Summertime Pasta Recipe

Try This Recipe For Whole Wheat Pasta (A WIC Food) The Whole Family Will Enjoy

It’s summertime. That means parents need healthy, fast, no-fuss recipes that are also kid-friendly. If you are looking for a quick meal using WIC foods, try this pasta recipe.

You may find yourself using this recipe again and again this summer.  It’s easy, fast and doesn’t heat up the kitchen during those warm summer months. It’s great for lunch, dinner and makes enough for leftovers. The best part, it features several WIC foods.

 

WIC Pasta Recipe

 

 

 

 

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA AND BROCCOLI

1 16oz box of Whole Wheat Pasta, any kind (elbows, bow ties, spirals or even spaghetti)

3 cups of  Broccoli, fresh or frozen works

4 tbsp Butter

3 cloves Garlic, minced

2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

1.5 to 2 cups of reserved Pasta water

Cooked Boneless Chicken, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions. When you have about 5 minutes remaining, add the broccoli.  Once broccoli is tender, drain water In a large colander. Use the cooking pot to melt the butter on low heat. Add minced garlic and saute for a few minutes, stirring often. Add pasta and broccoli back into the pot. Add cheese and pasta water. Stir until the cheese is mixed thoroughly. Mix in cooked, cut up, boneless chicken chunks if using. Enjoy!

Find more great recipes using WIC foods on the JC Food Mart blog page. JC Food Mart helps make shopping for WIC foods easy for mothers. You can find a location near WIC clinics by visiting our locations page online.

You can apply online for Texas WIC by visiting the organization’s website at TexasWIC.org.

By |2021-06-15T11:42:42-05:00June 15th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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3 Reasons To Join Texas WIC

WIC Program Helps Mothers Raise Healthy Babies

Texas WIC can be a mother’s best friend. 

Many moms and their children across Texas are benefiting from this nutritional supplement program aimed at getting babies off to a healthy start. It’s a FREE program for eligible mothers and their children up to age 5. 

If you haven’t heard about Texas WIC or aren’t sure of it’s benefits, we are giving you our top 3 reasons to consider applying for the program:

WIC Pregnancy San Antonio1. MOTHER’S HEALTH

There are few better ways to help a baby grow healthy than by helping an expecting mother with nutrition and health.  A healthy mother can help create a healthy baby. That’s why the program is open to pregnant women. 

 The Texas WIC program helps mothers with nutrition counseling and guidance along the way. There are so many health considerations to  make once you become pregnant:  What should I eat? Should I exercise? How much? Am I getting the right nutrients?  It can all be a lot to take in for any mother, but Texas WIC nutritionists can be there along the way to help you make healthy choices. 

One of the best parts is that Texas WIC provides free, nutritious food package supplements each month to help you eat healthy in order to give the baby (and you) the nutrition you need during pregnancy.

Once the baby arrives, they are also there for support. WIC experts help with breastfeeding guidance and nutrition support for your child up to age 5. That means there is help for so many of the concerns you have as a new mother, like: “Am I feeding my baby the right way and enough’ Texas WIC offers FREE counseling and guidance to so many of these health questions. 

2. YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH WIC Child San Antonio

Texas WIC is an amazing gift for your child. The program ensures that your baby doesn’t go without healthy nutrition.  Aside from breastfeeding support, Texas WIC even pays for baby formula (which can be very expensive).  If your baby needs a special baby formula, it will pay for that too with a doctor’s prescription.  As the child gets older, the free monthly food package changes with your child’s needs. 

Keeping your child fed with the right nutrition isn’t the only support you will get.  Texas WIC  also offers free counseling and guidance to help make sure your baby is growing healthy. There are even free online nutrition classes. 

WIC Free Foods3. JOIN TEXAS WIC FOR FREE NUTRITIONAL FOOD

There is no better benefit than free, nutritious food for you and your baby. Knowing your baby is getting the nutrition they need is enough to calm almost any anxious mother. The best part is that it’s free to qualifying mothers and their babies. 

Each month Texas WIC will load benefits onto an ebt card. WIC clients can use this card to redeem their benefits for WIC foods at stores.  The food benefits will change as your baby grows and has different needs. The food packages can cover everything from baby formula and baby food to milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, whole wheat bread, tortillas and pasta and fresh fruits and vegetables. 

To make it even easier, JC Food Mart locations are open near San Antonio area WIC clinics to help WIC clients redeem their benefits in an easy shopping format. JC Food Mart stores are not affiliated with WIC  – but are a Primarily WIC grocery store – which means they mostly carry only WIC-approved items.  At JC Food Mart, WIC clients don’t have to go searching for WIC items in the store. Instead, they simply walk up to a counter where a staff member will walk them through the shopping process for getting their WIC groceries. It’s a super easy and convenient way to get your WIC groceries. 

JOIN TEXAS WIC TODAY

Want to find out if you qualify for Texas WIC? The program is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and families with children under age 5.  There are also income requirements to qualify for the program. If you would like to join Texas WIC, you can start your application today by visiting: https://texaswic.org/apply

You may soon learn what so many families already know: Texas WIC can be a mother’s best friend.

By |2021-06-15T10:03:26-05:00May 26th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, San Antonio, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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Texas WIC Increasing Fruit, Vegetable Benefits

This summer, Texas WIC is increasing its fruit and vegetable benefits.  

WIC will be offering benefits for $35 for fruits and vegetables per person starting June 1st. 

WIC clients can use the benefits for fruits and vegetables that are fresh, frozen or in cans/jars or plastic containers, according to TexasWIC.org. 

According to TexasWIC.org: “You will see this increase on your shopping list under your benefit amount for June through September 2021. If you already have benefits for June or July, your WIC office will contact you for an appointment to update your benefits.”

Contact WIC or visit a WIC clinic if there are any questions about your fruit and vegetable allowance.

The additional WIC benefits will be available starting in June through September and return to the regular benefit amount in October, according to TexasWIC.org.

WIC normally offers $11 in fruit/vegetable benefits for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children age 1 to 5. 

You can redeem your WIC benefits at any JC Food Mart location in San Antonio. JC Food Mart provides WIC clients an easy shopping experience. WIC clients can find all their WIC items at one store. Plus, it’s easy to get in and out since the locations can be found close to WIC clinics. Learn more about shopping at JC Food Mart on our website. 

To join Texas WIC, apply online at Texaswic.org/apply. 

By |2021-06-15T10:05:57-05:00May 12th, 2021|Categories: JC Food Mart, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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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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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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