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7 Smart Ways to Drink More Water

Drinking enough water is a great way to keep your skin healthy, stay energized throughout the day, and keep your digestive system in tip-top shape. Since your body is mostly water, you need a lot of it to function properly.

Few of us actually drink enough water and most get nowhere near 8 glasses 8 times a day. Sixty four ounces is a lot of water to drink, unless it’s spaced throughout the day.

But if you drink enough every day, you will feel incredible. So if you want to feel and perform your best, follow these seven “hacks” for tricking yourself into drinking more water.

1. Flavor Your Water

By “flavor your water” we’re not talking about using sugar-filled flavor packets. The added sugar and chemical additives would defeat the whole purpose of a healthy drink.

Instead, flavor water by adding a favorite fruit or veggie. Try one or more of these popular choices:

Orange slices
Cucumber slices
Lemon or lime slices
Mint leaves

As the fruits and veggies soak in the water, the flavors are infused throughout, making it taste delicious. And when it tastes amazing, you’ll be naturally motivated to drink more of it.

2. Place Water in your Line of Sight

If you put your water on your desk, or carry it with you wherever you go, you’re going to drink more water. It’s that simple.

When something is in front of you, you’re constantly reminded of it as your eyes glance over the object. For instance, when candy or doughnuts are placed on the breakroom table, they’re a real temptation. But move the treats to a cabinet that’s rarely used? They’re much easier to resist.

The same works for positive habits like drinking water. When you keep your water nearby at all times, it tricks you into drinking more.

3. Use a Travel-Friendly Bottle

In order to bring your water with you to work or on-the-go, it’s important to have a travel-friendly water bottle.

Avoid plastic bottles which can leech harmful chemicals into the water. Even BPA-Free plastic should be avoided, since BPS and other plastic alternatives continue to show the potential to disrupt hormones.

Opt for a glass water bottle when possible. When working out or traveling or you just want a bottle that won’t break, go for stainless steel. You can even find double-walled insulated bottles (like Thinksport) that keep your beverage ice cold for hours.

4. Make it a Morning Habit

One of the first things health experts do when they wake up is drink a tall glass of water.

Not only does this help you reach your daily half-gallon goal, drinking water first thing in the morning is important because your body has been without it for the past 6-8 hours while sleeping.

Add lemon slices to get your digestive system moving and energize the body.

5. Set Reminders or Mini-Goals

An effective way to meet your daily recommended water intake is to set reminders or mini-goals.

If you’re tech-savvy, you can set reminders on your phone to prompt you to drink more water every couple of hours.

Some people don’t like the distraction of phone reminders because they need to maintain a lot of focus during the day, so try this as an alternative:

You can use a wax pen to write visual reminders on a glass water bottle, without permanently staining it. Maybe your goal is 24 ounces by lunch, so just write the ounces and times and it’ll help keep you on track.

6. Eat Your Water

If you still have trouble drinking enough water during the day, you can also try eating your water.

In other words, eat foods with a high percentage of water such as cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, cauliflower, grapefruit or cantaloupe.

The only downfall to this method is to watch your sugar intake. On the plus side you’ll get added antioxidants and filling fiber with your water.

Or you can bump up your water intake by mixing up a green juice, which provides abundant, energizing nutrition in a convenient drink.

7. Replace Soda (or Sports Drinks) with Water

Are you in the habit of drinking soda with your meals? Even diet soda is detrimental to your health.

We won’t cover all the ways the added sugar is harmful, or how caffeine can add to dehydration, but suffice it to say you want to limit soda intake.

Try swapping soda out with infused water or sparkling water. You’ll feel significantly better throughout the day.

If you do need an extra energy bump, aim for natural sources instead.

The Bottom Line

If you’re not taking measures to drink enough water every day, there’s a high chance you’re not getting enough.

As a result, you can become chronically dehydrated and experience a range of symptoms including mind-numbing fatigue, dry skin, digestive issues, and much more.

And if you’ve felt these symptoms all your life, it’s easy to assume they are just “normal” whereas in reality, they are likely the result of chronic dehydration.

So give it a try, and make it a goal to drink 64 ounces of water every day for the next month. You may be pleasantly surprised by how amazing you feel simply by drinking more water every day.

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the 2KHeroes Foundation.

Recipe by Jen Hulett. Touchstone Essentials’ Chief Creative Officer takes her creativity into the kitchen to create tasty recipes full of goodness

Strawberry Watermelon Popsicles

Deliciously refreshing, these strawberry watermelon popsicles are so yummy kids (and grown-ups) will keep asking for more. And with 44 organic superfoods inside you’ll never have to say no. Get watermelon while it’s in season, make extras and keep them in the freezer for when you need a cooling shot of summer.

Strawberry Watermelon Popsicle Recipe (makes 6)

6 Popsicle Molds and Sticks
1 scoop Super Green Juice powder
2 cups (16 oz.) fresh chopped seedless watermelon
2-3 fresh mint leaves
1 cup (8 oz.) chopped organic strawberries
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered honey (vegan? try maple syrup)

Instructions

Set aside ¼ cup of strawberries, drizzle with a little warmed honey and touch of lime juice.
Blend watermelon, ¾ cup of strawberries, mint leaves, remainder of honey, and lime juice until liquid. Set aside ½ cup.
Take main liquid, add a scoop of Super Green Juice and blend well.
Drop a few of the strawberries you set aside into each of your 6 Popsicle molds. Keep some to add at the end.
Pour the ½ cup of pink liquid you saved equally into the 6 molds.
Slowly pour the main Super Green Juice mixture into the 6 molds, then top off with the remainder of the chopped strawberries.
Freeze and enjoy!

Tip: You can make a refreshing drink too; simply blend all ingredients except honey, then taste and add honey to your preference.

The Good Inside

Deliciously sweet and hydrating, watermelon is full of a special antioxidant called lycopene renowned for its cell protective abilities.

Strawberries are a tasty addition with vitamin C and added antioxidants for anti-aging and brain support. Limes alkalize the body and support digestive health, and are full of immunity building vitamin C. Mint adds antioxidants and is renowned for its ability to soothe the digestive system.

Raw honey is a superfood sweetener. It’s a potent mix of fructose, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that acts as an antioxidant. For a full vegan option, pick agave or organic maple syrup.

A scoop of Super Green Juice powder provides 44 organic superfoods. Inside are vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, 3g of fiber and 3g of plant protein.

Each Strawberry Watermelon Popsicle comes in at only about 60 calories, making it a healthy treat you can savor and share with everyone.

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the 2KHeroes Foundation.

How Caffeine Can Boost Your Workout

Exercise has a long list of health benefits, and everyone wants to get the most out of their workout routine. The ideal scenario is one where you can boost your workout productivity so you can see the biggest results with the least amount of time and effort spent.

While a lot of workout advice focuses on how to recover after exercise, workout productivity is often a result of what happens before you hit the gym. And that’s where some caffeine can make the difference.

When consumed about 45 minutes before working out, natural caffeine is the secret sauce of maximizing your athletic performance. Here are 6 ways caffeine can give your workout a boost…

1. Boosts Power and Energy

One of the main benefits you will notice right away with caffeine before exercise is that it will improve your performance. One study published in Sports Medicine, for example, concluded that caffeine is a powerful ergogenic aid—in other words, caffeine improves exercise performance (1).

The study specifically noted that caffeine can allow athletes to train with more power and for longer durations without getting fatigued. Another study echoed the ergogenic effects of caffeine with improved results in cyclists (2).

2. Stimulates Fat Loss

If you exercise to get lean and trim down, research suggests that caffeine can help expedite your goals by stimulating fat loss. Taking caffeine before exercise can help you burn more calories.

One study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, found that athletes who took caffeine before exercise burned around 15% more calories following a workout compared to those who didn’t supplement with caffeine (3).

Pre-workout caffeine can also encourage your body to use fat cells as a source of energy. It accomplishes this by stimulating your nervous system to release norepinephrine (4). In turn, the spike in norepinephrine encourages the breakdown of fat cells.

Read More: 5 Steps to a Lean, Toned Tummy

3. Improves Circulation

Research suggests that caffeine can also improve your circulation. One team of Japanese researchers discovered that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee improved capillary circulation by 30 percent (5).

So how does this help your workouts? When you have better circulation, your tissues have more oxygen and other essential nutrients. As a result, your muscles will have a higher level of performance throughout a workout.

4. More Fuel for Your Next Workout

Your muscles use a compound called glycogen for energy. The more you exert yourself during a workout, the more glycogen you use. The problem is, your body doesn’t have an unlimited supply of glycogen.

When you use up all your glycogen, your muscles become fatigued and weak. Research has found that caffeine combined with carbohydrates can improve how much glycogen is resupplied to your muscles after a workout (6).

This means your muscles will have significantly more energy the next time you exercise. So, you can work out several days in a row without muscle fatigue getting in the way.

5. Boosts Motivation

Sometimes having the motivation to drag yourself to the gym or out for a walk is the biggest challenge of them all. Especially when you’re exhausted or not in the right mood. This is where caffeine shines.

A large body of evidence shows that caffeine can boost your energy and alertness, giving you the nudge you need to get moving (7).

Had a bad day at work? Bored of your current workout routine? Supplementing with natural caffeine sources such as green tea or coffee before your workout can make all the difference.

There’s also evidence that taking adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola rosea can provide an extra boost of motivation.

6. May Prevent Muscle Loss

As you age, you lose muscle mass much easier. It’s an unfortunate biological fact. The good news is, caffeine in addition to exercise can help preserve your muscle tissues from degrading.

When you consume caffeine, it triggers the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF (8). Among many other tasks, BDNF is shown to play a role in muscle regeneration (9). Which means caffeine may help prevent muscle loss.

Observational evidence supports this notion as well. One study in Korea, for example, found that people who consistently drank coffee experienced considerably less muscle loss (sarcopenia) (10).

But Don’t Reach for Energy Drinks

Not all sources of caffeine are created equal. Sure, gulping down an energy drink may give you a temporary surge in energy, but energy drinks are horrible for your health otherwise.

Energy drinks and sodas are not only loaded with sugar and other toxic ingredients, they are spiked with synthetic caffeine that is made in Chinese factories, and may only sabotage your performance in the long run.

So, what are healthy sources of caffeine? Green tea tops the list as not only does it provide natural caffeine, it comes with beneficial catechins including EGCG, which supports fat burning.

Regular coffee also works, with anywhere between 70 to 180mg of natural caffeine per cup depending on the brew and brand (11). Make sure to opt for organic blends as both conventional tea and coffee are heavily sprayed with toxic pesticides.

Another good option is to pick an organic supplement with natural caffeine botanicals, including green tea and green coffee extract. Green coffee is preferred since it also provides chlorogenic acid, which has antioxidant properties and supports healthy metabolism (12).

Taken in moderation, especially 45 minutes before a workout, natural caffeine can be a valuable tool in achieving optimal athletic performance. Just make sure to monitor your caffeine intake from all sources. Most guidelines recommend sticking to under 200mg of caffeine a day, and not exceeding 400mg daily to avoid any negative health effects

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the 2KHeroes Foundation.

Banana Latte Power Smoothie

Start the day with a delightfully creamy latte that gives you the fuel to power through your to-do list. Over 20g of plant protein satisfies any hunger pangs, plus energizing MCTs help to crush mid-morning cravings. It’s a delicious way to get a quick coffee fix and the goodness your body needs.

Banana Latte Power Smoothie

1 banana (can also be chopped & frozen)
2 to 3 ice cubes (if using fresh banana)
¾ cup (6 oz.) of almond milk
½ to 1 teaspoon organic instant coffee powder
1 tablespoon almond butter
2 scoops Organic Super Protein

Instructions

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy!

The Good Inside

Coffee gives the latte its signature flavor, natural caffeine to get your circuits going, and antioxidant support.

Banana adds a smooth creamy texture, a touch of sweetness, and potassium to replenish minerals. Almond butter gives a mild nutty flavor and comes with natural vitamin E.

Two scoops of Organic Super Protein provide 18g of plant protein sourced from organic superfoods, energizing MCTs that satisfy cravings, and organic omegas to support heart health.

With just a few minutes of prep, you can have a power smoothie that satisfies your coffee fix AND gives you nourishing superfoods to get your day started on the right track.

Recipe by Jen Hulett. Touchstone Essentials’ Chief Creative Officer takes her creativity into the kitchen to create tasty recipes full of goodness.

Exposing the Real Dangers of Weed Killers

Farmer spraying toxic glyphosate on crops

The weed killer glyphosate—infamously known as Roundup—can be found everywhere: lawns, gardens, parks, soil, rivers and even in the rain (1). But household use of this herbicide is dwarfed by its use in agriculture. And herein lies the problem.

Over the past several years, scientists have discovered that exposure to glyphosate-containing weed killers is a huge threat to public health. And it’s a risk that keeps growing.

The rise of GMO crops—including corn, soy, and canola—has led to a skyrocketing use of glyphosate with almost 300 million pounds applied each year (2). Genetically engineered crops (GMOs) were designed to withstand this toxic herbicide, so it can be sprayed and kill the weeds but not the crop.

But this weed killer is not just used on GMO foods. A variety of non-organic crops including wheat, oats, rye, peas and millet may all be treated with glyphosate to ready the crops for harvesting (3).

The result is that this weed killer has become an unwelcome and often unknown addition to virtually all the food we eat (4).

Glyphosate for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

That bowl of oat cereal for breakfast? It comes with a sprinkling of glyphosate. Testing by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that every single sample of oat-based products they tested showed levels of glyphosate. Glyphosate in Cereal

Image: Environmental Working Group (EWG)

Some of these samples had shockingly high levels of glyphosate. For example, the Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut cereal showed a result of 2,837 ppb (parts per billion), far above the 160 ppb that the EWG considers safe (5).

Planning on a sandwich for lunch? You’re likely getting a slice of glyphosate with your bread. Testing by the UK government revealed that 60% of bread sold there had pesticide residues, most frequently, glyphosate (6).

And no matter what you plan for dinner, chances are you’ll get a serving of glyphosate too. Testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found glyphosate in 30 percent of all foods sampled (7).

When you consider you may be eating some glyphosate at every meal, the level of exposure becomes quite worrisome.

Evidence-Based Dangers of Glyphosate

According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), glyphosate is classified as “probably carcinogenic” (8). This may explain why eating organic is linked to a reduced risk of cancer.

In August 2018, a heated court case opened the world’s eyes to the potential cancer risk of Monsanto’s glyphosate-containing weed killers (9).

A California court ordered Monsanto to pay $289 million in damages to a man dying of cancer. Dewayne Johnson, a 46-year-old father, developed a severe and fatal form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As a school groundskeeper, he was repeatedly exposed to Monsanto’s Roundup and several other glyphosate-based weed killers.

But cancer isn’t the only concern with glyphosate. Researchers have found links between glyphosate and many different health issues.

Glyphosate is associated with rising rates of gluten intolerance (10)
Research shows glyphosate can negatively affect the microbiome in the gut, which creates a pathway for diseases to develop (11)
Studies in mice showed glyphosate promotes anxiety and depressive-like behaviors (12)
Research on human cell lines show that glyphosate harms human cells by disrupting their protective membrane (13)
Animal studies show that glyphosate can reduce mitochondrial function and negatively affect neurotransmitter activity (14)

The thing is, glyphosate isn’t the only concern. That’s because glyphosate interacts with the other ingredients in weed killer products, which can make it even more dangerous.

Glyphosate is Not a Lone Wolf

Glyphosate is rarely used on its own. It’s usually combined with a cocktail of proprietary “inert ingredients” that result in what we know as a chemical weed killer or herbicide.

According to Caroline Cox, research director of the Center for Environmental Health, the term “inert ingredient” is completely misleading (15). Cox explains that Federal regulations label any pesticide ingredients that don’t harm pests as “inert.” But that doesn’t mean inert chemicals are safe.

Research shows commercially available herbicides are much more toxic than glyphosate alone. One “inert ingredient” in some variations of Roundup is called polyethoxylated tallow amines or POEAs. This chemical surfactant was found to express a variety of toxic effects to humans (16).

The Glyphosate Cover Up

”Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food, our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the F.D.A.’s job.’‘ ~A quote from a Monsanto Executive in the New York Times.

The court case with Dewayne Johnson not only exposed the dangers of glyphosate-based herbicides, but also how Monsanto has allegedly covered up the dangers.

Whenever a study was published that revealed the dangers of glyphosate herbicides, Monsanto “pushed its version of the science into the public realm through ghostwritten work that was designed to appear independent and thus more credible” according to The Guardian.

The Guardian’s report also mentioned evidence was put forth that indicated the company allegedly worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to suppress the evidence of potential harm.

So not only was Monsanto found responsible for Dewayne Johnson’s cancer, but the jury also determined that there was “’clear and convincing evidence’ that Monsanto’s officials acted with ‘malice or oppression’ in failing to adequately warn of the risks,” reported The Guardian.

How to Avoid Glyphosate

Since glyphosate-based weed killer residues can be found seemingly everywhere, it’s impossible to completely avoid it. What you can do is minimize your exposure to protect your health.

Most importantly, purchase organic food whenever possible. If you’re on a budget, aim to buy these 15 foods as organic, as they typically have the highest contamination levels for pesticides and herbicides.

Invest in a reverse osmosis filter or other filter that can remove glyphosate, along with toxic heavy metals from your water.

You can also support your body’s natural detoxification process by eating foods that support detoxing and using liquid zeolite for a daily detox.

When it comes to staying safe from weed killers, consistency is key. The effects of weed killers aren’t likely to happen overnight unless you’re exposed to large amounts of it. It’s the constant chronic exposure in our food supply that presents a long-term risk.

It takes a daily commitment of eating organic, regular detoxification and healthy habits if you want to protect your health from the adverse effects of weed killers. But by minimizing your exposure to glyphosate, your future self may thank you.

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the 2KHeroes Foundation.

By djgriffiths, 5 years ago

7 Ways to Stay Safe from Coronavirus

To date, more than 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with over 100,000 deaths, and many more new coronavirus cases are emerging on a daily basis. Already more than 500,000 cases have been confirmed within the United States with thousands of deaths. And health officials fear this is just the tip of the iceberg (1).

On Monday, March 2, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Tom Frieden declared, “Never before has a new pathogen emerged and caused a global spread like this. It has the ability to cause enormous social and economic disruption.”

It doesn’t help that this new coronavirus may have been circulating undetected in the United States, possibly for weeks. Or that test kits from the CDC were flawed and limited in number, so cases may have slipped through the net (2).

On Tuesday, March 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the mortality rate of the virus was much higher than previous estimates, an alarming 3.4% (3). Finally, on Wednesday, March 11 the WHO declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.

While many cases (an estimated 80%) are mild, the number of severe and critical cases is very worrisome. Research shows people over 60 and those with underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are at the greatest risk.

Public health officials in the U.S. have moved to try and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, with school closures, quarantines, and travel disruptions. Already some store shelves are empty of supplies. On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency to free up resources and funds to fight the rapid spread of cases and the economic impact. And now, the United States is considered the epicenter of the pandemic with the most confirmed cases in the world.

Yes, this is a new virus, and there are a lot of unknowns for the days and months ahead. But there are also some tried and true strategies that can help you be prepared and stay safe. Here are 7 top virus protection tips.

1. Wash Your Hands

Like other viruses, the majority of coronavirus infections may not happen from breathing viral droplets. Instead, most infections will come from your own hands. Or rather, from what your hands came in contact with.

Viral particles attach and stick to surfaces that we unconsciously touch – a door handle, a receipt, a coffee cup. And then we touch our faces, introducing the virus to our eyes, nose or mouth.

That’s why it’s vital to wash your hands often, with soap and water. Every time before you eat or drink, and really scrub them for about 20 seconds. This simple step can greatly reduce your chances of viral transmission.

2. Get Enough Sleep

What does sleep have to do with staying safe from viruses? It’s simple… without enough restful sleep your immune system is depressed and more vulnerable to viruses, and research shows that includes coronaviruses.

A study published in the prestigious JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who had less than 7 hours of sleep were 3 times more likely to develop a cold—a type of coronavirus—than those who had 8+ hours a night (4).

If you find it difficult to get enough sleep, consider CBD Oil before bed, and try these strategies to get the best sleep of your life.

3. Avoid Sick People

If you don’t come in contact with people who have signs of respiratory illnesses, your chances of catching one are greatly reduced. That means not shaking hands or getting close to someone who is coughing or sneezing.

Right now, most people with the sniffles are unlikely to have the coronavirus, but taking precautions such as avoiding packed trains, elevators or other places where personal space is compromised is a sensible step.

And when you do encounter coughing people, turn away if possible, and make a note to avoid touching your face until you can wash your hands thoroughly.

4. Manage Stress Levels

Life can be stressful enough on any given day. Add a new coronavirus into the mix and it’s hard not to worry that the world as we know it could end.

But using stress management techniques that work is vital. That’s because stress can weaken your immune system. In fact, researchers discovered that stress lowered all aspects of immunity, making it more likely you’ll get sick (5).

One of the best ways to keep calm is to include CBD-rich hemp oil in your day since cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective against stress (6).

5. Eat More Fruits & Veggies

Most emergency supplies consist of canned tuna and processed soup. Sure, it’ll give you calories, but not much else. Now’s the time to invest a little extra in good quality nutrition.

Organic berries (stock up on frozen), and organic green veggies are nature’s multivitamins. They come complete with the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs to stay healthy.

Short on time and space? Superfood powders are a shortcut to boost intake due to the high number of veggies and low cost per serving. And research shows drinking an organic green juice every day has huge health benefits.

Adding a few extra canisters of Super Green Juice or Organic Super Protein to your supplies can give you dozens of nutrient-dense smoothies without taking up much shelf space.

6. Detox Daily with Zeolite

Toxins are one of the little-known ways that your immune system can underperform. Research shows that heavy metals such as lead can decrease the number of NK (natural killer) cells, lowering immunity (7).

Clinoptilolite zeolite is renowned for detoxing heavy metals, and a wide range of health benefits. Initial clinical research suggests that natural zeolite Clinoptilolite may also have antiviral properties. This research showed that Clinoptilolite zeolite inhibited viral proliferation of several types of viruses (8).

Zeolite has not been tested against coronaviruses, and currently there is no approved treatment for covid-19. What we do know is that by removing toxins, the right zeolite can support your immune system and overall wellness.

7. Strengthen Your Immune System

The difference between a mild case of coronavirus and one that is more severe may very well come down to how someone’s immune system responds.

That’s why many of the previous steps speak to the importance of your own immune system being strong enough to evade and fight off any pathogens. Read our complete seasonal immunity guide here to stay healthy.

We’re in this together,

This article is provided for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. You are encouraged to form your own conclusions based on reputable sources. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

By djgriffiths, 5 years ago

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

Unemployment for recent veterans has hit a historic low, but it’s not clear how many veterans are able to use their military experience to get meaningful employment.

The most recent generation of war veterans came home to a pretty rough economy. Joblessness for younger veterans back in 2011 was more than 12 percent, much worse than the rate for nonveterans. That number is now down to below 4 percent, but what that figure doesn’t show is the quality of that employment. Most of our veterans either found themselves unemployed or underemployed – underemployed being the worst.

The government doesn’t measure underemployment because it’s hard to define. One study did find that 43 percent of veterans leave their first civilian job within 12 months. Veterans’ unemployment is at a historic low, and plenty of companies advertise that they hire vets. But too many of those are dead-end jobs, he says, that don’t leave time to look for a better one.

Being a fast food manager or crossing guard is not the type of job that requires combat training or counterinsurgency experience.

The employment market was full at one point in time with people in business and government who had military experience. But now it’s only a tiny percentage who served, so a tiny number who know that a corpsman has a lot of medical knowledge or a quartermaster knows about logistics.

The employment market is not aware of how military skills relate, but you have veterans who also don’t know how to articulate military skills either in a way that civilians can understand.

The 2KHero Scholarship program has been established to give veterans an opportunity to start their own business, by providing operating capital and education through the startup phase of their business.

Considering the hundreds of thousands of dollars it takes to train a soldier, many of the government programs setup to transition them back into society are simply not meeting their needs. The 2KHeroes Foundation is providing this opportunity for our Veterans, which will piggyback their military training by giving them additional business training and support. This additional training and support will enable them to contribute to society along with providing a substantial income for themselves.

How can you help…You can donating to the 2KHero scholarship fund by simply clicking the donate button, each donation will provide a business opportunity for another Veteran

By djgriffiths, 6 years ago

Unemployed Veterans Looking for Help

Many of our Veterans are looking for a seamless transition back into society, the 2KHero Scholarship program will help provide a vehicle for such a transition.

We have recognized that there are several problems associated with employment and our Veterans, which are taking a toll on when and how they become employed. Some are left with that feeling of “What’s my purpose” or “Why did I survive” and on the other hand many of them are just looking for a way to contribute to society. No matter the problem, many of our Government programs are simply not working for our Veterans.

The opportunity to move on with their lives can sometime become overwhelming and lead to other more complicated problems, such as pour self-esteem and eventually homelessness.

The 2KHero Scholarship programs meets these problems head on and delivers a way out for many of our Veterans, so they can own and operate their own business.

How can you help…You can donating to the 2KHero scholarship fund by simply clicking the donate button, each donation will provide an opportunity for another Veteran to move one step closer in their desire for employment.

By djgriffiths, 6 years ago