Budget Bites To Help You Save Money
Cook Up Comforting Fall Recipes With WIC Foods
Making family meals is a never-ending task. To help inspire you and your family at mealtime, here are a few cozy recipe ideas – using WIC foods of course – we think you will enjoy as the fall and winter weather kicks in.
This time of year pumpkin is in everything from coffee to candles. This recipe from USDA’s MyPlate is full of fall flavors and is a great family meal, perfect for catching up and spending quality time with your family.
PUMPKIN CHILI
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion (chopped)
1 green bell pepper (cored, seeded and chopped )
2 jalapeño peppers (seeded and finely chopped, optional)
2 cloves garlic ( finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder )
1 pound ground turkey, optional
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1 can pumpkin puree
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cumin, ground
salt and pepper (to taste, optional)
1 can kidney beans (Can choose other beans if desired.)
Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapenos (omit if serving to children) and garlic and cook, stirring frequently until tender, about 5 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low then add beans. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.
Source: from USDA’s MyPlate, Bronson Wellness Center
It’s also the perfect time to fire-up the oven for tasty treats with healthy ingredients.
This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate is a perfect twist on a classic cookie recipe. Your kids won’t even know healthy foods are packed into the ingredient list.
Carrots give this traditional oatmeal and raisin cookie a colorful and tasty twist.
CARROT COOKIES
1/2 cup margarine (soft)
1 1/4 cups sugar mixed with 1/4 cup water
1 cup carrot (grated)
2 egg whites (well beaten)
2 cups flour (all purpose)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups oatmeal, quick cooking (raw)
1 cup raisins
In a large bowl, cream together margarine and honey. Stir in carrots and egg whites. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oatmeal and raisins. Gradually stir flour-oatmeal mixture into creamed mixture, just until all flour is mixed. Do not over mix. Drop a teaspoon on a greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Source: USDA’s MyPlate, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Healthy Futures
Budget Bites to Help You Save Money
4 Tips To Save $$$
Grocery prices keep going up, and we are all looking for ways to stretch our food budgets. Here are a few tips we can all use to curb the waste, and stretch our food dollars even further.
USE MORE, WASTE LESS
If you don’t think you will use them before they go bad, freeze fruits and vegetables. Put them in freezer-safe containers or bags and mark with a date. These frozen portions are great to add to soups or smoothies.
Save veggie scraps like potato rinds, ends of onions and celery pieces, to make veggie broth. These vegetables will make a perfect vegetable broth that is delicious in soups.
Use leftovers creatively. You can turn almost any leftovers into a completely different meal. For example, did you make roasted veggies as a side dish this week? Use the leftovers in a delicious omelet. You cook once and have two delicious meals. Plus, you save time in the kitchen.
MAXIMIZE WIC BENEFITS
One of the best ways to maximize your WIC benefits is to use your SNAP benefits first. Your SNAP benefits roll over, but your WIC benefits expire at the end of the month. USE WIC FIRST.
Make fewer trips. If you are making a trip to the WIC clinic, redeem your WIC benefits during the same trip. Lone Star Family Market, which caters to WIC clients, are conveniently located near WIC clinics. Lone Star Family Market caters to WIC clients and helps them redeem their benefits in one easy, fast trip.
PLAN AHEAD
By planning ahead you can save time and money. Plan your menu for the week. See what ingredients can be used to do double duty in your recipes. For example, are you making a homemade soup and stir-fry dish this week? Get an onion that can be used for both. What other ingredients can be used in both meals? Stretch your food dollars by using simple recipes with less ingredients. Plus, it is a great way for your kids to help. Make a menu together on a chalkboard or a colorful paper that they can help create.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
One of the best ways to save money cooking is to make simple, nutritious recipes that don’t have a ton of ingredients. Buy pantry staples like seasonings on sale or in bulk. Make your own salad dressing using olive oil and simple seasonings.
Get all your WIC foods in one easy stop conviently located next to WIC clinics. Visit any Lone Star Family Market in Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos today.
Texas WIC’s New Contract Formulas
On Oct. 1, 2022, Texas WIC’s new formula contract went into effect. The listed Similac products
become the corresponding Enfamil product.
| This Similac Product…. | ….Becomes This Enfamil Product |
| Similac Advance 12.4oz PWD
|
Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD
|
| Similac Advance 20.6oz PWD
|
Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD
|
| Similac Advance 30.8 oz PWD
|
Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD
|
| Similac Pro Advance 20.6oz PWD
|
Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD
|
| Similac Pro Advance 30.8oz PWD
|
Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD
|
| Similac Advance 13oz CON
|
Enfamil Infant 13oz CON
|
| Similac Advance 32oz RTU
|
Enfamil Infant 32oz RTU
|
| Similac Sensitive 12.5oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac Sensitive 20.1 PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac Sensitive 29.8 oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac Pro Sensitive 20.1 oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac Pro Sensitive 29.8oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac Sensitive 32oz RTU
|
Enfamil Gentlease Neuropro 32oz RTU
|
| Similac For Spit Up 12.5oz PWD
|
Enfamil A.R. 12.9 OZ PWD
|
| Similac For Spit Up 19.5oz PWD
|
Enfamil A.R. 12.9 OZ PWD
|
| Similac Total Comfort 12.6oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac PRO Total Comfort 20.1oz PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
| Similac PRO Total Comfort 29.8 PWD
|
Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD
|
Texas WIC’s Expanded Fruit & Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru Dec. 16
The WIC Fruit, Vegetable Bump Extended Thru Dec. 16
Texas WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits are now extended thru December! Congress approved the expanded benefits last week, which were set to expire at the end of September.
The new benefits are now available thru Dec. 16.
According to Texas WIC, “Participants who receive the increased benefits in December are able to redeem them throughout the entire month.”
According to Texas WIC, the new Cash Value Benefits (CVB) amounts for fruits and vegetables are:
- $25 monthly for children
- $44 monthly for pregnant and postpartum participants
- $49 monthly for fully and partially breastfeeding participants
- $73.50 for mothers breastfeeding multiple children
The expanded WIC fruit and vegetable benefits was expected to return to $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children Oct. 1.
WIC clients should contact a local WIC office if they have questions about these benefits.
WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Lone Star Family Market location in Austin + Round Rock + San Marcos. There are 7 stores conveniently located near WIC clinics. Find a location online.
Texas WIC Formula Changes Take Effect Oct. 1
On Oct. 1, Texas WIC’s new formula contract went into effect.
Texas WIC’s contract for milk-based formulas has switched from Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Similac, to Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil products. The new contract is only for milk-based formulas. All other formula products remain unchanged.
“All WIC participants receiving standard milk-based infant formulas will be transitioned to Enfamil products for benefits beginning October 2022,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.
There is a Mead Johnson product equivalent for every Abbott Laboratories product.
If you haven’t already discussed this change with your local WIC office, contact them at your earliest convenience.
“The WIC program is required to have a contract with one specific formula company to help keep costs down. We renew the contract every 5 years. The award for the contract from October 2022 – September 2027 for milk based formula is Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil. The soy-based formula will continue to be with Abbott, the makers of Similac,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.