Add Sparkle To Your Memorial Day Menu Using WIC Foods
Looking to add a little something festive to your Memorial Day Weekend menu? Here are a few recipes that add a little something extra to round out your holiday using WIC foods.
Temperatures are also beginning to heat up so these recipes are easy, refreshing no-fuss bites. They are the perfect way for you to keep everyone satisfied without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. Plus, little helpers can also get involved for the perfect quality family time.
FRUIT SPARKLER DRINK
Break out your red and blue fruits and add them to your ice water or juice for a cool, refreshing treat. A few fun fruits to try are watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries. Don’t forget to let the kiddos help. This is a perfect way to celebrate while spending time outside this Memorial Day weekend.
PATRIOTIC CHEESE TRAY 
Cheese platters have never been more popular! Cut up some of your favorite fruits and cheeses and arrange in fun patriotic ways. Make a red, white and blue design, like the one in the photo, using blueberries, white cheese cubes and cubed watermelon. You could also use strawberries. The design possibilities are endless and the kids will love getting involved!
VEGGIE ROLL-UPS
Roll-ups make a simple, healthy snack or lunch the kids will love. Place a whole wheat tortilla on a plate, add your favorite salsa, dressing, vegetables, and cheese, and roll! Cut the rolled tortilla into bite-size pieces and enjoy! A few filling ideas include and combination of the following WIC-approved foods: lettuce, tomato, cheese, apple, avocado, guacamole, cucumbers, raw or cooked mushrooms, and beans!
Once made and sliced, arrange on a platter for a quick family-style meal for everyone.
DON’T FORGET THE WATERMELON 
No matter how you cut it, watermelon is a summertime staple. It’s perfect for hot days because it even can help you stay hydrated. There are so many fun ways to eat this fruit. Cut it into cubes and place it on skewers for a fun kebob. The kiddos can help by cutting watermelon slices with cookie cutters and creating fun shapes (Oh my Stars for Memorial Day!) You can even quarter watermelon and dig in with a spoon!
LONE STAR FAMILY MARKET CATERS TO WIC CLIENTS
Get all your WIC foods in one easy stop at any Lone Star Family Market location in Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos. To find a location near you visit us here.
Recipes Using WIC-Approved Salsa & Tomato Sauce
Recipes Spotlighting 2 New WIC-Approved Foods
Lone Star Family Market is offering two new WIC products that will help make healthy family recipes a breeze.
The stores are currently offering Always Save® mild jarred salsa and canned tomato sauce. These two new products can help busy moms save time in the kitchen. Here are a few recipes you are going to want to try with these two new products.
Both products are redeemable as WIC foods in the fruits and vegetable category. Learn more about WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits here.
Try this recipe using our new jarred salsa:
BLACK BEAN & SALSA PASTA MELT
1 jar (16 oz) salsa
1 ½ cups of water
2 cups of elbow macaroni
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Add drained black beans to a skillet. Add salsa and water and stir. Bring everything to a boil. Add macaroni and reduce heat on medium-low and cover. Cook until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Add cheese and cover until it is melted. Enjoy!
Here is a recipe featuring our new tomato sauce:
EASY SKILLET VEGETABLE PASTA
½ tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces)
1 cup water
8 ounces of uncooked pasta, such as elbow macaroni
2 cups fresh or frozen vegetables (ideas: chopped carrots, tomatoes or bell peppers)
½ cup grated cheese
Add olive oil to a pan and heat on medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic powder. Add tomato sauce, water and uncooked pasta. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add fresh or frozen vegetables, stir and cook until pasta and vegetables are tender, about 10 more minutes. Add cheese and heat until melted. Enjoy!
Visit any Lone Star Family Market store to pick up these two new products today!
Cinco De Mayo!
Ideas, Recipes For Celebrating May 5 With The Entire Family
Make Queso Using WIC Cheese & Homemade Tortilla Chips
There are so many fun ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with your family. Go for a picnic, or even just decorate your home in the colors of the Mexican flag. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Cinco De Mayo is a great time to remember heritage and spend time with loved ones.
Cinco De Mayo is a holiday that celebrates when Mexican army’s victory in 1862 over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
Making traditional Mexican food and snacks is one way to celebrate! Yum! Here are some great foods to add a little flavor for the holiday using WIC-approved foods: queso dip using WIC cheese and homemade tortilla chips:
HOMEMADE TORTILLA CHIPS
12 corn tortillas
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush oil on both sides of the tortilla. Cut each tortilla into sixths to make triangle chips. Place cut tortillas in a single layer on baking sheets and season with salt. Bake until crispy.
QUESO DIP WITH WIC CHEESE
1 pound American cheese slices, quartered
¼ cup milk
½ cup jarred salsa
Combine cheese and milk in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until cheese is melted. Add salsa, mix and enjoy.
CINCO DE MAYO FAMILY FUN
To celebrate in big style, you can even make your own DIY piñata with an empty cereal box and fill it with small toys or treats. Check out this fun video tutorial on how to make your own.
For more Cinco De Mayo ideas click on the photo for a link to a post on our blog with more recipes and blog ideas.
GET WIC CHEESE + MORE AT LONE STAR FAMILY MARKET
Get all your WIC groceries at Lone Star Family Market, a chain of stores that caters to WIC clients. Our unique shopping format features personalized bilingual customer service to help you get in and out with all your WIC foods as easy and fast as possible. Find out how easy WIC grocery shopping can be. Visit any of our locations in Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos Today.
Grilled Cheese Made With WIC Foods
Grilled Cheese Is American Classic
A grilled cheese sandwich is comfort food at its best! Use WIC foods to make the best grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ewwey gooey cheese sandwiched between toasty bread. There is something so simple and satisfying about a grilled cheese sandwich.
Kids and adults can appreciate this meal any time of year. It’s perfect dipped into a big bowl of tomato soup or as a side to a healthy salad. Kids might prefer to eat it with a side of fruit.
Plus, this recipe is made using only WIC-approved foods: whole wheat bread and cheese. Plus, it’s a great source of protein and calcium.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and grill some cheese! WIC-approved whole wheat bread and cheeses are all you need to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich that will satisfy your hunger and comfort your soul. So go ahead, and indulge in this classic American favorite today!
Because today seems like a good day for a grilled cheese sandwich so here are some recipes we know you will want to try these grilled cheese recipes with WIC foods
AMERICAN GRILLED CHEESE 
2 slices of whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon butter
Cheese Slice
Heat skillet to medium heat. Generously butter one side of the slice of bread and put the butter side down into the pan. Place cheese on the side without butter. Butter a second slice of bread and place butter side up on top of a cheese slice. Cook until lightly browned and then flip until cheese is perfectly melted.
MOMMY’S GRILLED CHEESE
2 slices of whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon butter
Cheese Slice
Sliced Avocado
Sliced Tomato
Heat skillet to medium heat. Generously butter one side of the slice of bread and put the butter side down into the pan. Place cheese on the side without butter. Add slices of avocado and tomato slices. Butter a second slice of bread and place butter side up on top of the tomato slice. Cook until lightly browned and then flip until cheese is perfectly melted.
WIC GROCERY SHOPPING
Get all your WIC ingredients at Lone Star Family Market, a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos. Lone Star Family Market helps make getting WIC groceries easier. The store only offers WIC foods and clients can get in and out in one easy stop. Clients can even check their WIC balance before shopping. Bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout their visit. Locations are conveniently located near WIC offices.
Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends. Tag us on Instagram using @lone_star_family_market or Facebook using @lonestarfamilymarket
Find more recipes on our blog.
WIC Class On Bottle Feeding Baby
Texas WIC & Baby Feeding
Learning to feed your baby has never been easier thanks to Texas WIC experts.
Texas WIC is offering a “Click & Learn” class this month on how to bottle feed your baby. WIC clients can take the free online class from the Texas WIC website.
WIC Experts will walk you through how to:
- Tell when baby is hungry or full
- Prepare a bottle safely
- Bottle feed your baby
To sign up for the class, visit TexasWIC.org class page here.
Being a new mom is stressful. Texas WIC is a free nutrition education program for qualifying mothers and their children up to age 5. The program provides free nutrition counseling, free monthly food packages for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and their children until their 5th birthday. To apply for the program, visit TexasWIC.org.