Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

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I never had a pet growing up and while I adopted my cats nearly 10 years ago, this is my first rodeo with a dog.

10 tips for keeping dogs safe in summer

Keeping your dog safe this summer is easy.

I couldn’t be more like a nervous first-time mom if I tried. I’ve spent a lot of time on Google reading about various canine topics. I should have bought a Dogs for Dummies book.

Summer came quickly here in eastern North Carolina and since the pup likes to run with me, I’ve been brushing up on my summer safety tips for dogs.

While many of these tips may be common knowledge, here are 10 reminders to keep your dog safe:

  1. Never leave an animal in a parked car. The interior temperature can reach more than 100 degrees in less than 5 minutes. In this video, a veterinarian shows how quickly it can reach deadly temperatures:
  2. If pets must be left outdoors during the day, provide them with a shady spot and lots of fresh water. Avoid using a doghouse for shade as it can trap heat and become just as hot as a closed vehicle. Consider filling a child’s pool with water for your pets to use to cool themselves.
  3. Taking your pet to the beach? Keep in mind that dogs can sunburn too. Apply a pet-safe sunscreen to their nose and ears every 30 minutes or limit their sun exposure.
  4. Exercise in early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler and don’t forget that hot asphalt can burn paw pads.

    Tips to keep your dog safe during the summer months.

    Walk your dog during the cooler times of the day.

  5. Carry ice packs to cool your dog when traveling. The ice packs double as drinking water once thawed.
  6. Summer thunderstorms and fireworks can scare some animals. Be sure they have a safe place to go if they are frightened.
  7. Keep pets off freshly fertilized or chemically-treated lawns. Citronella candles should be kept out of reach of pets too. Call Animal Poison Control if you think your pet has ingested any chemicals.
  8. Like children, keep your eye on animals near the water. Some dogs love the water, while others dislike it. Never throw a dog into the water.
  9. Bugs aren’t just annoyances to people. Be sure your pet is up-to-date with any flea and tick protection.
  10. Rinse dogs after they’ve been in the pool or ocean. Chlorine and saltwater can damage their coats and give them an upset stomach if ingested. A quick rinse in fresh water will do the trick.
10 summer safety tips for your dog

Does your dog enjoy the water?

In the summer excitement, don’t forget to enter to win some amazing products from Purina during National Pet Month!

 

7 Things to Buy in May

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May is a great time to take advantage of deep discounts. If you’re in the market for any of these 7 things make sure  you get them at a steal this month.

Mattresses

Need a reason to get a new mattress?

Need a reason to get a new mattress?

May is the best month to buy a mattress. If yours is 8 years or older, it’s time to get a new one. There’s a big secret when it comes to buying a mattress too…you don’t have to pay the price listed. That’s right, it’s haggle time. Just as you can talk your way into a better deal on a car, you can sweet talk the sales guy into a true deal on a mattress that is already discounted. Make sure you shop around first before forking out your hard earned dough though.

New Car

We all secretly covet a new car. You see ‘the one’ pass you on the highway and wish you were in the driver’s seat. Stop day dreaming and pay attention to the road! Now go buy your own car and let someone else drool over yours. First, make sure you get a good deal. A new ride is even sweeter when you’ve gotten it for a steal. Dealers are trying to clear out this year’s models to make room for the next so now’s the time to shop. How do you know you’re getting a good deal though? As with any big item, it’s all about research.

Vacation Packages

None wants to pay full price for a vacation. Plan ahead and take advantage of discounts this May. Everything from wedding packages, airline tickets and condo rentals to airfare upgrades and spa treatments are on sale. Booking online will get you the best price. For flights and hotels, Friday and Sunday are the most expensive days so try to avoid them.

Digital Cameras

With the upcoming vacation season, cameras will be on deep discount. Check out the camera at a retailer then go online and see if you can get a better deal. Some stores price match. The military exchange does and remember, there’s no sales tax.

Camping Gear

Planning a big family camping trip this summer? Tents and other outdoor gear will be marked down now. Make sure it fits your family’s needs or is accommodating to the particular plans you have for your vacation. A good deal is great but not if your whole family isn’t going to be comfortable. Don’t forget to use a promo code if you buy online!

Patio Furniture

patiofurnituresale

Make your patio fabulous with furniture at a great price

Deals on patio furniture are in full swing this month with extreme discounts and coupons. Pay attention to circulars and online deals for special offers on full sets of outdoor furniture. If you’re shopping at Target, note that each store does NOT price match. If you need 6 cushions but one store only has 5, you won’t get the deal on the 6th if you buy it in another Target if it isn’t on sale there.

Athletic Shoes

Now is a great time to purchase running and other athletic shoes. If you told yourself you’d get into running this spring and have yet to do it, here’s a step in the right direction. Kohl’s marks down shoes as far as 80% off and on Wednesdays seniors get an additional 15% off. Surprisingly, most stores mark down shoes on Wednesdays so don’t wait for the crowds on the weekends.

Knowing there are such great deals out there during May, what items are you planning to buy this month?

 

Special Needs Children Benefit from Pets

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My family got our first pet, a dog, 3 weeks ago. She is a sweetheart. We always knew we would get a dog someday and it just felt like the right time. I was a bit nervous about bringing a dog into the house with our son, Drew. He has Asperger’s and you never know what will bother him until it is in front of him. Even though he said he wanted a dog, I wasn’t sure if it would be a good choice.

Benefits of dogs for special needs children

Dogs can be great companions for children with autism.

I did a little bit of reading and found that a pet can be a wonderful companion for a child with autism or Asperger’s. One of the benefits that stood out to me was how kids with autism enjoy having a pet because dogs and cats do not use words to express their emotions. My son has a hard time talking about how he is feeling and by bonding with a dog, they both can express their feelings in other ways.

In some cases a dog can be trained to work with a child with autism. This is especially wonderful for more severe cases. It is great that dogs can help kids with special needs. If a child with autism tends to wonder off, a dog can keep them where they need to be.

Benefits of pets for autistic children.

My son quickly grew attached to the newest member of our family.

Since having the dog my son has shown her a lot of love by petting her or giving her hugs. He also tells me that he misses her if we have been out for a few hours. Although he isn’t like his brothers who wants to run and jump around with her, I can tell he already has a soft spot in his heart for her.

I want to say that she has brought out a side of him that we humans can’t. He is sweet with her, even on his rough days. I enjoy seeing them together and it confirms that getting her was the right decision for our family.

Are you a pet lover?

May is National Pet Month and Purina is giving away up to $100,000 in fun prizes to those of us with an affinity for our furry friends. For every person that plays their instant win game, Purina will donate $0.10 to Adopt-a-Pet.com. Check out Paw It Forward to win. Good luck!

How does a pet bring enjoyment to your special needs child?

 

 

Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

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Your Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

Will digital coupons offered through the commissary rewards card replaced my paper coupons?

Reward cards clutter my key ring. I haven’t met a reward card that I haven’t accepted, registered and asked the clerk to scan each time I purchase an item. If I don’t use a store loyalty card I worry I’ll miss an opportunity to save money.

When I read about the commissary rewards card available at my military commissary, I was surprised to learn that the commissary rewards card isn’t new. How in the world did I miss this commissary rewards card announcement? Is every military spouse forgoing traditional coupons from their Sunday newspaper in favor of digitally clipped ones on their commissary rewards card?

To answer these questions, I turned to my source for trusted knowledge about all things military– my local military spouses Facebook group. I was relieved to read many responses saying that they hadn’t heard of the commissary rewards card either. Many military spouses had questions. Few had the card.

Here are answers to your commissary rewards card questions.

How do I get a commissary rewards card?

Answer: Ask your military commissary cashier.  Unlike other stores where the cashier pushes the store loyalty card on you, that won’t happen at the commissary. You need to ask for it by name. In my experience, I felt like I was asking for a secret membership card, when the cashier handed me the card and kindly explained its purpose.

How long does it take to register?

Answer: I set up my account and loaded coupons on it in less than 2 minutes. I also emailed my list of available coupons to myself. I don’t have the commissary rewards card app for my Android yet. But I plan to download it and start using it this month.

Can I combine manufacturer coupons with the digital coupons on the commisary rewards card?

Answer: No. The commissary’s coupon policy states that shoppers can not “double” or “triple” coupons. If you have digital and paper coupons, be sure that you purchase enough items to cover the requirements for ALL coupons. The digital coupons on the commissary rewards card are the priority at the checkout. Once your card is scanned, those coupons are automatically used and can’t be saved for later use in favor of paper coupons. The digital coupons will always override any paper ones.

Your Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

The rewards card digital coupons override any paper ones.

When are new commissary rewards coupons available?

Answer: New offers will typically be posted every two to three weeks. It’s a good habit to review the available coupons before walking into your commissary. You can also sign up to receive email notifications.

Is the commissary rewards card worth it?

Answer: Of course! We know the military commissary is worth the trip, and who can say no to additional savings available at your fingertips?!

Military spouses across the country sing praises about the rewards card.  One military spouse Laura Emerson said “I use it every trip. I think it’s great and easy to use. I can usually upload the coupons I’m using right before I go in to the store.”

And they offer a wide range of various coupons! After registering my commissasry rewards card, I was offered 100 coupons. Quite a few of those coupons are really helpful, one of the which ($1 off 2 boxes of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars) is a great value to my family since my daughters regularly eat Nutri-Grain bars for breakfast.)$1 saved is $1 earned, right?!

Your Commissary Rewards Questions Answered

What are the benefits of a commissary rewards card?

 What are your questions about the commissary rewards card?

Cats and Dogs Can Live in Harmony

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The biggest worry I had about moving in with my guy wasn’t which dishes to keep or where to put my (smaller) television. I was worried about how our pets would get along.

dogs and cats can live in harmony

It doesn’t always have to be a fight with cats and dogs.

My cats (both male, 8 and 9 years old) had never met a dog before and are incredibly spoiled.

We tried introducing the cats to his dog –a 95-pound, 7-year-old female German shepherd– before the move and it did not go well. My cat, ironically named Lovie, bit my man after trying to attack his dog. Needless to say, I was convinced that our animals would be separated for life.

But our family, like any family needs time to blend and we found that time was all it took for our 3 “kids” to adjust to the change. (Or at least ignore each other, like good siblings.)

It took a few weeks of close supervision before they finally understood that they’re all here for good.

3 Tips for Cats and Dogs to Live in Harmony

How do your pets get along?

Here are 3 tips to get cats and dogs to cohabit without bloodshed.

Take it slow. Don’t force them to interact. Cats especially aren’t fond of being forced to do anything. Let them get used to the new space and new players on their own time. Use calming tools, if necessary. We used Bach Rescue Remedy and ComfortZone diffusers for both the cats and the dog.

Give them their own space. Cats need to feel like they have a safe haven in which to escape. We put a baby gate in an extra bedroom’s doorway so the cats could go in and out without worrying about the dog. The dog quickly learned that space wasn’t for her.

When they do interact, supervise but don’t interfere unless necessary. Just like siblings, they have to figure out what’s what on their own terms. Yes, our dog is about 5 times the size of the cats, but she won’t do much more than sniff them. If she’s too close, they let her know.

Honestly, the one with the biggest adjustment was me. Letting go of the worry and trusting that they would be OK was difficult for me. I wanted to hover all the time. But, the more I let them be, the faster they relaxed and got acquainted.

Maybe one day they will be best friends …


Or not. They are pretty set in their ways.

Love your pets? Enter to win a prize with Purina and Paw it Forward through June 3!

Military Spouse Club Myths Debunked

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Military spouse club members are snobby, uptight and always wear pearls. That was my unfavorable first impression after being welcomed to a military spouse club garden party nearly 8 years ago this September.

Military spouse clubs offer a variety of social events.

Military spouse clubs offer a variety of social events.

Boy was I wrong.

Since that garden party, I realized that military spouse clubs, for either officers or enlisted, are a wonderful avenue to quickly make friends with similar interests and to connect with women and men who can answer my endless questions. (Who is your hairdresser?) The military spouse club is the ultimate welcome wagon when you move to a new military installation. Literally every club member has been in your shoes and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you.

Haven’t joined a military spouse club yet? What’s your excuse? What misconceptions do you have?

Here are 3 military spouse club myths debunked once and for all.

Cookie-Cutter Military Spouses

I’ve known military spouses with Mohawks and unconventional hair coloring. She has a bright tattoo on her bicep and sells homemade jewelry on Etsy. He is a veteran who stays at home with their children. There isn’t a cookie-cutter military spouse.

Today’s military spouse club members are as diverse as the Armed Forces itself. There are people from every race, culture, and background. There are spouses who work outside the home and others may be homeschooling their children. The group is made up of spouses who may or may not have children. Their spouse may be retired from the military. Male spouses are becoming more active members in recent years. I think that happened around the time the word “wives” was replaced with “spouses” in the nonprofit organizations’ names. Most recently partners of gay and lesbian service members have been welcomed as club members. I love seeing the diversity of the military reflected in the spouse club.

It’s Only Bunco

Each military spouse club has its own history, culture and mission statement. Many clubs have a social chair, a volunteer who organizes a variety of events to appeal to today’s military spouse. This chairperson wants your participation. She wants you to stop watching “Army Wives” reruns and leave your house to socialize with other military spouses.

This may be a Bunco night or it may be a book club. Many clubs offer smaller interest groups that range from running clubs to cooking nights. The Fort Irwin Military Spouses and Civilians’ Club has roller derby, photography and swimming groups.

MilitarySpouseClub

Joining a military spouse club is an easy way to meet people in a new community.

At my current military spouse club in Monterey, Calif., I prefer to participate in the educational social events. For example, last week I attended a private pickling workshop for military spouses at a Pacific Grove cannery. In February, a local chocolate extraordinaire explained how to make high quality sea salt caramels at a workshop that included samples. Military spouse events are much more than Bunco.

If the current social events don’t appeal to you, offer to organize an event that does appeal to you. The social chair will be happy for your suggestion instead of a complaint. Plus you will meet military spouses with similar interests.

Social Media Replaces Spouse Clubs

This statement is blatantly false. With Twitter, Facebook, and blogging, military spouses aren’t required to leave their houses to connect with other spouses. But studies have shown that social media shouldn’t be our sole source of connection. It doesn’t replace face-to-face time with a friend.

Whether you are a new or seasoned spouse, you should consider joining a military spouse club. Military spouse clubs are a benefit of military life. Take advantage of them.

militaryspouserunning

Stop running alone. Join a military spouse running club today.

What myths do you think exist about military spouse clubs?

America’s Support for the Troops is Lip Service

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I am a pessimistic military spouse. In my heart, I want to believe that when Americans say “support our troops” that this statement means more than buying a reservist a cheeseburger for lunch and putting a camouflaged bumper sticker on the back of their Buicks. keepyourpromise

I want to believe that their support for the U.S. military means that they will choose to sacrifice for those who volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces.

Their civilian sacrifice means that they demand that service members receive an annual pay increase every year. It means that Americans pay higher taxes so that a disabled veteran has free health care for the rest of his life. Supporting our military means that Americans encourage their representatives to cut other benefits (services that will directly impact their well-being) so that military families can afford to buy food at an overseas military commissary or have the option of living off-base.

But that’s not reality.

We live in a country where the leadership at the Pentagon proposed cutting benefits for the military. I thought those top ranking officials were appointed to fight for the interests of everyone in the military, from the youngest recruit to the oldest World War II veteran. Earlier this month, the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee voted unanimously to leave intact the current military health care system, the housing allowance and much of the Pentagon’s $1.4 billion in direct subsidies to the commissaries. The news shocked me. It pleased me. Then I remembered the subcommittee’s recommendations are a long way from the President’s desk. We’ll see what version of the defense budget and which reductions reach the chopping block this summer. See, I really am a pessimist. But I am a patriotic pessimist.

MilitaryShoppers wants to hear from you: Why should Congress support military benefits?

Post your answer in the comments section between Thursday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 20 to be entered to win a $50 military commissary gift card, courtesy of MilitaryShoppers.

If you tweet it, use #KeepYourPromise.

Savor These 6 Simple Barbecue Side Dishes

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Barbecue

What side dishes do you bring to a neighborhood barbecue?

May is National Barbecue Month and many of us are starting to dust off our grills. Our ovens will soon go into hibernation for the summer and our forks will stay in the utensil drawer as we reach for finger food until the sun goes down.

Barbecue is a social eating experience best enjoyed in the outdoors. That’s why cul-de-sac after cul-de-sac at military housing areas around the world will begin the summer barbecue season with a potluck on Memorial Day weekend.

I personally love eating outdoors surrounded by my friends. But I often fret about which side dish or dessert to bring to the neighborhood barbecue. I want to bring a dish that is familiar to my friends, but not boring. I aim for food that people will eat so I don’t have any leftovers. Finally, I am thrilled when a fellow military spouse asks for my recipe. Her request is the highest form of flattery for this amateur cook.

Here are 6 super simple side dishes that you can take to your next neighborhood barbecue.

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Potato salad can be tricky. I once had a neighbor who tried to make a healthy potato salad. It was a disaster because the words “healthy” or “light” are not intended to accompany potato salad. A delicious potato salad has tender red potatoes that aren’t mushy. Mushy potatoes turn potato salad into potato soup. Try this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad for a flavorful side dish.

Citrus Cole Slaw

The barbecue side dish counterpart to potato salad is coleslaw. People often prefer one over the other. Coleslaw by definition is chopped raw cabbage moistened with mayonnaise. That’s your starting point for coleslaw. Recipes, like this Citrus Cole Slaw, surprise your taste buds with subtle orange juice sweetness.

Lowfat Chuckwagon Beans

This recipe is low in fat and high in protein and fiber. It’s also very affordable. You could nearly feed an Army with the Lowfat Chuckwagon Beans. When I need a low-cost option for a potluck, I turn to this baked beans recipe.

Mighty Macaroni Salad

Need to bring a side dish to a neighborhood barbecue on Friday night? This Macaroni Salad is a great option because you can assemble it ahead of time and put it in the fridge. It makes 34 servings so make sure that there will be a crowd at the barbecue to devour this side dish.

Guacamole

Everyone loves homemade guacamole at a potluck.

Homemade Guacamole

When you are really scratching your head trying to decide what to bring to a neighborhood barbecue, keep it simple. Make a batch of homemade guacamole and grab a bag of tortilla chips. It’s a simple and safe choice. Plus it tastes so much better than that lumpy green stuff from the store.

Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes

Offering to bring a dessert is always a great option for a neighborhood potluck. Many people will pass by a table of side dishes, but few will decline a dessert. I find myself rotating between baking brownies or cupcakes. Then I found this recipe and the problem was solved—brownies packaged in cupcakes. Top the Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes with your favorite frosting and be ready to share the recipe with your neighbors. I guaranteed they will ask for it.

neighborhoodbbq

May is National Barbecue Month.

Find more tried-and-true recipes for barbecue side dishes and desserts at MilitaryShoppers.

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy

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Woman with sleeping Cat

Spend 5 minutes cuddling your cat daily.

Cats are well known for being the extra cushion on the couch. The sedentary lifestyle of a pet cat can be cute to look at, but not very good for their health. Cats need to be more active to attain a longer lifespan.

Here are 5 ways to keep your cat healthy in less than 15 minutes.

Reduce Stress

Even your cat can get stressed. For most felines, stress is created when there is a drastic change within the home, like moving, rearranging furniture, a new family member, or even losing a family member. When I deployed, my husband noticed a very big change in my cat’s behavior. His mom was missing for several months, and he had trouble eating, playing and keeping on weight. You can alleviate this by paying a little more attention to your pet. Set aside part of each day for cuddling and one-on-one time.

Exercise in the Evenings

Cats are nocturnal animals and thrive in the early evening, which is technically morning for them. Create a play routine for them: break out the cat toys after supper and play with your furry baby for at least 15 minutes. They will enjoy the attention and will essentially have their “morning workout” at the same time. Just like humans, an exercise routine will reap great benefits when it comes to the health of your pet.

What’s your cat’s play routine?

Room to Roam

While cats are great apartment pets, they still need ample room to sprint when the feeling hits them. Like felines in the savanna, the more room your cat has to roam, the better it will feel. Keep clutter to a minimum within the household, and keep your furniture as minimal as possible as well. If you would like to take it another step, place thick, reinforced shelves on walls near your windows. Cats love to climb and perch. What’s good for the cat is good for the owner; an uncluttered house will boost your health and demeanor.

Groom Daily

We take grooming for granted when it comes to cats. They seem to love to clean and groom themselves multiple times a day. But all of that grooming can produce hairballs, which can cause sickness, vomiting, and problems with their immune system. Give your cat a brush or combing session each day. Try to do this after dinner, but before playtime. A reluctant cat will associate grooming with play and will be more willing to let you brush him. Want to go the extra mile? Brush their teeth with kitty toothpaste as well. Dental hygiene is very important for cats of all ages.

healthycat

Groom your cat daily to keep her healthy.

Pick the Right Food and Ration

This is the key to keeping your pet as healthy as possible. Invest in quality cat food, like Purina and be sure to read the ingredients list. Cats are predators and carnivores, so protein should be one of the top ingredients listed. Also, check the recommended serving size of the food for either dry or wet. Ration these servings to help your cat stay at a healthy weight. Always keep fresh water available for them to have at any time.

Are you a pet lover?

May is National Pet Month and Purina is giving away up to $100,000 in fun prizes to those of us with an affinity for our furry friends. For every person that plays their instant win game, Purina will donate $0.10 to Adopt-a-Pet.com. Check out Paw It Forward to win. Good luck!

3 Superfoods You Should Eat Today

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Most of us don’t eat as healthy as we should (yeah, you know who you are), and that means we need to be looking for the items that will give us the biggest bang for our buck.

Enter superfoods. Fresh produce that packs a HUGE nutritional punch.

Now, these won’t get you healthy instantly–though I know we wish they would–but if you’re eating them on a regular basis, you’ll be doing your body a GIANT favor.

The key to superfoods is buying and eating them in season.

Here are 3 superfoods that are in season this month in the United States.

Apricots are in season from May - August in the US.

Apricots are in season from May to August in the United States.

Apricots

This small orange fruit is a relative of the peach and taste like a cross between it and a plum. These bad boys are super low in calories (only 17 per piece) and high in heart-healthy beta-carotene. They’re also high in vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that helps battle free radicals. Try adding apricots to a hot or cold cereal or to a green salad.

Fun Fact: Both apricots and peaches are members of the rose family.

What’s your favorite apricots recipe? Share it with MilitaryShoppers.com for a chance to win a $50 commissary shopping spree. Winners are awarded each month on the MilitaryShoppers Facebook page.

Boysenberries are similar to blackberries and pack a nutritional punch.

Boysenberries pack a nutritional punch.

Boysenberries

These little berries look like like blackberries but they are actually a cross between raspberries and blackberries. Boysenberries are high in vitamin C and fiber and a great source of antioxidants to keep your brain healthy. Best part about these berries: They contain ellagic acid. What’s that? Oh, it’s just a little phytonutrient that has been found to kill cancer cells in a lab. Needless to say, they certainly won’t hurt your diet.

Fun Fact: Boysenberries were developed by a horticulturist who then turned them over to farmer Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in California.

Morels are difficult to find, but high in iron and vitamin D.

Morels are difficult to find, but high in iron and vitamin D.

Morel Mushrooms

Morels, with their honeycomb-like top, are a unique fungi. They’re one of the few foods that contains a high-concentration of vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and helps regulate blood pressure. Morels are also packed full of iron– containing 100% of the daily recommendation for men and 44% for women in 1 cup. A word of caution: morels can cause allergic reactions to some, so if you’ve never had them before, try a small amount the first time around.

Fun Fact: Since morels require very specific conditions to grow, they can be difficult to find in the wild. For some people, hunting morels is a sport. But you must be careful. “False morels” look like morel mushrooms, but are poisonous.

Which superfood will you eat this month?