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February 19, 2015 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly Fruit of the Gods
Clockwise from the top right: nata_vkusidey/bigstock.com, Awindle/bigstock.com
Premarital Workshop
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ossibly the most decadent of fruits—the striking red, fragrant, heart-shaped and juicy strawberry is the fruit of choice for gods and lovers. Dunked in chocolate, whipped cream or chomped straight off the vine, there can be no wrong way to enjoy that which is divine by definition. Despite its name, this ubiquitous sweet is not a berry at all but in the same family as roses, apples and almonds. The versatile fruit can be used in juices, pies, ice creams, milkshakes, chocolates and is known as an aphrodisiac. Strawberries as we know them today were first bred in France during the 18th century. Prior to then, strawberry plants were used for medicinal purposes.
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It wasn’t until a French spy smuggled a sub-species of the strawberry plant and the two plants were bred—the fragaria chiloensis and the fragaria virginiana—that the strawberry was born. Today, you don’t need the assistance of a spy to get fresh, ripe strawberries. You can drop by your local farm and pick as many as you can eat. The best time to get your strawberries on Okinawa is now, and MCCS Tours+ can take you on March 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a strawberry spree. Eat as many as you want during your visit and take a pack home for ¥450 each. Prices for adults are $30, $20 for children 7 to 12, $16 for children 2 to 6 and FREE for children under 2.
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ying the knot should be a joyous time in your life full of love, laughter and happiness—not confusion and piles of paperwork. While it’s true that getting hitched overseas can create a few extra steps, it shouldn’t be overwhelming. Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB) will take you through the process so you can get all your questions answered in one, convenient place. The Premarital Workshop will cover everything you need to know about getting married in Japan and its neighboring countries. Topics will include family programs and resources, IPAC benefits, TRICARE services, legal services, immigration procedures, financial partnerships and even communication strategies. An array of subject matter experts will be on hand to answer all of your questions before taking the leap down the aisle. The workshop takes place monthly on Camp Foster at the Ocean Breeze every second Friday of the month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details or to register, please call MCFTB at 645-3689.
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