Meal Planning and Making the Most of WIC Benefits

Our family receives WIC benefits for our foster/adopted children under the age of 5.  This has helped our food budget immensely in the past few years.

Our two younger children have a milk allergy and receive soy milk. Our oldest is lactose intolerant and received lactose free milk until he was 5. Yes, we are those crazy people with 3 different kinds of milk in their refrigerator.

Included with our benefits is $9.00 for each child for fruit and vegetables, which includes canned, fresh, and some frozen.  Also, milk or milk replacement, grains (wheat bread, oatmeal, wheat tortillas, or wheat buns, a dozen eggs, beans or peanut butter, and cereal from an approved list.

The best way to maximize your benefits is to MEAL PLAN!  

Here is a typical weekly meal plan for our family that incorporates many foods we purchased with our WIC benefits*:

Monday

Crockpot Veggie Chili with Garlic Bread

Veggie Chili Recipe:

• 1 can black beans*
• 1 can kidney beans*
• 1 can corn*
• 1 can mushrooms*
• 1 large jar of salsa

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with cheese and sour cream.

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Tuesday

Breakfast for Dinner

Wednesday

Grilled Cheese* and Tomato Soup

Thursday 

Corn* & Black Bean* Burritos with Spanish Rice & Avacado*

Friday

Chef Salads*

• Hard boiled eggs*
• Salad Mix*
• Tomato*
• Avacado*
• Ham or Turkey
• Cheese

Saturday: Pizzadillas*

Pizzadilla Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Wheat Tortillas*
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Pepperoni or Sausage
• Veggies*
• Marinara or Pizza Sauce for Dipping

Directions:

• Gather all ingredients
• Place 12″ Frying Pan on Low/Medium Heat
• Spray Pan with Nonstick spray
• Add Wheat Tortilla to Pan
• Add Cheese, Meat, and/or Veggies to Half of Tortilla
• Use spatula to fold top of Wheat Tortilla over Ingredients
• Use spatula to turn entire Pizzadilla over
• Remove from pan when Cheese is melted and Tortilla is browned
• Dip in Marinara/Pizza Sauce and Enjoy!

Sunday

Leftovers Smorgasbord