Author: USVM

  • Robert Irvine: A Mission That Keeps Growing

    Robert Irvine: A Mission That Keeps Growing

    This post was originally published on this site.

    Chef Robert Irvine

    When Chef Robert Irvine first appeared on the cover of U.S. Veterans Magazine in 2017, his commitment to the military and veteran community was already unmistakable. Nearly a decade later, that commitment hasn’t slowed—it has evolved.

    While Irvine has continued to grow his business ventures, write books and remain a familiar face on television, some of his most meaningful work happens alongside service members, veterans, first responders and their families. Through the Robert Irvine Foundation, he identifies unmet needs and helps create practical solutions that strengthen the military community.

    It is why U.S. Veterans Magazine is honored to feature Irvine on its cover for a second time. Since readers last saw him here, his reach has expanded, his leadership has evolved and the Robert Irvine Foundation has continued to respond to the changing needs of those who serve.

    “The thing I’m most proud of is that we’ve never given up,” Irvine said.

    That determination has allowed the foundation to evolve alongside the changing needs of the military community while remaining grounded in its original purpose: serving those who serve.

    Chef Irvine serving Thanksgiving dinner to U.S. soldiers, NATO allies and civilians at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania. SPC. BREANNA BRADFORD

    VIEW, ENJOY & SHARE THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE—FEATURING OUR EXCLUSIVE COVER STORY!

    Serving with Purpose

    More than a decade after launching his foundation, Irvine continues to be guided by a simple question: What does the military community need now?

    Mental health and suicide prevention remain among his greatest concerns. While he recognizes the work already being done by veteran service organizations and prevention coalitions, he believes future progress depends on understanding people as individuals.

    “We’ve got to get better at the science and understanding how to meet the needs of each individual,” he said. “It’s too complex of an issue to be fixed with a one-size-fits-all approach.”

    One of the simplest tools for creating those conversations has been food.

    “I’m a cook. I make eggs,” Irvine said with a laugh.

    Yet sharing a meal has become one of the most effective ways to bring people together, lower barriers and encourage conversations that might not otherwise happen.

    Chef Robert Irvine celebrates Thanksgiving with service members representing multiple branches at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

    Chef Irvine celebrates Thanksgiving with service members representing multiple branches at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. HELM CREATIVE STUDIO

    Fueling Readiness

    That philosophy eventually led Irvine to a larger question: Why wasn’t the military placing the same emphasis on nutrition that it placed on equipment and technology?

    “We think about tanks and planes and trains and submarines and rifles,” Irvine said. “Yet we’ve forgotten about the human being and what they need—and that starts with food.”

    For Irvine, nutrition isn’t simply about improving morale. It’s about military readiness.

    He believes nutrition deserves the same level of strategic attention as equipment, technology and training. Service members are expected to perform physically and mentally in demanding environments, often for long hours and under significant stress. Providing convenient, nutritious meals isn’t simply about improving the dining experience—it helps ensure the force is properly fueled to meet those demands.

    That philosophy has shaped Irvine’s work with military leaders as they rethink how dining can better support the health, performance and readiness of today’s force. Rather than relying on traditional serving lines and prepared food that may sit for extended periods, newer concepts emphasize made-to-order meals, greater variety and faster service. The goal is to create an experience that encourages service members to eat on base because the food is both appealing and nutritious.

    His analogy is straightforward.

    Give someone a brand-new Mercedes and fill it with olive oil. It won’t go very far.

    The same principle applies to the men and women expected to operate some of the world’s most advanced military equipment. Without proper nutrition, performance inevitably suffers.

    Working alongside military leaders, Irvine has become an advocate for modernizing Army dining facilities through campus-style concepts featuring made-to-order meals, multiple serving stations and healthier options that service members actually want to eat.

    He’s quick to point out that this isn’t about serving what he jokingly calls “rabbit food.” Young service members have choices. If installation dining facilities don’t provide appealing, nutritious meals, they’ll eat somewhere else.

    The goal is to make military dining a destination rather than an obligation.

    According to Irvine, six dining facilities have already been renovated, with additional projects underway. The updated model not only improves the dining experience but also reduces food waste, increases efficiency and better supports the health and performance of today’s force.

    He believes the opportunity extends beyond the Army as other branches evaluate ways to modernize their own food programs.

    Robert Irvine encourages a veteran during a Robert Irvine Foundation fitness event.

    Robert Irvine encourages a veteran during a Robert Irvine Foundation fitness event. HELM CREATIVE STUDIO

    Leadership that Listens

    While television audiences know Irvine for his intensity, experience has changed the way he leads.

    Earlier in his career, he often focused on identifying problems and delivering immediate solutions. Today, he spends more time asking questions before offering answers.

    Experience has taught him that lasting solutions begin with understanding another person’s perspective before trying to solve the problem.

    That philosophy shaped his 2023 book, Overcoming Impossible, which encourages readers to better understand themselves before trying to change their circumstances.

    “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason,” Irvine said. “You should listen twice as much as you speak.”

    That lesson has also influenced how he views leadership.

    He has little patience for leaders who believe they must be the smartest person in the room. Instead, he believes great leaders surround themselves with talented people, trust their expertise and create environments where everyone succeeds.

    “If you listen to somebody that’s smarter than you, you’ll go a lot farther,” he said.

    Life After Service

    Irvine offers similar advice to veterans preparing for civilian life.

    Rather than chasing the biggest paycheck or assuming their next career must mirror their military job, he encourages service members to take time to identify what truly motivates them.

    Overcoming Impossible book coverWrite down what you enjoyed about military service. Think about what matters most to you and your family. Consider the kind of work that gives you purpose.

    Those answers, he believes, will point toward a more fulfilling career than salary alone.

    He also encourages veterans to give their families time to adjust. Military life shapes an entire household, and transitioning to civilian life affects everyone—not just the service member.

    Nearly a decade after appearing on his first U.S. Veterans Magazine cover, Irvine’s platform continues to grow, but his focus remains remarkably consistent. Whether he’s improving military dining, supporting veterans through his foundation or mentoring future leaders, he continues to look for practical ways to make a difference.

    “Find something that you really want to do, and you love to do it,” he said. “Because then you don’t work.”

    Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.

    The post Robert Irvine: A Mission That Keeps Growing appeared first on U.S. Veterans Magazine.

  • FAQ: Which Island Escape Is Right for You? Caribbean vs. Canary Islands

    FAQ: Which Island Escape Is Right for You? Caribbean vs. Canary Islands

    Ask a dozen travelers to picture a cruise, and most will describe the same scene: turquoise water, a swim-up bar, a beach with a hammock. That’s the Caribbean and it’s a wonderful, well-earned classic. But a few thousand miles east, off the coast of Northwest Africa, another archipelago offers an entirely different kind of escape. The Canary Islands trade palm-fringed beaches for volcanic peaks, tropical humidity for eternal spring, and beach clubs for tapas bars tucked into cobblestone plazas.

    For travelers deciding between the two — or wondering why they’d ever 233choose one over the other — here’s how these destinations really compare.

    The Landscape: Lush vs. Lunar

    On the lush island of Grenada, hidden waterfalls are a special discovery.

    The Caribbean is defined by what’s soft: white sand, swaying palms, coral reefs, water in every shade of blue. It’s a region built for slowing down. The islands, from the sophisticated beaches of St. Barts to the untouched coves of Grenada, reward travelers who want to relax, beautifully or those who want to participate, actively, in watersports.

    Mt. Teide, on the island of Tenerife in the Canaries, is an iconic focal point./Shutterstock

    The Canary Islands are defined by what’s dramatic. These are volcanic islands, and it shows — black sand beaches, lunar craters, and terraced hillsides that look more like the Atacama Desert than a typical island getaway. Tenerife’s Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, rises straight out of the sea. Lanzarote looks almost extraterrestrial, its landscape shaped by 18th-century eruptions and later reimagined by artist César Manrique into a destination that feels like a sculpture garden. This is a region for travelers who want their scenery to surprise them.

    The Season: When to Sail

    This is where the two destinations become genuinely complementary rather than competing choices.

    The Caribbean has a clear high season: roughly December through April, when the weather is driest and hurricane risk is lowest. Outside that window, especially June through November, storm season becomes a real planning consideration.

    The Canary Islands have a trick up their sleeve: near-perfect, stable temperatures, usually in the 70s°F (low-to-mid 20s°C). This is why they’re nicknamed “the islands of eternal spring,” though Windstar itineraries tend to range from October to February. For travelers who want to avoid Caribbean crowds during peak winter months, the Canaries fill that gap beautifully.

    The Culture: Island Time vs. Old World Charm

    Johnny Cool’s in Barbados’ Dover Beach/TripAdvisor

    Caribbean ports offer a blend of colonial history, Creole and Caribbean culture, and a laid-back rhythm — think reggae drifting from a beach bar, rum tastings, and markets selling hand-dyed batik. Each island carries the imprint of a different colonial history, such as French, British, Dutch, and Spanish, which gives the region surprising cultural range for its size.

    Colorful streets in colonial towns on Gran Canaria Island./Shutterstock

    The Canary Islands are Spanish territory, and it shows in the best possible way: excellent tapas, lively plazas, siesta culture, and architecture. There’s a distinctly European sensibility here because this archipelago is, after all, closer to Morocco than to Madrid, yet it feels unmistakably Spanish. For travelers who love European city and café culture but want warm weather and dramatic scenery, it’s a rare combination.

    Windstar’s Marinas

    Kayaking from Windstar’s watersports platform while ships are at anchor is a great way to experience the Caribbean./

    Windstar’s marinas — the fold-out platforms at the stern where guests can swim, kayak, and snorkel right off the ship — depend heavily on calm, sheltered water. A few reasons the Caribbean is by far a stronger match:

    • Calmer seas. The Caribbean’s leeward anchorages and protected bays tend to have gentle swell, which is exactly what’s needed to safely deploy the marina platform. The Canary Islands sit in the open Atlantic, where swell and wind chop are more common and can make marina deployment inconsistent or impossible on a given day.
    • Warmer water. Caribbean sea temps typically run 78–84°F (26–29°C), entirely comfortable for extended swimming and snorkeling. The Canary Current that gives the islands their mild air temperatures also keeps the water noticeably cooler, often in the high 60s to low 70s°F (18–22°C), which is a different experience for swimmers expecting tropical warmth.
    • Better visibility and reef life. Caribbean anchorages often sit near coral reefs and clear, calm water — ideal snorkeling conditions. Canary waters can be beautiful but are generally rockier, with more current and less classic snorkeling scenery.
    • Wind. The Canaries are famous in the watersports world for wind. It’s a top windsurfing and kitesurfing destination onshore (and that’s what makes Wind Spirit such an ideal ship for the region) but strong, steady trade winds are actually a liability for a stern marina platform, which needs calm conditions to stay open safely.

    So if a traveler’s priority is the marina experience itself — swimming off the ship, easy kayaking, relaxed snorkeling — the Caribbean is going to deliver that far more reliably. The Canary Islands are still a wonderful destination, just a better fit for travelers drawn to dramatic scenery and shore-based culture rather than water-off-the-back-of-the-ship time.

    Why Small-Ship Cruising Suits Both

    Wind Spirit’s bow/

    In the Caribbean, Windstar’s small ships and sailing yachts means access to smaller, less-trafficked harbors and anchorages that larger ships simply can’t reach — quieter beaches, more personal shore excursions, and a pace that matches the destination’s own laid-back rhythm.

    In the Canary Islands, where port towns are often historic and compact, a smaller ship means docking closer to the action instead of shuttling passengers in from a distant industrial terminal. It also means more time actually in port.

    If you go: how you’ll cruise the Canary Islands

    The 148-guest Wind Spirit, a sailing vessel, exclusively cruises in the Canary Islands during winters in 2026 and 2027. The ship features Windstar’s signature restaurants, Amphora, Veranda and Candles, along with the World Spa, a back-of-the-ship marina platform, and an owner’s suite.

    Wind Spirit’s traditional Canary Islands itineraries, which call at places such as  range from eight to 20 days, and include: Santa Cruz de la Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, San Sebastian de la Gomera – and more. The sailing options include:

    • 10-day Colorful Canary Islands, between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Spain’s Cadiz.
    • 10-day Hidden Gems of the Canary Islands and Madeira, roundtrip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
    • 20 day Star Collector Morocco, Madeira & the Canary Islands from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Spain’s Malaga

    If you go: how you’ll cruise the Caribbean

    Aruba_beach_cruise
    Aruba’s beaches are sublime

    For Windstar, the Caribbean season runs between October and March. The 312-passenger yachts Star Legend and Star Pride sail in the Caribbean as does the recently renovated Wind Surf, which carries 346 guests.

    Star Legend and Star Pride showcase restaurants such as Basil + Bamboo, Amphora, Candles and the Star Grill. The World Spa offers spa and beauty treatments ranging from facials to massage. Each vessel features unique accommodations, such as the Broadmoor and Sea Island suites, which pay homage to iconic resorts.

    Wind Surf, which carries 342 guests, is Windstar’s signature sailing vessel. The ship, which completes a two-phase refurbishment in December 2026, features redesigned common areas, such as a lounge, pool deck and bar, the Yacht Club Café and a new wine room. In its first phase, its largest accommodations, which include Bridge Suites, an Officer’s Suites and all-new versions of the Broadmoor and Sea Island suites, were recreated. Following December’s drydock, all guest cabins will have received refurbishments.

    Classic Caribbean itineraries include these:

    The Bottom Line

    • Choose the Caribbean for classic beach-forward relaxation, turquoise water, and an easy, sun-soaked pace — ideally in winter or early spring.
    • Choose the Canary Islands for dramatic volcanic scenery, distinctive Spanish-European culture, and near-perfect weather. Its cruise season runs October to February.

    Have any questions about the Caribbean vs. the Canary Islands? Drop us a note in the comments below.

    The post FAQ: Which Island Escape Is Right for You? Caribbean vs. Canary Islands appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

    This post was originally published on this site.

  • 13 Everyday Habits That Can Make Your Skin Look Older—And What to Do Instead

    13 Everyday Habits That Can Make Your Skin Look Older—And What to Do Instead


    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Photo: Deposit Photos

    The following article is a sponsored post.

    Anti-aging skincare isn’t about trying to look 20 years old when you are 60. It’s about helping your skin look as healthy, vibrant, and resilient as possible at any age.

    But here’s what many people don’t realize. After 45, your skin becomes more sensitive to everyday habits than ever before.

    Things that once had little effect—like your cleanser, your sleep habits, or even mild dehydration—can begin to quietly accelerate the appearance of fine lines, sagging, and dryness.

    The good news? Your skin is also incredibly responsive to positive changes, often faster than you’d expect.

    To help you on this path, here’s a look at 13 common yet often overlooked habits that can make your skin look older—and what to do instead.

    1. Getting Too Much Sun

    Sunlight plays an important role in overall health, including vitamin D production. But cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the leading contributor to premature skin aging.

    Over time, UV exposure breaks down collagen and elastin—the structural components that keep skin firm and smooth—leading to wrinkles, uneven tone, and rough texture.

    What helps:
    Protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and mineral-based sunscreens (such as zinc oxide) can help reduce long-term damage.

    2. Using Toxic Skincare Products

    Many skincare products contain ingredients that can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier—especially as skin becomes more sensitive with age.

    In the U.S., some cosmetics still include chemicals that are restricted or banned in other countries due to toxicity concerns. These may include certain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and compounds linked to irritation or hormone disruption.

    Beyond potential health concerns, these ingredients can weaken the skin barrier—making skin more prone to dryness, inflammation, breakouts, and environmental damage. Even commonly used “anti-aging” acids, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, may increase sensitivity to UV exposure when overused.

    What helps:
    Look for formulations that nourish the skin barrier with gentle, plant-based moisturizers and minimal synthetic chemicals. Products that emphasize ingredient transparency and avoid unnecessary additives can be especially beneficial for mature skin.

    3. Dehydration

    Skin hydration is closely tied to overall fluid intake. When the body is dehydrated, skin can appear dull, thin, and more prone to fine lines.

    What helps:
    Consistent hydration throughout the day, combined with topical moisturizers that help lock in moisture, can improve the appearance of skin fullness and elasticity.

    4. Drinking Too Much Alcohol

    Alcohol contributes to dehydration and inflammation, both of which can affect skin tone and texture. Over time, it may contribute to increased redness, puffiness, and loss of elasticity.

    What helps:
    Moderation, along with increased water intake, can help offset these effects.

    5. Not Getting Enough Sleep

    Sleep is when the body carries out repair and regeneration processes—including those affecting the skin.

    Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to visible signs of aging such as fine lines, uneven tone, and reduced elasticity.

    What helps:
    Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night and avoid positions that press your face into the pillow, which can contribute to sleep lines over time.

    6. Eating a Poor Diet

    Highly processed foods and excess sugar can contribute to glycation, a process that damages collagen and accelerates visible aging.

    What helps:
    Focus on nutrient-dense foods, particularly those rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats—many of which nourish your skin health from within.

    7. Using the Wrong Cleanser

    Cleansing should remove impurities without stripping the skin.

    Foaming cleansers and strong detergents can disrupt the skin barrier, especially in mature skin, leading to dryness and increased sensitivity.

    What helps:
    Look for gentle, non-foaming cleansers that include hydrating ingredients.

    8. Not Managing Stress

    Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to inflammation and affect both skin function and appearance.

    What helps:
    Managing stress through movement, time outdoors, or relaxation practices can have visible as well as overall health benefits.

    9. Over-Exfoliating

    Exfoliation can improve skin texture—but too much can damage the skin barrier and increase sensitivity.

    Many exfoliants on the market either contain coarse, large granules that scrape dead skin away through sheer force or chemical exfoliants that burn skin away. Both are often too abrasive for thinning, mature skin.

    What helps:
    Instead, look for exfoliating products made specifically for mature skin. These often contain very finely milled granules, such as buckwheat flour, which is effective at removing dead skin and grime without irritating or inflaming your skin.

    10. Applying Products in the Wrong Order

    If you already have a skincare routine, that’s a great step. But how you apply products matters just as much as what you use.

    The right products can be effective—but only if they’re applied in a way that allows your skin to absorb them properly. For example, applying a heavy moisturizer before a serum can limit the serum’s ability to penetrate the skin.

    In general, products should be applied from lightest to heaviest texture. This allows active ingredients to absorb more effectively before being sealed in.

    A simple routine might include:

    1. Cleanser
    2. Eye cream
    3. Serum or treatment
    4. Cream

    What helps:
    Apply lighter products (like serums) before heavier ones (like creams) for proper absorption.

    11. Being Hard on the Eye Area

    The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate, often showing early signs of aging.

    What helps:
    Use gentle products designed for this area and avoid rubbing or pulling on the skin.

    12. Excess Screen Time and Blue Light Exposure

    Blue light from screens may contribute to sleep disruption—and emerging research suggests it may also play a role in skin aging.

    What helps:
    Reducing screen exposure in the evening and prioritizing sleep isn’t just good for your skin, but for your overall health as well.

    13. Forgetting About Neck, Chest, and Hands

    These areas receive significant sun exposure but are often overlooked in skincare routines.

    What helps:
    Extend your skincare and sun protection to these areas for a more consistent appearance.

    Boosting Skin Health with the Right Ingredients

    In addition to addressing daily habits, the products you use can complement your efforts—particularly when they focus on hydration, antioxidants, and maintaining the skin barrier.

    For adults over 45, ingredients that support collagen and elastin function are often a key focus. Collagen helps maintain skin structure and firmness, while elastin contributes to the skin’s ability to “bounce back.”

    Certain plant-based ingredients are increasingly being studied for their role in supporting these processes. For example, vitamin C–rich botanicals are known to play a role in collagen production, while some botanical extracts are being explored for their ability to help protect elastin by limiting the activity of elastase, an enzyme that contributes to visible skin aging.

    Moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, plant oils, and botanical butters can also help improve hydration and support the appearance of smoother, more resilient skin.

    A Closer Look at Botanical-Based Skincare

    Some newer formulations bring these elements together in a single product. One example is Purity Woods’ Age-Defying Dream Cream, a USDA Certified Organic cream that combines multiple plant-based ingredients, including:

    • Organic Astaxanthin Extract From Red Algae, which is outstanding for sun-damaged, weathered-looking skin.
    • Organic Canadian Maple Leaf Extracts, nature’s “holy grail” ingredient if you have wrinkled-looking skin.
    • Organic Camu Camu Fruit Extract, which contains 60X more vitamin C than oranges and is a true radiance superstar for dull, tired, uneven-looking skin.
    • Organic Indian Gooseberry (Amla) Extract, which is exceptional for collagen and a natural powerhouse for your smoothest, softest, glowing skin.

    The product is formulated without synthetic additives and uses only organic plant-based ingredients to target the 3 main causes of aging skin: collagen and elastin, hydration, and UV damage.

    While no skincare product can freeze time, non-toxic formulations that prioritize your skin barrier, hydration, and antioxidant protection can help skin look smoother and more radiant over time.

    A Balanced Approach to Healthy Skin

    The most effective way to nourish your skin after 45 is not through a single product or quick fix, but through a combination of consistent habits:

    • Protect your skin from sun exposure
    • Stay hydrated
    • Get adequate sleep
    • Manage stress
    • Use gentle skincare specifically formulated for mature skin

    Over time, these choices can have a meaningful impact—not just on how your skin looks, but on how it functions.

    Looking for additional tips?

    7 Things You Need to Know Before Getting Botox

    Can Cacao Seed Butter Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines?

    Forever Chemicals (PFAS) & Skincare: How to Protect Yourself From These Very Harmful Toxins

    And, learn more about the Age-Defying Dream Cream here

    SPONSORED BY:

    This post was originally published on this site.

  • Sailor asks Navy leaders if service will pay for haircuts under grooming push

    Sailor asks Navy leaders if service will pay for haircuts under grooming push

    This post was originally published on this site.

    Could the Navy consider a haircut allowance for sailors as the service cracks down on grooming standards across the force?

    One sailor posed the question to Navy leadership at a live town hall livestreamed from Fort George G. Meade on Monday. The top officer and enlisted sailor in the Navy seemed somewhat receptive to considering it, but also said that some things are generally just “out-of-pocket” costs that troops have to cover themselves. 

    Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle admitted the sailors’ public suggestion was one he had not heard or considered. 

    “As we impose stricter policies and hold you accountable, should there be some type of method by which we compensate for that? I guess some things just are going to be, I would say out-of-pocket, to basically make sure you’re keeping your grooming,” Caudle said. “But does that mean I can’t go look at maybe some more barber shops ashore and integrate it into facilities like where you work and actually alleviate some of the costs of that? I think that’s something we probably should look at.”

    “It’s a fair suggestion. We’ll go take a look at it,” Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman said.

    Leaders address Lincoln deployment, quality of life

    The question was one of many at the town hall where Caudle and Perryman addressed general quality of life, retention and career topics, as well as recent reports of issues stemming from record-breaking deployments of Navy ships in support of ongoing U.S. operations against Iran.

    Over the last few months, Navy leadership has faced negative reports on a wide range of issues. Sailors have reported food shortages and suicide attempts aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln, while questions remain about barracks at home and a broad crackdown on grooming rules and near-elimination of shaving waivers for sailors with medical conditions. 

    In particular, the two addressed reports that emerged during the USS Lincoln’s nearly 300-day deployment, including reports of deteriorating mental health in crew members aboard the aircraft carrier. Navy officials originally denied that there was an “increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts” aboard the Lincoln. But officials said they were sending more mental health support to the ship and the head of U.S. Central Command personally visited the carrier following concerns.

    At the town hall, Caudle said the service was taking lessons learned from the Lincoln deployment to look at logistics issues like getting on-time food and hygiene product shipments, ship repairs, and more port calls for deployed ships. 

    “The fact that the USS Ford had more port calls than the Abe [Lincoln] did certainly has weighed into the quality of life that those sailors have,” Caudle said, referencing a similarly long deployment for the USS Gerald Ford. “Being at sea a long time, our entire model is predicated on getting to a port, enjoy that port call, relax, take a knee, rejuvenate, get the ship back up to speed again, repair anything necessary, and get back in that fight. So we’re working hard on what port calls in the Arabian Gulf theater can look like… I want you to rest assured we are learning from this, and we’re going to make sure that every carrier goes into that theater a little bit better than we did the last time.”

    ‘Grooming allowance’ to cover rising costs

    But the cost of a grooming crackdown — both in dollars and in morale — was clearly on the mind of some sailors. Following a series of edicts from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a “clean-shaven” military, the Navy has recently limited the number of medical shaving waivers given out to sailors dealing with pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition that disproportionately impacts Black men.

    Mass Communication Specialist First Class Kyle Hafer, an instructor at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, asked Caudle and Perryman if the Navy would consider allocating sailors extra money for haircuts in the same way that the military provides an annual allowance for uniforms. While haircuts and grooming for sailors assigned to a ship are covered while at sea, the sailor noted, he estimated that two shoreside haircuts each month for $20 and a $5 tip, could cost up to $600 a year.

    “Could we introduce some type of grooming allowance into the military, or alternatively, offer free benefits for sailors to acquire haircuts at no cost on shoreside?” the sailor asked.

    The Navy offers barber services at more than 80 Navy Exchange locations with haircut prices ranging from $14 to $20. However, many sailors can also opt for off-base barbers.

    The post Sailor asks Navy leaders if service will pay for haircuts under grooming push appeared first on Task & Purpose.

  • The Army’s new drone-first soldiers are already graduating from training school

    The Army’s new drone-first soldiers are already graduating from training school

    This post was originally published on this site.

    On Wednesday, two classes’ worth of soldiers will graduate from the Army’s newest Military Occupational Specialties, or MOS, training course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. A mix of new recruits straight from boot camp and veteran soldiers retraining will officially become the Army’s new 15X tactical unmanned aircraft system specialists.

    So far, the course has graduated more than 250 soldiers in almost a dozen training classes.

    “The recruiting folks have been gangbusters on this and sending us people at the rate at which we can receive them,” said Col. Michael Gourgues, commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade, which is in charge of training. “We think by the end of this year, we’re going to have trained 770 new 15Xs.”

    Though all new soldiers who join the Army now get basic drone familiarization in basic training, those who join the 15X MOS move on to the 15-week Advanced Individual Training in Arizona, where they learn to assemble, fix, and fly a variety of small, medium, and large drones. They train to fly in contested environments, day and night, out in the woods, in a desert, and against an enemy opposition force.

    They also train on many different kinds of drones.

    “The Army has not bought a drone that the 15X is responsible for being an expert on. The Army’s bought a bunch of them,” he said. “For the first time ever, it’s not like ‘Hey, here is your rifle.’ It’s like, ‘Hey, I have 30 weapons that I need to make sure that you can shoot.’”

    Because drone warfare is changing so rapidly, Gourgues and his instructors are still actively adjusting the course material for every class. The training focus for the new 15X soldiers is large, long-distance drones, but they also taught small systems like tactical FPV drones so they can be attached to infantry units, or even form drone-specific teams that sit behind front lines, akin to artillery soldiers. 

    1st Cavalry Division Trooper, Sgt. Nathaniel Martin, an Unmanned Aircraft System Operator, assigned to 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, launches a drone from his hand during Pegasus Forge, on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 6, 2025. Pegasus Forge allows the First Team to utilize new technology and gain experience in the field to support and progress in the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. David Dumas)
    The Army is training new recruits under its new 15X MOS tactical unmanned aircraft system specialists. Army Photo by Spc. David Dumas.

    As a result, Gourgues told Task & Purpose that 15X instructors try to train soldiers to be a “jack of all trades” who can pick up a new piece of tech and learn the ins and outs in a matter of hours. He added that the focus of the courses is always a subject of debate among instructors: Should it be more FPV drones and less airspace maneuvers for large drones? Maybe more robotics?

    To stay up to date, Gourgues said a “lessons learned manager” monitors open-source information and sends observations to the Army’s aviation, maneuver and fire, cyber centers of excellence, which develop doctrine and training for each specialty. Gourgues gave the example of fly-by-wire drones, also called fiber-optic drones, which are controlled by cable instead of wireless radio frequencies to avoid electronic jamming.

    “We’re not teaching secret classes. We watch it online,” he said. “I can buy a drone that can fly by wire, and within a week or two my drone instructors have a fly-by-wire drone, and they’re showing the new MOS: ‘Hey, this is how it works, and this is how you might fly it.’ And if we think it’s something that they are going to do, then we put it into the program of instruction on a permanent basis.” 

    As the Army is still evolving where, how and when it’ll use drones, Gourgues said the new soldiers will go on to join different units — whether it be brigade combat teams, experts attached to a squad, or even advising commanders on how to incorporate drones into the unit’s training or tactics. The soldiers will be part of maneuver operations like infantry and armor units, but also more technical fields like military intelligence and cyber formations. The 15X soldiers have to work with drones of all sizes, which the Department of Defense classifies as groups 1, 2 and 3 unmanned aerial systems, or UASs. But the priority is group 3, the largest-sized drones, he said.

    “We are going to make sure that they are experts on utilizations of Group 1 and 2, but that is not limited to 15X,” he said. “You don’t have to be a 15X to fly that, but the differentiator that we see is utilization of it is: how do you inform the commander on the best use of it to achieve the effects that they’re seeking?” 

    In total, the Army is planning for between 2-to-3,000 15x soldiers who will fly, fix, and deploy all sizes of drones. That number could go up or down in the next year, according to Gourgues.  

    “We are literally filling all of our barracks beds. My limiting factor right now is infrastructure on how many folks I can train,” he said. “At some point the Army is going to say, ‘Hey, we have enough personnel. We understand how we’re going to fight this and how many folks need to be in there.’ And they’re going to turn the rheostat knob down on me. But this is the first year we’re doing it, and so we’re going 100 miles an hour.

    An aviation MOS headed to ground units

    About two-thirds of the first wave of 15X soldiers will be made up of new recruits. The rest will be more senior soldiers transferring from other jobs, like current UAS operators (15W) and repairers (15E) who will recertify under the new MOS by October. 

    Gourgues said the decision to keep drone programs within the Army’s aviation branch comes from the “sheer complexity” of operating the military’s bigger and longer-range UAS platforms like the Shadow and Gray Eagle. Since those larger systems fly in the same airspace as jets and helicopters, drone operators need to have the same expertise in air traffic control, weather, flight regulations, and other air safety measures for complex military operations, he said.

    But the 15X soldiers, he said, will have to be physically able to join ground maneuver units and do “all the physical things” that an infantry brigade combat team expects of its soldiers. According to an Army breakdown of the MOS requirements, 15X soldiers need to meet “significant” strength and aerobic fitness scores in exercises like deadlifts, power throws and interval runs, as well as be “fully deployable to all locations and echelons.”

    Originally, 15W and 15E soldiers were required to take flight physicals, but with the new MOS, they changed it.

    “Now they pass a basic airborne physical,” he said. “Can you duck walk? Can you walk without a limp? Are you able to do the Army physical fitness test? And if you can do those things, then welcome to the MOS.”

    The post The Army’s new drone-first soldiers are already graduating from training school appeared first on Task & Purpose.

  • Taco Casserole

    Taco Casserole

    This Taco Casserole stacks three cheesy layers of soft flour tortillas with a well-seasoned beef and black bean filling to make the easiest taco dinner ever! I brown the beef with onion and green pepper, then stir in thick, chunky salsa for a rich, saucy filling with loads of Tex-Mex flavor. Adding beans and fresh veggies also helps me stretch one pound of ground beef into eight servings for only $1.70 each, and the whole thing is ready in 45 minutes. Set out your favorite toppings at the table and let everyone finish their own slice. This casserole is a huge people pleaser and the kind of simple meal that turns an ordinary night into a mini fiesta!

    All the Taco Flavor in One Baking Dish

    I do love a good beef taco, but filling and folding tortillas one by one isn’t always realistic on a busy night. So I skip the taco assembly line and layer everything into one baking dish instead! The filling stays simple with ground beef, canned black beans, jarred salsa, and a couple of fresh veggies. Instead of reaching for a packet, I use chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper straight from my spice cabinet to make a homemade taco seasoning. There’s no added water, so the filling stays concentrated and easy to layer.

    Once the salsa and beans are stirred in, I cook the filling until it looks thick and no loose liquid pools in the skillet. Then it gets layered up between soft flour tortillas with plenty of cheddar. Since everything in the filling is already cooked, this beauty only needs about 20 minutes in the oven to heat the layers and melt the cheese!

    Recipe Success Tips

    1. Aim for a thick and scoopable filling. Think taco meat you’d pile onto a tortilla, not a loose meat sauce. I use 80/20 ground beef, so I spoon off the excess rendered fat after browning, but leaner beef likely won’t need draining. Then to make sure the filling is as thick as possible for layering, rinse and drain the beans well, use thick and chunky salsa (I use a shelf stable Thick & Chunky salsa from Walmart), and let everything simmer for about 4 minutes. When a spatula leaves a clear path through the skillet without watery liquid rushing in, you’re ready to layer!
    2. Fully cook the beef before assembling. Once the filling is tucked between the tortillas and cheese, you won’t be able to stir it or check the beef easily. Make sure no pink remains and the beef reaches 160°F in the skillet before building the layers.
    3. Wake up the spices. Stir the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper into the cooked beef and vegetables for about 1 minute. That brief heat helps release the spices’ flavor compounds, making them smell warmer and taste toastier before the salsa goes in. Keep them moving so they don’t scorch.
    4. Layer it like lasagna! Think of the tortillas as the pasta sheets in a traditional lasagna. Overlap two burrito-size tortillas in each layer, then spread one-third of the filling and cheese evenly over the top before repeating. During testing, I found that the larger tortillas curved slightly up the sides of my 9×13-inch baking dish, helping to hold the filling in place and making the casserole easier to slice. Those exposed tortilla edges also turn deliciously crisp in the oven (my favorite part!).
    5. Make it vegetarian. Skip the ground beef and double the black beans for a completely vegetarian taco casserole on a budget. You can also swap in whatever vegetarian ground ‘meat’ crumbles you like.
    6. Raid the veggie drawer. I kept things simple and budget-friendly in this taco casserole with green pepper and onion, but any color bell pepper will do the trick. Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers are slightly sweeter. Mushrooms, corn, spinach, or squash would also be delicious. Keep the total amount close to 2 cups, and cook off any moisture the vegetables release before adding the salsa so the filling stays thick.

    Sided view of a slice of taco casserole on a plate.

    Print
    Add to Collection Go to Collections

    Taco Casserole

    Three cheesy tortilla layers packed with saucy beef and black beans make this easy Taco Casserole recipe a hearty 45-minute dinner that serves eight!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican, texmex
    Total Cost $13.62 recipe / $1.70 serving
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 425kcal
    Author Melissa Nolan

    Equipment

    • 9×13” Casserole Dish
    • Medium Skillet

    Ingredients

    • nonstick cooking spray $0.01
    • 1 lb. ground beef $5.94*
    • ½ onion small dice, (135g, 1 cup) $0.47
    • 1 green bell pepper medium dice, (125g, 1 cup) $0.78
    • 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.08
    • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.04
    • 1 tsp paprika $0.04
    • ½ tsp dried oregano $0.02
    • ¼ tsp cayenne $0.04
    • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
    • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.04
    • 16 oz. jarred mild thick and chunky salsa $1.92**
    • 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed, $0.92
    • 2 cups cheddar cheese grated, (200g) $1.72***
    • 6 large flour tortillas burrito size, $1.59

    Instructions

    • Gather and prepare all ingredients. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 oven-safe baking dish.
    • Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, onions, and green peppers, and sauté for 5 minutes until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender.
    • Using paper towels, carefully soak up the excess grease and discard.
    • Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
    • Add the salsa and drained black beans and continue cooking for 4 minutes.
    • To assemble the taco bake, lay two tortillas overlapping each other on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with ⅓ of the meat filling and ⅓ of the cheese. Repeat the layers three times.
    • Bake for 20 minutes in the oven until it is melty. Remove them from the oven, slice, and garnish with any toppings you like!

    See how we calculate recipe costs here.

    Notes

    *I use 80/20 ground beef and drain off the excess fat or carefully blot it with a paper towel after cooking. If you’re using very lean beef, there may be little or nothing to drain. This recipe also works great with ground chicken or ground turkey!

    **I use mild, thick, and chunky salsa, specifically the jarred Great Value brand salsa from Walmart. It’s a great price, and it’s not too thin. You can use whatever salsa you enjoy or even make your own pico de gallo. Just make sure it isn’t too watery, or it may make the tortillas soggy.

    ***You can substitute any other cheese in your fridge. Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack cheese (which will make it spicier), Colby Jack, or any cheese blend you like will work great.

    Seasoning note: I make my own taco seasoning using the simple pantry spices listed here. Together, the spices, salt, and pepper come to 2 Tbsp plus ¼ tsp. You can use the same amount of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning instead if preferred. One thing I love about making my own is that I can adjust the flavor and heat. Add more cumin if you’re a big fan like me, or increase the cayenne if you like it spicy!

    Suggested toppings: Tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, black olives, avocado, red onions, or shredded lettuce.

    Prep it ahead: I don’t recommend layering this taco casserole ahead of time and baking it later because the tortillas will absorb the salsa and become very soft. You can, however, shred the cheese and prepare the taco filling ahead, then store everything separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the casserole shortly before baking and cook it a little longer (since everything is starting cold), until the center is hot and the cheese is melted.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 23g | Sodium: 851mg | Fiber: 7g

    how to make Taco Casserole Step-by-Step Photos

    The ingredients to make taco casserole with labels.

    Gather all of your ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch oven-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

    Ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper in a skillet.

    Cook the beef: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb. ground beef, ½ a diced onion, and 1 diced green bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until no pink remains and the beef reaches 160°F. The vegetables should be tender but still hold their shape. Keep cooking for another minute or two if needed.

    A paper towel draining grease from a skillet.

    Remove the excess fat: Carefully drain away the rendered fat, or blot it with paper towels held securely with tongs. If you’re using lean ground beef and there’s little or nothing to remove, you can skip this step.

    Taco seasoning added to browned ground beef.

    Toast the spices until fragrant: Now add 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp cayenne, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper. Stir constantly for 1 minute, until the spices smell warm and fragrant. This brief toasting helps bring out the flavor of the spices.

    Black beans and salsa added to a skillet of brown ground beef.

    Finish the filling: Stir in 1 (16 oz.) jar of mild thick and chunky salsa and a 15 oz. can of drained black beans. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is hot and the filling looks cohesive. When you drag a spatula across the skillet, no watery liquid should pool in the space. If it does, cook for another minute or two before layering.

    Tortillas layered in a baking dish with taco meat being layered over top.

    Build the layers: Overlap 2 burrito-size flour tortillas across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, allowing the edges to fold slightly up the sides. Spread one-third of the beef filling evenly over the tortillas, all the way to the edges.

    Cheese added to a casserole dish with taco meat and tortillas.

    Then sprinkle with a ⅓ of the cheddar cheese.

    Two large tortillas added to a baking dish.

    Repeat twice more with the remaining 4 tortillas, filling, and cheese to create three layers total.

    Overhead view of a finished taco casserole out the oven.

    Bake the taco casserole: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, the filling is bubbling around the edges, and the exposed tortilla edges are lightly browned and crisp. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes to help the layers settle, then slice into 8 servings and add your favorite fresh toppings. Enjoy!

    Side view of a slice of taco casserole being lifted from the baking dish.

    How to Serve Taco Casserole

    Add whatever fresh toppings you like or already have to each slice of taco casserole before serving. I love black olives, juicy tomatoes, and cilantro on mine, but use whatever sounds good! Those cool, crunchy salad toppings are so good alongside the hot, cheesy beef casserole. For sides, a batch of Spanish rice also serves eight, so it’s an easy way to round out the meal when you’re feeding a crowd!

    I also think our cumin lime coleslaw with crisp cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy lime-cumin dressing would be delicious, or guacamole for a classic taco pairing. The guacamole would also be delicious served with tortilla chips before dinner, then left on the table for spooning over each slice! And if friends or family are coming over, avocado margaritas make the meal feel fun and a little extra special for the adults. The recipe makes two drinks, so scale it up to suit your group.

    Storage & Reheating

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The tortillas do absorb moisture from the filling and become softer over time, particularly along the bottom, but the casserole is still delicious!

    Make Ahead

    Leftovers reheat well, but I much prefer this taco casserole fresh. If I want to get ahead on dinner, I’ll prepare the components separately instead of assembling the whole casserole in advance. Make the taco meat and shred the cheese, then store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Layer everything just before baking and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since the filling will be starting cold.

    Reheating

    The microwave is the quickest option for individual slices. Cover and heat until steaming throughout, using short intervals so the edges don’t dry out. To reheat several portions, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F until the center reaches 165°F. Remove the foil for the last few minutes to help firm up the tortilla edges.

    Freezing

    Freeze cooled portions in airtight freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Individual slices are easier to thaw and reheat than the entire casserole. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Just note the tortillas will be noticeably softer after freezing and thawing.

    Try These Beef Taco-Inspired Recipes Next:

    • This easy Taco Soup turns ground beef, two kinds of beans, corn, and tomatoes into a hearty bowl ready for all your favorite toppings!
    • Our Taco Pasta is what I reach for when I want one-pot comfort. Pasta shells simmer in the taco-seasoned beef and tomato sauce before plenty of cheddar is stirred in at the end.
    • Beef Taco Skillet lands somewhere between a skillet dinner and loaded nachos, with beef, black beans, tomatoes, tortilla chips, and melted cheese.
    • Our Taco Salad starts with a bed of crisp lettuce topped with taco-seasoned beef, black beans, and corn. I love adding avocado, crunchy tortilla chips, and creamy lime dressing to finish each bowl.

    More Easy Taco Recipes

    The post Taco Casserole appeared first on Budget Bytes.

    This post was originally published on this site.

  • No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole

    No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole

    No peek chicken and rice casserole is the ultimate easy comfort food. Tender chicken and creamy, flavorful rice bake together in one dish. Just cover it tightly, pop it in the oven, and whatever you do, don’t peek!

    Why No Peeking Pays Off

    • One-Pan Dinner: The chicken and rice cook together, so you get a full meal with very little cleanup.
    • Pantry Staples: This cozy chicken and rice casserole uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
    • Creamy, Cozy Rice: The rice soaks up all that savory flavor while it bakes and comes out creamy and tender.

    No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole Ingredients

    Overhead shot of labeled chicken and rice casserole ingredients.
    • Rice: Use uncooked long-grain white rice. The amount of liquid in this recipe is made for this type of rice.
    • Condensed Soups: I love using both cream of chicken and cream of mushroom. You can use two cans of the same flavor if you prefer.
    • Onion Soup Mix: Sprinkle it over the top for an easy boost of savory flavor.

    No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

    Mix, layer, cover, and bake; no-peek chicken and rice casserole could not be easier. If your family loves easy dinners like this one, try my Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, or Chicken Tetrazzini next.

    1. Make the Rice Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Whisk the rice, can of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth in a large bowl, then pour into the baking dish.
    2. Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on top. Season with salt and pepper.
    3. Cover and Bake: Sprinkle with onion soup mix, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the rice is tender. No peeking!
    Bowl with all of the sauce ingredients mixed together.
    Chicken breasts added over the top of the sauce then seasoned.
    Onion soup mix spinkled over the top of the chicken

    Alyssa’s Pro Tips

    • Don’t Peek: Keep the foil sealed tightly while it bakes. The trapped steam is what helps cook the rice.
    • Check for Doneness: Before serving, make sure the chicken reaches 165°F, and the rice is tender.

    Must Have Kitchen Tools For This Recipe

    • Large Bowl: For mixing the rice and creamy sauce.
    • Whisk: Helps blend the soups and broth until smooth.
    • 9 x 13 Baking Dish: For the chicken and rice to cook evenly.
    • Meat Thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of checking when the chicken is done.

    Print

    No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole

    No peek chicken and rice is an easy, creamy casserole with tender chicken and flavorful rice baked together in one dish.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword chicken and rice, chicken and rice casserole, No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 383kcal
    Author Alyssa Rivers

    Ingredients

    • 4 boneless chicken breasts
    • 2 cups long grain rice
    • 1 (10-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
    • 1 (10-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
    • 1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 package onion soup mix

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, add 2 cups long grain rice, 1 (10-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup , 1 (10-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, and 1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth and stir to combine.  Pour into the prepared baking dish.  
    • Place the 4 boneless chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste . Sprinkle 1 package onion soup mix on top.
    • Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. No Peeking!  

    Video

    Notes

    Storing Leftovers

    • Fridge: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
    • Reheat: Microwave until warm. Add a splash of chicken broth if the rice seems dry.
    • Freezer: Freeze cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 816mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
    Close up shot of a no peek chicken and rice casserole serving being lifted with a spatula.

    More Easy Recipes

    This post was originally published on this site.

  • Tracking America’s latest conflict: The Iran war timeline

    Tracking America’s latest conflict: The Iran war timeline

    This post was originally published on this site.

    The war between the United States and Iran has seesawed between open conflict and temporary lulls in hostilities several times since it began on Feb. 28, 2026, but the fighting has never truly ceased. 

    The massive air and missile strikes that marked the start of U.S. military operations were followed by a ceasefire in name only — one that was punctuated by exchanges of fire and a churn of press releases and statements from U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, the Pentagon, the White House and other arms of the government, ticking off strikes and targets destroyed. At the same time, Iran has retaliated, striking targets across the region. To date, 18 American service members have died in the conflict.

    This timeline is compiled from official sources, such as Defense Department news releases and figures provided during press conferences, interviews, and in response to media queries; from internal reporting by the Task & Purpose team; and other news reports. This timeline is an ongoing project and will be updated.

    Timeline

    /* ============================================================
    EDIT ME: swap these values to restyle the whole timeline.
    ============================================================ */
    :root{
    –paper: #FFFFFF;
    –ink: #1A1A1A;
    –ink-soft: #5C5C5C;
    –accent: #B8922B;
    –accent-dim: #E8D6A6;
    –hairline: #DADADA;
    –max-width: 760px;
    }

    *{ box-sizing: border-box; }

    .cl-timeline-root{
    background: var(–paper);
    color: var(–ink);
    font-family: ‘Source Sans 3’, sans-serif;
    padding: 64px 24px 96px;
    line-height: 1.5;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    }

    .cl-tl-header{
    max-width: var(–max-width);
    margin: 0 auto 56px;
    }

    .cl-tl-eyebrow{
    font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 13px;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(–accent);
    display: block;
    margin-bottom: 14px;
    }

    .cl-tl-title{
    font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: clamp(30px, 5vw, 46px);
    margin: 0 0 12px;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    }

    .cl-tl-subtitle{
    color: var(–ink-soft);
    font-size: 16px;
    max-width: 52ch;
    margin: 0;
    }

    .cl-tl-wrap{
    position: relative;
    max-width: var(–max-width);
    margin: 0 auto;
    }

    /* the spine */
    .cl-tl-spine{
    position: absolute;
    left: 7px;
    top: 6px;
    bottom: 6px;
    width: 2px;
    background: var(–hairline);
    }
    .cl-tl-spine-fill{
    position: absolute;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 0%;
    background: var(–accent);
    transition: height 0.15s linear;
    }

    .cl-tl-entry{
    position: relative;
    padding: 0 0 40px 40px;
    }
    .cl-tl-entry:last-child{ padding-bottom: 4px; }

    .cl-tl-entry-content{
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(14px);
    transition: opacity 0.6s ease, transform 0.6s ease;
    }
    .cl-tl-entry.is-visible .cl-tl-entry-content{
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
    }

    .cl-tl-dot{
    position: absolute;
    left: -9px;
    top: -4px;
    width: 32px;
    height: 32px;
    background-color: var(–paper);
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-image: url(‘data:image/png;base64,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’);
    background-size: 24px 24px;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    background-position: center;
    filter: grayscale(35%) opacity(0.45);
    transition: filter 0.4s ease;
    }
    .cl-tl-entry.is-visible .cl-tl-dot{
    filter: none;
    }

    .cl-tl-date{
    font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 16px;
    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(–accent);
    display: inline-block;
    margin-bottom: 8px;
    }

    .cl-tl-entry-body{
    color: var(–ink);
    font-size: 18px;
    line-height: 1.7;
    margin: 0;
    max-width: 62ch;
    }

    .cl-tl-entry-body a{
    color: var(–accent);
    text-decoration: underline;
    text-decoration-color: var(–accent-dim);
    text-underline-offset: 2px;
    }
    .cl-tl-entry-body a:hover{
    text-decoration-color: var(–accent);
    }

    @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){
    .cl-tl-entry{ transition: none; opacity: 1; transform: none; }
    .cl-tl-spine-fill{ transition: none; }
    }

    The Iran war

    (function(){

    /* ============================================================
    EDIT ME: this is your content. One object per event.
    date -> short label shown in mono type
    body -> HTML string (links allowed via )
    ============================================================ */
    var DATA = [
    { date: “Aug. 30”, body: ‘The U.S.     strikes Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, the first attack on Iran in a month. Iran fires missiles and drones at American bases in Jordan in retaliation. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army extends the 82nd Airborne’s deployment to the Middle East to a year.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 28”, body: ‘CENTCOM declares that Iranian sea mines have been cleared from international shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 22”, body: ‘The USS Abraham Lincoln leaves the Middle East after seven months, replaced by the George Washington.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 21”, body: ‘The Pentagon updates the number of troops it says have been wounded in fighting to over 750, of which 341 have been injured since early July. The overwhelming majority of those added to the update are soldiers in the Army.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 19”, body: ‘A Department of the Navy notice advises sailors and Marines to hide their ties to the military on social media, citing threats from the war.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 15”, body: ‘CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper visits the USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of poor conditions.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 14”, body: ‘Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao acknowledges that sailors were “treated” for mental health issues on the USS Abraham Lincoln as the Navy says it is sending more counselors to the ship.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 13”, body: ‘The Navy orders the USS George Washington, operating in the South China Sea, to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.’ },
    { date: “Aug. 5”, body: ‘Families of sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln report food shortages, moldy showers and poor morale as the carrier’s deployment in the Arabian Sea continues.’ },
    { date: “July 30”, body: ‘CENTCOM says the U.S. carries out dozens of strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets overnight.’ },
    { date: “July 29”, body: ‘After close to a week of calm, CENTCOM says U.S. and Saudi forces attack Iranian forces in Iraq and Iran fires five ballistic missiles at a Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan, where U.S. troops are based. CENTCOM says all are intercepted. Iran attacks Saudi Arabian oil facilities, leaving at least one burning.’ },
    { date: “July 27”, body: ‘The Pentagon increases its official count of wounded in the Iran conflict by over 200 in an overnight update, bringing the total number of troops wounded in the war to more than 600. The disclosure comes days after news reports that the Pentagon appeared to lower its casualty count on its online tracking site. Cyber attacks begin targeting water and wastewater infrastructure across the United States. News outlets later report that U.S. officials suspect hackers based in Iran are responsible for the attacks on water systems in at least 12 states.’ },
    { date: “July 25”, body: ‘Defense Department confirms the identity of the third soldier killed in a July 17 Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.’ },
    { date: “July 23–11”, body: ‘CENTCOM carries out 13 consecutive nights of bombings, beginning with 140 targets on July 11; a “dozen” on July 12; an untold number of “military targets” on July 13; another “dozen” on July 14; an unspecified number of command centers, missile and air defense sites, on July 15; a “dozen” more strikes on air defense sites, and logistical infrastructure occur on July 16; underground weapon sites are targeted on July 17; more military logistics centers as well as maritime and coastal sites and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites are hit on July 18; communication networks and maritime sites are again targeted on July 19; another four rounds of strikes are carried out on July 20, July 21, July 22 and July 23, but details remain limited.’ },
    { date: “July 18–17”, body: ‘Two soldiers die in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan and a third soldier is reported missing, and eventually found dead. A soldier in Iraq dies during a controlled detonation of a downed drone.’ },
    { date: “July 14”, body: ‘The U.S. restarts a blockade of Iranian ports.’ },
    { date: “July 8”, body: ‘CENTCOM announces it has completed strikes on Iran, and estimates it hit a total of 90 “Iranian military targets.” That same day, President Donald Trump says that the ceasefire, first declared on April 7, is “over.”’ },
    { date: “July 7”, body: ‘CENTCOM says U.S. forces strike more than 80 targets in Iran.’ },
    { date: “July 1”, body: ‘A MH-60S Sea Hawk crashes in the Arabian Sea. Three sailors are recovered, while one, Navy Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, dies.’ },
    { date: “June 18”, body: ‘U.S. ends blockade of Iranian ports, which it began on April 13. CENTCOM will eventually claim to have redirected 140 vessels, disabled nine, and allowed over 50 carrying humanitarian aid to pass through the blockade.’ },
    { date: “May 4”, body: ‘U.S. launches “Project Freedom” to guide commercial shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but the initiative is cancelled the following day by President Trump, citing political progress. In testimony to Congress in July, Hegseth will claim that the operation was actually not cancelled but instead “went underground,” helping 900 ships and between 400 to 500 million barrels of oil transit the strait through June.’ },
    { date: “April 13”, body: ‘CENTCOM says the U.S. begins a blockade of Iranian ports that will extend to June 18.’ },
    { date: “April 7”, body: ‘President Donald Trump announces a ceasefire with Iran.‘ },
    { date: “April 6”, body: ‘Trump threatens to destroy Iran “in one night,” sets April 7 deadline.’ },
    { date: “April 5–3”, body: ‘An F-15E is shot down in Iran, prompting CSAR operations. The pilot is recovered quickly, but the weapons system officer spends nearly two days hiding. U.S. commandos rescue the weapon systems officer and destroy the U.S. aircraft that got stuck on the ground.’ },
    { date: “March 27”, body: ‘An Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, destroys an E-3 AWACS aircraft parked at the base. The attack redefines U.S. basing strategies, which have long assumed AWACS planes and other assets were “unreachable” at Saudi bases.’ },
    { date: “March 23”, body: “The USS Gerald Ford, after a fire on March 12, arrives in Crete, Greece for repairs.” },
    { date: “March 19”, body: ‘Iranian air defense hits an American F-35, wounding the pilot, who makes an emergency landing.’ },
    { date: “March 17”, body: “Head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani killed in an Israeli airstrike.” },
    { date: “March 12”, body: ‘Six airmen die in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq. Separately, a fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford rages for hours. More than 200 sailors are treated for smoke inhalation, one sailor is medically evacuated, and thousands are reported to be without beds. The carrier leaves the region and sails to Crete, Greece on March 23.’ },
    { date: “March 8”, body: ‘A soldier dies from wounds sustained in an Iranian attack on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.’ },
    { date: “March 5”, body: “U.S. embassy in Kuwait closes after being hit by an Iranian drone.” },
    { date: “March 4”, body: ‘The submarine USS Charlotte reportedly sinks the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, killing 104 crewmembers, near Sri Lankan waters as the ship returned from an international exercise in India. 32 crew are rescued.’ },
    { date: “March 1”, body: ‘Iran targets U.S. bases around the Middle East. Defense officials initially announce that five Army Reserve soldiers are killed in a strike on Port Shuaiba, Kuwait and a sixth is later positively identified. The attacks also target the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Three U.S. F-15s are shot down in a friendly fire incident by Kuwait.’ },
    { date: “Feb. 28”, body: ‘The United States launches Operation Epic Fury, targeting command and air defenses, to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.” Israel’s parallel operation, Roaring Lion, also starts. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is killed. An American strike on the Minab school kills at least 175 people, many of whom are students. U.S. attacks also use the American-made one-way attack drone for the first time.’ }
    ];

    var container = document.getElementById(‘clEntries’);
    var frag = document.createDocumentFragment();

    DATA.forEach(function(item){
    var entry = document.createElement(‘div’);
    entry.className = ‘cl-tl-entry’;
    entry.innerHTML =
    ‘

    ‘ +
    ‘

    ‘ +
    ‘‘ + item.date + ‘‘ +
    ‘

    ‘ + item.body + ‘

    ‘ +
    ‘

    ‘;
    frag.appendChild(entry);
    });
    container.appendChild(frag);

    var entries = document.querySelectorAll(‘.cl-tl-entry’);
    var spineFill = document.getElementById(‘clSpineFill’);

    // Reveal each entry as it scrolls into view.
    var observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(items){
    items.forEach(function(it){
    if (it.isIntersecting) it.target.classList.add(‘is-visible’);
    });
    }, { threshold: 0.05, rootMargin: ‘0px 0px -10% 0px’ });
    entries.forEach(function(e){ observer.observe(e); });

    // Fill the spine based on scroll progress through the timeline block.
    function updateSpine(){
    var wrap = document.querySelector(‘.cl-tl-wrap’);
    var rect = wrap.getBoundingClientRect();
    var vh = window.innerHeight;
    var total = rect.height;
    var seen = Math.min(Math.max(vh * 0.75 – rect.top, 0), total);
    var pct = total > 0 ? (seen / total) * 100 : 0;
    spineFill.style.height = pct + ‘%’;
    }
    window.addEventListener(‘scroll’, updateSpine, { passive: true });
    window.addEventListener(‘resize’, updateSpine);
    updateSpine();

    })();

    The post Tracking America’s latest conflict: The Iran war timeline appeared first on Task & Purpose.

  • Marry Me Pork Chops

    Marry Me Pork Chops

    Marry Me pork chops are the kind of dinner that earns its name! Tender pork chops are simmered in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic, Italian herbs, and sweet, tangy sun-dried tomatoes. One bite and you’ll get why they’re worth proposing over.

    Why You’ll Be Saying “I Do”

    • Creamy Parmesan Sauce: Garlic, Italian herbs, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes create a rich, flavorful sauce that coats every bite.
    • Easy One-Pan Dinner: Everything comes together in one skillet, making this a simple dinner with minimal cleanup.
    • Perfect for Pairing: Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, and/or crusty bread to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce.

    Ingredients for Marry Me Pork Chops

    Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.
    • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Jarred are my go-to for this recipe, but dry-packed tomatoes work well, too.
    • Use Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: I prefer the finely grated Parmesan sold in tubs for this recipe. If you’re using shredded Parmesan, grate it yourself for the smoothest melt. Pre-shredded varieties don’t always melt as well.

    How to Make Marry Me Pork Chops

    If you love a creamy, flavorful dinner, these pork chops are a must try. The Parmesan sauce is perfect served with a variety of different sides. And if you love this recipe, don’t miss my Marry Me chicken and Marry Me meatballs for other twists on the same irresistible flavors.

    1. Season: Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper.
    2. Sear: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the pork chops and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and set them aside.
    3. Cook the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium, then add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    4. Add Flour: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
    5. Make the Sauce: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, cream, and parmesan. Next, add the sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning, then cook and stir for a few minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
    6. Simmer: Return the pork chops to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145ºF, and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Garnish Marry Me Pork Chops with fresh basil and serve immediately.
    Pork chops seasoned on a cutting board.
    Searing pork chops in a skillet.
    Butter cooking in a skillet.
    Garlic and flour added to the melted butter in a skillet.
    Chicken broth, cream, sun-dried tomatoes and seasonings added to the butter and flour mixture.
    Seared pork chops added back into the sauce to simmer and finish cooking.

    Alyssa’s Pro Tip

    Using Boneless Pork Chops: Sear the Marry Me pork chops for 1½–2 minutes per side, until golden brown, then set them aside. When you return them to the sauce, simmer for about 5 minutes before checking the internal temperature. They’re ready when they reach 145°F.

    Must Have Tools For This Recipe

    • Large Skillet: Use a 12- or 14-inch skillet so the pork chops have room to sear. If needed, sear in batches. They can overlap in the sauce as long as each chop reaches 145°F.
    • Meat Thermometer: Helps you know when your pork is done so you don’t overcook it.

    Print

    Marry Me Pork Chops

    Tender Marry Me pork chops smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
    Course Dinner, entree, main, Main Course, main dish
    Cuisine American
    Keyword 30 minute pork chops, creamy parmesan pork chops, creamy pork chops, easy pork chops, Marry Me Pork, Marry Me Pork Chops, Marry Me Pork Chops Recipe, marry me sauce with pork chops, sun dried tomato pork chops
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 564kcal
    Author Alyssa Rivers

    Equipment

    • 1 large 12 or 14-inch skillet

    Ingredients

    • 4 bone-in pork chops abour 2 pounds
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 2 cloves
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ⅓ cup grated parmesan
    • ½ cup drained sun-dried tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • fresh basil for garnish

    Instructions

    • Season 4 bone-in pork chops on both sides with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.
    • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the pork chops and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and set them aside.
    • Reduce the heat to medium, then add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    • Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute.
    • Slowly whisk in 1 cup chicken broth, ¾ cup heavy whipping cream, and ⅓ cup grated parmesan.
    • Add ½ cup drained sun-dried tomatoes and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, then cook and stir for a few minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
    • Return the pork chops to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
    • Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Leftover Instructions

    • In the Refrigerator: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. 
    • In the Freezer: This recipe is best if it isn’t frozen. Best results are served just after being prepared, or refrigerated and reheated within the first couple of days.
    • To Reheat: Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments, or on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 10-15 minutes or so, until the sauce and the pork chops are heated through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 747mg | Potassium: 1062mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1127IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 3mg
    Close up of cooked and read to eat, marry me pork chops.

    More “Marry Me” Recipes

    This post was originally published on this site.

  • The Best Day Trips from Malaga: White Villages, Natural Wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites

    The Best Day Trips from Malaga: White Villages, Natural Wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites

    Featured image: Jerez is considered the birthplace of flamenco, as seen as Tabanco el Pasaje| Photo by Carolyn Ray

    From Malaga, it’s easy to explore Spain’s prettiest white villages in Andalucia

    by Carolyn Ray

    Wandering through the narrow, winding streets in Frigliana, near Malaga, I feel as if I’m stepping into the past. Not only because of the 12 murals showing the Moorish history of this ancient hillside village, but because preparations are underway for the Festival de las Tres Culturas (Three Cultures Festival) in August, which celebrates the historical coexistence of Christian, Sephardic Jewish, and Arab-Islamic cultures.  It’s one of those picture-perfect days when puffy white clouds float above this village of 2900 residents, almost like a painting.  The streets are full are tourists enjoying the cafes, shops and restaurants, but soon, I know the afternoon siesta will start, it will be quiet until the evening, when the stores open again.

    Frigliana is just one of Spain’s white villages — the pueblos blancos of Andalusia — that conjur images of whitewashed houses perched on a mountain edge, walls dazzling in the Andalusian sun against a backdrop of olive groves, blue flowerpots and red-tiled roofs. There’s a certain romanticism about villages like Ronda, Frigliana and Arcos de la Frontera — they’re small enough to explore on foot, and there’s a slower, more human pace to daily life — a bakery, a plaza, an old church, a viewpoint — that rewards curiosity and wandering.

    Since I first stayed in Malaga over the holiday season in 2022, Málaga province and the Costa del Sol region have become better known, attracting about 15 million tourists a year.  During the high season in July and August when so many Spaniards take holidays here, it can be busy; but in the low season, things quiet down, making it the best time to visit Malaga and its nearby white villages. Spain’s excellent public transportation makes it easy and affordable for women to visit small towns and white villages near Malaga, including Ronda, Jerez de la Frontera, and Frigliana, my personal favourite. 

    Get stories just like this one delivered straight to your inbox. Join our mailing list here.

    white village of Frigliana Spain Nerja day trip from Malaga

    Frigliana has breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea / Photo by Carolyn Ray

    Malaga, your starting point

    There’s plenty to see in Malaga beyond spottings of its most famous resident, Antonio Banderas. A climb up to the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle reminds you that this is an ancient city, but one that has only recently been rediscovered. The Alcazaba, for example, was abandoned for centuries and became a slum. The 1st century AD Roman Amphitheatre was just discovered in 1951. Just down the road in Maro are the prehistoric Nerja Caves, with some of the oldest cave paintings in the world. Picasso was born in Malaga and there’s always a lineup for his childhood home, Casa Natal Picasso, on the charming Plaza de La Merced. Nearby, there’s the Picasso Museum, and the Iglesia de Santiago church where Picasso’s parents were married and he was christened.  Find even more things to see and do in Malaga here!

    1. Sentinel de las Bodegas

    Near Malaga is the small white village of Sentinel de las Bodegas, where homes and restaurants sit under a massive limestone rock formation along a canyon. In the morning, it’s already crowded on the village’s most popular street, Calle Herrería, and the tables are full at cafes along Calle Cueva del Sol (Caves of the Sun) and Calle Cuevas de la Sombra (Caves of the Shade). Sentinel de las Bodegas is a place for photography and geology buffs, with scenic photos of winding streets, cafes and boutiques. Sentinel is known for its leather and you’ll see lots of shops. 

    My advice: arrive early for a cortado and photographs and leave before the buses arrive. 

    sentinel de las bodegas spain

    Enjoy a coffee under a massive limestone rock in Sentinel/ Photo by Carolyn Ray

    2. Ronda: City of bridges

    From Malaga, the best way to get to Ronda is by car.  I highly recommend renting a zippy Fiat 500 at the train station (find a rental car here), turning up the music and letting your hair fly in the wind. The main sight in Ronda is the Puento Nuevo (new bridge), which connects two plateaus separated by the Tajo de Ronda gorge. This is actually the second bridge; the first one collapsed in 1735.  For the best view of the ‘new’ bridge, walk down to Arco de Crista or near the Parador Hotel in the early morning, when the sun is shining on the gorge. In the early afternoon, there are shadows. Don’t miss a visit to the Arab Baths, which are located near the Roman Bridge (the original entrance to the city).  It’s very steep so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

    Near the bullring, visit the tourism office and pick up a municipal ticket for €9 (retired rate), which gives you access to all of the tourist places. There’s also a street named after Hemingway, who spent a considerable amount of time in Ronda. Modern bullfighting was practically invented here when local bullfighter Pedro Romero decided to confront the bull on foot instead of on a horse. In addition to naming a character Pedro Romero in his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway also wrote two non-fiction books about Ronda: Death in the Afternoon (1932) and The Dangerous Summer (1985). More information here.

    Where to stay: Parador de Ronda, with incredible views of the gorge and valley.

    Ronda’s astonishng Puento Nuevo bridge at sunset / By Carolyn Ray

    parador mobile

    get your guide day trips banner

    spain parador discount banner

    3. Arcos de la Frontera

    About an hour from Ronda and 35 km from Jerez, Arcos de la Frontera is perched on top of 330-foot cliff, with a view best seen from a leisurely lunch on the patio at the Parador de Arcos. Driving is not advised, as the streets can be very narrow, and most cars park below. I was enthralled watching a delivery van slowly squeeze between two stone walls, and even clapped when it emerged.

    Arcos is known for its unique architectural heritage, which is a blend of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, Plateresque and Baroque styles. In the centre of town, the Church of San Pedro is a 15th–17th century church built on the site of a 14th-century Al-Andalusian fortress or watchtower, and there’s even a writer’s street. A nod back to its origins as a trading centre, there are Roman pillars throughout the old town. It was after the reconquest that Arcos received its name, meaning “of the Frontier,” as it became part of a strategic chain of towns adjacent to the last Muslim stronghold, the Nasrid Kingdom, for two centuries. 

    Oddly, the Castle of Arcos la Frontera is privately owned, and if you’re in the market for  12 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, it could be yours for €7.8 million euros. According to the listing, “a terrace of more than 50 meters runs along the base of the wall, at the edge of the rock, offering a privileged spot to view the meanders of the Guadalete River and the flight of falcons.” Is the panoramic view worth it? You can be the judge, watch the Sotheby’s video here.

    arcos hillside spain

    The view from the parador: Arcos de la Frontera is known as the gateway to the Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) route / Credit Carolyn Ray

    4. Jerez, Spain’s most underrated city?

    Jerez de la Frontera is about a three-hour train ride from Malaga, and it’s worth staying more than one day. Not only is it very walkable, with broad avenues and lush greenery, it just doesn’t feel touristy. After spending the day with my guide, we stopped at a cafe and no less than five people stopped to say hello, showing me how friendly everyone is.

    Jerez is the home of Sherry (Jerez means sherry in Arabic), with world-famous sherry tastings at Bodegas Gonzales Byass. Inside their Bodega Los Reyes, there are also casks signed by famous celebrities and politicians, including Caroline Kennedy in July 1972, Deborah Kerr in 1974, Charlton Heston in 1975, and generations of the Royal Family. There’s also a special plaque where King Alfonso XIII signed the first historic cask of Bodegas Fundador brandy in 1874. The biggest surprise of all? This is where Harvey’s Bristol Cream is made, in Jerez. 

    Jerez is also known as the birthplace of flamenco, which is listed by UNESCO as as Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity. At Tabanco El Pasaje, the city’s oldest wine bar, we sat clustered together at small tables just a few feet from the dancers, sharing iberico ham and small glasses of wine, making this a more authentic flamenco experience.

    And if that’s not enough, Jerez boasts one of the world’s most famous equestrian schools, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, featuring the prestigious Carthusian horse breed, a link that dates back to the 15th century. The Carriage Museum has an extensive collection of carriages and harnesses dating back to the 1800s, and is well worth a visit. Book well in advance – get tickets here. 

    horses at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez Spain

    The dancing horses at the world-famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera/ Credit Carolyn Ray

    Read More: If you need inspiration for Spain, read our Women’s Guide to Spain here.

    5. Córdoba: An Awe-Inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site

    From Malaga, take the train and the #3 bus from the train station to get to the old down (check train schedules here).

    Be the first in the door to visit the awe-inspiring Mezquita-Catedral, one of the most famous monuments of Western Islamic (Moorish) architecture in Spain. Built from 784-786 AD by Abd al-Rahman, its 800 granite and marble striped arches in the main Muslim prayer space are a place of wonder. The mihrab has been painstakingly restored to its original splendour, framed by an exquisitely decorated arch of gold glass with shimmering hues of blue, brown, and yellow.

    Córdoba has miraculously survived for thousands of years, through dynasties, wars, and earthquakes. In the eighth century, it was taken over by Muslim conquests and became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba. It has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than anywhere in the world, including the Alcázar, the Roman bridge and the Mezquita-Catedral (Great Mosque of Córdoba), which is now a cathedral. The UNESCO status has since been expanded to encompass the whole historic centre of Córdoba, Medina-Azahara and Festival de los Patios, a 12-day festival that happens in May.

    In the old city, stay at the Balcon de Cordoba, which includes breakfast. I also stopped in at La Ermita Hotel, which has only 17 rooms and is designed for accessible travel, with Braille on the hand rails and an elevator.

    get your guide

    get your guide day trips banner

    cordoba view across river spain

    Córdoba’s beautiful Old Roman Bridge and Mezquita Catedral from across the river/ Photo by Carolyn Ray

    6. Frigliana and Nerja

    From Malaga, take an Alsa bus to Nerja (they leave from the Estación De Autobuses De Málaga (located next to the María Zambrano train station) or the Malaga port. Buses arrive at the Nerja bus stop/station located on Avenida de Pescia, and it’s an easy walk to the centre of town is the Balcón de Europa, a large rock that extends out into the ocean. From here, you can see up and down the rocky coast. Nerja is best seen by foot, as parking can be very difficult to find especially in July and August during the high season. My favourite time to visit Nerja is in the winter, during the Three Kings Festival in January.

    From Nerja, take a short 10-minute bus up to Frigliana, which is known as one of the Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España (most beautiful villages in Spain). Here, there are small shops with locally made handicrafts lining the streets that make it feel like an artist’s colony. The colourful blue doors and whitewashed buildings make this town so picturesque. Every street is cared for, with terracotta flower pots and beautifully designed pebbled walkways. One of the most popular is Calle Zacatin, which leads to the top of the hill, where there are spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. 

    Cafes and restaurants line the streets, making it the perfect place for a long, leisurely lunch. Keep in mind most shops open around 10 am and close in the afternoon, then open again around 5 pm. As a result, Frigliana tends to be very crowded in the mornings, with buses from cruise ships. My favourite places include Vinos Ed Lagar for an afternoon beverage, and El Burro for coffee. There’s a lovely interior design store called Encarna and lots of handicrafts local available. For more information, click here.

    The Parador de Nerja is under renovation until late 2027 or 2028 but there are plenty of small hotels in Nerja or Frigliana. Find the perfect place to stay in Nerja right here!

    Nerja beach picturesque Spanish town

    Nerja’s stunning coastline and the Balcon de Europa/ Photo by Envato

    Make it happen

    When to go: The busiest time in Spain is during Holy Week in April; why not try the time between September and February? Avoid the summer, especially August, as this is when most Spaniards take a month off.

    How to get to Andalucia: From Canada, you can fly into Malaga or Madrid on Air Canada, Air Transat and Air France. There is a new direct flight on Air Transaat from Montreal to Malaga. Check flights here.

    Travel by train: Spain has a very good bus and train network. There is a high-speed train from Malaga to just about anywhere.  Book your train trip here on Trainline.

    Day trips: Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find a day trip, including transportation, from Malaga. 

    Rent a car: Most of the major brands, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar operate in Spain, with car rentals available at the train stations. Find a rental car here. 

    Where to stay in Spain: There are so many beautiful hotels in Spain and its historical paradors are unique.  To look for hotels recommended by women in Spain, click here or check Booking.com.

    Disclaimer: Our talented writers are often invited by tourism boards and travel companies to experience places like this firsthand so that they can share them with you. As a guest of the Tourist Office of Spain, Carolyn Ray was hosted on a trip to white villages in Andalucia but was not compensated for her time spent researching, planning and writing this feature, nor was JourneyWoman for publishing it. In addition, the host organizations did not review this article before it was published, a practice that allows the writer to express her perspective with integrity and candor.

    More from Spain to Discover

    The post The Best Day Trips from Malaga: White Villages, Natural Wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites appeared first on JourneyWoman.

    This post was originally published on this site.