Ginger root is a very potent ingredient in many home remedies, and it acts as anti-inflammatory, aids digestive issues, cures nausea and more.

But before you make a midnight run to closest Walgreens, consider taking a look in your pantry. Prior to the rise of the modern medical industry and 24-hour drug stores, “folk” recipes were standard for moms. In fact, the all-natural craze is merely a revival of an age-old way of life.

Whether your aim is to provide your family with natural solutions or just to cut costs, becoming familiar with homemade cold and flu remedies can be very helpful.

Medicinal Pantry Picks

Here are five of the best performing ingredients in your kitchen that can help treat miserable cold and flu symptoms.

• Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and non-distilled)

This acidic liquid, preferably with the mother pulp, has germ fighting properties that help flush the body of toxins. It won’t necessarily replace a doctor-prescribed antibiotic, but it will help rid your body of bacteria and boost your immune system. In warm tea mixtures, vinegar’s aromatic qualities can help open blocked sinus.

• Lemons

It’s no secret that lemon juice is great source of Vitamin C, but it also a diuretic and astringent. It helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritated membranes, making it a powerful ingredient for recipes that treat sore throats and nasal congestion.

• Honey

Another ancient ingredient that many claim to have antibiotic-like qualities, honey is included in many cold remedies and soothes irritated tissues in the throat and can help treat a cough.  Additionally, honey has been clinically proven as an effective antibacterial treatment for topical wounds and abrasions. (Honey is not recommended for infants age 12 months or younger.)

• Ginger

East Asian cultures swear by the health benefits of ginger. Fresh-ground ginger root is a very potent ingredient in many home remedies, and it acts as anti-inflammatory, aids digestive issues, cures nausea and more.

• Hot Peppers

Hot peppers are used in natural remedies for many of the reasons some people avoid them.  Capsaicin, the chemical in peppers that trigger the burning feeling, causes your sinus glands to secrete watery fluids; consequently breaking up congestion or soothing dry sinuses. Add hot peppers to soups or splash Cayenne pepper in teas to boost your immune system or treat cold symptoms.

Recipes for Cold and Flu Remedies

Cider Vinegar Drink

 

Ginger Tea

 

Throat Syrup

 

Photo courtesy floeschie

Service members facing a likelihood of deployment overseas should get to know the concept of Power of Attorney, or POA, which gives loved ones and other trusted friends the ability to enter into and execute legally binding contracts and handle other important needs in your stead.

POA is essential for family members to perform several tasks. But first service members and their families need to have an idea of how giving and receiving power of attorney works.

Types of POA

Military members will want to grant general POA, which enables to the attorney-in-fact—the person who is given POA—to handle matters until the POA is revoked. Without POA, it is very difficult or impossible for a service member to manage these matters, such as banking decisions or purchasing a home.

Forms

Forms vary from state to state. Although you can find forms online, you’re better off checking with legal stationers, legal printers or attorneys. Online forms may not hold up in court, and properly drawn-up forms are more reliable. You’ll have to pay a small fee for general POA forms, but they should be less than $20.

Included information

POA forms will specify what powers the attorney-in-fact takes over for the service member who will be deployed. Legal, financial and medical decisions are commonly granted. Service members can immediately grant POA to a family member. However, if the service member would rather wait until the day of deployment, that can be defined on the form. You may also need to obtain more specific POAs for individual transactions.

Notarized

The service member and attorney-in-fact need to sign the form and get it notarized. Most banks have employees who are notaries and can notarize the form for you. The notary acts as a legal witness.

Filing the POA

Not every state acknowledges the POA unless the form is filed with your county clerk. Contact your city hall to find out hours of operation so you can file the form, which completes the process.

Revoking POA

Transferring POA back to the service member requires a similar process upon the service member’s return. Instead of getting paperwork to grant POA, revocation of POA papers will be necessary.

Check out Part 2, which covers the decisions attorneys-in-fact make in place of their service member. Leave us a comment with your questions or concerns!

Photo thanks to ElvertBarnes via Flickr Creative Commons

It is an honor to be a parent of a United States soldier, they volunteered to fight for our country and you should be very proud of them.

That being said, you, like most parents out there, probably have many emotional and mixed feelings about a current or upcoming deployment. It is easy to start feeling helpless when your son or daughter gets deployment orders. You may feel like there is nothing you can do.

We put together the best tips and advice on how to support your child while he or she is deployed. They deserve all the support they can get!

1. Support their Decision to Join the Military

Do not guilt your soldier or scold your soldier for their decision to join the service. Even if you disagree or did not want your son or daughter to join, once they have joined you need to move forward and they need your unwavering support. Often parents feel an urge to say a soldier shouldn’t have joined when they get deployed. This is sending the wrong message. You want to send a message of support and pride.

Family welcomes home a soldier, a brother and a son

2. Reach Out to their Spouse (if your soldier is married)

During deployment ask if their spouse need anything, communicate with their spouse about information and try to let their spouse lead the way on homecoming and other arrangements. Feel free to politely offer to help. It is hard to let a newer spouse take the reins for your son or daughter but remember that this is the person your son or daughter is choosing to spend their lives with. Supporting your son or daughter’s spouse is one of the best ways to support your soldier.

3. Military Contact List

Each military branch has a liaison for families that remains stateside. If your child doesn’t have this readily available, you should be able to get any information you need from the main web site for their branch. Since the military doesn’t readily inform parents, as they do spouses, you may have to search and ask questions.

4. Communication

Find out how you can talk to your son or daughter as soon as possible. If you have never used facebook or skype, learn it ASAP if you wanted to be updated as much as possible. But also be prepared for little or no communication at times.  They will contact you as much as they possibly can, but sometimes that is not very often, and it is never often enough for those of us at home!

5. Find support for yourself

Because there is no database of military parents and fewer groups for parents of soldiers you may find it is a little more difficult but it is important for you to have emotional support. You cannot help your son or daughter if you do not take care of yourself. Do not be afraid or too proud to seek out professional help either.

6. Know your limits

Watching the news, war movies, even joyful homecoming videos can all trigger powerful emotional reactions and some parents decide to limit themselves so not to constantly make themselves upset. (see out earlier article Spare Scare and Face Your Fears)

7. Write Letters

A handwritten letter is like receiving a piece of someone’s heart and is not replaced by phone calls, email, care packages, or even skype. It is something to hold on to and reread.

8. Keep your thoughts positive

It will help you be a positive force in your soldier’s life. It is helpful to write affirmations of positive thoughts and things you are thankful for on a regular basis. If you stay positive it will feel more natural for you to be positive for your soldier.

9. Know When to Keep Mum

Petty issues and stresses at home should not burden your soldier. (This is where those positive thoughts come in handy!) You want to make sure you tell him or her what is going on but feel free to skip over unimportant details that may bother them. They will feel helpless knowing about a problem that they cannot possibly fix.

10. Homecoming Support

Your son or daughter will not be the same person in many ways. They will have grown up, matured and changed and changed in some ways you may never be able to fully understand. If you spend your time trying to bring back your little boy/girl you will be disappoints. Instead try to see that all change isn’t bad. Accept your son or daughter unconditionally. Meet them where they are.

If you are a Mom or Dad of a deployed soldier, or a soldier who has been deployed, what has helped you the most? What ways can parents support their children that we have left out? Leave us a comment with your suggestions!

Photo thanks to TheNationalGuard via Flickr Creative Commons

Typically, the death of a military member would mean that military retirement pay ceases, which can leave families struggling to maintain. But by participating in the SBP, beneficiaries retain their financial security and may be able to avoid a hefty life insurance premium.

Survivor Benefit Plan Basics

The great thing about the SBP is that unlike typical life insurance there isn’t a chance that beneficiaries will outlive the benefit.

Although the amount varies, beneficiaries receive a guaranteed percentage of their retirement pay after death. However, the amount your beneficiary will receive depends on your elected coverage.

Military members usually opt for full coverage, which would allow your spouse to receive 55 percent of your retired pay. Plus, this benefit can be applied to your children, dependant grandchildren and even former spouses, too.

However, if you ever decided to reduce you coverage amount, you’ll need your spouse’s permission to make a change to your policy.

The Cost of the Survivor Benefit Plan

If you decided to enroll in the SBP, you would be charged a monthly fee, which comes directly from your retirement pay.

Fortunately, the percentage charged is the lesser of:
• 6.5 percent of your insured military pay, or
• 2.5 percent of the first $635 protected plus 10 percent of the remaining balance

For example, if you insured $1,800 through the SBP, then your monthly cost would be $117, according to USAA. Additionally, after 30 years of steady SBP payments, you’ll no longer have to pay a premium.

Reservists Are Included

Through a similar program, reservists are able to protect their retirement income, too. Through the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), protecting their spouse from a huge financial setback is possible.

However, while the RCSBP is similar, there are distinctive differences in the coverage options available:

• Option A: Military members forgo coverage but retain the option to enroll upon turning 60
• Option B: Coverage is elected, but the retirement benefits don’t start until the retiree would have turned 60
• Option C: Coverage elected and RCSPB benefits begin upon the retiree’s death

Why Choose the SBP

The SBP affords participants numerous advantages, but there are two benefits that truly separate the program from the standard life insurance policy:

• The SBP premium is paid out before your retirement pay is taxed, which reduces your amount of taxable income
• The SBP program guards against inflation each year when retirement pay is adjusted through the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). In turn, this raises your premiums and annuity payments.

Service members are typically transient, spending a few years in one location before packing up to head to a new installation. Moving can be an exciting time, but every decision is linked directly to time, effort and, of course, money.

Here are some moving tips that can help maximize your budget and your sanity:

Preparing for Move

• Decide on using Military movers or if you will move yourself in a DITY move (specific tips for DITY moves)
• Make sure you educate yourself on what the military reimburses for moving and all the restrictions and parameters so that you make sure to complete your paperwork correctly and on time.
• Hiring a moving company six weeks in advance will allow you time to search a company’s service history as well as costs. This will be plenty of time to be flexible and negotiate if hidden costs pop up or another company has a better offer.
• Be sure to collect any deposits prior to moving to ensure you get the deposit and do not have to deal with postage or long distance phone calls.
• Get a floor plan of your future home or take measurements and scale it down to paper. That way, you can try to fit the furniture you have into the plan. If it doesn’t fit, you can get rid of it and avoid moving costs.
• Be sure to plan your meals to clean out your freezer and pantry. Frozen foods cannot be shipped, so eat those first. Remember that canned foods are heavy.

Pre-Packing Clean Out

• Clothes weigh a lot and result in shipping costs. Go through your wardrobe and determine what you will and won’t wear. Avoid the “I might still want this” syndrome and save yourself some space and money.
• Garage sales can generate some useful pocket change. If you have kids, let them help and sell the toys they’ve grown out of with the incentive of some profit. Sell your own “toys” that are collecting dust in the garage or attic, including CDs and other items that can become bulky in numbers. Used movie and CD stores may purchase them as well.
• For the clothes that don’t make your cut and what’s left over from the garage sale, make donations and keep the receipts. You may just get a tax break.

 Packing Procedures

• Avoid damaging mishaps. Be wary of things like packing aerosol cans that can explode. Throw away or use up hair spray, shaving creams and household cleaners that would be easy to replace. It’s better than risk ruining the entire shipment.
• Do not pack flammable items like paint, bleach, lighter fluid, and combustible cleaning fluids. Remember to empty the fuel from lawn mowers, lamps and other yard equipment.

Many of these tips and more can be found on PaulsTranfer.com

Photo thanks to krzakptak via Flickr Creative Commons

To help provide military families with the resources and emotional support to deal with the absence of a family member the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, has created the Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes initiative. 

Initiative Objectives

The initiative is a bilingual multimedia program designed to support military families with children between the ages of 2 and 5.  Multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, changes, or grief from the loss of a parent can negatively impact a child’s behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development.

Program Components

The program includes two DVDs that feature Elmo and Rosita, Elmo’s cousin, as they learn to understand and accept the changes and difficulties that may arise by having a parent in the military. Also, the DVDs include live action footage of military families coping with the same challenges presented to Elmo and Rosita.

The program includes other helpful tools:

1. A magazine for parents and caregivers offering various activities, tips, and strategies to help and reassure their children through difficult times.
2. A children’s poster that suggests potential activities to help children ease through various transitions.
3. Postcards featuring the beloved Sesame Street characters to provide fun ways for parents and children to stay connected.

Distribution

Organizations such as The Department of Defense through military OneSource, the New York State Office of Mental Health, the Military Child Education Coalition and additional outlets will be providing 500, 000 free kits to military families; these materials are also available online for free.

Program Partners

Major support for the Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes initiative is provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense of Health Affairs, the Department of Defense through Military OneSource, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and American Greetings.

Photo thanks to kthypryn via Flickr Creative Commons

With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, now is a good time to prepare yourself and the rest of the family for the absence on those special occasions. At the same time, if things change for the better and your service member can make it home, then you’ll be that much happier.

Try following some of the tips below to make those special occasions less lonely.

Plan Ahead

Don’t let the holidays sneak up on you. Give yourself ample time to make plans. Instead of staying home on any given holiday call other friends and nearby family to find out what they plan to do. The more the merrier!

Get involved with them so you’re not left thinking about your faraway loved one all day. Help in the kitchen or have wrapping parties to stay preoccupied. While you’re with family and friends, try to focus on the fun you’re sharing. If you feel compelled to talk about your missing family member, try to look ahead to a time you know you’ll be together.

Decorate and Follow Tradition

Decorating for the holidays provides a fun routine that you can do with your children, friends and family. Stay organized and make to-do lists to get your place fully outfitted for the special day.

Take pictures of the kids decking the halls that you can include in a care package or e-mail to your service member. Better yet, make an event out of decorating altogether. Invite friends and family, divvy up the tasks and take a big group picture to send.

There’s no question that your deployed service member would want to continue tradition if he or she was home. Carry on traditions, even if they were ones better done with them. Tradition will give you  and the rest of your family some sense of familiarity and stability.

Put Together a Holiday Care Package

Apply some creativity to this care package. Sure, service members always relishes in getting anything from family, especially some of the things he or she needs. But this time of year, give them something with meaning, a reminder that you’re thinking of them.

Remember, it’s the thought that counts, not the price tag. Whether you decide to get crafty or not, you can’t go wrong. Ornaments, pictures of the decorated house, candles, hot cocoa packs or anything that reminds of them of the holidays at home will thrill them.

Talk to your kids, parents and friends to see if there’s anything they can recommend or would like to include. Send the care package out at least four weeks before the celebrated day to ensure a timely delivery.

Be Resourceful

Other military family can better understand how you’re feeling. If you’re on a base, talk with neighbors for support and guidance. Introduce yourself and tell them your family member is gone for the holidays. Your connection with them will likely turn into spending time with them during the holiday season.

On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned military family, it is always nice to return the favor. Reach out to families who are reeling from their service members’s absence.

Donate Your Time

During the holiday season, charitable organizations always seek volunteers. Find one near you that you’d like to support and give them some much needed help. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and keep your mind busy.

Again, make it a group event. Volunteering with friends and family creates a shared experience that you won’t forget.

Do Something for Yourself

The decorating, the volunteering and putting together the care package adds up. There’s a good chance you enjoy doing all of it, but at the end of the day you might still want a little something. Treat yourself. It can range from cuddling with the kids and watching a holiday movie or buying yourself that gift you eyed for months.

With your service member far from home, it is easy to let the holidays lose their appeal and become a lonely time instead of a jovial time. But with the right attitude, the holidays will come and go just as memorable as they were with the added hope that next time, your loved one will be with you.

Just landing the interview means they’re interested in what you have to offer, and now you need to close the deal. And the best way to do that is by being professional, engaging and confident. Companies only want the very best.

1.     You only have one chance for good first-impression

First impressions mean a lot in a job interview. By exuding a positive image to an interviewer, you have the chance to leave a lasting memory. This means remembering to dress appropriately, and come well groomed.

Don’t forget to give a firm handshake and maintain good eye contact during the interview. Try to leave your interviewer feeling confident that you’ll be a great addition to the company.

2.    Translate military experience into business terms

When it comes time to discuss your previous work history and accomplishments, be wary of using military jargon. While you might be lucky to have an interviewer with knowledge of the military, typically this leads to unnecessary confusion.

“…The biggest thing is translating military experience into commercial words,” advised Mark Henderson, a retired Army Colonel.

Military terms need to be quantified and qualified whenever possible. For example, a battalion can be described as a large organization and a commander can be call a Senior Military Leader. Make sure not to go overboard, though. A company commander is not a CEO.

3.    Avoid mentioning your combat experience

While your military experience may involve combat, potential employers are not simply uninterested in the grisly details. They are more interested in the positive role you can play at the company using the technical and leadership skills you acquired while serving.

4.   Active listening will keep you from looking foolish

During the interview, the ability to actively listen to your interviewer will be essential to your success.  By paying attention, you’ll be able to avoid asking stupid questions, especially ones that have already been answered.

5.    Make sure you expand on the important details

While not every point on your resume will deserve a detailed explanation, make sure you expand on the key responsibilities and achievements.  Simply rehashing your resume, regardless of how good it is, will not impress interviewers.

It’s best to answer questions with enough detail to make sure your interviewer grasps the full scope of your military experience, and how it’ll translate to their organization. Otherwise, your interviewer will miss the impact you could have on their company.

Photo thanks to bpsusf via Flickr Creative Commons

For those less familiar with mail services this is the rule direct from the United States Postal Services:

• Stamped mail weighing 13 ounces and over, whether it is domestic or international will have to be presented in person at the U.S. Post Office
• International and military APO/FPO mail weighing 13 ounces and over will need the contents written on the package, so that The University’s Mail Services Department can apply the proper customs form.

Things less than or equal to 13 ounces are the easiest to mail because they just require regular stamps or you can print the postage at your computer and they can be mailed from your mailbox or in any postal drop. The upsides are obvious: no standing in line at the post office, no worries about huge shipping costs, these are quick to make and handled more quickly by the mail services, and they take less time to get to your soldier.

I, for one, was amazed at the creativeness and the awesome items included in these small packages. It was a great reminder that, while I love to create big, awesome, packed-with-stuff packages, sometimes little surprises are wonderful too. Let’s face it; even the most dedicated military spouse and family is incapable of sending huge care packages all the time. These 13 ounce surprises are great for the in-between mailings. Check out our keys to making unforgettable packages that are under 13 ounces!

Unexpected Packaging

A little known secret of the United States Postal Service is they will mail pretty much anything with a label and postage. So skip the traditional packaging.

• Giver’s Log stuck the mailing label right on the Frisbee and mailed a Frisbee.
• Donovan Beeson mailed little goodies inside of a paper towel cardboard tube
• Amber Lee mailed her goodies inside of an empty water bottle
• Stick a label/postage on a deck of cards
• A sheet of comics from the local paper with some silly putty packaged in a tube

Think Mini

You can break up items you were collecting for a larger care package into several smaller packages or, if you are like me, you wind up with a few leftover items that didn’t fit in that last care package; these are great to send in a smaller package.

Dollar stores, sections for party favors, the checkout aisle area and even inside Happy Meals (the toys) are all handy places to find miniature items for these smaller packages. It’s ok to be goofy. I have sent many nonsense items. Sometimes just a laugh from getting these silly things is worth the $1-2 I spent on them!

Sentiment

It may not be that your soldier needs an particular item as much as it shows that you are thinking of your soldier and that you wanted to send something right this second.

Always include a note, even if you tape it to a Frisbee! Remember that the “I love you”, “I miss you”, and “Thinking of you” are more important than anything else you can send!

Send a token or reminder of something at home. Consider sending a small item your soldier can easily carry with him that will be a constant reminder of you. In our house we often exchange “totems.” I still remember when my soldier sent me a single Army man one time and I kept it in my pocket the entire time he was away.

Things to Remember

Follow the standard care package rules and don’t send anything that might melt or be affected by the heat or will be easily damaged

Don’t send items that your spouse is not allowed to have. Packages (even small ones) are inspected regularly

Invest in a food scale. They’re small and you can get inexpensive versions for $5-10. Weigh your packages so you don’t go over 13 ounces.

If your items are valuable you may want to wrap them in paper before sending to keep people from being tempted to tamper. Never mail phone cards or gift cards without outer packaging, the serial numbers can be taken by anyone and used before your soldier receives it

Photo thanks to M Carr via Flickr Creative Commons

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) includes any move mandated by the military from the first active post to a move back home after active duty.  Often there isn’t a lot of time for service members and their families to investigate their options so here are a few tips to make sure you have a stress free move.

• Set up a meeting with the transportation office at your current base to iron out all details and resources
• If the entire family will be making the move as well, investigate any special powers of attorney in case the primary family member is unavailable during any part of the move
• Try a house hunting trip prior to move: military members are allowed a permissive TDY (Temp Duty) for up to 10 days to the location of their change of station, as long as it is within the CONUS.  This 10-day period will not be charged as leave from their current station and can be used to look for housing at the new base.
• It’s never too early to begin looking at transportation options, plane tickets are always cheaper in advance

How does the government assist with the moving process?

Although moving can be confusing and expensive, the military offers numerous services to help ease the burden. Below is a list of different reimbursements the government offers to individuals and families facing a PCS.

• Tax deduction of moving expenses
• Temporary Lodging Expenses: a fund to help partially offset lodging and meal expenses when a member and or their dependents need to occupy temporary lodging
• Dislocation Allowance: A fund to partially reimburse extraneous moving expenses not otherwise covered
• Reimbursement of lodging and meal expenses while traveling during the move for service members and their dependents including a mileage allowance if you choose to drive
• Storage of personal belongings during active duty

Feeling Brave? Try a Do It Yourself Move

The government also offers a program to individuals and families known as a DITY move where the military will pay a flat percentage of estimated moving costs. With advanced planning and military discounts some can lower their costs enough to even make money off their move.

Simply put, you must notify your current officers and decide on a moving strategy, pack your belongings, move, unpack, and file for reimbursement.  That said, a DITY move can be stressful and time consuming if you are really focused on gaining a profit and isn’t for the faint of heart.

If you are interested in investigating a DITY move, check out our previous article on Doing it yourself. A rough economy and a push from the military are making DITY moves more popular than ever, and there is a lot of information and online communities dedicated to making the most of military discounts along the way.

The most important thing with any type of move is to always start as early as possible and take advantage of any services the military offers. Military.com has compiled a very useful checklist for the PCS process starting three months in advance.

Photo thanks to sean dreilinger via Flickr Creative Commons