Meal Planning

February 2022

WIC Inspired Recipes – Turkish Eggs

2022-08-26T01:56:17+00:00February 22nd, 2022|Categories: Kid Activities, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Looking for something different for breakfast?  Try Turkish eggs. This recipe features multiple WIC ingredients, including eggs.

Turkish Eggs, or Cilbir, is a traditional Turkish dish with simple ingredients like yogurt, garlic, red pepper flakes, poached eggs, & butter. There are records of çılbır being eaten by Ottoman sultans as far back as the 15th century, and it’s often known as Turkish comfort food. 

Today, Turkish eggs can make a great breakfast or snack using WIC ingredients, including eggs, yogurt and whole wheat bread.

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

3 Eggs

1 Clove of Garlic

½ Cup of Thick Plain Yogurt

2 tbsp Butter

2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

3 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread

1 tbsp White Vinegar

Salt, Pepper, & Dill to taste

Spoon yogurt onto a plate & use the back of the spoon to spread it out. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat, add minced garlic & red pepper flakes. Stir until color is uniform & remove from heat.

Fill a large saucepan with 2 – 3 inches of water & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep at a simmer. Crack an egg into a small bowl or ramekin and gently slip the egg into the simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Cook the eggs for 3 minutes until the egg whites are firm & the yolk has thickened but not hard. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon & add to plate with yogurt. 

Spoon the butter, garlic & chili pepper mixture on top of the poached eggs & sprinkle with black pepper, a pinch of salt, & dill to taste. Toast the bread until lightly browned. Dip into the Turkish eggs & enjoy! Makes 2 Servings.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

 

Pancakes Using WIC Foods

2022-08-26T02:00:19+00:00February 3rd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , |

These banana & egg pancakes are quick & easy to make & can be enjoyed even by some of the pickiest toddlers. This simple pancake recipe only uses 2 main ingredients (that are also WIC foods) & is so delicious that you may never make regular pancakes again!

Bonus this recipe is also great finger food for toddlers learning to feed themselves.

Pancakes Using WIC Foods – Banana & Egg Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

1 Banana

Cinnamon

Oil (Olive oil, etc)

Maple Syrup or Honey, Optional

Instructions:

Peel the banana & mash in a medium-sized bowl. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs & whisk them together. Pour eggs into the bowl of mashed banana, add a dash of cinnamon, and mix together. Heat a pan to medium heat & add oil. Slowly drop a large spoonful at a time of banana & egg mixture to pan & heat until golden brown on both sides. Top with honey, syrup, or your choice of fruit.

Enjoy!

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

Recipes Using WIC Foods: Egg Frittata Muffins

2023-11-10T19:53:19+00:00February 3rd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Cooking with Foods Approved By WIC, Eggs

This easy frittata muffin recipe is likely to become a staple in your household. These Frittata Muffins make a great healthy breakfast or tasty snack, and they’re perfect for meal prepping or when you’re on the go. Frittata muffins are great for using whatever produce you have in your fridge waiting to be used. Plus they are made with foods approved by WIC, eggs.

WIC Inspired Recipes – Frittata Muffins

Frittata Muffins

Nonstick cooking spray

6 large eggs

½ cup whole milk

Salt & pepper

½ cup shredded cheese

Your choice of vegetables. I like to use the following:

⅓ cup chopped onion

⅓ cup chopped bell pepper

⅓ cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen)

½ cup chopped portobello mushrooms

1 zucchini, sliced thin

Heat oven to 350, spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ¼ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper.  Stir in cheese & vegetables of your choice.  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Add one slice of zucchini to each muffin cup & press into egg mixture until covered. Bake for 20 minutes. Let the frittata muffins cool for 5 minutes, then remove from cups & serve. To reheat any leftovers, place in the microwave for 30 seconds.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this recipe with food approved by WIC: Egg Frittata Muffins? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

USE WIC EGGS FOR OTHER RECIPES

Visit our blog for more recipes using WIC-approved foods.

 

 

January 2022

WIC Inspired Recipe – French Toast & Grilled Peaches

2022-08-26T02:07:44+00:00January 13th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , |

Looking for a delicious way to eat your WIC-approved foods. Give this WIC inspired recipe a try for breakfast, lunch or dinner:

French Toast & Grilled Peaches

Try out this breakfast classic with a fresh twist!

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread

4 eggs

1 ripe peach

1 tbsp Butter

Cinnamon

Honey or Maple Syrup

Powdered Sugar, optional

Cut slices of bread in half, triangle-shaped & set aside. Crack 4 eggs into a medium-sized bowl & whisk. Heat pan on medium-high heat & melt 1 tbsp of butter. Take a slice of bread & dip into egg mixture on both sides, then add to pan & repeat. Brown each side of toast on both sides & add cinnamon as it’s cooking. Cut the peach into slices & add to pan. Cook until browned on each side. Top the french toast with the peaches, add honey, a dash of cinnamon, & any other toppings of your choice. Makes 2 Servings Enjoy!

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

November 2021

Planning Thanksgiving Recipes Helps Make Holiday More Fun

2022-03-16T19:45:07+00:00November 19th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |

Turkey Day is almost here. There is so much to be thankful for this year. It may be the first time in a  couple of years we can more safely gather with family and friends. Bringing back some of our familiar holiday traditions will be even sweeter this year. 

Getting ready for the day can be less stressful if planning in advance. Here are some tips to help make the day full of fun. 

PLANNING IS THE KEY

The most important step is planning in advance. Plan your menu, plan your shopping and plan what you can make in advance. Remember, simple is usually better. 

Get all your shopping done as early as possible. One way to save time and money is by getting all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North early in the week. Click on our blog post here for our special Thanksgiving Week hours. WIC Food Shopping

Use your expanded WIC fruit and vegetable allowance to pick up produce for your Thanksgiving sides: bread, potatoes, onions, carrots, frozen vegetables, cheese and fruit just to name a few. Beans, another WIC-approved food, also make a great Thanksgiving Day side. 

Use ingredients you have to plan your menu. You can make a list on your phone or the old-fashioned way with paper and pencil. Making a list will help you make sure you have everything you need, and help plan out your recipes. 

There are so many recipes options for creating a Thanksgiving Day menu, and they don’t have to be complicated or use 100 ingredients. Simple is usually better. If you are looking for a few places online to find healthy, simple recipes check out these websites:

Texas WIC: Texas WIC has some great healthy recipes using WIC foods. Here are some of our favorites for Thanksgiving: Apple Crisp, Sweet Potato BallsCitrus Glazed Carrots,  Fruit Salad & Fruit Dip and Carrot Bread

Cooking Matters: This website is full of great, healthy recipes. Here are a few your family might like for Thanksgiving: Banana Pudding, baked apples and tips for cooking beans.

USDA: This website offers several recipes for Thanksgiving Day and they even have recipes for your leftovers. 

SIMPLE IS BETTER

Thanksgiving TurkeyDoes the thought of cooking turkey stress you out? You don’t have to cook an entire turkey. Make a small turkey breast or turkey tenderloin. They are much less intimidating and usually cost less than cooking an entire bird. Or, roast a chicken. You could also skip making a traditional Thanksgiving and opt for making your family’s favorite meal. 

If you are making a turkey, check out the USDA’s tips for cooking a bird here.

Thanksgiving FamilyENJOY ALL THE MOMENTS  

Spending time with your kids, family and friends is the best part of the day. After your meal, find time to play outside or go for a walk. It’s a great activity for the whole family.  Everyone at Grocery Services North wishes you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving. All of our locations will be open regular hours on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Find a location here. We also accept SNAP. Hope to see you soon. 

 

September 2021

Snack With WIC: Smoothies Using WIC Foods

2023-11-10T19:53:56+00:00September 1st, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Chill Out With A Refreshing Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get an extra dose of fruits and vegetables, making them a healthy WIC snack. They also don’t require a lot of ingredients. Gather some of your favorite WIC foods and blend away. Smoothies are a combination of fruits and/or vegetables, liquid, protein and ice (if you aren’t using frozen fruit) blended together. The fun part is that they are easy to switch up to find a fun new flavor.

SNACK WITH WIC

Some common smoothie ingredients include:

FRUITS (FROZEN OR FRESH): Bananas, Peaches, Mangos, Apples, Berries and Even Avocados

VEGETABLES: Spinach, Carrots, Celery and Cucumbers

PROTEIN: Peanut Butter

LIQUIDS: Milk, Soy Milk, Yogurt, Juice or Water (like ice if you aren’t using frozen fruit)

OPTIONAL FOR FUN: Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice There are so many WIC foods to pick from – Fruits, Veggies, Peanut Butter and Milk. Those are all super healthy WIC-approved foods you can include in your morning smoothie. The fun part is you don’t need a recipe. Use the recipe below provided by Texas WIC as a guide, but substitute any of the ingredients or combinations above to come up with new favorites. Because smoothies are packed with nutrition (and WIC ingredients) they make a great breakfast or snack for adults and kids. They are especially tasty as the long hot days of Summer approach. If you have fresh fruit you think might go bad before you eat it (like bananas or berries), just cut and put it in a freezer-safe container and store for your next smoothie.

SMOOTHIE BOWL

Smoothie bowls are a hot trend and is a fun new way to eat smoothies.

If your tot isn’t ready to drink from a straw, but is trying purees, this version might be perfect for them. If making for a child, be mindful to avoid certain ingredients (like nuts because of choking) and even peanut butter if you haven’t yet determined if they aren’t allergic. Also, skip adding the whole fruit on top.

Note: It’s best to try ingredients that a child might be allergic to one at a time instead of blending multiple items together. This is helpful so you can easily identify which food might have caused the allergy. Once a child has individually tried all the ingredients you want to add to a smoothie bowl, you should be safe. Just make sure everything is blended well. A smoothie bowl is also a fun way for adults to enjoy fruits and veggies. You can even top off your bowl with a handful of fresh berries or sliced fruit for extra texture. RECIPE FROM TEXASWIC.ORG Texas WIC offers this recipe on their website. Of course you can add more or substitute as you like:

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

1 Banana 2 cups frozen Strawberries (without added sugar)

¾ cup Milk

8 ounces low-fat Vanilla Yogurt

Tips: You can use any fruit – try mangoes, peaches or blueberries! If using all fresh fruit, try blending in ice cubes to thicken it up. You can also use 100% fruit juice or soy milk instead of milk, or even silken tofu instead of yogurt! Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

APPLY FOR TEXAS WIC

Texas WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for expectant mothers and their children up to age 5 who meet certain criteria. The program provides nutrition counseling and support, free monthly food packages and breastfeeding support. To find out if you may be eligible, visit TexasWIC.org to apply. Get the ingredients for your smoothie at Grocery Services North, a primarily WIC grocery store chain in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. To find a location near you, visit GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.

July 2021

Celebrate July 4th With American Picnic Using WIC Foods

2023-11-10T19:54:05+00:00July 2nd, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: , |

The heart of the summer – July 4th – is almost here. 

Grilling, cold fruit and fresh sides are the perfect ingredients for a holiday picnic. To help make your planning a little easier, here are two perfect recipes featuring WIC foods.  The first recipe will cool you off from that hot summer sun, but offers the ‘blue’ and ‘white’ for your red, white and blue menu. These little bites pair perfectly with a cold watermelon.  They may be such a hit with the kids, that you want to keep some in the freezer for the next few months. 

Texas WIC Fruit FROZEN YOGURT BLUEBERRY BITES

1 8-ounce container of Blueberries

½ cup Vanilla Yogurt

Cover a large baking sheet with wax paper. Place yogurt in a small bowl and stir. Poke blueberry one at a time with a toothpick and dip into yogurt until it is completely covered. Move blueberry from toothpick onto wax-covered baking sheet. Repeat with all blueberries. Place in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove blueberries from wax paper using a spatula. Once frozen, place all blueberries into an airtight freezer-safe bowl with lid and until ready to eat. Can store in the freezer for a few months.  Whole Wheat Pasta Salad

This next recipe is easy to add any vegetables from your refrigerator. Feel free to cut and use what you have. Substitution ideas include broccoli, olives, carrots or really anything you like.

COLORFUL RAINBOW PASTA SALAD

8 ounces of Dried Pasta (such as Rotini)

1 package of Italian Salad Dressing mix

2 Roma Tomatoes, diced

½ Onion, sliced thin

1 Zucchini squash, sliced thin

1 Yellow Squash, sliced thin

Pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.  Prepare Italian seasoning mix according to directions. Mix dressing and pasta in a large bowl. Add cut vegetables. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. To pick up all your WIC groceries for your July 4th party, visit any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler or Longview.  Texas WIC is currently offering expanded fruit and vegetable benefits this month.  For more information about Texas WIC, visit TexasWIC.org.

June 2021

Summertime Pasta Recipe

2024-06-13T13:15:06+00:00June 15th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: , |

Try This Recipe For Whole Wheat Pasta (A WIC Food) The Whole Family Will Love

It’s summertime. That means parents need healthy, fast, no-fuss recipes that are also kid-friendly. If you are looking for a quick meal using WIC foods, try this pasta recipe. You may find yourself using this recipe again and again this summer.  It’s easy, fast and doesn’t heat up the kitchen during those warm summer months. It’s great for lunch, dinner and makes enough for leftovers. The best part, it features several WIC foods. WIC Whole Wheat Pasta

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA AND BROCCOLI

1 16oz box of Whole Wheat Pasta, any kind (elbows, bow ties, spirals or even spaghetti)

3 cups of  Broccoli, fresh or frozen works

4 tbsp Butter

3 cloves Garlic, minced

2/3 cup shredded or grated cheese of your choice

1.5 to 2 cups of reserved Pasta water

Cooked Boneless Chicken, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions. When you have about 5 minutes remaining, add the broccoli.  Once broccoli is tender, drain water In a large colander. Use the cooking pot to melt the butter on low heat. Add minced garlic and saute for a few minutes, stirring often. Add pasta and broccoli back into the pot. Add cheese and pasta water. Stir until the cheese is mixed thoroughly. Mix in cooked, cut up, boneless chicken chunks if using. Enjoy! Find more great recipes using WIC foods on the Grocery Services North blog page. Grocery Services North helps make shopping for WIC foods easy for mothers. You can find a location near WIC clinics by visiting our locations page online. You can apply online for Texas WIC by visiting the organization’s website at TexasWIC.org.

May 2021

Memorial Day Recipe Round Up

2025-07-02T13:27:05+00:00May 28th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Mom Health, Recipes, Texas WIC|Tags: , |

Holiday Recipes Featuring WIC Fruits, Vegetables To Make This Weekend

There’s no better time to start breaking into your summer recipes than Memorial Day weekend. The season offers so many great fruits and vegetables that are perfect to serve up as the weather heats up. We are spotlighting several holiday recipes using WIC foods perfect for this weekend and for the months to come using some of our favorite fruits and vegetables. These cool and refreshing treats are fun for kids and are easy to make.

HOLIDAY RECIPES USING WIC FOODS

YOGURT FREEZER POPS

12 oz of Fresh or Frozen Fruit (strawberries with stems removed and cut in half before blending or blueberries are our favorites)

2 cups of Plain Yogurt

¼ cup of Honey (omit if serving to children younger than 1 years old)

Puree fruit in a blender. Add yogurt. Add honey (if using) and blend together. Pour pops into molds of your choice (you can use disposable plastic cups, ice trays with wooden sticks or pop molds from the store). Freeze for 6 plus hours. When ready to eat, you can loosen the pop from mold by running it under warm water for a few minutes to remove it from the disposable cup, ice tray or mold. Summer is the perfect time to cook outside with family and friends. So fire up the grill for this healthy and delicious recipe spotlighting produce.

FROZEN FRUIT POPS

Another idea is to pop fresh or frozen fruit into those popsicle molds (or plastic cups) and add fresh herbs, water and a pop stick. Freeze until frozen. Your kids will love the cool, fresh treat all summer long!

VEGGIE KABOBS

Zucchini slices Yellow Squash slices

Fresh Mushrooms

Onion, quartered

Pineapple chunks

Bell Pepper chunks 1/3 cup

Olive Oil 1½ teaspoons

Dried Basil ¾ teaspoon

Dried Oregano

½ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Garlic Powder, to taste

8 wooden/ bamboo skewers or metal skewers. You can also use an aluminum foil tray on the grill.

Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes. Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Place vegetables of your choice, including these options: zucchini, squash slices, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, pineapple, and bell pepper onto the skewers. Mix olive oil and seasonings into a bowl. Brush onto vegetables. Cook vegetables on a preheated grill until done, turning and reapplying oil as needed for about 15 minutes. Turn your beans into a salad with this next recipe. It’s a delicious way to eat your beans in the summertime. The added vegetables also add a lot of flavor to this side.

PINTO BEANS

1 ½ cups Dried Pinto Beans, soaked overnight and drained 2 tablespoons

Salt 2 medium Tomatoes, chopped

1 medium Onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon Lime Juice

1 teaspoon Salt

¼ cup Olive Oil

1 clove Garlic, minced (or garlic powder to taste)

¼ cup fresh Cilantro, chopped

Pepper to taste

After letting dried pinto beans soak overnight, drain them. Place beans in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in salt and cook for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender. Drain beans. Let beans cool. Combi

ne lemon juice, lime juice. Add olive oil gradually until mixed well. Add garlic and cilantro. Pour dressing over warm beans and toss. Add chopped tomatoes and onions and toss well.

Get WIC Foods For Your Memorial Day Recipes at Grocery Services North

Get all your WIC groceries at Grocery Services North locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Find a location near you online. Find more great recipes on our blog.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

2023-11-10T19:55:49+00:00May 5th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With WIC Inspired Recipes

There’s no better reason to throw a dinner party for your family than Cinco De Mayo. To make your party perfect, we have rounded up a list of ideas for a festive family meal at home, including Cinco De Mayo WIC-inspired recipes!  Using key WIC ingredients, your family celebration will be healthy and delicious.  Plus, you don’t have to leave the house to feel you have escaped to the perfect party venue. You can turn your dining table into the perfect escape.

Here are 3 tips to make your Cinco De Mayo fiesta perfect:

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED

  1. Make a fun tablescape and decor for your home. Add lots of colors! You can even get the kids to help. Search online for instructions and inspiration to make everything from plastic egg maracas to tiny pinatas made out of toilet paper rolls and decorated with tissue paper. Here is a link for instructions for an example of the pinatas. These homemade table centerpieces are also very festive. The ideas are as endless as your imagination.

MAKE SIMPLE RECIPES WITH WIC FOODS

  1. Keep your menu simple. The party is always more perfect when there isn’t a ton of work. Simple recipes that can be made in advance (like the fruit salsa recipe below) are the perfect way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo (which falls in the middle of the week). The pinto bean salsa recipe below is also super simple and quick to make.

FIESTA!

  1. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.  The best part about a party (even if it’s for immediate family) is to remember to have fun. Don’t stress about the details On that note, let’s get the party started with this fun Fruit Salsa Recipe. Here are a few Cinco De Mayo WIC inspired Recipes to try:

Cinco De Mayo

FRESH FRUIT SALSA

1 cup mango (peeled and chopped)

 1 cup diced pineapple 

1/2 cup diced red pepper 

1 roma tomato, seeded and chopped

 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

2 tablespoons diced onion

 2 tablespoons lime juice

 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (0ptional) 

Put all ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.  

Salsa Pinto Beans

Here is a great recipe from the USDA’s My Plate for Salsa Beans:

Salsa Pinto Beans

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)

 1 onion (medium, chopped) 

1 clove garlic (minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder) 

2 cans pinto beans (15 ounces each, drained and rinsed)

 1 cup of mild salsa

 Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in the beans and salsa. Cook for 10 minutes. 

Source: Maryland Food Supplement Nutrition Education program, 2009 Recipe Calendar.

 SHOP FOR CINCO DE MAYO WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FOODS

Get your WIC foods at Grocery Service North in one easy stop to the store. To find a store near you, visit our location page online. Interested in joining Texas WIC? You can get your application started online. For more recipes spotlighting WIC foods, visit our blog.