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Mom Health

July 2022

Vegetables Are WIC Foods

2022-08-26T04:39:28+00:00July 5th, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Mom Health, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Summer Salads You Will Want To Eat!

Salads don’t have to be boring. In fact, they can be so refreshing and tasty that your toddler might even be asking for more.  

Sometimes salads get a bad reputation. After all, they are made mostly with vegetables. If you aren’t a salad lover, we have a few ideas that might change your mind. If you already love a nice crisp salad a few tips to change things up might be just what you need.  They are also a healthy side or quick meal and are a great way to eat healthy WIC foods.

Here are a few tips that will make your salad a little extra special.

ADD FRESH FRUIT

Adding sliced fresh apples or mandarins, really add something unexpected to a lettuce and tomato salad. Mangos, fresh berries, and watermelon can also be a wonderful addition. Add some of your favorites for extra color and taste.

ADD CHEESE

Grated or crumbled cheese of your choice is a great salad topper. Try anything from shredded cheddar to cubed mozzarella. It also adds great nutrition to your meal in a bowl. 

ADD HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSING

The healthiest, and the most cost-effective salad dressings are the ones you make yourself. Plus, they are super simple and fast and taste a lot more delicious. 

To make your own, here are a few ingredients you will want to have on hand. Of course, they won’t all go into the same recipe, but they are fun to mix and match to find the perfect combination. Some great dressing ingredients include: lemon juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, oil such as olive oil, honey mustard, and seasonings (such as garlic powder, black pepper, and Italian seasonings.)

ADD PROTEIN

Drained canned beans, boiled eggs, and canned tuna are great protein toppers for summer salads. They aren’t heavy but provide a healthy protein punch to your meal. 

ADD EXTRA CRUNCH

Depending on the flavor of your salad, it’s fun to add a little extra crunch like baked tortilla strips made homemade with tortillas. Simply take a corn tortilla and brush it with the oil of your choice. Slice it up and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees (turning halfway) until they are nice and crispy. 

VEGETABLES ARE WIC FOODS – TRY THIS SALAD RECIPE

SUMMER APPLE SALAD

1 bag of fresh salad mix

2 apples, chopped

Tomatoes, chopped

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

¼ onion, chopped

Chopped carrots

Homemade Apple Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. 

APPLE CIDAR VINAIGRETTE

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

Ground black pepper

¼ cup olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk or add all ingredients to a mason jar, close the lid, and shake. Pour as much as you would like over your salad.

PICK UP YOUR VEGETABLES & OTHER WIC FOODS AT GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your summer salad ingredients at Grocery Services North. All locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview are conveniently located near WIC clinics for easy WIC grocery shopping. Everything in the store is WIC approved. Find a location near you today.

Vegetables are WIC foods. Plus, WIC is also currently offering expanded fruit and vegetable benefits. Learn more here.

 

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March 2022

WIC Benefits Last For Years To Come

2022-03-21T15:50:06+00:00March 22nd, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

There are more benefits than nutrition counseling, free healthy food packages, and breastfeeding support that participants gain from the Texas WIC program.

The WIC program is a government-funded nutritional program to help improve the health and nutrition for pregnant women and their children up to age 5. 

“WIC saves lives and improves the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children,” according to the USDA. “The results of studies conducted by FNS and other non-government entities prove that WIC is one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective nutrition intervention programs.”

The USDA outlines that participants get WIC benefits that may include:

  • Improved birth outcomes and health care cost savings
  • Improved diet
  • Improved infant feeding
  • Improved immunization rates and medical care
  • Improved growth rates
  • Earlier prenatal care
  • Better health outcomes for mothers 

And much, much more!

WIC participants also receive the following WIC benefits as part of the program: Supplemental nutritious foods as part of the free monthly food package. WIC clients get their food benefit lists loaded onto an EBT card. They can redeem their benefits when shopping for food. Learn more at TexasWIC.org.

WIC clients also receive nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics and online. 

Better health and nutrition can last a lifetime. All of the WIC services can help ensure that pregnant women and their children have the best chance at a healthy life. WIC is an important program that should be taken advantage of by all who are eligible. 

Texas WIC experts can also help participants get connected to other health and social service resources. 

WIC is an important resource for parents, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to give their children the best possible start in life. The program helps ensure that kids get the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong.

To apply to Texas WIC, visit online here.

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WIC Online Classes

2022-04-08T12:56:24+00:00March 21st, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

Texas WIC Helps Parents Online

Texas WIC is ready to help parents from pregnancy to toddler. They even have free classes online each month to help parents learn the ropes. 

During March, WIC online classes range in topics from how to feed your baby to a live demonstration with a guest speaker on “Fearless Family Meals” and a “Life Pregnancy Discussion.”  There are two types of classes offered: 

  1. Live Online Classes – Use a link to watch a class live from your phone or computer.
  2. Click & Learn – You follow along by clicking through course materials.

Here is a glimpse of WIC Live Online classes coming up this week: 

March 22 from 10 AM to 11 AM  – Live Activity on Fearless Family Meals

March 22 from Noon to 1 PM – Live Discussion on WIC Shopping Tips and Tricks

March 22 from 3 to 4 PM – Live Discussion Series for Breastfeeding, Pumping and Bottle Feeding

March 23 from 1 to 2 PM – Live Discussion on Feeding Your Baby from 8 to 12 Months

To sign up, use this link: https://texaswic.org/online-classes. Click on the class you would like to participate in and follow the instructions to enroll. Learn more about Texas WIC on our blog.

 

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Redeem Your Benefits For WIC Beans

2022-08-26T02:11:03+00:00March 21st, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Grocery Services North, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

Grocery Services North Offering Goya Beans While Supplies Last

For a limited time, Grocery Services North will be offering Goya Beans. Customers can redeem their WIC benefits for canned Goya black and pinto beans while supplies last.

Black and pinto beans can be part of a nutritious meal for the entire family.  They are also a WIC-approved food. Canned beans can be enjoyed plain or used as filling for tacos or quesadillas or even be used to make soup or chili. 

Find even more ways to prepare your Goya beans by visiting the brand’s website for recipes.

“We hope our customers enjoy this special product while supplies last,” said Cristina Torres, Grocery Services North store manager. “Ask for Goya when you visit.” 

GROCERY SERVICES NORTH MAKES WIC EASY

Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview.

“We help make WIC grocery shopping easy,” Ms. Torres said. “Customers can get in and out fast and are helped through the entire shopping experience by bilingual clerks who are familiar with the Texas WIC program.”

Pick up all your WIC beans and all your WIC groceries in one easy stop. Everything at Grocery Services North is WIC approved. Learn more about WIC food packages on our blog.   

GSN shoppers can also check their WIC EBT benefits before shopping so WIC clients can see what benefits are available. All stores also accept SNAP. Find a location near you.

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

Also get more recipes using WIC recipes on our blog.

 

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Government Food Program Serves Up Produce

2022-08-26T02:24:22+00:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Grocery Services North, Mom Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Expanded WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru September 

Congress has approved another extension of WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru September 2022.

WIC is a government food program that provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and monthly food packages of healthy foods for pregnant women, babies and children up to age 5.

“With the rising cost of food and the ongoing burden of healthcare costs, we must double down on effective measures like the WIC benefit bump that help children build nutritious diets and get a healthy start,” according to a statement from the National WIC Association.

WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits now provide:

  • Children $24/month
  • Pregnant and postpartum participants receive $43/month
  • Breastfeeding participants receive $47/month

Texas WIC offers the following example about how a family may see additional benefits on their WIC EBT cards: 

If you are pregnant and have two children (ages 1-5) receiving WIC, you will get $91 ($43 mom + $24 child + $24 child = $91) each month to buy fruit and vegetables thru September. 

WIC clients will see this new amount on your shopping list under your benefit amount. 

WIC shoppers can use the expanded fruit and vegetable benefit to buy produce fresh, frozen, cans, glass jars, and plastic containers. For more information about WIC food benefits, visit TexasWIC.org.

GOVERNMENT FOOD PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT

Since April 2021, more than 4.75 million women and children participating in WIC have received enhanced fruit and vegetable benefits in accordance with science-based recommendations. The WIC benefit bump has resulted in more than triple the amount of fruit and vegetable purchases, a greater variety of produce redeemed by WIC families, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption for young children, according to a statement released by the National WIC Association.

WIC GROCERY SHOPPING

Visit Grocery Services North in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview to redeem your WIC benefits in one easy stop. Grocery Services North is a PWIC grocery store chain that specializes in catering to WIC clients. Shoppers can check their EBT balance BEFORE shopping and bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout the shopping experience. Plus, everything in the store is WIC approved. SNAP is also accepted. Find a location here.

 

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Learn About Texas WIC Food List

2022-08-26T02:27:59+00:00March 11th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC|Tags: , , , , , |

If you are new or interested in joining Texas WIC, you are likely getting familiar with the Texas WIC food list. There are more WIC foods approved now than ever before. 

The WIC program offers free nutritional assistance for mothers to help them raise healthy children until they turn 5 years old. The program offers nutritional support, free classes, breastfeeding support, and free monthly food packages for expecting mothers and their children while they are on the program. 

Those Texas WIC free food packages are tailored to the mother’s and children’s nutritional needs as they advance through the program, depending on the child’s age. The food packages may include everything from tuna, milk, and cereal, fruits and vegetables for an expecting mother to the formula for babies and whole wheat pasta, bread, peanut butter, beans, and more for older children.

Texas WIC Food List

Each month you will get more familiar with the Texas WIC food list as you get your WIC groceries. You can also learn more about the food list and packages at TexasWIC.org.

The WIC food list is broken into the following categories: Pregnant women, moms and fully breastfeeding babies, moms and partially breastfeeding babies, moms and formula feeding babies, children 1 to 2 years and children 2 to 5 years. 

WIC client’s monthly food package benefits, all the foods from their WIC food list, are loaded onto a WIC EBT card for the client to redeem when shopping for their WIC groceries.

Grocery stores like Grocery Services North – which has locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview – help mothers easily shop for WIC groceries. Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain that specializes in serving WIC clients. At the store, customers can see the benefits on their WIC EBT card before they shop. Because everything in the store is WIC approved clients don’t have to worry about finding all the correct WIC foods from their list.  Bilingual clerks help customers shop for their WIC foods from their list. The WIC clerks are familiar with the WIC program and make WIC shopping easier. 

  • Learn more about the Texas food list by visiting Texas WIC. 
  • To find a Grocery Services North location, visit us online at: groceryservicesnorth.com/locations. 
  • If you are not part of the Texas WIC program, apply online at TexasWIC.org/apply.
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Free Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Helps Moms, Children

2022-03-18T23:03:41+00:00March 7th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

March is national nutrition month, a time to focus on the importance of good nutrition. Eating nutritious foods is essential for maintaining your health and well-being. 

For many people, that means taking steps to improve our diets and eating habits. If you’re looking for ways to get your family on the right track,  Texas WIC can help. WIC is a free supplemental nutrition assistance program for expecting mothers, mothers and children up to age 5. 

And it’s been shown to be effective: women and children on WIC have improved birth outcomes and it “significantly improves children’s diets,” according to the USDA.

WIC, A NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,  HELPS CHILDREN’S & MOMS HEALTH

Free supplemental nutrition assistance programs like WIC helps mothers and their children get a healthy start in many ways, but here are a few ways the supplemental nutrition program helps create healthy eating habits:

  1. Helping to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber and nutrients, and they’re low in calories. They’re also a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect your body from disease.

Texas WIC is now offering more fruits and vegetable benefits than ever. Last year the program increased the program’s benefits to temporarily include even more fruit and vegetable benefits. Learn more about the expanded fruit and vegetable benefits here.

  1. Helping get fiber. 

Getting fiber is a great way to have a healthy diet. A great way to do that is to get whole grains and legumes into our diets. 

Texas WIC helps clients get even more whole grains in their diets. The WIC food lists for expecting mothers and older children include whole grains like whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta and beans, which are filled with fiber.

  1. Diets with less added sugar. 

The WIC program offers healthy cereals as part of its free food benefit packages, to help ensure pregnant women and children have healthy foods that are not filled with extra sugars. 

Sometimes the hardest part of the battle is just knowing which cereal to pick. Texas WIC won’t steer you wrong when it comes to picking a healthy cereal.

JOIN WIC,  FREE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you are interested in joining Texas WIC, start your application online today.  

Pick up all your healthy WIC foods – from formula to fruit, vegetables, cereal, whole wheat foods and more – visit Grocery Services North. All of the products in Grocery Services North are WIC approved.

 

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February 2022

Help Your Baby Get Healthy Start With Texas WIC

2022-08-26T01:52:33+00:00February 25th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

Texas WIC helps new moms provide the healthiest start possible for their babies. The free nutrition assistance program helps provide everything from nutrition education to healthy foods for moms and their babies. 

 Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the WIC program: from what benefits are included, how to apply, and the benefits of the program.

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five to Texas residents that meet certain income requirements. 

Who Is Eligible For free nutrition assistance from Texas WIC?

If you are on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP, you meet the income eligibility guidelines for WIC. If you don’t qualify for these programs, you may still qualify for WIC by meeting the income guidelines for your household. You must live in Texas. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be part of the WIC program. Apply in person to learn if you are eligible. The program is open to:

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Women who had a baby within the last six months
  • Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children who are younger than 5

How to find your local WIC office?

To find your local WIC office, visit TexasWIC.org. Using the website’s Clinic Finder Tool you will be able to type in your address and find the nearest clinic to your home. You can also call 800-942-3678 to find a clinic near you.

You can also visit WICDallas.net to find clinics and PWIC grocery stores in the Dallas and surrounding area. PWIC grocery stores, like Grocery Servicers North, cater to WIC clients. The stores primarily carry WIC foods, and help make WIC grocery shopping easier.

How to apply for WIC benefits

To apply for free nutrition assistance from the WIC program, you will need to complete an application and provide documentation of your income, address and identity. You can apply online at TexasWIC.org.You can also set up an appointment by phone by calling 800-942-3678. Once your application is processed, you will be informed of the results and may be eligible to receive WIC benefits.

The benefits of getting free nutrition assistance from WIC

The benefits of using the WIC program include free access to:

  • Nutrition education
  • Monthly food packages that include Healthy foods for you and your baby
  • Referrals to health care providers
  • Free breast pumps and other supplies for breastfeeding mothers

For more information about the WIC program, visit TexasWIC.org.

Apply today to help your baby get a healthy start. 

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How to Eat Healthy With The WIC Program

2022-03-18T15:55:35+00:00February 24th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

If you’re a mom on a budget, you know how hard it can be to provide your family with healthy meals. But did you know that the Texas WIC program can help? Learn how to eat healthy with WIC.

Texas WIC is a government program that provides financial assistance and nutrition education to low-income families. Learn how the WIC program works and learn a few tips for eating well on a budget.

1. What is WIC and what does it offer participants?

Texas WIC is is a nutrition education program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  that helps moms provide a healthy start for their babies. The program provides free nutrition education, counseling, breastfeeding support, and free monthly supplemental food packages for pregnant women, postpartum women, and children up to age 5. 

2. How to apply for the WIC program?

If you are a Texas resident that is pregnant or are a mother of a child younger than 5 you can apply for the program by visiting WIC online to start your application or by calling 800-942-3678 to locate a WIC clinic to schedule an appointment to apply. 

3. What foods are available with the WIC program?

There are several free monthly food packages that are different for moms and children based on their age and nutritional needs. There is a specific food package for pregnant mothers that includes foods that, according to WIC, “are low in fat and high in fiber, provide nutritional variety and help promote a healthy weight gain for a healthy baby.”  Infants have packages that may include baby formula and older children have packages that include eggs, fruits and vegetables, cereals, and more.

4. How to use your benefits to eat healthy with WIC

Texas WIC clients receive an EBT card that is loaded each month with their WIC benefits. Clients take their EBT to the store to redeem their benefits. Stores like Grocery Services North – which are PWIC stores that cater to WIC clients – help make it easy for WIC customers to get all their WIC products in one easy stop. 

5. Sample meal ideas using only WIC-approved foods

WIC-approved foods help make it easy to create healthy meals for your family. Use WIC-approved foods to make meals like omelets (which use WIC-approved eggs and vegetables), stir fry (using WIC foods like whole-wheat rice and vegetables), beans, and whole-wheat rice and pasta dishes use whole-wheat pasta and cheese. The options are endless and you know you are going to be eating healthier when you are cooking with WIC foods. Get more recipe ideas using WIC foods on our blog. 

The WIC program is a great way to get started on the path to healthy eating on a budget. With the help of Grocery Services North, it’s easy to find nutritious WIC-approved foods that your family will love.

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May 2021

Memorial Day Recipe Round Up

2023-11-10T19:55:43+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 minute

s to remove it from the disposable cup, ice tray or mold.  Memorial Day (and summer) is the perfect time to cook outside with family and friends. So fire up the grill for this healthy and delicious recipe spotlighting WIC vegetables and even a fruit!

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.

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