Monthly Archives: September 2022

September 2022

Recipe Spotlight Using WIC Foods

2023-11-10T19:51:41+00:00September 23rd, 2022|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , |

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be spotlighting several recipes you can make in your kitchen. This one, “A Simple Mexican Salad” is from the USDA website and came from the Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Service. It’s a refreshing salad with a little bite. It’s cool and refreshing flavors are very comforting. 

A Simple Mexican Salad

Chili powder and lime juice are the secret ingredients in this cucumber and orange salad.

2 cucumbers

2 oranges

1 lemon or lime (the juice)

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Wash the cucumbers, oranges and lemon or lime under cold running water. Slice the cucumbers. Peel and cut the oranges into small pieces. Place cucumber slices and orange pieces in a medium size bowl. Add chili powder, lemon or lime juice and salt.

Get all your WIC foods in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North There are 11 locations in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. 

 

Quick, Easy Family Meal Features Whole Grains

2023-01-11T18:28:45+00:00September 22nd, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Pregnancy, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Whole grains are a great source of nutrition. Texas WIC features several approved-foods that offer whole grains. This recipe for Pasta with Peas from the “staff favorites” from the Whole Grain Council is a super easy, quick meal that can be made in 15 minutes for the entire family. Find more recipes like this one on their website.

Pasta with Peas

2 eggs, beaten

½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1 cup frozen peas

12 ounces whole wheat pasta

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and break linguini in half and cook according to package directions. 

While the pasta is cooking, combine the eggs and cheese in a small bowl, beat, and set aside. Put peas in a strainer, rinse under hot water, and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and sauté for several minutes, until it softens. Add the peas to the skillet and cook for about one minute longer.

Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. Toss gently to mix. Create a well in the center, add the eggs and cheese, and cook until they are starting to firm up. Toss with the pasta and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Let’s celebrate whole grains! 

2022-09-15T17:44:21+00:00September 15th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

September is Whole Grains Month! 

Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet. Texas WIC food packages also include whole grains, including brown rice, whole wheat bread and tortillas, corn tortillas, oatmeal and whole-wheat pasta. 

Health experts recommend including whole grains in our diets because they can help “reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity,” according to the Oldways Whole Grains Council.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of all the grains you eat are whole grains. If you’re like most people, you’re not getting enough whole grains — so see how to make whole grains a part of your healthy diet.

Grains can be either whole or refined. Whole grains have the entire grain kernel, and include whole-wheat flour, oatmeal and brown rice to name a few. Refined grains remove fiber, iron and some vitamins. Examples include white flour, bread and rice. 

In honor of whole grains month, here is a recipe to try:

WIC Whole Grains: Add whole grains to your Tuna Patties

Whole-Grain Tuna Rice Cakes

1 can tuna, undrained

2 cups cooked rice

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1 Tbsp finely chopped onion

1 slice of whole wheat bread, shredded or crumbled

Dash or two of ground black pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the tuna with its liquid, rice, celery, onion, bread and pepper. Stir in the eggs and mix well. Form mixture into 4 patties using about ¼ cup mix for each. Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add patties and brown on each side. Enjoy!

Get all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North in one easy stop. Grocery Services North is a chain of grocery stores that caters to WIC clients. There are 11 locations in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. Visit today!

 

Labor Less This Holiday Weekend

2023-11-10T19:55:04+00:00September 2nd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |

Make Ahead Recipes Perfect For Enjoying Time With Your Family

All moms need a break. 

Labor Day is the perfect time to take a break from all the extra things you normally do – like extra cooking – and enjoy a special moment with your family. 

Feeding your family can sometimes seem like an all-day event. Mom’s know that kids always seem hungry, and if you aren’t making  breakfast, it’s a snack (or two) and then dinner. Mom’s also need a break. That’s why we have come up with a super easy holiday weekend menu that lets moms take a break and enjoy the holiday.

Pick a few of these recipes below to make ahead of time, giving you extra time to spend with your family. They are super easy recipes the entire family will enjoy. 

ONE PAN CHILI MAC

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. paprika

1 tbsp. cumin 

2 tsp. onion powder

2 tsp. garlic powder

Salt to taste

2 cups water

1 8 oz. can of  tomato sauce

8 oz. whole wheat elbow macaroni

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese or other cheese of your choice

Heat oil in a pan. Add water, tomato sauce, pasta and seasonings, cook on medium-high to bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10  minutes, stirring until pasta is tender. Sprinkle cheese on top and put the lid on the pan until the cheese is melted. 

CEREAL BAR SNACK

4 cups of WIC-approved cereal of your choice

¾ cup peanut butter

½ cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

Line a square pan with foil or parchment paper. Spray foil with cooking spray. In a large saucepan, heat peanut butter, honey and butter until mixture is boiling and slightly thickened. Place cereal in a bowl. Stir heated peanut butter sauce over cereal. stir until evenly coated. Using the buttered back of the spoon, press the mixture very firmly in a square pan. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm enough to cut. Make and place in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

This recipe makes 4 snack boxes you can store in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are great for snacks or lunch.

SNACK IN A BOX

Boil 4 eggs

Cheese slices

1 peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread

Cut fruit

Boil four eggs in hot water for about 7 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Peel eggs and slice in half. Slice cheese into bite sized pieces. Make a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread and cut into 4 pieces. Sliced fruit. Assemble snack boxes and put in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!

Grocery Services North Announces Special Labor Day Hours

2022-09-05T12:31:58+00:00September 1st, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |

Grocery Services North will open certain locations for Labor Day. 

The following stores will be open from 9 AM to 3 PM on September 5th. 

  • Grocery Services North at 1050 N. Westmoreland Rd. Ste. 312, Dallas, TX 75211
  • Grocery Services North at 6921 Lake June Road, Dallas, TX 75217 
  • Grocery Services North at 310 N. Barnes Rd. Ste. A, Garland, TX 75042 
  • Grocery Services North at 8202 Spring Valley Rd., Ste. 300, Dallas, TX 75240 

“We know how important it is to WIC clients, our customers, to be open at the beginning of the month,” said Cristina Torres, store manager. “We love our customers and want to make WIC shopping as easy and convenient as possible.”

Grocery Services North makes it easy for WIC clients to get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop. Our stores and staff cater to WIC clients. Walk in to get everything you need today. 

Everyone at Grocery Services North wishes your family a happy and safe Labor Day.