakes are cooled, you pierce each cake with a fork. Then take 2 boxes of dissolved JELL-O (red and blue) and pour one type of JELL-O over one cake. Repeat with the other type of JELL-O on the other cake. Refrigerator at least 2 hours before assembling and spreading frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake. Expect your friends to be impressed with the swirls of red and blue inside the cake.

Easy Strawberry and Blueberry Dessert

This easy and beautiful dessert is perfect for the Fourth of July. It takes minimal prep time, yet it will taste delicious. Note: It makes 4 to 6 servings, so be prepared to double the recipe if you are entertaining friends.

Top 10 Fourth of July desserts

Strawberries add the flare of red to any Fourth of July dessert.

Red, White and Blue Banana Split

Another cool dessert is the Red, White and Blue Banana Split. It’s a refreshing dessert that using strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and bananas. Perfect if you are celebrating the holiday in Hawaii.

These final 3 recipes are equally delicious and patriotic.

JELL-O Easy Patriotic Pie
The Flag Cheesecake
Patriotic No-Bake Cheesecake

Now that you have the makings for a festive dessert, the only thing missing is the sparklers.

What’s your favorite dessert to serve on the Fourth of July?

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

By

′Tis the season of holiday parties and office gatherings. Along with the shrimp cocktails and plates of holiday cookies, now is the time of year when a special holiday cocktail can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Inspired by the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” here are 12 drink recipes to try this holiday season.

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Ahhh, pears. They are often forgotten about when it comes to holiday entertaining, but they offer a nice alternative to apples and pumpkin. Together with ginger and bourbon, pears are the featured flavor in this holiday beverage that is just sweet enough to be something special. Here’s the recipe for a Ginger & Pear Bourbon Cocktail.

Two Turtle Doves

I’m not really sure what a turtle dove is, but I when I hear the word turtle, I automatically think chocolate and caramel. This drink has it all, complete with a pecan glass rimmer and topped with whipped cream! Let me introduce you to the Turtle Caketini.

Three French Hens

Even hens are fancier in France, so is it any wonder that a French cocktail could be just what you need to give your holiday party some pizazz? Here’s a whole list of French cocktails, but my favorite is French 75. You can’t go wrong when champagne is involved.

Four Calling Birds

Whether you are flocking together with family or friends, a drink inspired by calling birds is sure to please even the sourest humbug. Here’s the recipe for The Jungle Bird Cocktail.

Five Golden Rings

Be it 24 karat or 100 proof, gold for the holidays is always in style.

This one takes a little work, but oh, it’s so worth it. Take the bright, sweet flavor of pineapple and marry it with traditional holiday spices like cinnamon and clove. Served hot, this drink will warm you inside and out!

12 Days of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

Now is the time of year when a special holiday drink can make those celebrations with friends and family something memorable.

Six Geese A Laying

What do you get when you’ve got six geese a laying? A whole lot of eggs. And while this drink recipe doesn’t actually contain any eggs, a spiked egg cream will bring back memories of yesteryear while helping you create new memories in the present.

Seven Swans A Swimming

Graceful and beautiful, but have you ever wondered what a swan who took a dive on the dark side would look like?

If you ask this mixologist, that bird would be purple, and both sweet and tart. Try a Seductive Swan for an afternoon get-together or your holiday book club.

Eight Maids A Milking

Where there is milk, there’s cream. And nothing says holiday cheer like the creamy, dreamy flavor of a peppermint patty. Here’s how to make this favorite seasonal drink three different ways.

Nine Ladies Dancing

If you’re not exactly a twinkle-toed ballerina, consider substituting killer dance moves with this killer drink. The Nine Ladies Dancing Cocktail is aptly named and just as impressive as any chorus line.

Ten Lords A Leaping

On this side of the pond you’re not likely to run into too many lords, but I imagine if you saw ten of them leaping, you’d probably take notice.

Inspired by Lord Stanley of the famous Stanley Cup this holiday punch packs a…well, a punch! Plus it makes enough to serve the entire hockey team!

Eleven Pipers Piping

Piping…piping…piping hot! With the cold winter weather, libations served warm are a must. And Hot Buttered Rum is a long-standing favorite.

This recipe makes it super easy to have Hot Buttered Rum pretty much on demand. Click the link for the batter recipe, then prepare your rum to be buttered.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Stop and think for a moment what twelve drummers drumming would sound like. This final drink will help you celebrate the season with the kind of bang those drummers would be proud of.

Got a favorite recipe? Enter your holiday drink recipe in the MilitaryShoppers recipe contest. One winner every month. Click here to enter your recipe today!

How I Find the Fun in Mandatory Fun

By

There are so many wonderful aspects of military life, but for some mandatory fun is not one of them.

Mandatory fun or required attendance at military social events is not always fun.

Some events are a bit stuffy and too formal. Some are too crowded and impersonal. Others are family oriented or for adults only. They don’t always fit in with your schedule and logistics can be difficult. Still, you are required to attend and so you do.

These mandatory fun events can actually be fun.

It’s all in how you perceive it. If you go in with the mindset that you won’t enjoy it, then you likely won’t have a good time.

Next time you have mandatory fun scheduled, try to have fun. Look for the positive in what otherwise could be a time where you are negative.

Formal military events, for example, are not my favorite.

A military ball is definitely mandatory fun in my book. I don’t like all the preparation it takes. Service members have it so easy; all they have to do is put on their uniform.

I, on the other hand, have to go dress shopping because of course you can’t wear the same formal gown to multiple events. Then you have to find shoes and a handbag to go with the dress. Shopping takes all day.

Add kids into the mix and you either have to drag them along shopping or get someone to watch them. On the day of the formal event it takes ages to get ready.

How I Find the Fun in Mandatory Fun

Mandatory military social events can be stressful, boring and time consuming. But try to find the positive in every event that you are required to attend with your service member. It may help make mandatory fun more fun for you.

Once at this mandatory fun, you mingle with people you don’t know. You listen to the service members talk about work using all sorts of acronyms. How are there so many acronyms in the military? I have no idea or at least a minimal idea of what they are talking about. It is always shop talk.

Though preparing for this mandatory fun is no fun at all, the events usually are. I get to talk to military spouses that I otherwise might not see. I  meet some people my husband works with and put a face to names I’ve only heard.

If nothing else, there’s usually wine.

Military family events can be time consuming.

You might have had other plans for the weekend but had to cancel them because this was a mandatory fun event. If your children are in sports, scouts or other organized groups, you might be driving between events. It can be a hectic day. Children will likely get overstimulated and over tired. There might be a meltdown or two as well.

Family events are more mandatory fun for my husband then for me though. He doesn’t like giving up his free time to see people that he works with all week long. I understand that.

For me however, this is fun. I don’t get to see those people or their families as much. These types of events can be stressful with logistics and behavior, but they can also be fun. I love to see my babies dressed up with the theme of the event. I like to bake so potluck events are great.

Sure we’ll be very tired at the end of the day, but it’s worth it.

Mandatory fun can be fun if you look at the bright side of it.

Holiday parties are another instance of mandatory fun that really can be fun. The bright side for me is that I get to see the look on my son’s face when he meets Santa or the Easter Bunny.

That’s priceless.

I get overwhelmed when there are a ton of children running around and our son follows in, but these events are few and far between so I can handle it as long as there’s a coffee in my hand.

How do you find the fun in mandatory fun events?

11 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Kids

By

Sparkly dresses, champagne toasts at midnight and partying until the ball drops might be a thing of the past for parents. Unless you are ready to pay a hefty babysitter fee.

Luckily, you can still party like it’s 1999 with your kids! Well, maybe not quite that much fun, but pretty close.

Here are 11 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your children.

Host a Kid-Friendly Soiree

Call up your other parent friends and invite them over for a fancy dress party. Serve finger foods like chicken nuggets and mini hot dogs, with champagne for the grown-ups and apple juice for the little ones.

Make Mocktails All Night Long

Older kids, and many adults, want to celebrate with fancy drinks but not the day-after results. Create fun mocktails with seltzer water, soda, fruit juice and garnishes. Make a mocktail of the hour and bust it out every 60 minutes. Check out these suggestions!

Celebrate a Different Midnight Ball Drop

The new year arrives at different times around the globe, which means that you don’t need to wait for midnight EST. Pick another location that matches your kiddo’s bedtime and roll with it! Live stream their celebrations, set the clocks ahead to match their time zone and blow your horns when the clock strikes midnight, over there. Kids get the fun of celebrating 2017, without staying up all night long.

Launch Sky Lanterns

Recreate the classic scene from the Disney movie “Tangled.” Sky lanterns symbolize hope and good wishes. They are perfect to ring in a new year! Have your kids write down their resolutions, wishes or prayers for 2017 and include them with the lantern. Then launch your lanterns as the sky is growing dark or just before bedtime. Make sure you are in a safe location and away from fire hazards. Check with your local fire department just in case.

Roast Marshmallows at a Christmas Tree Bonfire

What better way to get rid of a very dry Christmas tree than to have a bonfire! Gather up sticks and branches from the last winter storm or buy a few cords of wood. Invite your friends over to cook hot dogs and roast marshmallows over the flames. As a bonus, you’ll be nice and toasty while you enjoy some fresh air as 2016 ticks away. Just make sure you are following fire safety guidelines for your area!

Have an Epic Game Night

Bring out ALL the board games for one night of endless playtime. Make it a family affair or invite friends and neighbors over to play with you. Start with the classics and end with modern favorites or play games that you loved as a child. It’s a great chance to share memories and practice winning (and losing) with grace.

Invite Friends to Eat Around the World

New Year’s Eve at home is a great opportunity to try out all those Pinterest recipes you’ve been saving all year! Start early, with fun appetizers, and end with dessert just before bed. In between, try out recipes, tapas style, from around the world. Sushi from Japan, hummus and pita bread from the Middle East, bangers and mash from England, or poutine from Quebec.

To keep your New Year’s Eve menu kid-friendly, try serving Candy “Sushi” Fruit Roll Ups.

Go where your taste buds take you! If you’re really ambitious, you could attempt to coordinate a new food with when midnight arrives in that country or region.

If you’re not ambitious, you could order take-out from a variety of restaurants.

Snuggle on the Couch with a Classic Movie Night

Go with classic movies from the golden age of cinema or your favorite Disney movies as a kid or really any combination of movies you love. Snuggle up on the couch with popcorn, candy and pizza, then push play.

Celebrate Hannukah

The Jewish festival of lights ends on January 1, 2017. Celebrate hope and faith by lighting your own candles, menorah or sparklers. Play dreidel and eat delicious latkes or sufganiyot, a deep-fried doughnut filled with jelly or custard. Then initiate your children to the glory that is the “Hannukah Song” by Adam Sandler. Maybe edit out some of the more risque bits though.

Organize a Living Room Slumber Party

Set up sleeping bags, or make a tent out of blankets. Watch movies, play games and eat junk food until the kids fall asleep! Then you and your spouse can keep the party going, quietly, or can join your children in dreamland.

Make a Fancy First Breakfast

After all the celebrating the night before, refuel with a delicious breakfast on New Year’s Day! Go all out with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast and juice (or mimosas). While you eat, ask your family to talk about goals for the new year or remember their favorite parts of 2016.

How do you celebrate New Year’s Eve with your kids?

How to Host a Friendsgiving

By

Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends (in lieu of or in addition to family) has become a modern tradition. And while it hardly seems like a new idea for those of us who have spent countless holidays away from home, Friendsgiving is fast becoming a tradition in its own right.

In the same way the Pilgrims gave thanks for the community and feast shared by their Native American neighbors, so should we continue that tradition with those who act as our support system when we find ourselves far from home on Thanksgiving Day.

And in the same way our relationships with friends differ from those with family, Friendsgiving isn’t bound to just one way of doing things.

How to Host a Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is about enjoying the bounty of friendship.

Here are 6 tips for hosting your own Friendsgiving.

Pick a Date that Works for You and Your Friends

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, but feel free to adjust that date if it makes sense for you and your guests. If it’s too hard to make it happen during the week, consider the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Or if some of your besties are headed home for the holiday, consider the weekend before.

This celebration is about giving thanks for those in your life who help to lift you up and support you. And if gathering all those folks together can only happen on a Sunday afternoon, then so be it.

Decide on a Dinner Theme

When most of us think of Thanksgiving, we envision roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. And honestly, you can’t go wrong with this time-tested menu.

But if turkey is not your thing, then feel free to get creative.

Want to do a take-out only dinner?

Want everything to be bite-sized or finger foods?

Want to fire up the fondue pot?

Friendsgiving should include a good meal, but what that meal entails is up to you.

Invite Your Friends

Try to give your guests as much notice as possible so they can plan ahead.

One of the best parts of Friendsgiving is that everyone brings a dish to share, much like those who attended the first Thanksgiving.

Be sure your invitation includes the date, time and location. Be clear about what you want everyone to bring to this meal. Online invites like Evite can make it easier to keep track of who is bringing what. Lest you end up with a turkey, 10 bowls of mashed potatoes and no gravy.

If You’re the the Host, Work to Minimize Your Stress

As the host of a Friendsgiving, your goal is to make sure everyone feels welcomed and is well fed. Depending on the size of your invite list, you may need to buy or borrow extra place settings, serving plates and utensils, or even chairs. Try to think ahead to make sure you have everything you’ll need on the day of the event. You’ll minimize your stress and be able to relax and enjoy the day.

You should also plan to provide the main course for the meal. If you’re going the traditional route, that means the turkey. If roasting an entire bird scares you, consider just a turkey breast or two. You may want to order it from the deli at your local grocery store.

Friendsgiving is about enjoying the bounty of friendship, not about slaving in the kitchen.

If basting the bird until it’s golden brown is your thing, then have at it. If you’re better at eating turkey than cooking it, then do what works for you.

Oh, and make sure you have extra foil, plastic wrap, paper plates, and storage/bags containers so you can send folks home with leftovers when the meal is done.

If You’re the Guest, Offer to Help

As an invited guest at a Friendsgiving celebration, make sure you take the time to RSVP. Even if you can’t attend, let your host know so they don’t plan for 10 only to have 2 show up.

If you do plan on attending, make sure you check with the host to find out what you can bring or how you can help. A bottle of wine  is also a great host/hostess gift. Plus, a little bit of wine or a good craft beer never goes unappreciated among friends.

When the meal is done, don’t be a lump. Help your host clean up so they can enjoy the post-turkey celebration with you.

Count Your Blessings

Eat, drink, be merry, and take a moment to really appreciate the amazing friends you have in your life. Pictures are a given, so consider tasking someone with capturing photos of the day.

The tradition of sharing what you are thankful is a wonderful idea for dinner conversation starters. And no Friendsgiving meal would be complete without a toast to your friendship and the blessings those connections give you.

Have you ever hosted a Friendsgiving for Thanksgiving? Share your story on the MilitaryShoppers Facebook page.

Halloween Military Discounts

By

The most spooktacular time of the year is coming up! I’m a huge kid at heart and enjoy dressing up for Halloween. Since being married to my husband, I’ve convinced him to share in the fun too. Last year, we dressed up as ninjas and we intend to continue the tradition this year.

If timing is tight and you can’t put together an awesome DIY Halloween costume, there are some great retail stores out there that offer military discounts.

This way you don’t have to feel like you’re breaking the bank because there are some incredibly expensive pre-made costumes out there!

Save Money on Halloween with These Military Discounts

How do you save money when shopping for Halloween?

Check out these 5 stores that offer military discounts to save cash on costumes and party supplies. Don’t forget to bring and use your military ID.

  1. Party City – 10% military discount
  2. Wholesale Halloween Costume – 10% military discount
  3. Shindigz – 20% military discount
  4. Michaels – 10% military discount
  5. Spirit Halloween and Spencer’s Gifts – 10% military discount (Thank you Army Wife 101 for tweeting at them!)

Amusement parks from coast to coast are also celebrating the season by decorating in theme. Check out your local amusement parks to see if they are participating. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites with military discounts here:

Save Money on Halloween with These Military Discounts

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Six Flags Fright Fest – There are more than 10 Six Flags parks across the nation and most (if not all) offer military pricing. Your local MWR or leisure travel services (LTS) office could also have military discount vouchers for your family to use. I’ve been to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Over Texas, America and Great Adventure. For Fright Fest, they add Halloween touches throughout the park and employees get dressed up to add to the experience.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – If you’re not looking for a big scare, Disney World would be your ideal location to enjoy a themed event. Your family can utilize Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Discount and attend Mickey’s special party on a military discount.

Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt – Kings Dominion is about 80 miles south of Washington, D.C., and I know lots of families in the northern Virginia area who love to go there. They have a fun Halloween Haunt event and also offer a military discount for up to 6 tickets at the door.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights – Not for the faint of heart, Universal Studios hosts a freaky Halloween party in both California and Florida. They encourage families to get tickets at your local MWR or ticket office on base.

Legoland Brick-O-Treat – Legoland offers a 10% military discount at the ticket booth for families. Your local installation ticket office might have a better discount and if you’re a resident of California because of military service, you can qualify for a great discount deal.

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream – Williamsburg and Tampa locations are throwing their annual Howl-O-Scream party and they have an amazing deal for military families. A part of their Waves of Honor Program, they offer one complimentary admission for active duty families (up to 3 dependents).

This time of year also yields lots of great coupons from candy companies, so don’t be afraid to collect what you can and use them at the commissary. Your base commissary is ready to stock your trick-or-treat bowl!

How do you save money when shopping for Halloween?

5 Tips for Hosting an Ugly Sweater Party This Holiday Season

By

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, gift giving, hot cocoa, cozy fires, tasty cookies, festive parties…and ugly sweaters.

Yes, you read right, ugly sweaters.

Ugly holiday sweater parties have been springing up everywhere! In my opinion, the ugly sweater trend heated up as early millennials looked back at their amazingly tacky winter outfits of the ’80s. I know there are lots of gems in my family albums of 10-year-old Rachel wearing some intense snowman sweaters. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for me), all the pictures are at my parents’ house. Otherwise, I would have shared them here.

Naturally, the craze caught on real quick because it’s too much fun to relive the decade of bedazzled Christmas trees, stitching of reindeer– or better yet iron-on appliques. It’s a blast attending an ugly sweater holiday party, but a complete riot when you host your own knitted gala. Plan the perfect party with these 5 simple tips.

5 Tips for Hosting a Delightfully Ugly Christmas Sweater Party This Holiday Season

5 Tips for Hosting an Ugly Sweater Party

  1. Award Prizes. Encourage your friends to go all out by creating a competition. It’s easy to print award certificates at home and head to the dollar store for budget-friendly frames or if you want to hand-make or personalize a gift for each category, go for it! Here are some category suggestions: “Best Thrift Store Find,” “Best DIY Sweater” and “Best Couple’s Sweater.”
  2. Tacky Holiday Decorations. Everywhere. Add awesomely tacky decorations around your home. I’ve used construction paper cut-outs of sweater patterns to place on my furniture and appliances around the house (don’t forget the glitter). You could also use the same shapes and add them on the walls or make a Santa hat and put it on your framed pictures hanging on the walls. If you have extra ugly sweaters (maybe try raiding another family member or close friend’s closet), dress your dining room chairs or any other chairs around the house. I’m sure a trip to your local thrift store would give you more decor inspiration too.5 Tips for Hosting an Ugly Sweater Party
  3. Feed Your Ugly Sweater Attendees. Remember to be specific in your invitation regarding the food situation. That seems pretty obvious, but it could sometimes get confused with an ugly sweater party because there isn’t a set protocol. It’s OK to have a potluck and if you decide to go that route, let your guests know. If you’re planning on feeding attendees, let people know too, so they can arrive hungry.
  4. Say Cheese! Create a photo booth. I absolutely love the photo booth idea because it gives a legitimate reason to document the event. Print out fun captions to put in those extra dollar store frames for people to hold up and grab some headband antlers and other headgear. A wonderful touch would be adding accessories from the ’80s like the big goggle eyeglasses (borrow your spouse’s issued BCGs and snap out the lenses) or dig out your grade school scrunchies. The more you have to include the merrier.
  5. Rock Your Ugly Sweater with Pride. Aim to have the most ridiculous one at the party. With that said, don’t count yourself in the competition. It wouldn’t be fair now, would it?

Have you attended an ugly Christmas sweater party? Submit a photo of you wearing your ugly sweater to the monthly MilitaryShoppers photo contest. You could win a $50 shopping spree. The winner will be announced on December 31.