Easter Egg Fun For Whole Family

Easter weekend is a fun time to enjoy healthy WIC foods and get outdoors with the kids. We have rounded up some great activities and fun recipes featuring the season’s best food: eggs.

Whether you are coloring, hunting or eating them, there are so many fun ways to enjoy these nutritious little nuggets.

COLORING EGGS

Pick up a dozen eggs for your kiddos to color this Easter. We have made a step-by-step guide for coloring eggs in this blog post. This is a great activity for kids of all ages. Plus, they will love eating the results of their creative activity.

HUNTING EGGS

There is no better way to welcome spring than to enjoy some outside time with the kids in the fresh spring air. Hunting for eggs is such a fun outdoor activity for kids and adults alike. If you aren’t up for hiding colored eggs where you live, search social media for fun neighborhood egg hunts close to where you live. Another way to find a nearby egg hunt is to search on Google. Here is a search for you to see San Antonio area egg hunts.

EATING EGGS

Eggs are so delicious and nutritious. It’s why they are a favorite WIC food. Here are a few great recipes to enjoy for Easter:

MICROWAVE EGG, CHEESE & PEPPER COFFEE MUG SCRAMBLE

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon chopped tomato

1 teaspoon minced pickled jalapeño pepper, optional

Pinch each salt and pepper

Whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, tomato, jalapeño, salt, and pepper. Pour into well-greased 12-oz microwave-safe mug or mason jar. Microwave on High for 30 seconds; Stir. Microwave for 70 to 80 seconds or until eggs are puffed and set. Substitute prepared salsa for the chopped tomato and jalapeño if desired.

Make this recipe from the American Egg Board ahead of time for an amazing Easter breakfast:

Simple Breakfast Strata

4 Slices whole grain bread

4 Eggs

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano leaves

6 slices Canadian-style bacon, chopped

½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz.)

Place bread in a single layer in greased 8-inch square baking dish. Beat eggs, milk, and thyme in a medium bowl until blended; pour over bread. Sprinkle with bacon. Refrigerate, covered, at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove strata from refrigerator; uncover and let stand while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, in the center of 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and strata is puffed, golden and firm in the center, about 5 minutes longer.

By |2022-04-14T10:51:01-05:00April 14th, 2022|Categories: Kid Activity, Recipes, San Antonio, Texas WIC, Videos, WIC Food|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Quiches Are Perfect WIC Dinner

WIC Foods Found Perfect Pairing with Springtime Quiches

Need to whip up a quick WIC dinner? There are few recipes more perfect for spring than a delicious quiche.  They are made with eggs and cheese and often feature springtime vegetables, WIC ingredients that are healthy and tasty.

There are so many different combinations for quiche. They can be made with a pie crust or crustless. They can spotlight different flavors of cheese for a little variety. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

To kick off spring here are a few quiche recipes we know you will enjoy. 

More WIC Dinner

The first recipe comes from USDA’s recipes perfect for Easter. It’s a basic quiche you can enjoy anytime:

BASIC QUICHE

1 pie crust (baked, 9-inch)

1 cup of vegetables (chopped, broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms)

1/2 cup cheese (shredded)

3 egg (beaten)

1 cup milk (non-fat)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Shred the cheese with a grater. Put it in a small bowl for now.Chop the vegetables until you have 1 cup of chopped vegetables. Cook the vegetables until they are cooked, but still crisp. Put the cooked vegetables and shredded cheese into a pie shell. Mix the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. Pour the egg mix over the cheese and vegetables.Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let the quiche cool for 5 minutes before serving.

For nutrition information, please visit Basic Quiche  at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

WIC Dinner More

 

This next recipe makes a “magic” crust so no pie shell is needed. It is from USDA’s My Plate.

MAGIC QUICHE

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup onion (chopped)

2 cups vegetables (can use frozen, fresh or leftovers)

1 cup cheddar cheese, low-fat (shredded)

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk, 1%

3/4 cup baking mix (like Bisquick)

Cook onion in oil (or cook with vegetables).  Cook vegetables (or use leftovers). Drain well. Grease round pie pan or 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Spread cooked vegetables in pan. Spread cheese on top of vegetables. Mix milk, eggs and baking mix. Pour over vegetables and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes, until a safe internal temperature has been reached and a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Suggest preparing with frozen broccoli or spinach. Source: Simple Healthy Recipes Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education ONIE Project.

GET WIC DINNER INGREDIENTS AT JC FOOD MART

Get all your WIC ingredients at JC Food Mart, a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in San Antonio. JC Food Mart helps make getting WIC groceries easier. The store only offers WIC foods and clients can get in and out in one easy stop. Clients can even check their WIC balance before shopping. Bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout their visit. Locations are conveniently located near WIC offices.

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

 

 

By |2022-04-11T08:35:23-05:00April 11th, 2022|Categories: JC Food Mart, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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WIC Experts On Bottle Prep

Experts Provide Tips On How To Clean, Prep Bottle For Babies

Preparing a bottle for your baby has several steps. Practice makes perfect, and expert advice is helpful when perfecting the best way to make your baby a bottle.

Texas WIC is a great resource for bottle prep and preparing formula. There isn’t much they don’t know about babies. The agency offers several tips on its website on everything from cleaning bottles, protecting against bacteria and storing formula.

As you familiarize yourself with the process of preparing a bottle, consider keeping the instructions handy as you learn how to prep a bottle and prepare formula.

WIC bottle Prep

WIC EXPERTS ON BOTTLE PREP

WIC Bottle Prep

It is important to clean and prep a baby bottle correctly before giving it to your baby. This helps ensure that your baby drinks safely from the bottle and that the bottle is clean. Here are the steps WIC experts recommend you take:

  •  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Clean the baby bottle with hot water and soap and all of its parts and air dry 
  • Use a bottle brush to get to the bottom of the bottle.
  • Rinse and dry all parts thoroughly

Texas WIC experts recommend parents boil all bottle parts once a day to ensure all the germs are killed. Cover all baby bottle parts in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes and then let them air dry. Store clean parts in a clean, covered container.  

PREPARING FORMULA

If using a formula, prepare according to the baby’s needs and the manufacturer’s instructions. Always read the instructions provided with the formula. Every formula is different. Experts recommend.

  1. Make sure your work area/surface and hands are clean by washing before you begin.
  2. WIC recommends when mixing powdered formula to heat water to 158 degrees F to kill any possible bacteria. Shake bottle and cool the bottle by running it under cold water to ensure it is a safe temperature to feed your baby.
  3. Following the mixing instructions that come with the formula and mix with safe drinking water.
  4. Never microwave formula, which can create patches of hot formula that burn your baby. Also, “Sprinkle a few drops of formula on your wrist to make sure that it is not too hot” before giving the bottle to your baby, WIC experts recommend.
  5. Use formula within two hours of when you mix it, and when in doubt toss it.

Following these tips will help keep your baby safe and healthy while drinking from his or her bottle. If you have any questions contact your physician or your local WIC office. 

By |2022-05-04T08:58:54-05:00April 8th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |0 Comments
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WIC Inspired Recipe – Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Use WIC Oatmeal, Bananas, Eggs, Milk + More For This Recipe

This whole wheat, maple-sweetened banana muffins are so tasty and moist, you wouldn’t guess they’re healthy muffins! They’re easy to make as well, with basic ingredients, including WIC foods,  that can go in just one mixing bowl. If you love bananas as much as I do, then try cutting up an extra banana & adding a slice in the middle of each muffin before baking. 

The recipe makes 12 muffins. These muffins will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Maple Sweetened Oatmeal Banana Muffins

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup maple syrup or honey

2 eggs

1 cup packed mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)

¼ cup milk of choice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling on top

1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour

⅓ cup rolled oats, plus more for sprinkling on top

1 teaspoon raw sugar or other granulated sugar, for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. If you don’t have a non-stick muffin pan, grease all 12 cups of your muffin tin.

In a large bowl, beat the olive oil and maple syrup together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well. Mix in the mashed bananas and milk, followed by the baking soda, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon. Add the flour and oats to the bowl and mix with a large spoon until combined.

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with a small amount of oats, followed by a light sprinkling of sugar. Bake muffins for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FROM JC FOOD MART

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart location in San Antonio. 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 @jcfoodmart

 

 

By |2022-04-11T08:34:12-05:00April 7th, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Limited Supply of Similac Advance In Stock

JC Food Mart currently has a limited stock of Similac Advance Powder baby formula.

Because of the Abbott formula recall, we know finding formula is difficult. To help as much as possible, we want to let our customers know that we currently have it in stock, but this supply may not last.

To ensure we still have formula before you visit, you can call a location near you to confirm it is still available. Find our locations and phone numbers here.

By |2022-04-11T08:43:05-05:00April 4th, 2022|Categories: Baby Formula|Tags: |0 Comments
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WIC Benefits Last For Years To Come

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.

By |2022-03-15T17:02:20-05:00March 22nd, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC|Tags: , |0 Comments
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WIC Online Classes

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.

 

By |2022-03-21T16:20:54-05:00March 21st, 2022|Categories: WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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Make Recipes Using WIC Allowed Foods

Eat A Spoonful Of Luck This St. Patrick’s Day

Are you having a hard time getting your kids to eat the healthy green vegetables on their plate? 

This St. Patrick’s Day tell them eating their green vegetables means “good luck.” Only parents have to know that “good luck” comes in the form of “good health.”

Texas WIC is a program that is designed to help parents and children get a healthy start by providing nutrition counseling, support and healthy foods. WIC allowed foods are added to a monthly WIC EBT card to help women and children up to age 5 eat healthier.

WIC allowed foods can include any of the following depending on your qualifying food category determined by if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, an infant or child up to age 5.  WIC allowed Foods can include everything from milk, whole wheat bread, whole-grain cereal, peanut butter, beans fruits, vegetables and baby food and infant formula and more!

This St. Patrick’s Day cook your family a menu filled with luck (or healthy WIC approved foods.) We have rounded up a few healthy recipes for you to cook up featuring a bite or two of green for your family.

RECIPES USING WIC ALLOWED FOODS

WIC allowed foods

Baked Zucchini

2 Zucchini, sliced 1/4″ thick rounds

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

3 tbsp grated cheese of choice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut zucchini into slices. Combine all ingredients (except zucchini and cheese) in a medium bowl. Mix spices and oil together. Add zucchini and toss. Place zucchini on a single layer on a cooking sheet. Cook in oven for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for about 5 more minutes.

 

You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without cabbage. This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate is the perfect cabbage recipe:

WIC allowed foods

 

Cabbage Comfort

1 onion (sliced)

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

4 1/2 cups cabbage (sliced)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Heat oil in a large saute pan. Saute onion over medium heat, until light brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add sliced cabbage, salt, black pepper, and caraway seeds. Stir and cook for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

For more St. Patrick’s Day recipes using WIC foods from the USDA. Check out this menu.

Get all your WIC foods at JC Food Mart in San Antonio. The grocery store caters to WIC clients and makes WIC grocery shopping easy. Check your WIC EBT before you shop. Plus, bilingual clerks will help you through your entire visit. Find a location near you. 

Did you make this WIC Inspired Recipe – Yogurt Bark? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @jcfoodmart

Find more recipes using WIC foods on our blog.

 

 

 

 

By |2022-03-17T07:55:50-05:00March 17th, 2022|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC|Tags: |0 Comments
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Government Food Program Serves Up Produce

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 JC Food Mart in San Antonio to redeem your WIC benefits in one easy stop. JC Food Mart 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.

 

By |2022-05-17T08:16:48-05:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: San Antonio, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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Learn About Texas WIC Food List

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 JC Food Mart – which has locations in San Antonio – help mothers easily shop for WIC groceries. JC Food Mart 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 JC Food Mart location, visit us online at:jcfoodmart.com/locations. 
  • If you are not part of the Texas WIC program, apply online at TexasWIC.org/apply.
By |2022-03-15T10:37:20-05:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |0 Comments
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