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Memorial Day Savings This Month at Your Commissary

04/29/2015 By Rachel Tringali Marston

May is my absolute favorite month! Not only is it my birth month, it is also the unofficial start to summer. Our community pool opens up Memorial Day weekend (YAY!) and outdoor gatherings become a regular occurrence.

It can be said that along with the weather, the commissary deals are heating up too! In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, they have upped their game with lots of great specials throughout the month aimed to help military families get ready for barbecues, pool parties or any other family get-togethers.

Who doesn’t love a good backyard picnic? Add the ideal outdoor dining side dish to your menu with a tasty pasta salad. Betty Crocker’s Suddenly Pasta Salad (Ceasar, Classic or Ranch & Bacon) is only $0.98. Buy 2 and you can save $.50 with this coupon. It’s a great make-ahead meal and can be refrigerated until it’s time to eat.

Another great addition to any meal outside is a delicious pickle. Vlasic® Spears (24 oz.) are 2 for $3. For those who like to add a pickle topping to their hot dogs, Vlasic Relish (10 oz.) is $0.98.

Stock up on great finger grabbing snacks like Ruffles Potato Chips (Original or Cheddar & Sour Cream, $2.50), Tostitos Tortilla Chips (Cantina Traditional or Thin & Crispy, $2; Restaurant Style or Scoops, $2.50) or finally, Lay’s Chips (Baked, Classic or Wavy Original, $2). Don’t forget to include your favorite dip into the mix.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m from Texas, so I know that no awesome barbecue is complete without sweet tea and lemonade. Sometimes a get-together is quickly arranged. As a result, you have no time to brew a batch of tea or squeeze a bunch of lemons! In those instances, I love grabbing a refreshing jug of pre-made tea and lemonade. I’m excited that Gold Peak’s Iced Tea Diet or Sweet Tea (59 oz.) is $1.39 and Minute Maid Light Lemonade (59 oz.) is 2 for $3.

Also, I don’t know about you, but I tend to stick with disposable plates and cups for most outdoor dining situations. It makes clean-up a breeze. Several of Hefty’s great products are on sale for $1.50 this month. The sale items include: Everyday Soak Proof bowls or plates (50 ct.), Deluxe Extra Strong & Deep plates (24 ct.) and Ultimate Easy Grip 18 oz. cups (30 ct.).  They have a good selection of trash bags discounted too. Ultimate Flex Scent Free or Clean Burst (38 ct.) or Odor Block scent free or lavender vanilla (45 ct.) are $4.99 a package.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

This month, Neutrogena products are on special. Pamper yourself with a wide range of their offers! I’m a huge fan of their Oil-Free Moisturizer for sensitive skin. They also have a version with SPF that’s great for the sunny months ahead. Both are just $6.67.

Here are some more Neutrogena specials:

  • Deep Clean (Facial and Cream Cleanser or Gentle Scrub), $3.41
  • Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $4.18
  • Excellent for travel: Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Refill Pack, $2.97
  • Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub or Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub $4.51
  • Transparent Facial Bar Acne Prone Skin Formula, $1.73
  • Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 or Night, $11.37
  • Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream Original Formula SPF 15, $7.45
  • Health Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50, $8.43

Be sure you scope out the commissary specials flyer for more fantastic sale prices!

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

Savor These 6 Simple Barbecue Side Dishes

05/14/2014 By Michelle Volkmann

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.

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