Life Hacks
Life hacks are little ways to make our lives easier. These low-budget tips and tricks will help bring variety into your cooking routines and show you fun, easy ways to use (or re-use) your WIC products. Have some of your own? You can send them to us here!
Keeping Greens Fresh Longer
Making Greens Last Longer
You can make lettuce (or spinach) last longer if you put paper towels in the container. It can help the lettuce easily last up to 10 days without wilting!
Submitted by WIC particpant Annjanette from Kansas
Healthier Mashed Potatoes
Healthier Mashed Potatoes
My toddler twins wouldn’t eat veggies but loves mashed potatoes. I would sneak in veggies or beans by boiling until soft and blending in a blender then mix that in with regular mashed potatoes. I called them ‘mashed pea-tatoes’ and it helped my girls acquire a taste for veggies by themselves.
Submitted by Elizabeth Harpe of Florida
Let’s Talk About Food
Talk! Read! Sing!
Good nutrition combined with talking, reading, and singing with young children supports their brain and language development. Here are some tips:
- TALK about healthy foods. Sharing conversations during meal and snack time can help families bond. Use words to describe the colors, shapes, smells, and tastes of foods. You can even make up fun food rhymes like banana, zanana, fanana!
- READ together every day. Read words you see around you at the grocery store or farmer’s market. At bedtime, cuddle and read books about healthy foods.
- SING songs about fruits and vegetables like “Apples and Bananas” to
Guacamole Cheat
Love Guacamole?
Love fresh guacamole? Hate how it turns brown in the refrigerator? Add a dollop of plain yogurt into your avocado mixture and not only will it make it creamier, it allows it to maintain its green color!
Upcycle
Upcycle and share your love
Show someone they’re loved by giving them a baby food jar packed full of their favorite treats.
Sow your seeds
Sow your seeds!
Baby food jars are the perfect vessel for starting your own seeds. Whether you have a beautiful space for an outdoor garden or are planning to fill your pantry with the fruits on your indoor garden, baby food jars can help you meet your goal.
Upcycle baby food jars for spice blends
Store your spice blends
Baby food jars are the perfect vessel for storing your homemade spice blends. Here is a savory rub for tossing on your meats to get your spice blend collection started.
Sweet or savory toppings in a snap
Sweet or savory toppings in a snap
Use crushed corn flakes or crispy rice mixed with a touch of Parmesan cheese to top off casseroles instead of bread crumbs. Toss crushed frosted shredded wheat with cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar to top off baked apples, peaches, or other warm, yummy treats.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
A quick cheat that makes great French toast crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
A quick cheat that makes great French toast crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
When making French toast, add the simple step of coating the slices in crushed corn flakes after you’ve dipped them in your egg mixture. Quickly transfer to your pan to cook until crisp and crunchy on the outside.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Mix and match for the nutrition you want and the taste you love
Mix and match for the nutrition you want and the taste you love
Love corn flakes and looking to add more fiber to your diet? Mix corn flakes and bran wheat flakes to get the right balance of flavor and nutrition you’re looking for
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
A hot, wholesome on the go breakfast in minutes
A hot, wholesome on the go breakfast in minutes
Bake and freeze a batch of breakfast muffins over the weekend using high fiber cereals like frosted shredded wheat or bran flakes. Every morning, pop a muffin in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time until warm and soft. Then, cut the muffin in half and fill with peanut butter and banana slices, a slice of turkey and cheese, or just a touch of fruit preserves.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Excite your senses by using creative cereal toppings with a Latin flavor
Excite your senses by using creative cereal toppings with a Latin flavor
Chopped avocado makes a great cereal topping. Yes, you heard right, avocado! Top corn flakes with a few dollops of plain yogurt, add diced avocado and then finish off with a dash of chili powder or cayenne if you want a little heat. This filling, sweet and savory combination tastes great for any meal. For other combination ideas, recipes, and nutrition information, visit: healthybeginnings.com.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Encourage digestive health with the foods you love
Encourage digestive health with the foods you love
Thicken hearty stews or chili with a cup or two of crushed bran flakes or frosted shredded wheat into the slow cooker or pan.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Flavor without frying
Add flavor without frying
It’s easy, mixed crushed corn flakes with your favorite seasoning. Then, dip chicken or fish in lightly beaten egg whites and roll in the cereal coating. Bake until cooked through and crisp. Enjoy!
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Make meat go further
Make meat go further
Crush rice cereals and mix with canned fish or ground turkey to add great texture to fish patties and flavorful meatballs. For hearty meats like ground beef, try adding crushed wheat flakes or frosted shredded wheat to add some fiber to meatloaf and a touch of sweetness.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
Delicious low cost croutons
Tasty low cost croutons
Toss a cup of corn or rice flakes with a small amount of oil and a few dashes of seasoning. Try Italian seasonings with a garden salad. For something with a southwest kick, try a blend of oregano, chili powder, and cumin.
For detailed recipes and nutrition information, visit healthybeginnings.com.
