Memorial Day Recipe Round Up

Recipes Featuring Fruits, Vegetables To Make This Weekend

There’s no better time than to start breaking into your summer recipes than Memorial Day weekend. The season offers so many great fruits and vegetables that are perfect to serve up as the weather heats up.

We are spotlighting several recipes using WIC foods perfect for this weekend and for the months to come using some of our favorite fruits and vegetables.

These cool and refreshing treats are fun for kids and are easy to make.

YOGURT FREEZER POPS 

12 oz of Fresh or Frozen Fruit (strawberries with stems removed and cut in half before blending or blueberries are our favorites)

2 cups of Plain Yogurt

¼ cup of Honey (omit if serving to children younger than 1 years old)

Puree fruit in a blender. Add yogurt. Add honey (if using) and blend together. Pour pops into molds of your choice (you can use disposable plastic cups, ice trays with wooden sticks or pop molds from the store). Freeze for 6 plus hours. When ready to eat, you can loosen the pop  from mold by running it under warm water for a few minutes to remove it from the disposable cup, ice tray or mold.

Memorial Day (and summer) is the perfect time to cook outside with family and friends. So fire up the grill for this healthy and delicious recipe spotlighting WIC vegetables and even a fruit!

VEGGIE KABOBS

8 wooden/ bamboo skewers or metal skewers. You can also use an aluminum foil tray on the grill.  

Zucchini slices

Yellow Squash slices

Fresh Mushrooms

Onion, quartered

Pineapple chunks

Bell Pepper chunks

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1½ teaspoons Dried Basil

¾ teaspoon Dried Oregano

½ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Garlic Powder, to taste

Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes.Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Place vegetables of your choice, including these options:  zucchini, squash slices, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, pineapple, and bell pepper onto the skewers. Mix olive oil and seasonings into a bowl. Brush onto vegetables. Cook vegetables on a preheated grill until done, turning and reapplying oil as needed for about 15 minutes.

Turn your beans into a salad with this next recipe. It’s a delicious way to eat your beans in the summertime.  The added vegetables also add a lot of flavor to this side.

PINTO BEAN SALAD

1 ½ cups Dried Pinto Beans, soaked overnight and drained

2 tablespoons Salt

2 medium Tomatoes, chopped

1 medium Onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon Lime Juice

1 teaspoon Salt

¼ cup Olive Oil

1 clove Garlic, minced (or garlic powder to taste)

¼ cup fresh Cilantro, chopped

Pepper to taste

After letting dried pinto beans soak overnight, drain them. Place beans in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in salt and cook for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender. Drain beans. Let beans cool. Combine lemon juice, lime juice. Add olive oil gradually until mixed well. Add garlic and cilantro. Pour dressing over warm beans and toss. Add chopped tomatoes and onions and toss well.

Get Foods For Your Memorial Day Recipes at JC Food Mart

Get all your WIC groceries at JC Food Mart locations in San Antonio. Find a location near you online. Find more great recipes on our blog.

 

By |2021-06-15T10:02:50-05:00May 28th, 2021|Categories: Recipes|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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Smoothies are a Nutritional Snack With WIC Foods

Chill Out With A Refreshing Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get an extra dose of fruits and vegetables. They also don’t require a lot of ingredients. Gather some of your favorite WIC foods and blend away.

Smoothies are a combination of fruits and/or vegetables, liquid, protein and ice (if you aren’t using frozen fruit) blended together. The fun part is that they are easy to switch up to find a fun new flavor. Some common smoothie ingredients include:

FRUITS (FROZEN OR FRESH): Bananas, Mangos, Apples, Berries and Even Avocados

VEGETABLES: Spinach, Carrots, Celery and Cucumbers

PROTEIN: Peanut Butter

LIQUIDS: Milk, Soy Milk, Yogurt, Juice or Water (like ice if you aren’t using frozen fruit)

OPTIONAL FOR FUN: Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice

There are so many WIC foods to pick from – Fruits, Veggies, Peanut Butter and Milk. Those are all super healthy WIC-approved foods you can include in your morning smoothie. The fun part is you don’t need a recipe. Use the recipe below provided by Texas WIC as a guide, but substitute any of the ingredients or combinations above to come up with new favorites.

Because smoothies are packed with nutrition (and WIC ingredients) they make a great breakfast or snack for adults and kids. They are especially tasty as the long hot days of Summer approach.

If you have fresh fruit you think might go bad before you eat it (like bananas or berries), just cut and put it in a freezer-safe container and store for your next smoothie.

SMOOTHIE BOWL

Smoothie bowls are a hot trend and is a fun new way to eat smoothies. Smoothie Bowl With WIC Foods

If your tot isn’t ready to drink from a straw, but is trying purees, this version might be perfect for them. If making for a child, be mindful to avoid certain ingredients (like nuts because of choking) and even peanut butter if you haven’t yet determined if they aren’t allergic. Also, skip adding the whole fruit on top.

Note: It’s best to try ingredients that a child might be allergic to one at a time instead of blending multiple items together. This is helpful so you can easily identify which food might have caused the allergy. Once a child has individually tried all the ingredients you want to add to a smoothie bowl, you should be safe. Just make sure everything is blended well.

A smoothie bowl is also a fun way for adults to enjoy fruits and veggies. You can even top off your bowl with a handful of fresh berries or sliced fruit for extra texture.

RECIPE FROM TEXASWIC.ORG

Texas WIC offers this recipe on their website. Of course you can add more or substitute as you like:

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

1 Banana

2 cups frozen Strawberries (without added sugar)

¾ cup Milk

8 ounces low-fat Vanilla Yogurt

Tips: You can use any fruit – try mangoes, peaches or blueberries! If using all fresh fruit, try blending in ice cubes to thicken it up. You can also use 100% fruit juice or soy milk instead of milk, or even silken tofu instead of yogurt!

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

APPLY FOR TEXAS WIC

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 smoothie at JC Food Mart, a primarily WIC grocery store chain in San Antonio. To find a location near you, visit jcfoodmart.com/locations.

By |2021-06-15T10:05:25-05:00May 21st, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|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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Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With WIC Inspired Recipes

There’s no better reason to throw a dinner party for your family than Cinco De Mayo. To make your party perfect, we have rounded up a list of ideas for a festive family meal at home, including Cinco De Mayo WIC-inspired recipes!  Using key WIC ingredients, your family celebration will be healthy and delicious.  Plus, you don’t have to leave the house to feel you have escaped to the perfect party venue. You can turn your dining table into the perfect escape.

Here are 3 tips to make your Cinco De Mayo fiesta perfect:

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED

  1. Make a fun tablescape and decor for your home. Add lots of colors! You can even get the kids to help. Search online for instructions and inspiration to make everything from plastic egg maracas to tiny pinatas made out of toilet paper rolls and decorated with tissue paper. Here is a link for instructions for an example of the pinatas. These homemade table centerpieces are also very festive. The ideas are as endless as your imagination.

MAKE SIMPLE RECIPES WITH WIC FOODS

  1. Keep your menu simple. The party is always more perfect when there isn’t a ton of work. Simple recipes that can be made in advance (like the fruit salsa recipe below) are the perfect way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo (which falls in the middle of the week). The pinto bean salsa recipe below is also super simple and quick to make.

FIESTA!

  1. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.  The best part about a party (even if it’s for immediate family) is to remember to have fun. Don’t stress about the details On that note, let’s get the party started with this fun Fruit Salsa Recipe. Here are a few Cinco De Mayo WIC inspired Recipes to try:

 

Fruit Salsa

 

 

FRESH FRUIT SALSA

1 cup mango (peeled and chopped)

 1 cup diced pineapple 

1/2 cup diced red pepper 

1 roma tomato, seeded and chopped

 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

2 tablespoons diced onion

 2 tablespoons lime juice

 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (0ptional) 

Put all ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.  

Here is a great recipe from the USDA’s My Plate for Salsa Beans:

Salsa Pinto Beans  Salsa Beans

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)

 1 onion (medium, chopped) 

1 clove garlic (minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder) 

2 cans pinto beans (15 ounces each, drained and rinsed)

 1 cup of mild salsa

 Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in the beans and salsa. Cook for 10 minutes. 

Source: Maryland Food Supplement Nutrition Education program, 2009 Recipe Calendar.

 SHOP FOR CINCO DE MAYO WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FOODS

Get your WIC foods at JC Food Mart. To find a store near you visit our location page online. Interested in joining Texas WIC? You can get your application started online. For more recipes spotlighting WIC foods, visit our blog.

By |2022-05-05T13:56:55-05:00May 5th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |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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