Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Is the Commissary an Outdated Military Benefit?

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The commissary has a long history of serving the military community. The idea of purchasing goods at-cost came about in 1825 to help Army personnel. It provides a huge relief to the service member when it’s tough to get necessities at a decent price.

The commissary we’re used to today began in 1867, which means the commissary has been operating for almost 150 years, offering groceries and other household goods to military members.

Overseas commissaries started at the end of the 19th century in the Philippines and China. Of course, it’s since multiplied to other OCONUS locations. In addition, the benefit now includes all branches of the military including Guard, Reservists and their family members in addition to retirees. In 1990, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) was founded, which consolidated the commissary program. By forming DeCA, it allows for a streamlined and unified way to supply all commissaries.

The commissary benefit has helped military families generation after generation. My parents still shop at the commissary and my father joined the Air Force in 1979. They manage to get lots of different items at reasonable prices and my husband and I also benefit from shopping at the commissary. I have to mention my grandparents too. Between the three generations, my family encompasses Navy, Air Force and now Army ties!

Savings for military families average at about 30% compared to civilian grocery stores. That percentage offers a pretty substantial discount over brand name products. Although the commissary provides lower prices, big-box stores like Walmart and Super Target can be competitive when compared to the commissary. Another argument is that the commissary doesn’t offer generic goods.

My husband and I tend to stick to the commissary mostly because the grocery goods we commonly get are priced cheaper there. Also, we’re still a relatively small family, so the bulk goods we purchase are all economical. Not to mention when we buy during a case lot sale, we don’t need certain items for months and months! There are so many other reasons why I prefer the commissary. MilitaryShoppers has an awesome list of reasons why you should shop at the commissary.

One of my favorite reasons for shopping at the commissary is the international aisle. It’s one of the only local locations that offer Filipino cuisine, so I can get my cultural fix. My parents drive to their local commissary in Texas for the same reason to stock up on the different Filipino groceries because it’s priced well. It’s difficult to find certain items sometimes! No matter where you’ve been stationed, I’m sure there is a good representation of it at your commissary. I love that there is a chance to try international food without having to be stationed there too.

The commissary continues to modernize by incorporating online resources to help families get the most out of their commissary experience. Military families can sign up for the commissary rewards card and app. The commissary rewards card gives you the capability to redeem coupons online. In addition, they have the Click 2 Go program for select commissaries that allows military families to buy goods online and pick them up at a later date. It saves time and is convenient.

Despite its age, the commissary is still a wonderful resource for the military community. That’s why I keep shopping trips to the commissary on my agenda.

Why do you think the commissaries are a good benefit for military families and retirees?

Back to School Commissary Specials on Sale in August

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August is here. School is starting back for a lot of people and summer is wrapping up. Might be time to host a back-to-school barbecue or get started on your kid’s lunches.

When we think about going back to school, we need to think about breakfast. Luckily the commissary has a few foods we can stock up on to eat in the morning.

If your house is like our house, school mornings can be quite busy and having quick meal choices before they go off to school is a plus.

Fiber One cereals are on sale for just $2.49. If your kids are older, they can even pour their own bowl making life a little easier for you in the mornings. This is a great item to stock up on.

You can also find the Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles and Toaster Strudel are on sale for $1.50 for a 4 or 6 pack. Click here a $0.50 coupon for Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles and Toaster Strudel. These can be something you can make and even take in the car with you. I am not a big fan of breakfast but foods I can stick in the toaster and then grab and good work best for me.

You can also find Nature’s Valley granola bars on sale which are good in the mornings but also a nice choice for lunches. You can download a $0.75 coupon for Nature Valley’s granola bars for extra savings.

Our house is really into yogurt, at any time of the day. Yoplait happens to be on sale, $0.50 for a 6-oz container. Don’t forget to combine this savings with a $1-off-of-10 coupon. Stock up on these to have a snack available for after school or something to eat in the morning with your coffee.

Speaking of coffee, you can also find International Delight Iced Coffee drinks on sale for $2.89. Pick up a few of these to have on hand for your early mornings or even afternoon pick-me-ups.

Moving on to lunch and dinner, some nights you don’t want to cook a huge meal. Especially with fall sports starting up. You also don’t want to depend on your local fast food restaurants. You can find a good deal on Wishbone dressings in August. They are on sale 2 for $3. You can stock up for the next few months. Buy a few different types of dressings and each member of your family can customise their salad their way. You could also plan to make salad in a jar to take to work with you.

You can also find Horizon Organic Classic Mac for just $0.99. I know my youngest son is a huge fan of that meal so I will probably go and stock up on a few of those for him. You can add the food to your list of easy meals to make when you have a busy evening with helping the kids with homework and getting used to the new school year.

If you are planning on one last neighborhood barbecue before Labor Day, pick up some discounted chips. Family-sized Lay’s chips for just $2 and Party size Ruffles and Tostitos for $2.98. You can also add some of the Dunkin Hines Perfect Size Chocolate Cake and Frosting mix. Make a yummy dessert for your guests to enjoy.

We can’t forget about our furry friends. Some Purina items (cat litter, dog and cat food and treats) are on sale until August 15. I know my Hound Dog will love the doggy treats they have.

When you go to the commissary, don’t forget your digital coupons. You will be able to save even more when you use them on products at the store.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter.

For ALL of the items found in our Commissary Specials Flyer, click here.

Smokin’ Deals at the Commissary in July

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The commissary deals for July are on fire! Everything on sale is great for Fourth of July celebrations, summer snacks for you and your kids as well as keeping your furry friends at home content.

Here’s a sneak peak at the commissary specials in July.

Nestle Drumstick Dessert Cones (Vanilla, Variety Pack, Simply Dipped or Super Nugget, 8 count or Lil’ Drums, 12 count) are on special for $4. That is definitely the perfect cool down treat on hot summer days.

My husband and I look for opportunities to stock our pantry with canned goods  because of how easy it is to prepare meals if we’re on a tight schedule. Del Monte is having great deals on their canned fruits and vegetables in July at the commissary. I’m definitely going to partake!

Ideal for smoothies, fruit salad and other side dishes, Fruit in Syrup No Sugar Added Very Cherry, Sliced Pears, Fruit Cocktail or Sliced Peaches, 14.5-oz cans or Mandarin Oranges, 15-oz. cans are only 4 for $3. In addition, Del Monte’s Southwest Corn, Cut Golden Wax Beans, Green Lima Beans, French Style Green Beans with Roasted Garlic or Whole Green Beans are also 4 for $3 as well as No Salt Added Whole Kernel Corn, Cream Style Golden Sweet Corn, French Style Green Beans, Cut Green Beans and Sweet Peas are 5 for $3. These sale prices last the entire month of July.

For a sweet on-the-go snack, the 4-pack of Fruit Burst Squeezers (Strawberry, Peach-Mango, Apple-Cinnamon, Mixed Berry or Blueberry) are ringing in at 2 for $3 and Fruit Naturals (Mandarin Oranges, Yellow Cling Peach Chunks, Cherry Mixed Fruit  or Red Grapefruit) are 4 for $3.

Our four-legged friends are covered with some amazing prices from Purina on the large bags of pet food. Complete or Indoor formula Cat Chow (25 lbs.) is only $15.99 and Complete Dog Chow (55 lbs.) is only $23. Just for the felines, Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter for Multiple Cats with Glade Touch Odor Solutions (50 lbs.) is on sale this month for $5.99. For extra savings, clip this $1.05 coupon. Can’t forget our K9s with Alpo T-Bonz Dog Treats Filet Mignon, Porterhouse or Ribeye Flavor (45 oz.) at $5.36.

Now for the items that would be great for your summer get-together. Hefty Everyday Soak Proof Plates (50 ct.) is $1.50 and Hefty Ultimate Easy Grip Cups (50 ct.) is $2.39. To wrap up delicious foods for your guests, use Reynolds Wrap. The aluminum foil (200 sq. ft.) is only at $5.99. These specials end July 15, so don’t forget to stock up on these paper products for all summer long.

Lastly, I have to mention all the awesome deals on snackable food. Totino’s Pizza Rolls (Pepperoni, Combination, Cheese, Supreme or Triple Meat, 40 ct.) are $1.99. It’s easy to pop in the oven for your hungry family.

Another sweet snack you can pop in your oven is Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix. A box is just 99 cents and you can choose from Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate. Yoplait Greek Yogurt is only 65 cents for a variety of flavors, including Blueberry, Lemon, Key Lime, Vanilla, Pineapple or Strawberry. Don’t forget to combine that savings with a $1 off coupon.

Also, I’ll be grabbing bags of the party size bag of chips that are on sale for future camping trips. Tostitos Tortilla Chips, Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ruffles Originial Potato Chips, and Lay’s Classic Potato Chips are $2.98.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

Sizzling Deals at Your Commissary in June

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The weather is already hot here in northern Virginia. Same goes with the assortment of deals at the commissary, especially with the assortment of drinks and sweets that are on sale in June! Click to see all of our Commissary Specials!

Here’s a look at what’s on sale this month at your military commissary.

I’m loving the variety of discounts on refreshing beverages that are perfect for long summer days. From June 18 to July 8, Gold Peak Iced Tea (89 oz.) will only be $2. My husband loves his iced tea. Seriously, he drinks unsweetened iced tea everyday. So, we’ll definitely pick up some cartons.

For on the go, Honest Organic Tea (16.9 oz.) is on sale 10 for $10. They are just the right size for your car’s cup holder. Flavors are orange mango, pomegranate blue, honey green tea or peach tea.

I’m also covered because my absolute favorite summer drink is pink lemonade! You can pick up a 59-oz. sized Minute Maid Premium carton for $1 and the sale includes more than pink lemonade. Peach, berry punch, fruit punch or tropical punch are the other flavors in the deal. Why not pick them all up?

If you have little ones, the 10-pack of Minute Maid KIDS 100% Juice Orange with Calcium is $2. In addition, other Minute Maid drink packs are on sale like apple or orange (6-pack) and apple, fruit punch, mixed berry or white apple grape (10-pack). I can’t forget the 10-pack of lemonade too. They are perfect for camping or road trips. I take a couple to put in the cooler and recycle after I’m done with each bottle.

Camping is one of my favorite summer activities and there are some great powerbuys on camping treats this month.

My husband and I put a handful of Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars in our hiking pack. Right now, a box of 12 is $1.89 and it includes Oats ‘n Honey, Peanut Butter or the Variety Pack. You can combine this sale with a $0.50 coupon to save even more money.

For those that like crumbles of granola better than the bars, Cascadian Farm Organic Protein Granola is $2.25. They have a tasty selection, Dark Chocolate Coconut, Apple Crisp or Granola Berry Cobbler.

Looking for another healthy sweet snack? Yoplait’s Greek Yogurts are selling for 65 cents each. You can get either Cherry, Pineapple, Strawberry or Tangerine regular Greek yogurt or Coconut, Raspberry or Blueberry-blended yogurt.

For the bakers out there, select Betty Crocker and Pillsbury baked goods are powerbuys too!

Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix (Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate) are 99 cents and Pillsbury’s Big Deluxe Big Cookies Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin or Ready-to-Bake Cookies Chocolate Chip are $1.75.

Aside from brownies and cookies, you can bake some quick and easy cinnamon rolls for $1.50. Grab a tube of Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing or Orange Rolls with Orange Icing to fulfill your cinnamon craving.

This summer our furry family members are also treated with deals! Purina has some amazing discounts that I will be partaking for my feline friend.

My cat Xena goes bananas for Whisker Lickin’s Tuna Cat Treats! It’s only 80 cents for a pouch and that includes Salmon flavored too. One Smartblend Cat Food is $6.40 for a 3.5 lbs. bag (Hairball Formula, Healthy Metabolism, Indoor Advantage or Urinary Tract Health Formula).

For a more glamorous meal for Xena, Purely Fancy Feast (2 oz.) is $1.04. I can choose from Natural Steamed Wild Alaskan Salmon Entree, Natural Tender Tongol Tuna Entree or Natural White Meat Chicken Entree all in Delicate Broth.

On the not so glamorous side of cat parenting, litter is on sale! Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter 20 lbs. bag is 2 for $6 or Clumping Litter 14 lbs. is $5.21 both for Multiple Cats 24/7 Performance or Instant Action. Save an additional $1.05 with this coupon.

Let’s not forget the pups in our family! Here are some great deals at the commissary for them:

  • Beneful Dog Food (Health Smile, Playful Life, Healthy Weight or Original) 7 lbs. for $8.99
  • Beggin’ Strips Dog Snack (Bacon & Cheese or Bacon Flavor),  6 oz. for $2
  • Alpo Dog Food Chop House or Gravy Cravers Variety Pack, 12 ct. for $6.99

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for the newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

March Madness Deals at the Commissary

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As March Madness (and hopefully the weather!) heats up, the commissary is keeping its deals hot too. There are a lot of great sales and deals on all types of goodies from mouth-watering biscuits to savory sauces.

 

Looking for something quick and tasty to eat while watching your favorite college basketball team? Totino’s pepperoni party pizza (10.2 oz) is just 89 cents! For the finger-food lovers, Totino’s pepperoni pizza rolls are on sale for $2.25 for a package of 40 bite-sized pieces. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but I’ll be grabbing some pizzas to have on hand for the evenings that I don’t feel spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

If you want something more snack-like for the game, a bag of traditional or bold Chex Mix is $1.25. My favorite Chex Mix flavors are also on sale, dark chocolate and turtle. I definitely prefer sweeter snacks and enjoy the chocolate-covered Chex Mix flavors. Yum.

My inner Southern girl is pumped because of the reduced prices in Pillsbury Grands biscuits too. I usually make my favorite recipe of drop biscuits, but sometimes I run out of time to mix together a batch. Pillsbury has a lot of great options for fast biscuit baking. The sale includes the big homestyle or flaky layers butter tastin’ (16.3 oz) for $1.25 and for a bigger family, the butter tastin’ buttermilk or southern style (25 oz)  is $2. Combine this sale with a coupon to save $0.50 when you buy 2 cans. If you’re like me with a smaller family, I’ll still grab the bigger size and keep them in the fridge for longevity and save them for another evening.

Campbell’s has a great product to help you put together a quick dinner on a busy night. For $1.39, you can buy Creamy Garlic Butter oven sauces (12 oz) or Chicken Marsala Skillet Sauces (9 oz). Then, all you need to do is throw some chicken in the mix. If you need a hearty meal for the kids or for the kids at heart, Campbell’s Chicken & Stars, Toy Story or Disney Princess (10.5 oz) condensed soup is 5 cans for $5.

When I find any deals that I can stock up on food, I jump at the chance. Prego sauces are 2 for $3 this month. You can choose from the 14.5 oz Alfredo sauces: Homestyle Alfredo, Artisan Three Cheese or Roasted Garlic Parmesan as well as tomato sauces: Traditional (24 oz), Spicy Sausage, Italian Sausage, Garlic or Heart Smart Traditional (23.5 oz).

Remember last month when the commissary had some fabulous sales for our furry family members?

Purina is running some additional deals till March 15! Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treat (my cat’s absolute favorite treats) are only 99 cents. Seriously, my cat would literally do tricks for their tuna flavored treats. Some other deals for cats:

  • $4.99 Tidy Cats 14 lbs. clumping litter (multiple cats, instant action or 24/7 performance)
  • $9.99 Friskies 24-pack cat food classic pate or meaty bits
  • $4.99 3.15 lbs. Cat Chow cat food (Naturals, Healthy Weight or Indoor)

The sales for our pooches are: $23.99 for 31.1 lbs. Beneful healthy weight dog food and $5.04 for 12-pack moist and meaty dog food (burger with cheddar cheese flavor or chopped burger).

Don’t forget to look through the rest of the March commissary deals by clicking here!

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for the newsletter.

Delicious Last-Minute Celebratory Dinners

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How many of us have received an exciting phone call from our spouse with great news? A passed test. Or imminent promotion. Even better, do you have amazing news to share with your partner? A new family addition! Or pay raise at work.

Either way, you don’t have much time to plan an elaborate meal or maybe you don’t have the nerves to put together a 5-course spread. You JUST found out the news yourself. Tempted to make reservations at a fancy restaurant? Or order take-out?

Save money with MilitaryShoppers’ 10 great ideas for a delicious last-minute celebratory dinner at home.

10 Ideas for a Last-Minute Celebratory Dinner

Looking for an affordable way to celebrate a promotion at work? Spaghetti and meatballs is always an easy Italian treat.

  1. Homemade Pizza. Making your own pizza at home offers a special touch. It’s simple to bake a pizza at home with pre-made dough purchased at your military commissary. While you are at the commissary, don’t forget to pick-up sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings to create a scrumptious pie.
  2. Gourmet Burgers. Everybody loves a good burger! Grab some beef, turkey or veggie patties to grill and include your cheese of choice and burger toppings like bacon, mushroom, onions or anything else that comes to mind.
  3. Ice Cream Sundae. Times like this don’t happen often! If you can’t have the fancy dinner, celebrate with an elaborate dessert. It’s easy to put together a tasty and huge ice cream sundae on a budget. You can splurge and eat it first, especially if you are eating for two.
  4. Macaroni and Cheese. Add bacon, spinach or anything else that you love to this traditional American dish.
  5. Chicken and Rice. A can of cream of chicken soup adds flavor to the rice. Use it to cook the rice and grill chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper.
  6. Savory Beef Stew. Despite what you might know about making beef stew, you can quickly assemble a fast and affordable recipe. Check out the spice section for packets of beef stew mix, grab some meat and frozen veggies. There you go! Let it simmer and enjoy.
  7. Spaghetti and Meatballs. The pasta aisle gives you plenty of noodle choices, in case you aren’t a spaghetti fan. Your meat section will most likely have pre-rolled meatballs available for use or you can also try out the frozen food aisle. Drop those suckers in your tomato sauce to cook through (if you go the raw meat route, make sure they are well done before serving) and boil your pasta. Presto, a tasty Italian treat!
  8. Breakfast for Dinner. My husband LOVES his western omelet, no matter the time of day. Why not have a celebratory dinner that reflects his favorite breakfast meal? My man is also a fan of French toast, so I’d put together a nice egg and French toast dinner.
  9. Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Chicken noodle soup would be a perfect dish especially for the cool evenings. All you really need is chicken broth, celery, onions, carrots and chicken.
  10. Tacos. The spice section can help you with seasoning protein for a delicious South-of-the-Border meal. Pick up your favorite toppings like cheese, salsa or whatever else your taste buds desire.

What’s your go-to recipe for a last-minute celebratory dinner? Share it with the MilitaryShoppers monthly recipe contest for a chance to win. Winners are selected each month.

Your Tailgating Favorites on Sale at Your Commissary

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Football season has sprung and fans around the country are gearing up for America’s favorite pastime. That means tailgating!

October Specials at Military Commissary

Are you ready for some football?

Aside from bringing excitement for their team, football fans typically come hungry and expect delicious food while tailgating or watching the game in the comfort of your warm home.

Are you ready for some touchdown worthy deals that would complete your football bash? This month’s commissary specials offer great options to help you save money.

Start with a bag of Banquet Chicken nuggets ($2.50 each), which is the ideal football finger food. They have fun shaped nuggets too– for the kids or kids at heart.

Then, grab some hearty chili from Wolf Brand that offers chili with beans ($0.89 for 15 oz. can) or no beans ($1.19 15 oz. can)–for those that believe that “real” chili is beanless. Chili is perfect by itself or an addition for hot dogs, hamburgers and cheese dip (or where I come from we call it queso). Use original Velveeta cheese (on sale at $5.99) and throw it in a slow cooker with your chili preference for an easy and tasty side dish with chips.

Mix in PACE Restaurant Style Salsa (2 for $3) with Velveeta cheese for another dip selection that has a great south-of-the-border kick. It’s always good to have different choices. Feeling ambitious? Try throwing everything together (chili, cheese and some salsa).

What's on Sale at Your Military Commissary in October

Are you ready for touchdown worthy deals?

For another meatless side dish, heat up VanCamp’s New Orleans Red Kidney Beans ($0.65) or Dark Red Kidney Beans ($0.59) to satisfy everyone’s palate. Bring Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix ($3.99) Milk Chocolate or Marshmallow to stay warm on the cool evenings.

Don’t forget one of the most important condiment for your football party– ketchup! Starting October 9, Hunt’s Ketchup is only $0.75 for a 24-ounce bottle. Stock up to make sure you don’t run out of ketchup all football season long.

October is also the month for spooktacular fun for families with Halloween. Looking for the perfect family dinner after a night of trick or treating (or any other busy night)? There are a variety of frozen pizza choices that would be perfect to cook in the oven for a speedy dinner. For instance, Tombstone pizza is on sale for $2.75 each all month long. Check out other frozen pizza specials throughout the month and keep them in the freezer for the right night.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter.

What’s on Sale at the Commissary in September: Back to School Lunches Solved

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It’s that time of year where the kids are all heading back to school. While it might be a relief for some parents who spent the summer trying to fill the days with fun activities, a new stressor presents itself.

What’s for lunch?

Prepping school lunches can be a challenge. Will your children really eat the food you pack or will they trade it with friends? Will it end up in the trash? Don’t waste your money and time making lunches your kids won’t eat. Instead of worrying about this, talk to them. Ask them what they really like. My mom sent me to school with a bologna sandwich pretty much every day for one year. I might have traded it for PB&J.

Before you tear them away from their iPads and tablets, look at this month’s commissary sales ad. Give them choices as opposed to the open question, “what do you want for lunch?” Lunchables, for example, are very quick and easy lunches. It’s all there; no need to worry or stay up late making lunch. In September they are on sale for $1.75 each. When was the last time you spent $1.75 on lunch? With this great savings, give them options. Do they want turkey, ham or roast beef?

Mix up lunches throughout the week so they aren’t eating the same thing consecutively. A Lunchable midweek is great when you get home late from school activities and you just want to go to bed. When you have more time, make a sandwich with Oscar Mayer cold cuts. It’s on sale for $2.75. Top it with a slice of American cheese ($2.50 this month) and complete the lunch with a Yoplait yogurt ($0.45), fresh fruit or carrots and maybe a snack cake. Your kids will be happy that they have lunches they’ll actually eat and you’ll be happy to save money at the commissary.

To make  your savings even bigger, take advantage of the Commissary Rewards Card. Ask your cashier for the free card and register it online. There you can clip virtual coupons and have them right on your key chain. You won’t have to worry about forgetting paper ones in the car again.Commissary Rewards Card

Combine these great September savings and the Commissary Rewards Card with case lot sales and you’ll be able to stock up on lunch items for the entire semester. The customer appreciation case lot sales, stateside only, started in August but many are going on in September. A list of dates by commissary are available online.

Your target before school starts: read the commissary sales ad, virtually clip coupons and venture through the case lot sales…maybe leave the kids at home and enjoy the trip.

Want to know the weekly Manager’s Specials? Sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter!

Boost Your Child’s Immune System for Back to School

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This week my oldest daughter started kindergarten. While she was cool as a cucumber about her first academic milestone, I was fretting over every detail in preparation for the first day of school. On Thursday, I reviewed her school supply checklist for the 16th time. On Friday, I scrutinized the nutritional value of her school’s lunch program. On Saturday, my daughter and I timed her walk to school, a whopping 6 blocks north of our house. On Sunday, I drilled into her the importance of washing her hands. On Monday morning, instead of enjoying this moment with her I had a panic attack over the fact that her immune system is going to be exposed to all kinds of germs and viruses… starting with the first day of school.

immune boosting breakfast

Did you know that school-age children average 5 to 6 colds a year? Parents must make a concentrated effort to boost their child’s immune system.

Want to know the easiest way to stay healthy this school year? Eat an immune-boosting breakfast.

What’s an immune-boosting breakfast? It starts with a glass of orange juice. One serving of Simply Orange Pulp Free with Calcium and Vitamin D provides 100 percent of my daughter’s daily recommended vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural way to prevent colds and ear infections. Simply Orange juice tastes freshly squeezed and gets 2 thumbs-up from my daughter. That means less yelling “drink your orange juice” in the morning.

Win an iPad Mini through Kelloggs and Minute Maid

This immune-boosting breakfast is more than a glass of OJ. We need carbs and protein to keep her energy levels up from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. But as a work-from-home mother, I don’t have time to make a homemade breakfast and I know that anything sugary leads to a crash and burn during morning recess. So instead of spending my precious morning time whipping up a homemade breakfast, I do the next best thing. I serve my daughter fresh-from-the freezer Kellogg’s Eggo Homestyle waffles. With 190 calories and only 2 grams of sugar per serving, when these waffles pop up in our toaster my daughter knows it’s time to start her day. I swear she can hear that toaster better than her alarm clock.

I pair 2 round waffles with a convenient protein, like MorningStar Farms Maple Flavored Veggie Sausage Patties for a complete breakfast. With 3 grams of total fat per serving, these savory veggie patties contain 79 percent less fat than cooked pork sausage. This breakfast isn’t only good for my kindergartner. It’s a good way for me to start my day.

MorningStar Farms Maple Flavored Veggie Sausage Patties, Kellogg’s Eggo waffles and Simply Orange juice are all on sale this month at your military commissary. Besides boosting your immune system, these savings will also boost your money-saving happiness.

 

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Kellogg’s and Minute Maid.

Save on Play Date Snacks at Your Commissary

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August is here! That means a new sales ad for your military commissary. One of the best ways to save money is to shop the sales ads at your favorite stores. You want to make a plan on what to buy based on the sales ad.

In August there are quite a few snack choices. It would be a great idea to stock up on some of them to have around the house for a play date or even for your own children.

Hosting a weekly or monthly play date would be a great way to meet new people. You can get to know them as the kids get to know each other. It also allows some time for moms to hang out with other moms and get some time to talk with other adults.

When planning a play date, you could stock up on the Nature’s Valley granola bars. They come in a few different types and you could even cut them in half to display on a plate. You might also want to pick up some of the Totino’s pizza rolls. These can be made in the oven ahead of time. The moms might really enjoy these to have as a snack while the kids play.

Speaking of the moms, you can buy some of the coffee and tea that is for sale to have on hand. Moms love to talk over coffee or tea and it would be nice to offer that to them even if you don’t drink it yourself.

Don’t forget about the kids and get some of the Hi-C fruit juice boxes to have on hand. Kids love them and they are easy to hand to thirsty children.

If you would rather host a breakfast type play date you can get some of the Eggo waffles, add some berries and whip cream and serve a tasty snack for your friends and their kids. You can pick up some of the Simply Orange Juice to serve with your coffee and tea.

As you can see there are a few ways to use August’s commissary sales ad to save some money on play date snacks.

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