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Planning Thanksgiving Recipes: How to Make Your Holiday More Fun and Less Stressful
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and at JC Food Mart, we’re here to help you create a memorable day filled with delicious food, laughter, and fun moments with your loved ones. The key to enjoying the holiday is all in the planning—when you plan ahead, you can minimize stress and focus on having fun. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a stress-free and enjoyable Thanksgiving.
Start with a Plan
The most important part of Thanksgiving prep is planning ahead. From your menu to your shopping list to prepping dishes in advance, the more you plan, the smoother your day will go. And remember: simple dishes often work best.
1. Plan Your Menu:
Before you head to the store, take some time to plan out your Thanksgiving menu. Think about your must-have dishes, but keep it manageable—there’s no need to overwhelm yourself with complicated recipes or too many ingredients.
2. Get Your Shopping Done Early:
Avoid last-minute store runs by doing your shopping early in the week. JC Food Mart is a great place to stock up on WIC-approved foods – including fresh produce, beans, dairy, and more – all can be used for your Thanksgiving Day recipes. Check out our blog post for special Thanksgiving Week hours so you can plan your trip accordingly.
3. Use Your WIC Benefits:
If you’re shopping with WIC benefits, take advantage of your fruit and vegetable allowance to pick up ingredients for your Thanksgiving sides. Some great options include potatoes, onions, carrots, frozen vegetables, and even fruit for desserts. Beans are another WIC-approved food that make a great side dish, and cheese can add an extra layer of flavor to vegetables like broccoli. Need inspiration? Check out our recipe for Broccoli and Cheese or try our Stuffing Recipe for a classic side dish. You also can’t miss this vegetable platter that looks like a Turkey.
4. Keep It Simple
You don’t need to make a 10-course meal to have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Stick to simple, familiar dishes that everyone will love. Make a list—either on your phone or the good old-fashioned way with pen and paper—to help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget anything.
Recipe Inspiration for a Healthy, Simple Feast
If you’re looking for some healthy and easy-to-make recipes, check out these great websites that offer simple ideas using WIC-approved foods:
Texas WIC: Find healthy recipes like Apple Crisp, Sweet Potato Balls, Citrus Glazed Carrots, and Carrot Bread.
Cooking Matters: From Banana Pudding to Baked Apples, this site is full of nutritious and family-friendly recipes.
USDA: This site offers a wide variety of Thanksgiving recipes, including ideas for leftovers!
Simple Alternatives for the Turkey
Does the idea of cooking a large turkey overwhelm you? You don’t have to roast a whole bird to have a successful Thanksgiving meal. Consider making a smaller turkey breast or tenderloin, which are easier to cook and typically cost less. If you prefer, you could even skip the turkey altogether and make a different meal your family loves.
If you do decide to roast a turkey, check out the USDA’s Turkey Cooking Tips to make sure your bird turns out perfectly.
Enjoy the Day, Not Just the Meal
Thanksgiving is about more than just the food—it’s about spending quality time with the people you love. After your meal, take a walk outside or play a game with the kids. It’s a great way to burn off those extra calories and create lasting memories.
At JC Food Mart, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving. Our stores will be open regular hours on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and we accept SNAP. Find your nearest location. We can’t wait to help you make this holiday the best one yet!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at JC Food Mart!
Add WIC-Approved Pumpkin Puree, Cranberries To Your Menu This Season
Shop Seasoning Favorite, WIC Foods at JC Food Mart
JC Food Mart stores are now offering seasonal favorites perfect for the holiday season: canned pumpkin puree and fresh cranberries.
As a busy mom, the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance meals for the family with all the other Thanksgiving preparations. But did you know that two ingredients—fresh cranberries and canned pumpkin puree—can make your holiday dishes healthier and easier to prepare? Not only are they packed with nutrients, but they’re also versatile and perfect for adding a little extra nutrition to your holiday meals.
Here’s why these two WIC-approved foods should be on your Thanksgiving shopping list, plus easy and delicious ways to include them in your meals.
Cranberries are a small but mighty fruit. They’re loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which help boost your immune system—something every mom can appreciate, especially with all the extra holiday hustle. Cranberries are also known for supporting heart health, and their tart, tangy flavor adds a fresh pop to your meals. Best of all, they’re super easy to cook with and make your dishes look festive with their bright red color.
Canned Pumpkin Puree (be sure it’s 100% pumpkin, not the sweetened pie filling) is another great choice. It’s packed with vitamin A for eye health, potassium for strong muscles, and fiber to keep everyone feeling full. Pumpkin is also low in calories, making it a great option if you’re looking for nutritious, filling meals without the extra sugar and fat. Plus, it’s smooth, creamy, and super easy to use in so many recipes— muffins, smoothies, mixed with pasta and more!
Now, let’s dive into some simple and healthy ways to use cranberries and pumpkin puree this holiday season that everyone in the family will love.
PUMPKIN CRANBERRY BREAD
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup orange juice or water
3 cups of sugar
3 cups of flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 to 1 1/2 cups cranberries, fresh
Spray 2 9×5 loaf pans with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the sugar, eggs and oil. Mix. Then add in the pumpkin puree and mix. Add the orange juice or water and mix. In another bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda. Mix the ingredients from both bowls together until just moistened. Fold in cranberries. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake for about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes or until done, when toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.
CRANBERRY BARS WITH OAT CRUMBLE
For the crumble:
1 1/2 cup of flour
1 1/2 cup rolled oats, not quick oats
2/3 cup coconut sugar or sugar
1 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon flaxseed, ground
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
For the Cranberry topping:
1 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
4 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the following ingredients until combined: Melted butter, flour, rolled oats, 2/3 cup of the sugar, walnuts, flaxseed, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Press into an 8×8 baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.
In a saucepan, add the cranberries, juice, zest and 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook on medium heat. Once the cranberries have cooked down, add a little bit of water and cook until it looks like cranberry sauce. Pour this on top of the cooked crumble that is in the 8×8 pan. Bake the bars for 20 more minutes. Let rest until cooled before cutting. Enjoy
CLASSIC CRANBERRY SAUCE
Some might say that the cranberry sauce is one of the most popular sides on Thanksgiving. It can be made even more flavorful and nutritious with the addition of spices or other fruits. This simple recipe takes advantage of the natural tartness of cranberries and infuses them with a hint of cinnamon and orange zest.
12 oz fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated orange zest
Pinch of sea salt
In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens (about 10-12 minutes). Season with a pinch of sea salt to balance the flavors. Cool and serve alongside turkey or as a topping for roasted vegetables.
Visit a JC Food Mart store today for easy WIC grocery shopping. Pick up fresh cranberries, pumpkin puree and other ingredients used in these recipes.