Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

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.

Break the Habit of Lying to Your Doctor

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Remember to take your Sundown Naturals vitamins daily.

Stop lying to your doctor. Add a daily multivitamin to your diet.

I always hate lying to my doctor. In my heart, I want tell her the truth. No, I don’t walk for the recommended 20 minutes three times a week. No, I don’t drink red wine; I drink beer. No, I don’t take a daily multivitamin.

After my annual exam, I feel shameful about the deception. Obviously she knows I’m lying, right? A WebMD survey found that 45 percent of patients lie to their doctors. I’m that 45 percent. The shame.

Wouldn’t it be nice if for once – just once – I could honestly answer that I take my multivitamins daily. Imagine how confidently I could answer her questions. How I wouldn’t have to avert my eyes when she looks at me. Best of all, I would enjoy the health benefits of taking a multivitamin.

But which multivitamin is the right one for me? I could ask my doctor for a recommendation … nah, I don’t want to admit to her that I lied and staring at the choices at the commissary is overwhelming.

Then I discovered the Sundown Naturals Gummy Match.

In less than 2 minutes and a mere 8 questions later, I found a gummy vitamin that was trustworthy and genuine. The perfect match for me is Sundown Naturals Vitamin C Gummies. This naturally orange flavor vitamin will give my immune system the boost it needs to fight off the constant attack of germs dragged home by my daughters from daycare. The Vitamin C is also essential to collagen formation that will slow down the aging of my skin, bones and joints. While I was reassured from this quiz that Sundown Naturals Vitamin C Gummies are the best choice for me, the deal was sealed when I received a $2 coupon in my inbox. I wasted no time redeeming that coupon at my military commissary.

Now that I have this great tasting gummy vitamin, how will I ever remember to take it? In the day-to-day grind of unloading the dishwasher, refereeing toy sharing and tackling the overflowing pile of dirty laundry, taking my vitamin is the last thing on my mind. Does this mean I can tell my doctor that I bought the vitamins, I just couldn’t remember to take them? Lame.

That was my excuse. No more. I downloaded the convenient Sundown V-Minder app. The app provides a digital tap-on-the-shoulder reminder to take my vitamins. Every. Single. Day. The Sundown V-Minder also lets me know when my supply is getting low and conveniently adds vitamins to my shopping list.

Sundown Naturals vitamins are gluten free, nondairy, vegetarian and lactose free. There are no artificial flavors and no words on the label that I can’t pronounce.

Are you curious about Sundown Naturals vitamins? Find a store near you.

Deep down you know that lying to your doctor isn’t a healthy habit. Consider adding a daily Sundown Naturals vitamin to your health routine. Your conscience will thank you.

 

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Sundown Naturals. 

Can You Buy Local at Your Commissary?

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“Eating local” is a popular buzz phrase in the media.

Experts suggest that eating locally grown foods is better for the environment, the economy and your health.

Local foods usually have less environmental impact. Foods that are grown locally don’t spend a lot of time in transit, so you’re getting them at their freshest. All those transit costs have to be made up somewhere and that usually means on the consumer end. Not only that, but often local farms are small and do it old school by using less pesticides or chemicals to keep costs down.

Less pesticides & chemicals = better health for you and your family.

Buying locally helps your community. Think of local farmers as local businesses. By giving them your money, you are helping to keep a small business in … well, business. That goes a long way in today’s economy.

One thing is absolutely certain– local food just tastes better. If you have ever eaten cherry tomatoes warm from the vine, you’d agree that they taste different than anything from the stores. Or fresh strawberries in the field.

But, how easy is it to really buy locally? Especially if you do most of your shopping at the commissary?

Not as hard as you’d imagine, actually. Most commissaries (and grocery stores) have begun labeling the origin of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you’re headed to your local military commissary this month or in August, you may want to check it out on a weekend. Select commissaries are highlighting local food in an outdoor farmers market setting. You’ll be able to pick up any of your favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables.

If you’re lucky enough to live near Fort Meade, Md., Fort Bragg, N.C., Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. and March Air Resrve Base, Calif., you could see a whole new layout to your commissary soon. SpouseBuzz reported the new layout is part of a Healthier Base Initiative that puts healthy options in the limelight.

Do you shop locally at your commissary? How is the selection?

5 Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for Military Spouses

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Last month we talked about PTSD and mental health of our service members. Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones who need therapy. The all-too-familiar stressors of military life– such as deployments, separations, frequent moves and a feeling of isolation– can be a catalyst for psychological distress.

Military Spouses Face Hurdles to Mental Health Help

Depression and other mental distress can affect military spouses. Many don’t seek help because they face serious hurdles.

It’s normal. What isn’t normal is the barriers that stand in the way of receiving treatment for military spouses.

Three doctors with the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Sciences University did a study recently that examined why military spouses are underserved when it comes to mental health treatment. The study outlined 5 barriers military spouses face:

  1. inability to attend daytime appointments
  2. inability to find a counselor who understands their needs
  3. inability to find a counselor they could trust
  4. concerns about confidentiality
  5. lack of knowledge about where to get services

With at least 1 million spouses of active duty, Reserve or National Guard service members, this is highly unacceptable.

Let’s take a closely look at each barrier to mental health treatment for military spouses.

Barrier #1: Inability to Attend Daytime Appointments

Most military spouses are either working outside the home or have children. While spouses are quite resourceful, sometimes it’s not possible to get away in the middle of the day. Solution: Counselors should offer evening appointments or provide child care for clients. Another option, although nontraditional, counselors could make house calls and meet the client in their environment.

Barrier #2: Inability to Find a Counselor Who Understands Their Needs

Anyone who has sought mental health help knows how important it is to find a therapist or provider you connect with. Someone who understands your situation and can advise accordingly. This shouldn’t be difficult in military towns, but it can be particularly difficult for National Guard or Reserve families. Solution: Find a counselor you can connect with and educate them throughout your sessions. If that feels too daunting, check out MilitaryOneSource.mil and set up a phone or online counseling session with someone knowledgeable about the lifestyle. ALL members of the National Guard and Reserves and their immediate family members are eligible to use MilitaryOneSource.

Barriers to mental health treatment for military spouses

Finding someone you can trust can be a huge hurdle. Don’t give up.

Barriers #3 & 4: Inability to Find a Counselor They Can Trust & Concerns About Confidentiality

It’s not uncommon for individuals to be nervous about divulging a lot of personal information to a perfect stranger. Especially for individuals who have been drilled with the importance of OPSEC and PERSEC. On top of that, spouses worry that anything they say could be used against their spouse and damage their career. Talk about a barrier. Especially one that is completely irrelevant. Solution: Educate yourself.

MilitaryOneSource addresses this issue in their post about counseling options:

Family members may use counseling services without the notice or consent of the service member. For service members or their families seeking counseling through military support channels, those services are confidential. The only exceptions to confidentiality are for mandatory state, federal and military reporting requirements (for example, domestic violence, child abuse and duty to warn situations). Even then, only those who need to be notified will be informed.

Barrier #5: Lack of Knowledge About Where to Get Services

We’ve all be in a new place and feel completely lost about where to go to find anything. Mental health services shouldn’t be one of those things. It should be as easy to find as the closest grocery store. Solution: A one-stop shop for finding help. MilitaryOneSource does a great job of highlighting options on their website. Not only can they help you find local counselors, but they also outline when you should seek treatment through Tricare or your nearest Military Treatment Facility or VA Center. When in doubt, ask.

Bottom line: There’s absolutely no reason a spouse should go without treatment for a mental health issue, no matter how big or how small. Educate yourself and others on the opportunities and options available and help each other out.

We’re a strong military family. Let’s make sure we’re a healthy military family.

Why do you think military spouses are underserved when it comes to mental health treatment?

 

The Right Way to Select Ripe Produce

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Use this guide to select ripe, not rotten, produce.

Choose fruits that are free of flaws and firm.

Choosing perfectly ripe produce can feel like a game of Russian Roulette. There’s nothing like picking up a beautiful looking watermelon to find it mealy inside when you cut into it.

One of the main things to remember when handling produce is to be gentle. If you bruise it, you buy it! I’m kidding. That would be a horrible practice.

A good rule of thumb when selecting produce is to check the surface of the fruit or vegetable for flaws, gently squeeze and use your nose to guide you.

Avocados should have a darker skin and should be soft– but not too soft– when you gently squeeze them. If they’re too hard, you can always speed up the ripening process by putting them in a paper bag for a day or two. On the other hand, you can keep them from ripening too fast by placing them in the refrigerator.

If you’re shopping at a farmers’ market, don’t be afraid to ask for a sample.

Berries can be tricky, especially during the summer months. Mold is the thing to watch for when choosing berries, especially raspberries or blackberries, which are more delicate. Use your nose to detect unseen mold and try to buy berries in paper containers during peak season.

Cantaloupes and other melons should have a scent to them. If you push along the end opposite where the stem or vine was, you should be able to tell what type of melon it is by its scent. Watermelons are a bit different though, as they don’t have a scent. Look for ones that are heavy and avoid flat sides.

Citrus fruits that are too hard will probably not be juicy. Look for ones that are heavy and have a bit of give to them when you squeeze them.

Guide to buying ripe, not rotten, produce at your military commissary.

Buying produce in paper containers keeps away mold.

Tomatoes should be brightly colored and firm. Storing them at room temperature keeps the flavors from going bland.

Peppers should have a smooth skin and be firm. They should not feel rubbery if you squeeze them gently.

Choosing perfectly ripe produce can feel like a game of Russian Roulette.

Wrinkles and sprouts are signs of a bad potato. If you can, buy potatoes individually instead of prepackaged, so you know what you’re getting. Store in a cool, dark place.

Zucchini should be firm and smooth. You can tell how fresh or not, a zucchini or summer squash is by examining the tip. Don’t buy them if they’re squishy or dry.

If you’re shopping at a farmers’ market, don’t be afraid to ask for a sample. Many farmers are willing to let you taste before you buy. If you’re at the grocery store, seek out an employee or the produce manager if you have questions or print off this handy guide from Martha Stewart.

Get more tips from the University of Maryland Extension:

What are your favorite tips for choosing perfect produce?

Accepting PTSD as Normal, Not the Exception

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The 4 letters that could destroy your career: PTSD.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the military right now is that seeking help for PTSD will ruin your career.

Only, it won’t.

I can understand why this misconception is believed. Our service members are trained to be tough and strong to go to war and while not expressly stated, it’s insinuated that seeking help for any kind of distress (mental or physical) is seen as “weak” and “broken.”

That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Seeking help takes an incredible amount of strength and courage.

Here is the saddest part. Studies have shown that our service members WANT help. Researchers asked 2,500 soldiers in Georgia to fill out the standard Post-Deployment Health Assessment twice– once on record and a second time anonymously. Over 68% took part in both surveys and the results nearly doubled for any questions about PTSD and treatment. How insane is that?

Soldiers are tailoring their answers to the questions about their health based on what they think their supervisors want to see.

But at what cost? A rise in suicide attempts, domestic violence and divorce.

No matter what your relationship is to the military– a spouse, active-duty service member, veteran, parent, family member or friend– each one of us has been touched in some way by the effects of PTSD and non-treatment.

And when something horrible happens, we wonder what we could have done, how we could have prevented it and how sad it is that they couldn’t get help.

It’s a vicious cycle that needs to end. There should be no reason why our service members continue to suffer in silence.

Because when you think about it, they aren’t suffering alone. Their families are suffering too. One study showed a tie between PTSD and a higher rate of domestic violence.

While that isn’t a very big surprise, imagine the family whose service member returns home and begins verbal or physical abuse that wasn’t there before. While the spouse may suspect PTSD, any urging to get treatment is met with more violence because who are they to question the person who just lived through hell?

PTSD and combat stress affect nearly all of our military members.

PTSD and combat stress affect all of our military members and families.

It’s a no-win for everyone.

What’s the solution?

Stop glorifying war and start treating war as the traumatic situation that it is. Because until we begin to expect PTSD to be the norm, instead of the exception, we will continue to miss a diagnosis.

That is unacceptable.

 

Your Turn: What barriers exist for PTSD treatment for today’s active duty?

PCS-Purge: The Dreaded Pantry

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Tips for Purging Your Pantry Prior to a PCS

PCS season means purging. Time to look at what’s been accumulating in your pantry for the last 3 to 4 years.

One of the many things I dread about moving is the purge. Going through everything and trying to get rid of as much as possible. It’s something that you have to start immediately, otherwise it never gets done. But the one area of the house that doesn’t give me anxiety is the kitchen, specifically

the pantry.

Going through the pantry is actually fun. I see it as a challenge to use up as much as I can before moving. This last move, instead of Googling “What to make with Ramen and Kool-Aid*,” I used 3 websites to find creative ways to use the food and pantry items I’d collected in the last 3 years.

Recipe Matcher has an extensive checklist of pantry and kitchen items and is super easy to use. It takes a little bit of time to add everything in your pantry to the list, but once it’s there, it’s quick to find you a way to use as many items as possible.

Recipe Key allows you to drag and drop items in your pantry and get recipes that use those items. You can even filter recipes by allergies or dietary restrictions.

Tips for Purging Your Pantry Prior to a PCS

Use websites to find recipes for the odd items in your pantry.

Supercook is yet another site that finds recipes based on what’s in your kitchen. Supercook is very visual and has photos illustrating the recipe suggestions.

If you can’t use it, give it away.

Find a local food pantry to donate any unopened food or cleaning supplies. Try Feeding America, Foodpantries or Ample Harvest if you don’t know where a food bank is near you. Food banks are willing to take a lot of items, but they can’t accept any packages that have been opened (even if it was only once) or any packaged food with passed expiration dates.

Should I toss it? No, call your neighbor first.

We’ve all been on the receiving end of a PCS pare down a time or two and know there are just some things you can’t give away to a pantry or shelter. Things like half a bag of sugar or the opened bottle of Dawn dish soap.

Tips for a PCS-Purge of Your Pantry

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been gifted during a PCS-purge?

Ask around. Neighbors and friends are often willing to take items off your hands if you have excess. If they can’t use it, they often know someone else who can and will use it.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been given during a PCS-purge?

*OK, it wasn’t that bad, but there were some very strange combinations.

3 Steps to Battle Social Anxiety

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3 Steps for Military Spouses to Battle Social Anxiety

Summer parties shouldn’t make you anxious.

The summer months for military families means PCSing, farewell parties, barbecues, beach gatherings, pool parties, family vacations and meeting new neighbors. In short, it’s a busy, busy time of the year.

For me, summer often brings a bit of social anxiety– so many events and parties, so little time. As an introvert, it’s draining to spend a lot of time with other people and an extremely packed schedule makes me anxious.

Sometimes the anxiety comes from the idea of meeting new people or putting on “airs”, pretending to be happy when I don’t feel happy. Sometimes it’s the idea of having so much scheduled that I don’t have time for myself.

Here are 3 steps that helped me overcome the uneasiness of a full social calendar.

  1. Know that it’s OK to say “no”. You can politely decline an invitation. If it’s someone you know well, be honest and tell them you have too much going on (or that you’re not comfortable with a crowd). Offer to get together with them at another date without other people around.
  2. Know that you don’t have to stay the entire time. Give yourself a time limit of an hour or two. This worked well for me during the past Memorial Day weekend. My guy and I went to each party for an hour or two and then headed home to get back to our own work. We attended a different party each day. The events were a welcomed distraction from a mountain of schoolwork and our friends and family were happy to see us.
  3. Reward yourself with alone time. If you must attend a lot of events or have a busy schedule, plan downtime afterward. Plan a day to read a book or watch a movie. Do something that builds you up and renews you.

Introverts sometimes feel like we’re missing out on life when we don’t attend events. But remember that you need to take care of YOU. If that means taking time to recharge, do it. There’s nothing wrong with taking care of you. On the flip side, definitely enjoy the summer social events. You’ll be glad you did.

How do you handle the uneasiness of a full social calendar?

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?