Thursday, June 26, 2008

Got Milk?

With the recent changes to our job status, we qualify for WIC. I've been paying taxes for almost 20 years now and don't feel too bad about using programs that are set up for situations like ours. Our trip to get things set up today was interesting. Here are some pointers in case you are ever in need of WIC:
  • Your appointment time means nothing. This is a government run program, after all. If a 17 year-old mother of two happens to be in line in front of you with no appointment, she will get called back first and you will have to wait 40 minutes in the lobby with your two kids. (This had the potential of being REALLY bad. But Little Man was good and there was a play area. Mostly I was just frustrated and feeling penalized for being responsible.)
  • You will never go thirsty. Little Man and I qualify for 9 (NINE!) gallons of milk a month and 11 46oz. bottles of juice. And that was the option for the least amount of milk. I know milk is expensive and I'm SO SO SO grateful that we don't have to pay $4 a gallon right now. Thank goodness they give you LOTS of breakfast cereal to go with it, because what else do you do with 9 gallons of milk for a toddler and 2 adults. Not to mention that much juice. I think Little Man will drink a bottle that size over a 10 day period. There's no way we'll use 11 in a month.
  • Dry beans. Lots of dry beans. We don't usually eat a lot of beans and I have no idea what to do with them. Ideas and recipes are welcome. (Please!?!?!)
  • Trying to build healthy meals around WIC food is interesting. What would you do with milk, cheese, beans, tuna and carrots, while trying to keep the rest of your food budget as low as possible? I'm drawing a blank right now... grilled cheese and quesadillas are high on the list, but that's not really a colorful plate - definitely not Weight Watchers approved.

4 comments:

Heidi Totten said...

ELEVEN? NINE? Good grief! That's insane. I'm working on getting you here!

Amy said...

I just went to an Enrichment last week that had dozens of ways to use the old food storage beans. I'll get the recipe book and see if there is anything worth trying. You can put tuna and toss it with pasta and peas for a tuna noodle casserole - top it w/ cheese. We actually used to eat this all the time growing up - it was a cheap meal to feed many. :)

Sarah Kathryn said...

Salsa Chicken Stew

Ingredients
10-16oz pinto beans
2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
1 1/2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
2 cups (one 16oz can) chicken broth
1 1/2 cups chunky salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
1 1/2 teaspoons chili seasoning
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Instructions: Soak beans over night in warm water. Spray a slow cooker container with butter-flavored cooking spray. in prepared container, combine pinto beans, chicken, and corn. Add chicken broth, salsa. Mix well to combine. Stir in chili seasoning and parsley flakes. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8hrs. Mix well before serving.

Sarah Kathryn said...

There is also a site called the bean bible it's http://www.beanbible.com and some good recipe widgets :) I will also email you a list of ideas. I love looking for recipes! :)