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The Good Life Report 4.22.2020 Thumbnail

The Good Life Report 4.22.2020

The Good Life Report 4.22.2020


"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory."

- Dr. Seuss

Marinated Beef Kebabs

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
     
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
     
  • 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
     
  • ¼ cup clover honey
     
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
     
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger
     
  • Pepper, to taste
     
  • 1½ lbs. top sirloin steak
     
  • 1 large bell pepper
     
  • 2 medium red onions
     
  • 1lb. button mushrooms

Directions:

  1. Cut steak into 1½-inch cubes.
     
  2. Mix olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and pepper into bowl.
     
  3. Marinate steak and chill in refrigerator overnight.
     
  4. Soak bamboo skewers in water for one-half hour before you grill. (You don't want them to burn too much.)
     
  5. Cut vegetables into chunks, similar size to steak.
     
  6. Skewer meat and vegetables.
     
  7. Optional: add remaining marinade to skewers.
     
  8. Grill on high heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
     
  9. Let meat cool before serving, about five minutes.


Recipe adapted from SimplyRecipes.com[1]

Tax Tips for Military Families

If you or someone in your family is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for some important tax benefits. According to the IRS, military families may benefit from:

  • Filing deadline extensions if you served in a combat zone or meet other requirements.
     
  • Combat pay exclusions. Some forms of combat pay are not subject to income taxes.
     
  • Expense deductions for moving, transitioning to civilian life, and traveling as a reservist.
     
  • Free tax help on military bases. 

For more information about filing taxes as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, consult a tax professional in your area or refer to Publication 3, "Armed Forces' Tax Guide."

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[2]

What Does a Chip Have in Common With a Putt?

At first glance, seemingly little. Yet, these two types of golf shots share something in common: a lack of "moving parts."

A good chip starts with a narrow stance of about 60% of your weight on your left leg (assuming you play right-handed). You play the ball back in your stance, which promotes your club shaft to lean forward. Your stroke is like a putting stroke: you keep your hands locked and steady. You aren't trying to use your hands to make the shot work; you are letting the loft of the club do the work. These are the fundamentals of a good chip.

Tip adapted from YourTahoePlace.com[3]

Maintaining Your Mental Mastery


As many of us are staying indoors, for the time being, the monotony of isolation might have your brain feeling a bit foggy. Curious about how to perform some cognitive calisthenics? Check out the following tips to find out.

  • Keep your heart healthy. Good cardiovascular health allows for the optimal delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the brain.
     
  • Get some rest. Seven to nine hours of sleep every night gives your brain time to recharge and rejuvenate.
     
  • Eat well and exercise. Doing so has a positive effect on your entire body.
     
  • Engage with others. Social time can reduce stress.
     
  • Learn a new skill. Neural connections are built when we challenge ourselves. There's more benefit to doing this than mindless, repetitive brain "exercises."

Aside from helping you out while in quarantine, these tips may help you maintain your cerebral sharpness as you get older. Who knew that keeping your mind fit and flexible could be so much fun?

Tip adapted from WebMD.com[4]

Make Every Day Earth Day

Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22, 2020. But what can you do to make every day Earth Day? Here are a few simple tips that you can do to help make your home - and the world - a little bit greener.

  • Swap out a disposable plastic bottle for one made out of stainless steel.
     
  • Replace incandescent lights with energy-efficient ones. Switching to CFL or LED light bulbs can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
     
  • Reduce the amount of paper mail you get. Cancel subscriptions to magazines or newspapers you no longer read. And with how easy shopping online is these days, you can ask the companies you receive catalogs from to stop mailing them to you.
Tip adapted from RealSimple.com[5]


[1] SimplyRecipes.com, April 17, 2020.

[2] IRS.gov, April 14, 2020.

[3] YourTahoePlace.com, April 17, 2020.

[4]  WebMD.com, April 17, 2020.

[5] RealSimple.com, April 17, 2020.