WIC Grocery Shopping

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

December 2021

12 Recipes Using WIC Foods For Christmas

2023-11-10T19:53:32+00:00December 21st, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This is the perfect time to spend quality time in the kitchen with your family. Food and holidays go hand-and-hand. To help you get in the holiday spirit, here are 12 recipes using WIC foods you might consider making for your family this Christmas.

BERRY BREAD PUDDING

This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate, features several WIC foods: frozen berries, whole wheat bread and yogurt. https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/berry-bread-pudding

HOMEMADE CHEESE STICKS

Homemade Cheese Sticks

Spending time in the kitchen is the perfect way to get quality time with your kids. This fun snack or appetizer from CookingMatters.org is sure to be a fun one for the whole family to make. It also has several WIC foods. Consider making your own bread crumbs with a slice or two of whole-wheat bread. https://cookingmatters.org/recipe/mozzarella-sticks/

PINEAPPLE CARROT MUFFINS

Every holiday needs a muffin. This one from CookingMatters.org won’t disappoint. It even features WIC-friendly fruits and vegetables. https://cookingmatters.org/recipe/pineapple-carrot-muffins/

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WIC Benefit Expansion Extended Thru March

2022-08-26T01:01:59+00:00December 16th, 2021|Categories: Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

More WIC Fruit, Vegetables Added Until New Year

Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clients are getting a little something extra for the new year: an extension on the expanded produce (fruits, vegetables) benefits.

Texas WIC announced on its website that the expanded fruit and vegetable benefits will be offered through the end of March 2022.

WIC BENEFIT

“This extension has different dollar amounts based on your category. Eligible clients will receive the following,” according to Texas WIC. 

Here is an example the agency provided: 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 in January, February and March to buy WIC produce, according to Texas WIC.

WIC clients will find this new amount on your shopping list under their WIC redeemable amount. 

Texas WIC urges clients that have already received benefits on their WIC cards for the first three months of the year to contact their local WIC office to get the expanded benefits for produce (fruits and vegetable) benefits. Produce benefits are expected to return to regular levels at the end of March. 

WIC Clients can pick up their WIC benefits at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Longview, and Tyler. The stores cater to WIC clients and offer easy WIC shopping. Bilingual clerks help clients personally shop for their groceries, and clients can check their WIC allowance before shopping. Find out how easy WIC shopping can be. Visit a Grocery Services North location today. Get more WIC news on the Grocery Services North blog.

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

Need Help With Food? WIC, SNAP Can Help

2022-01-04T16:56:30+00:00September 2nd, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Sometimes everyone needs a helping hand with their groceries. Food assistance programs – like Woman, Infant and Children (WIC) and SNAP – can offer much needed help putting food on your table so you don’t have to worry how you are going to get your next meal.

WOMAN, INFANT & CHILDREN (WIC)

Texas WIC provides free food assistance for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age 5. The program is for Texas residents that meet  income requirements. WIC recipients get free nutrition counseling and education, breastfeeding support and food assistance to help ensure children get a healthy start. 

WIC participants get their monthly food package benefits loaded onto an ebt card that can be redeemed for WIC foods. 

Pregnant mothers may get food packages that include cereal, beans, dairy, fruits & vegetables and more. Infant children would qualify for a food package that includes baby formula and baby food. Older children would qualify for packages that include milk, eggs, cheese, bread, fruits & vegetables and more. To learn more about food packages visit WIC online

The program is a great tool for mothers to ensure that their babies are getting the right nutrition that they need. Afterall, baby formula is expensive, and you don’t need to worry if your little one will have enough.  Apply online at TexasWIC.org/apply.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

SNAP , sometimes called a food stamp program, is a food assistance program that loads benefits onto an ebt card, used like a debit card, called the Lone Star Card, to pay for groceries. To see if you qualify, visit YourTexasBenefits.com

MAXIMIZING FOOD STAMP BENEFITS

If you qualify for both programs, understanding key differences can help you maximize your benefits. 

WIC expires at the end of each month. If not used, SNAP rolls over to the next month to be used later. To maximize food stamp benefits, use WIC benefits first. Any SNAP benefits you don’t use during the month can roll to the next month up to a year.  If you don’t use WIC benefits during the month it was issued, you lose them. To maximize all your benefits, use WIC first and roll what you don’t use for SNAP to the next month.

WIC is geared toward paying for nutritious food for growing children up to age 5. SNAP can be used for adults and older children. 

Also, some WIC clients that have both WIC and SNAP use their SNAP benefits for extra baby formula for their little ones if it is needed.

Grocery Services North can help you avoid the hassle redeeming any of your food benefits. We cater to families that need food assistance. Because our staff is familiar with food assistance programs, you won’t have any hassle at check out, and you will be in and out with nutritious food for your family in one easy stop. 

Grocery Services North stores provide all the food categories for the WIC program so you don’t have to search aisles trying to determine what qualifies for WIC. We also accept SNAP. To find a location near you, visit GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.

June 2021

Grocery Services North Now Offering New WIC Products

2022-08-25T23:25:10+00:00June 7th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

Take Home These Great New Products Today! Grocery Services North is now offering several new fruit and vegetable options in our stores. Texas WIC is also offering $35 fruit and vegetable benefits per eligible person starting June 1 through September. ( Learn more about these expanded fruit and vegetable WIC benefits in this blog post.) The added WIC benefits means moms can take home even more produce each month,  including these products that are already in our stores in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview.  Grocery Services North’s new WIC products (fruit and vegetable product)  can help moms get healthy, quick meals on the table for their family.  Here is a look at the items you can now take home, including a few ideas about how to serve them up on your kitchen table.  Dole Spring MixDole Spring Mix Bags This delicious salad mix is perfect for a quick meal during the summer. Mix in more fresh fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and fresh apples or oranges for a very healthy and super fast summer meal. Best Choice Yellow Cling Diced Peach Cups  Best Choice Peach Cups These peach cups are the perfect side or snack. Place the cups in the refrigerator for a cool treat on a hot summer day. They are also the perfect topping for a nice bowl of oatmeal.  Plus, kids love them! Best Choice Halved PearsBest Choice Canned Halved Pears These canned pears are so versatile. Eat them plain or in a delicious recipe. Check out these 5 recipes for canned pears from the USDA, including how to turn canned pears into “Pear Party Salsa,” a “Pear Quesadilla,”  a “Cobb Salad with Pears” and “Frozen Pear Pops.” The possibilities are endless.  Frozen Sliced Peaches Frozen Peaches Not many foods offer up the taste of summer like a peach. These frozen peaches can be turned into a delicious smoothie. Add a handful of frozen peaches, yogurt, milk and ice cubes into a blender and mix and you have a nice cold treat in a glass.  Frozen Seasoning BlendBest Choice Frozen Seasoning Blend There isn’t a better short cut to dinner than these frozen mixed vegetables. Add them to almost any dinner for a quick shortcut with added flavor. They can be added to pasta dishes, rice and beans for a flavor power punch without having to do all the vegetable dicing on your own.   Visit a Grocery Services North location today to easily pick up all your WIC groceries. Our hassle-free WIC grocery shopping experience gives mom’s more of what they need the most, time. You can find our locations conveniently located near WIC clinics. Visit us online to find one near you. 

February 2021

Easy WIC Grocery Shopping

2022-08-25T20:57:43+00:00February 26th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , |

Grocery Services North Makes WIC Shopping Easy

Don’t waste time searching aisles for pink stickers and WIC groceries. Grocery Services North offers a unique shopping experience for WIC Clients that saves them time, money and stress.

Grocery Services North is a Primarily WIC grocery store chain located near WIC Clinics, sometimes even right next door. We want to make it as easy as possible for WIC clients to redeem their benefits.

FAST, CONVENIENT WIC SHOPPING Easy WIC grocery shopping

After visiting a WIC office to redeem your benefits, WIC clients can visit Grocery Services North to get fresh produce, organic baby food, baby formula and even special prescription formulas your baby needs. We also don’t put limits on your redemptions for items like formula. 

Our unique shopping experience will get you in and out fast. 

When you arrive, you will insert your WIC or SNAP card into our card reader, where your benefits will be listed clearly for you to read. We ask you what products you would like to redeem and our bilingual staff gathers your WIC items for you to take home. This fast, easy shopping approach keeps you out of large crowds and gets you out of the store fast. 

This unique shopping experience is also less stressful at checkout.  We take the guesswork out of knowing if your items are WIC approved to help you avoid long conversations after standing in line and searching the store for your items.

We also accept SNAP. A lot of moms use SNAP to buy extra formula or more healthy food items while you are already picking up your WIC groceries.

WE KNOW WIC

Our bilingual staff is knowledgeable about the WIC program.  We can help answer your questions and make your shopping experience easier.

Because we know the program, we also are able to have products available that you need. For example, we are able to get certains baby formulas you might have hard time finding in other locations. We even carry prescription formulas, for babies that may have allergies, that are even harder to find. If you need a special formula, visit or call one of our locations.

Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) is a FREE nutrition supplement program for mothers and their children up  to age 5. The program provides free nutrition counseling, classes, breastfeeding support and healthy foods at no cost, including baby formula and baby food. To apply for WIC, visit a clinic or apply online. Visit a Grocery Services North location today in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview to find out just how easy WIC shopping can be.