New Store Opening Soon
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!
The Flavors of Fall: Delicious Roasted Pumpkin
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for roasted pumpkins that brings out all the flavor of fall. These roasted pumpkins make a great side dish or a tasty snack. You can also use them in salads, soups, or as part of a festive fall platter.
Don’t forget to save the pumpkin seeds to roast for a snack or to use to top your favorite salad.
ROASTED PUMPKINS
2-4 mini pumpkins or 1 larger pumpkin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme, rosemary, or sage; optional)
Optional toppings: grated Parmesan cheese, balsamic glaze, or chopped fresh herbs
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash the mini pumpkins and cut them in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds and any stringy insides using a spoon. Then cut them into slices for easier roasting. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried herbs if using. Rub the seasonings into the flesh of the pumpkins to ensure they’re evenly coated.
Roast in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and lightly browned. You can check for doneness by piercing with a fork; it should slide in easily. Once cooled, You can now remove the skin from the outside.
Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, drizzle with balsamic glaze, or garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
These roasted mini pumpkins make a great side dish or a tasty snack. You can also use them in salads, soups, or as part of a festive fall platter.
Roast Homemade Pumpkin Seeds From Fresh Pumpkins
It’s the season. You got your pumpkin, and you have decided you don’t want it to be used for cute seasonal decoration.
One popular way to enjoy pumpkin is to roast the seeds. Be sure to save the rest of the pumpkin for another delicious recipe.
Here is a basic recipe to get you started.
Easy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Seeds from pumpkin
1 tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter
Salt to taste
Seasonings of your choice (garlic powder, paprika or even cinnamon)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Scoop the seeds from your pumpkin by cutting off the top and reaching in to grab them. Separate the seeds from the pulp. Rinse seeds in colander under cold water and remove any remaining pumpkin pulp.
Arrange the seeds in single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake the seeds in the preheated oven for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the seeds are golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let them cool. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Sprinkle on a salad or enjoy as a snack.
JC Food Now Offering Pumpkins In 3 Sizes
Swing by a JC Food Mart store today to pick up your pumpkins. 
Stores are now offering them in three different sizes. Stores are currently offering these sizes will supplies last:
Mini pumpkins – $1.50
Pie pumpkins – $5 each
Jack o’ Lantern pumpkins – $7 each
Pumpkins are perfect for decorating, and for making your favorite seasonal recipes. Check back for ideas about how to use your pumpkin.
It’s Pumpkin Season!
JC Food Mart Now Carrying Canned Pumpkin Puree
That’s why JC Food Mart stores are now carrying canned pumpkin. It’s arriving in stores now. Pick it up with your WIC fruits and vegetables benefit.
It’s a great choice for adding fiber, nutrition and flavor to your family recipes including pancakes, muffins and smoothies. Spoon a little into your prepared oatmeal, and toddler’s also love pumpkin puree on its own.
Here are a few recipes you will enjoy using canned pumpkin:
PUMPKIN MUFFINS
3 eggs
¼ cup peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup (or use a substitute of brown sugar by mixing a ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup water)
½ cup pumpkin puree
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease mini muffin pan with non-stick spray. Mix all of your ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Add mix to pan and bake for about 15 minutes or until done.
PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE
1/3 cup of pumpkin puree
1 banana
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of brown sugar – this is optional
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve cold.
Visit a JC Food Mart today to redeem your WIC benefits for pumpkin puree and pumpkins along with all your other WIC foods.
WIC Foods Perfect For Toddlers
WIC foods are a great way to make sure your little ones are getting good nutrition. When WIC foods are part of a recipe, you know you are giving them healthy choices. Coming up with new ways to get your little ones to try new foods can be very challenging.
These easy recipes are perfect for toddlers, and they feature WIC-approved foods.
PEANUT BUTTER, BERRY OATMEAL
Oatmeal
Berries
Peanut butter
Cook oatmeal according to package directions.
Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter and mashed berries. Mix until well combined and serve warm.
Here is another recipe perfect for your little one, but tasty enough for the entire family to try.
VEGETABLE, LENTIL SOUP
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
2 cups chopped spinach
Juice of 1 lemon
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add diced vegetables. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add spices to the pot. Cook for another couple of minutes. Add dried lentils, broth, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in diced tomatoes, spinach and cook another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.
TUNA, AVOCADO SANDWICH BITES
Canned tuna, drained
Avocado, mashed
Whole-wheat bread, toasted
Mash avocado and mix with canned tuna
Spread mixture on whole-grain bread and cut into triangles.