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WIC Nutrition

May 2021

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.

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WIC FOOD: Avocados Popular With Kids, Adults

2023-11-10T19:54:11+00:00May 4th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

Spotlight: WIC, Avocados + Recipes

Avocados might be one of the most versatile fruits at the store.   They can shine in a wide range of recipes, like the all-time fan favorite: guacamole. This popular fruit can also be a star ingredient in everything from tuna salad to pasta. It’s even hard to find another fruit that tastes better eaten plain. It’s no wonder why they are so popular with kids and adults alike. Avocados can take standard recipes and elevate them to a new level (like a lunch wrap or even a grilled cheese) or can add a little extra pizazz to a standard family favorite like tacos or even eggs.   Because they are loaded with nutrition, it’s a good reason to mix them into breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unlike most other fruits, they are packed with monounsaturated fatty acids and may help reduce cholesterol levels. They are also full of fiber, potassium and other nutrients.   But like all fruits, avocados are also a WIC-approved food. If you haven’t used your WIC benefits to pick up this versatile, nutritious fruit, we are going to give you a few more reasons (or recipes) to pick them up next time you visit Grocery Services North. One popular avocado recipe having a moment in the online spotlight are baked avocado egg boats. If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s a fun recipe for kids and adults alike. Of course, like any recipe, it’s easy to make adjustments to add toppings you love. We will add a few variation options into our recipe for you to consider.  Avocado Egg Boat    

BAKED AVOCADO EGG BOATS

2 avocados, ripe and ready to eat 4 eggs ¼ cup grated cheese of your choice Salt, Pepper to Taste Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wash avocados and cut in half. Remove the seeds. Remove about a tablespoon from each half from the center of each avocado. Reserve the scooped out inside for another recipe like guacamole or to spread on a sandwich. Put avocado halves in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, crack eggs. Spoon 1 yolk into each avocado half. Add some of the egg white to fill the avocado halves. Bake until whites are set and yolks are not running (about 20 to 25 minutes). You can cover with foil if avocados begin to brown toward the end of cooking. Top cooked avocados with grated cheese of your choice and salt and pepper. Enjoy! FUN OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Sauteed diced bell peppers, sauteed diced onions, salsa, chopped green onions or cilantro or even crumbled bacon bits can be added at the end to top of this delicious recipe. This is a perfect recipe to change up each time to find your favorite combo. 

AVOCADO TOAST 3 WAYS

Avocado toast is a very popular way to eat avocados. Spread it all over your whole-wheat toast for an amazing snack, breakfast or lunch. But if you want to change it up a bit are a few variations you might want to try:

  1. Add a cooked egg (anyway you like it – boiled, over easy or scrambled) Eggs and Avocado toast are a great combo.
  2. Fresh, sliced tomatoes is another great addition. Add a few slices and sprinkle with your favorite seasoning (salt, pepper or even a dried Italian mix .
  3. Add a salad on top. Mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, which add crunch and texture. This combination is great on a hot summer day. It’s an easy, healthy meal.

Shop for avocados and other WIC foods at Grocery Services North. Find locations and products on our website. To apply for Texas WIC, visit them online at TexasWIC.org.

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April 2021

4 Healthy Lunches With WIC Foods

2023-11-10T19:54:19+00:00April 21st, 2021|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Looking for new, healthy lunches using WIC foods? We have 4 new recipes to help make your lunch a little more exciting.

These easy and quick, less-fuss recipes are easy to make and perfect for prepping early in the week to make your lunches easy and fast to grab. Afterall, nobody wants to waste precious time during the week fussing over cooking. If you are meal prepping, consider our notes at the end of each recipe to help make it even easier.

The best part about all these recipes is they are easily adjustable to add or subtract some of your favorite ingredients to make it perfectly yours. Here are 4 lunches with WIC foods:

Rice Bowl

VEGGIE RICE BOWL

1 Cup Brown Rice, cooked

1/2 Cup Sliced Cucumbers

1 Sliced Tomato

Sliced Onion

1 Avocado

1/2 cup Cooked Green Peas

2 teaspoon Olive Oil

Juice from a Lemon or Lime

2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook rice according to package directions. Put cooked rice in a large bowl. Slice all vegetables and add to the bowl with the rice. Make a dressing in a separate bowl by combining olive oil, lemon or lime juice and dijon mustard. Mix dressing into the rice and vegetable bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 bowls. Enjoy!

MEAL PREP TIP: To make this recipe faster, prep the dressing in advance and store in the refrigerator. You can also pre-cook the rice and store in the fridge. Slice and dice cucumbers, tomato and onion (along with cooked peas) when prepping and store in the refrigerator. Add avocado right before eating.

Stuffed Peppers

BEAN & VEGGIE STUFFED PEPPERS

4 Bell Peppers

1 tablespoon of Olive Oil

1/2 cup Onion, Diced

½ cup of Corn, optional

1 15 oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

1 8 oz can of Tomato Sauce

1 cup cooked Brown Rice

1 cup of Cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove tops from peppers. Scoop out and clean the inside of the peppers. Saute onions in olive oil until they are tender. Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute. Stir in mashed black beans, cooked corn, cumin and chili powder. Add tomato sauce and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice. Fill peppers with the mixture and place inside a baking dish. Top each pepper with shredded cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

MEAL PREP TIP: This meal can be cooked a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Reheat before serving.

Tuna Salad Wrap

LETTUCE TUNA SALAD WRAPS

¼ cup diced Bell Pepper

¼ cup diced Cucumber

¼ cup diced Onion

1 can of Tuna, drained

¼ cup of Mayonnaise

Salt and Pepper to taste

4 large torn Lettuce Leafs

Mix all ingredients together in a medium size bowl. Chill before serving. Scoop desired amount of tuna salad into a large lettuce leaf and roll up. Enjoy!

MEAL PREP TIP: Tuna can be made and stored in the fridge for a few days.

Avocado Toast

AVOCADO, BOILED EGG ON WHOLE WHEAT TOAST

1 slice of Whole Wheat Toast

1 Egg, boiled

½ Avocado, mashed

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil egg in water for 10 minutes, until cooked. Drain, rinse and cool before removing shell and slice. Mash the inside of avocado and spread onto toast. Place sliced boiled egg on top of avocado toast. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

MEAL PREP TIP: Boil egg in advance and store in fridge.

Interested in joining Texas WIC? Apply online at TexasWIC.org. Shop Grocery Services North to easily pick up WIC groceries. Learn more about the products Grocery Services North offers. Also, learn more about Grocery Services North online.

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WIC Food: Pineapple

2023-11-10T19:54:28+00:00April 12th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Anyway you cut it, pineapple is a delicious WIC food.

“Be a pineapple,”  as the popular social media meme goes,  “stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside.” 

Pineapple is super sweet on the inside. It’s also a nutritious, delicious WIC food.  Pineapple is a tropical fruit that is good in savory and sweet recipes. Pineapple on a pizza, shining inside a salsa or in a stir-fry is perfectly sweet and savory. Pineapple in a smoothie, a salad,  a yogurt topping, or even as a juice helps showcase this fruit’s sweet side. Grilled pineapple – either one part of a fruit and veggie kabob or plain –  is a perfect spring or summer treat.  Don’t let this fruit intimidate you. It’s rough outside and the large crown doesn’t mean this fruit is hard to cut. It’s actually pretty easy and the nutrition benefits and taste make it well worth the effort.  (more…)

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Snack With WIC Foods

2023-11-10T19:54:37+00:00April 6th, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Make Healthy Snacks With WIC Foods

Finding a healthy snack (for adults and kids) can be difficult. The temptation for all kinds ofHealthy WIC Food Snacks unhealthy munchies seems to lurk at every turn, but there are so many healthy delicious snacks you and your little one can try instead. To make it easy use this as your guide: snack on WIC foods.

Making sure your snack has nutritional value is the key. Vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber are important building blocks to a healthy snack. Healthy snacks may include options with fruit, veggies, protein, whole grains and calcium.

Snacking on WIC foods helps ensure there is nutrition in your snack.

(more…)

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March 2021

March Is National Nutrition Month®

2022-03-18T15:27:05+00:00March 22nd, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

You may have heard: It’s National Nutrition Month®! The campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps create awareness throughout the month to help raise awareness to eat healthy and get active with “Personalize your Plate.”  Among the tips are:

  1. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day.
  2. Plan your meals each week
  3. Learn skills to create tasty meals
  4. Consult a Registered Dietician Nutritionist when needed.

The organization has created a great website full of recipes, tips and guides for healthy eating in March in beyond. Their experts also offer great tips for expecting moms and mothers feeding babies and children.  (more…)

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February 2021

WIC Babies Grow Healthy & Strong

2022-03-19T00:57:27+00:00February 11th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

Achieve Baby Milestones

As babies grow from infants to toddlers they graduate dozens of baby milestones, from eating purees, finger foods and walking. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you learn if your baby is on track. Being aware of major developments can ensure your tot is staying on track. Texas WIC can also help your baby sty on track and grow healthy and strong.

Bringing a newborn home from the hospital can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and process – how to feed, making sure they are safe and loved, learning to decode their baby language. As you get to know your baby and all the traits that make them uniquely them, you will also start picking up on your baby’s developments. It’s something you can observe and watch from Day 1. It’s also one of the biggest joys of being a parent, watching your baby grow and learn. There are endless resources online about baby milestones, but don’t get overwhelmed and remember they are just a guide. Your baby’s doctors are the ultimate resource.

Plus, any resource you use (online, book, etc.) are only tools to help you ask the right questions to your doctor.  One great online resource is, Texas WIC. Their experts have outlined some of the milestone highlights of a baby’s first year online.

WIC & BABIES

INFANT DEVELOPMENT When you first bring your baby home, most of your attention will be focused on your baby’s eating, sleeping and baby communication (or crying). You will start to notice signs that your baby is hungry, including when they might be crying or sucking on their tiny hands. They may also try to nuzzle you to get fed. You will learn the signs your baby is trying to tell you as you get to know them.  Texas WIC, a free program that guides mothers in providing healthy habits for their children, offers a lot of tools to help mothers feed their children, including these tips online.  The program helps mothers provide healthy nutrition for their babies on the WIC program. By the end of the first month, you may notice your baby keeps their hands in tight fists, can move head side-to-side while on their tummy and can recognize your voice. 

2-6 MONTHS By the time your baby is at the end of two months, your baby will likely be smiling at faces, can calm themselves with hand sucking and can hold their head up when on their tummy, according to the CDC. Their experts also recommend talking to your doctor if your baby doesn’t respond to loud sounds or can’t hold their head up. At 4 months, your baby will likely be mimicking movements and faces, begin to babble and may be able to roll from tummy to back, according to the CDC milestone markers.

At 6 months, they may be responding to their own name, bringing objects to their mouth and rolling over in both directions, according to the CDC milestone guide. 

Texas WIC recommends on their website to contact Early Childhood Intervention Services if you are still concerned about your child’s development after talking to their physician. ECIS is a statewide program. You can learn more about their programs online. If you are interested in joining Texas WIC to help your baby grow healthy and strong, you can apply online. 

Grocery Services North is a Dallas-area grocery store chain that specializes in providing an easy WIC-grocery shopping experience. Find a location near you to easily shop for WIC groceries at any of the Dallas and WIC locations.

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January 2021

Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

2022-03-21T15:31:38+00:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Pregnancy, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Folic Acid & Pregnancy

Vitamin C helps fight colds.  Calcium builds strong healthy bones. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects in babies. If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, it’s important to get enough folic acid.

Women who have never been pregnant may not be aware of the importance of folic acid during pregnancy.  It’s not a nutrient most of us talk about –  unless you are considering becoming pregnant.

Folate is a type of Vitamin B found in the body that is important to the process of making new cells and to the creation of the neural tube that forms a baby’s brain and spinal cord.  These developments happen during the first month of pregnancy, which is why mothers need to have enough folate before they become pregnant.

Without enough folate a baby is at risk of being born with severe birth defects such as spina bifida.

If a woman can become pregnant, it is recommended she take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (the man-made version of folate) daily to help prevent birth defects, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.  

Women can get the recommended amount by taking a vitamin with folic acid and/or eating foods high in folate.

WIC FOODS & FOLIC ACID

The Texas WIC program, an educational and nutritional resource for expecting mothers, outlines that folate (the natural form of folic acid) can be found naturally in foods such as:  

  • Broccoli, 
  • Asparagus
  • Lima beans, dried beans, and peas
  • Spinach and turnip greens
  • Oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit
  • Nuts and sunflower seeds

Some rice, pasta, bread, and breakfast cereals are also enriched with folic acid.

Getting enough folic acid is just one way a woman can help ensure she has a healthy pregnancy. Visit a Texas WIC clinic near you to see if you are eligible for the free program aimed at helping Texas mothers ensure they have a healthy pregnancy. You can find a clinic by visiting our location page. Shop Grocery Services North for healthy fruits and vegetables.

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WIC Milk

2022-03-16T15:04:46+00:00January 11th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Today Is National Milk Day

Let’s Celebrate Milk

Today, Jan. 11th, is National Milk Day, we celebrate milk – your first drink.  Milk in all forms provides an array of vitamins and nutrients for babies for more than their first few years. So let’s celebrate milk, in all of it’s forms – breastmilk, formula and dairy milk.  It is believed that National Milk Day commemorates the day the first milk deliveries in glass bottles began in the United States.   Milk from mom is likely the first place you ever get milk.  Nutritionists at Texas WIC want mother’s to know the importance of breast milk.  (more…)

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December 2020

5 Ways To Nest While Pregnant

2022-03-16T19:55:53+00:00December 27th, 2020|Categories: Mom Health, Pregnancy, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , |

Prepare For Baby While Pregnant

Are you pregnant?

All of a sudden you have an undeniable urge to clean out your closets and make homemade decorations for your new baby’s room.  Trust us – it’s normal. Nesting is nature’s way of telling us it’s almost time to take care of your little one.  Nesting can actually occur at any moment in pregnancy, and while the sudden burst of energy to organize and clean everything may seem out of character, go ahead and embrace it. Just don’t overdo it! Here are 5 fun and safe ways to nest while you get ready for your baby: 

ORGANIZE YOUR PANTRY

This is an activity that will actually help you once the baby arrives. Once your pantry is organized you will quickly be able to find what you need. Toss out expired foods and canned goods. Make sure opened containers are sealed with clips. Arrange like items together (cereal, canned goods, spices, oils and staples like flour). If you want to really go overboard, head on over to your local dollar store for cute storage containers and labels to help you organize. This is a good time to organize ingredients to help make life easier once your baby arrives. 

MAKE FREEZER MEALS

Make freezer meals in advance to save time in the kitchen.

Finding time to cook will be hard once the baby arrives. Take any leftover veggies you didn’t eat this week, cook them up and store them in your freezer. This will save you lots of time when you need a quick meal on little sleep. Most fruits, vegetables and beans freeze well. Go ahead and research a few recipes for healthy freezer meals to get you started.  Texas WIC also offers a few health guidelines to keep in mind when searching for recipes.

START A PINTEREST BOARD

After you research those recipes go ahead and add them to a newly created Pinterest board. You can make a board of all the things that inspire you – activities for you and your baby, recipes, parenting tips and just about anything else that pops in your mind. It’s also a great way to relax!

PACK YOUR HOSPITAL BAG

Every mother has ideas on what to pack for the hospital. Call up a few family and friends to see what they suggest. Plus, it’s a great way to connect to loved ones.  You might want to consider comfortable clothes and extra underwear and a nursing bra, a cell phone charger, travel-size toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and toothbrush. Also when you head to the hospital don’t forget your ID and insurance card.

SELF CARE WHILE PREGNANT

Once your baby arrives, you will be short on sleep and time. This is the perfect time to get in some extra relaxation.  In fact, go ahead and get in as much time as you can doing all the things you enjoy. You deserve it.   

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