Avocados Popular With Kids, Adults

Spotlight: 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 JC Food Mart.

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. 

 

 

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 JC Food Mart. Find locations and products on our website. To apply for Texas WIC, visit them online at TexasWIC.org.

By |2023-09-13T14:19:48-05:00May 4th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |0 Comments
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4 Healthy Lunches With WIC Foods

Looking for new, healthy lunches with 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 Using WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

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 with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

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 Lettuce Wraps with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

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 with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

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 JC Food Mart to easily pick up WIC groceries. Learn more about the products JC Food Mart offers. Also, learn more about JC Food Mart online.

By |2021-06-15T10:10:02-05:00April 27th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, Uncategorized, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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WIC Babies Grow Healthy & Strong

WIC Helps Mothers 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 stay on track to 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.

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By |2021-06-15T10:12:18-05:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, San Antonio, Texas WIC, Uncategorized, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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Importance of Folic Acid During 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  folic acid & pregnancy

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 Texas WIC. Shop JC Food Mart for healthy fruits and vegetables.

By |2021-04-12T09:01:14-05:00April 12th, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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Snack on WIC Foods

Make Healthy Snacks With WIC Foods

Finding a healthy snack (for adults and kids) can be difficult. The temptation for all kinds of 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, 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. Healthy WIC Snacks

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

If your snack doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value – like candy that is filled with sugar but doesn’t offer much more – you probably want to find a healthier option. Health experts recommend steering away from unhealthy fats, sugar and empty calories as much as possible.

If you are looking for ideas, we have a few.  Here are some options to consider: avocado on whole grain toast, peanut butter toast, banana slices with peanut butter, smashed black bean dip with carrots or celery, oatmeal and peanut butter balls, yogurt or rolled up slices of cheese.

Don’t let the ideas stop there. You can search Texas WIC’s website for more recipes here. There are lots of resources online for more even more ideas, including the USDA’s recipe bank. 

SNACK TIPS FROM WIC PROS

WIC experts recommend serving a variety of food and leading by example, according to their website. 

Texas WIC experts also suggest getting kids involved in the kitchen to help create healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Age-appropriate activities might include cutting “foods into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters.”

TEXAS WIC VIRTUAL CLASSES

Texas WIC offers virtual nutrition classes. Nutritionists cover a range of topics for pregnant mothers and mothers trying to help their children eat as healthy as possible.

Here are a few classes currently being offered from Texas WIC that provide even more tips on nutrition. Simply click on the links below and follow the instructions for registration:

Nutrition and Self Care For A New Mom:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/318ec769-e60e-435c-a2d8-7677073dfc65

Smart Snacks for Children:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/b69b25dd-256d-44c3-96ec-6eb4c062644d

Whole Grains For Good Health:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/f1c68938-0c4b-4c8d-a044-c0edb4055c41

Follow the Rainbow with Fruits and Vegetables:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/46cbe8de-89d6-49d2-98d0-c5a7ee827a29

Picky Eaters – Making Peace with Food:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/f88f2776-d09e-48d9-af28-670df02284fc

Texas WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for expectant mothers and their children up to age 5 who meet certain criteria. The program provides nutrition counseling and support, free monthly food packages and breastfeeding support.  To find out if you may be eligible, visit TexasWIC.org to apply. 

Get the ingredients for your healthy snacks at JC Food Mart, a primarily WIC grocery store chain in San Antonio. JC Food Mart locations are conveniently located near WIC clinics. To find a location near you, visit JCFoodMart.com/locations. See a list of products on our website to learn more.

 

 

By |2021-04-08T09:59:02-05:00April 8th, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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Explore Stages of Baby Food, Feeding

Steps of Baby Feeding, 1-2-3

There are not many moments more rewarding than the first time you feed your baby. From the first feeding until they are throwing food on the floor in protest, your baby will go through several stages at mealtime. We have gathered pointers from experts, including WIC Texas, as a guide.

No stage is predictable; no child is the same. Every parent has to take cues from their child and their physician to determine the best feeding practices. There are a few certainties. One of them is your child will go through several stages of eating in the first year.

BREASTFEEDING

Your first experience feeding your baby will likely be at the hospital. You will likely have help from trained professionals to advise and guide you about the best methods and techniques. 

Every mom will have their own experience with breastfeeding. Some will nurse with ease for years. Others will have a harder time. Luckily there are free resources to help guide you along the way. We think one of the best resources is Texas WIC.

Experts at Texas WIC encourage mothers to breastfeed as long as possible. That’s because it’s both healthy for the baby and the mother. Texas WIC has created breastmilkcounts.com website that has everything you need to know about breastfeeding. There is even a hotline for WIC clients to call for breastfeeding support, 855-550-6667. To see if you are eligible to enroll, apply online or visit a San Antonio-area WIC clinic today.

FORMULA FEEDING

Even though breastfeeding is highly encouraged, not all moms are able to feed this way. Your little one still has to get nutrients to grow. Since babies are not allowed to try cow’s milk before age 1, formula is how your baby will get all the nutrition they need. WIC Formula Austin

There are many baby formulas on the market, including speciality prescription formulas for babies that have allergies or digestive issues. Talk to your child’s doctor about which one is best. You may need to try a few to find the right one. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions. They are not all the same. Mixing them properly is very important for the safety of your baby. Texas WIC offers these guidelines for mixing formulas. 

Texas WIC clients can pick up their baby formula at any JC Food Mart, a grocery store chain that offers primarily WIC foods. The stores carry a large selection of baby formula and even prescription baby formulas. You can find a list of products online.  You can visit a  location near you, or schedule a time for pickup. Staff is also very knowledgeable about the WIC program and can help answer your questions. 

BABY FOOD & WIC

This is where it really starts to get fun. Once your baby is ready (your baby’s doctor can confirm when your little one can start sampling), they will start exploring new tastes and textures. It’s just as much fun for parents to discover what their little ones like and don’t like. 

Aren’t sure if your baby is ready to move to the next stage? Texas WIC provides an outline online to help you recognize important baby milestones and signs your tot might be ready.

Around 6-months old (confirm your child is ready with their doctor or a Texas WIC nutritionist), your baby may be able start trying purees. As they get older (around 9 months, but confirm with your doctor), they might be able to try foods that are soft and easily mashed. Scrambled eggs, soft fruits like bananas and avocados, steamed veggies or even homemade hummus.

Once your baby starts trying foods other than breastmilk and formula, you will need to be on the lookout for possible reactions from food allergies. Some of the common allergies are soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy, wheat or nuts (peanut butter for example since babies should not eat whole nuts because they may choke). Texas WIC offers great guidelines on signs your baby has a food allergy.

It’s important to always watch your child while they eat in case they choke. Be prepared in the event they need help. 

Guiding your baby through the various stages of eating will be a joy to watch. Enjoy the process!

TEXAS WIC CAN HELP WITH BABY FOOD

The WIC program is free for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and their children up to 5 years old. It’s designed for mothers to help their kids get a healthy start. WIC participants are able to take home free nutritional food, enroll in free nutritional classes and visit WIC-approved clinics. To find out if you qualify visit a San Antonio-area clinic near you or apply online.

By |2021-04-15T12:42:17-05:00April 6th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Texas WIC, WIC Food|0 Comments
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I’m Dying! A Guide To Coloring Eggs

Coloring Eggs Is Fun.

Bonus: They Are Also A Healthy WIC Food

Dying eggs is the perfect kid-friendly activity. It’s also a great way to get creative and take a break from adulting. It’s a complete bonus that once you are done you have a super nutritious meal or snack ready to eat. Another Bonus: Eggs are also a WIC food.

If you haven’t dyed eggs before (or even if you have and need a refresher), we have created a step-by-step guide with lots of pointers to help you make your eggs all your own. There are even a few tips to help make your colored egg one of the most creative around. At the end of all the fun, there will be lots of yummy recipes to try featuring boiled eggs as the main ingredient.

So let’s roll up our sleeves and have some fun. Then, let’s eat!

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO COLORING EGGS

STEP 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

Eggs, as many as you want

Food Coloring (or an egg color kit)

Water and Pan and Slotted Spoon or Colander for boiling eggs

Bowls or Cups or other containers for dying eggs. They can be plastic to help make this a more-kid friendly activity, but by all means use what you have.

Vinegar

If you want to make your eggs extra fancy, you can use Crayons, Tape, String

STEP 2: BOIL EGGS

Place eggs in a pot. Cover the eggs completely in an inch of water. Bring the water to boil. Boil eggs, for a fully cooked yolk, for 10 minutes.

STEP 3: DRAIN, COOL EGGS

Drain your eggs using a colander and let them cool completely before dying them. You can cool off hot eggs by running cold water over them. Hot eggs can be harmful for little kids to handle so make sure they have cooled completely before going to the next step.

STEP 4: PREP DYE

To prep egg dye: mix ½ cup of boiling water with a teaspoon of vinegar and about 15 drops of food coloring. You can add more or less food dye depending on the result you would like. Also, mix colors to create new colors. Experiment. This can be fun. Just make sure the dye has cooled before dying the eggs.

BONUS STEP: EGG DECORATION

You can draw a design or picture on your egg with a crayon before you dye your egg. Wherever you place crayon on the egg, the dye won’t show on the egg. You also use tape or string to cover parts of your egg you wish not to dye. Use as much imagination as you wish.

STEP 5: DYE YOUR EGGS

Use a utensil of your choice to emerge the egg into the bowl filled with dye. Let it sit about 5 minutes total and then remove the egg. You can remove the egg with a slotted spoon or tongs. Place your egg back into the egg carton packaging or on a plate to dry.

Store eggs in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

ENJOY!

EGGS ARE NUTRITIOUS

Once you have completed coloring your eggs, you will have lots of hard boiled eggs to make some great recipes.

Eggs are a super healthy ingredient to add to your menu. They are also a WIC-approved ingredient. Eggs provide Protein, have roughly 70 calories per egg and are packed with nutrition, including Vitamin A, Folate, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Calcium, Zink, Phosphorus and Selenium.

It’s no surprise why many people might choose to start their day with an egg. Eggs, of course, can be enjoyed during any meal.

One of the most popular ways to eat boiled eggs is to make egg salad. You can also add boiled eggs to tuna salad or even halved as a topping inside a lettuce salad. You can also eat them plain for breakfast or chopped up in an egg taco (with a little cheese sprinkled on top). A boiled egg is also perfectly paired on top of avocado toast. Below are a few great recipes we found that you might like.

DELISH EGG RECIPES

  • The first recipe is for Simple Egg Salad Sandwich from the IncredibleEgg.org. Find the recipe here. Also, this recipe for a Mixed Green Salad with Boiled Eggs can be found here.
  • Deviled Eggs – Here is a recipe from the USDA.org. for deviled eggs.

EGGS, A WIC FOOD

The Texas Woman, Infant and Children (WIC) program offers free nutritional education, counseling, support and free healthy WIC foods to qualifying mothers. Women who are pregnant or are mothers to children up to age 5 may qualify for the program if they meet certain financial qualifications. To see if you are eligible, visit TexasWIC.org.

Eggs are a free food provided each month to WIC members. To learn more about monthly WIC food packages and other foods that are included, visit the Texas WIC website.

Pick up your eggs and other WIC foods at JC Food Mart, a primarily WIC grocery store in San Antonio. Find a location at JC Food Mart.

By |2021-04-07T13:56:26-05:00March 29th, 2021|Categories: Kid Activity, Recipes, Videos, WIC Food|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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Tuna Melts: Easy Dinner With Healthy WIC Food

Tuna Melts: Easy Dinner With WIC Ingredients

Tuna packs a nutritional punch, and is a very healthy WIC food choice!

It offers protein, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B-12 and omega 3. If you are pregnant, you must eat tuna and other high mercury fish in moderation, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid it.

Pregnant and nursing mothers may eat up to 12 ounces of canned light tuna or other low mercury fish a week.  Canned Albacore tuna has higher mercury so it is only advised to eat 6 ounces a week. It’s also important that tuna is fully cooked and not raw, health experts advise.

If you are pregnant, the omega-3 fatty acids in tuna also help your baby grow, especially in the development of your baby’s brain.

TEXAS WIC PROGRAM

TexasWIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children. To find out if you qualify, visit a San Antonio Area WIC Clinic. You can also look through our list of WIC-approved food products at the official J.C. Food Mart website.

HEALTHY WIC FOOD INSPIRED RECIPE 

There are plenty of ways to eat your weekly serving of tuna, whether it be a classic salad sandwich or wrap. The healthy WIC food recipe below makes for a great sandwich, or can be enjoyed plain. Here’s the recipe that uses WIC-inspired ingredients:

 

SKILLET TUNA PATTY MELTS

3 cans of tuna

4 potatoes, peeled

1 tomato, sliced

1/3 head of lettuce

1 avocado

Vegetable oil

Dash of salt, pepper

Boil potatoes until cracked. Mash potatoes. Drain 3 cans of tuna. Add tuna into the boil of mashed potatoes. Mix together. Add three eggs, dash of salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Form patties in your hand. Add oil to the pan. Cook patties on medium heat. Serve with lettuce, tomato and avocado.

Enjoy while hot!

By |2021-04-07T08:03:22-05:00March 24th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Videos, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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Tips For A Successful Thanksgiving 2020

There isn’t anything typical about 2020. Thanksgiving won’t be either. It might even be better than normal. 

Health officials are also urging us to change how we celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead of large family gatherings, opt for a feast with just your household, they advise.

So maybe you won’t be traveling to grandma’s house this year, but you can still have some of your family traditions – even if it is smaller scale. Maybe you will even find a few new favorites to be thankful for this year. 

The change of plans might mean you are preparing a bird and all the trimmings for the first time. Here are a few of our best tips if you are preparing a feast this year: 

COOKING THE BIRD

There is no shortage of tips and tricks to cook a turkey, but the USDA has put all the essential information in one place. They cover how to select your turkey, how to defrost your bird, how to cook and store leftovers. All the details are on their website.

SHOP SAFE

Plan and shop safely. If you are a WIC client, get as much as you can from a primarily WIC grocery store, like JC Food Mart.  You will likely be in-and-out in no time. You won’t have to spend extra time searching for WIC-approved items among all those that aren’t. Also, make a list of the items you need. It will also be helpful when you start planning your dinner. Don’t forget to wear a mask.

PLAN YOUR  MEAL

When it comes to preparing Thanksgiving dinner – no matter how big or small – preparation is everything. 

  • Review your recipes. Make sure you have a well-balanced meal that incorporates healthy fruits and vegetables.  If you are looking for recipe inspiration, visit the collection at Texas WIC.  There you can find great and healthy side dishes and desserts like apple crisp, cauliflower with lemon, citrus glazed carrots, fruit salad and roasted sweet potatoes. 
  • Keep it simple. One of the main themes of Thanksgiving Day 2020 is to keep it small. Even though we might miss spending the day with our extended family and friends, having a smaller gathering might also be less stressful. Keep your menu simple and well balanced too.
  •  Also, don’t forget about the leftovers. Texas WIC also has a few great recipes to help use up your leftover poultry: chicken and rice casserole and chicken tortilla soup.

 

FUN FOR THE KIDS

This may be the perfect year to incorporate a few new family traditions. Here are a few ideas to consider: 

  1. Let your kids help prepare a side or take part in the cooking. Of course, what they help prepare will depend on their age. Younger children can help make a side with your supervision. Toddlers can make crafts to decorate the table. Some fun ideas include turkeys made by tracing your hand. 
  2. Older kids can also be in charge of setting up a group phone call with extended family and friends. You can FaceTime from an iPhone or Zoom, which is free for group calling (up to 100 people) for 40 minutes or less. Both options are free of charge.
  3. Everyone in the family can help prepare a side dish or help you research how to cook a bird online. It’s also a fun family tradition to tell others why you are thankful. You can write notecards for the table or take turns sharing a few words before you eat. 
  4. Don’t forget to rest and have FUN!
By |2022-08-17T14:15:20-05:00November 25th, 2020|Categories: WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|0 Comments
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