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MAY 2024
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
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The Beauty of Unplanned Adventures DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF UNSTRUCTURED VACATIONS
I’m a summer guy, for sure. After spending many chilly winters here in Colorado, I enjoy every chance I get to experience sunshine. What can I say? I love the cool summer nights outdoors and have always considered this season a time to recharge. As the temperature warms up, so do all my happy memories of summer vacations past and trips I’m still thinking about. My family and I love to travel together, and we tend to go to the East Coast, seeking warm water. Just last year, we went to South Carolina and enjoyed the warm ocean waters and pretty sights. There are six of us in the family, so when we take a trip, we like to get the whole crew together to enjoy quality time. One of my favorite and most impactful summer vacations was when our family visited Key West in Florida nine years ago. We didn’t know much about the area; we just thought it was somewhere we’d like to explore. This ended up being a life- changing experience for me because, before this vacation, we had planned every little detail of our trips. When it came to Florida, we just made sure we had a place to stay and a car. The rest we left up to our imaginations. When we got down there, we had to take in everything around us sans itinerary. Every morning when we woke up, we did whatever we wanted, from a Jet Ski tour of the island to shopping. There’s something to be said about going with the flow and having no plans. That’s truly the vacation mindset, and I was amazed at how relaxed I felt with our spontaneous activities. Since Florida, we’ve adopted this method into our travel plans. We pick a destination and plan how to get there; everything else comes from where our interests take us. Our next trip will be to Cancun, Mexico, to celebrate my oldest daughter’s engagement and my son’s high school graduation. We’ve never been there, and though we will celebrate these huge milestones, we don’t have any solid plans by design. I’m
looking forward to being present with my family and soaking in some sun and beach breezes.
Summer is a beautiful time to reenergize and make extra time for ourselves. Along with the big trips with family, we make smaller weekend trips to the mountains, and I like to take Fridays off over the season to give myself additional breathing room. When we work as hard as we do, taking time for family is so rewarding. That’s what really matters most of all. So, this summer, I hope you take some extra moments to enjoy the sunshine and a little time off work. Spend time with your loved ones, and if you have an exciting vacation on the horizon, I urge you not to plan too much. Pick a place you want to explore, and let your sense of adventure take care of the rest. As far as my big bucket list destination goes, it strays quite a bit from the warm beach theme. I’d love to go to Alaska one day. But I’ll stick to the summer months for now because I have no interest in 24 hours of darkness and snow. –Jeremy Rafferty
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Age happens naturally, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy the process. Most people don’t want to look older than they feel. If you count yourself among them, you can do a few things to slow down the process. No. 1: Stop Eating Sugar It’s time to finally master that sweet tooth — sugar ages you. It reacts to protein and causes “glycation,” which leads skin to wrinkle and cells to harden. Sugar also hardens collagen, stiffening skin. The more you consume, the more likely you are to suffer these adverse effects. No. 2: Quit Drinking Alcohol While most Americans drink alcohol, it can accelerate aging significantly. The substance damages telomeres, the part of a cell associated with aging. If telomeres get too short, they can’t divide, so they start dying. This happens naturally over time, but alcohol consumption hastens the process. No. 3: Lather on the Sunscreen The sun gives us life, but it also gives us UV rays. They break down collagen, causing wrinkles while increasing the risk of skin cancer. Even if you’re just running errands, put on sunscreen. Light gets in through windshields and windows. 3 PROVEN WAYS TO SLOW DOWN THE CLOCK
How aging progresses depends on lifestyle choices. While it’s inevitable, making the right changes can support a healthier body in the transition. So, if you avoid sweets, alcohol, and UV rays, you’re doing a great job protecting your body from the ravages of time.
READY, SET, RETIRE The Must-Do List for Federal Employees 5 Years Out
• If you’re divorced, consider the implications. Do you have a former spouse with rights to a portion of your retirement, survivor benefits, or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) funds? If so, submit a copy of the court order acceptable for processing (COAP) created from your divorce decree before submitting your retirement application. • If you are enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, verify that you are eligible to continue your coverage as a retiree by having been enrolled for five years before retirement.
by having been enrolled for the five years prior to retirement. This is also an excellent time to ensure you have the right amount of FEGLI coverage for your situation (you may be over-insured and paying too much for your coverage). • If you are 50 or older, you are eligible to make catch-up contributions to the TSP. You must contribute the full amount to the annual base contribution limit to participate in catch-up contributions. Retirement is a wonderful new adventure, and by following our checklist, you will be better prepared to receive the most benefits possible. If you have any questions about maximizing your retirement benefits, contact us today!
As federal employees approach the final stretch of their careers, the countdown to retirement begins! There are specific steps you should take five years before you reach this exciting milestone in life. We’ve compiled a handy checklist of what you should do to prepare for life after work. • If you have unpaid deposits or redeposits, review the topic of paying for service, including military service. • Review your survivor benefit options, including the eligibility requirements, their cost, and the necessity for your spouse’s consent if you want to provide less than full benefits.
• If you are enrolled in the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance
(FEGLI), verify that you are eligible to continue your coverage as a retiree
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THE UNBELIEVABLE SHARK ENCOUNTER
That Saved a Man’s Life
Sharks are powerful, violent creatures. They can have thousands of razor-sharp teeth. They swim about 12 mph when attacking — twice the speed of a (very fast) human swimmer. The mere presence of a shark is enough to close down a beach and frighten movie audiences.
Apparently, some sharks are different. One shark even saved a man’s life.
day, nor was it the most severe. While examining Eugene, doctors discovered a walnut-sized tumor on his right kidney. They quickly rolled him into the operating room and removed the cancerous tumor before it could progress. Whether the shark intended it or not, it may have saved Eugene’s life. Undetected, the tumor might have metastasized and spread to the rest of his body. Without that attack, he may not have known about the cancer before it was too late. Because of that fact, we are confident the shark is a hero, whether it knows it or not.
Eugene and his family were enjoying a warm summer day in Huntington Beach, California. As he swam in the ocean, enjoying the cool waters of the Pacific, he was struck by a sudden tremendous force, pushing his neck backward. He later described the sensation as “instant whiplash.” After a difficult and painful swim, he reached the shore. Eugene’s daughter asked why his back was so bloody. He was shocked to find a giant gash across the center of his back, as well as several teeth marks on one side. The family headed home as lifeguards closed the beach, fearing more attacks. That evening, Eugene was in severe pain from the injury and was rushed to the hospital.
Not surprisingly, blunt force trauma was causing his pain, befitting a large shark ramming him in the back. However, this wasn’t the only diagnosis he received that
Train Your
Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
BRAIN!
Inspired by StarTribune.com
INGREDIENTS
For sauce: • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 1 1/2 lb flank steak • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp fish sauce • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 tbsp lime juice
DIRECTIONS
1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
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Embrace the Sunshine PAGE 1 3 Lifestyle Changes to Slow the Aging Process Essential Steps for Those Eyeing Retirement PAGE 2 When a Shark Became a Lifesaver Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce PAGE 3 Food History Facts That Will Amaze You PAGE 4
4 FASCINATING HISTORICAL FOOD FACTS
Food is central to every culture. The what, why, and hows of culinary history are diverse and fascinating. From the forgotten Roman condiment to the short-lived hot soda, there’s no end to the depth of interesting food facts.
poured this condiment on almost everything they ate. Made from fermented fish, garum’s salty, fishy flavor no longer appeals to the average Westerner’s palate. No. 3: Hot Beverage Fail Dr. Pepper, like most sodas, is best enjoyed cold. This means there are fewer soda sales during the winter when people opt for comforting, warm beverages. To remedy this, the soda company tried to push hot Dr. Pepper in the 1960s. Meant to be served warm with lemon, they marketed it to magazines, television, and radio. The campaign was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. No. 4: Roaming Ramen Ramen is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, but it doesn’t actually originate from Japan. The noodle soup comes from China, where it is known as shina soba . It became popular in Japan after World War II. The country had undergone a food shortage for years but had finally started importing supplies. Chinese food was believed to be nourishing and filling, so street vendors offering cheap but delicious ramen became a mainstay. Once instant ramen was invented, the noodle soup became associated with Japan worldwide. Whenever you sit down for dinner, consider how you eat and the odd traditions you unconsciously observe. We’re all part of a marvelous culinary culture and should celebrate what makes us unique.
No. 1: Double-Dip Faux Pas The nobility of the Ottoman Empire
followed a complex but rational code of culinary conduct. After washing with soap and water, they ate primarily with their hands. Once the meal began, they followed rules much like ours. Double dipping and lip-smacking were frowned upon,
and eating more than one bite of a dish was rude, too. Luckily, meals had dozens of unique dishes.
No. 2: The Lost Condiment The Romans left behind a vibrant legacy. Aqueducts are still used throughout Europe, while their language is the basis of many other languages. One thing that hasn’t stood the test of time is garum. They
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