Life Hacks

These economical tips and tricks will help bring variety into your cooking routines and show you fun, easy ways to use (or re-use) your WIC benefits.  Have some of your own? You can send them to us!

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Creative Cooking Ideas

WIC yogurt

Guacamole Cheat

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!

WIC 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!

Peanut butter ‘Burritos’

We make “peanut butter burritos”. I spread peanut butter on a whole grain tortilla and add a bit of jam or honey, chopped apples and a sprinkling of granola, or banana and roll it up. It’s less messy than a sandwich and more fun. My 4 year old asks for peanut butter burritos all the time!

Submitted by WIC Mom Julia from Vermont

WIC 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.

WIC Sweet or savory toppings in a snap

Keep your greens FRESH

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

WIC French Toast

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.

wic, wic tips

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

WIC French Toast

Quick cheat for crispy French toast

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.

Make ‘spice cubes’

This is a great way to preserve fresh herbs for use year round.

  1. Rinse and dry your herbs.
  2. Cut your herbs into little pieces, about a half inch to an inch. 
  3. Fill each cubby in your ice cube tray about half full with chopped herbs.
  4. Fill each cubby with olive oil. 
  5. Pop them into your freezer
  6. Your spice cubes are ready to go the next time you need them!
Submitted by WIC Mom Ashley from Tennessee

WIC Tasty 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.

WIC Stew

Encourage digeestive 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.

wic, wic tips

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.

Stretch ground meats with lentils

Another tasty and healthy way to make ground meats go further is by adding equal amounts of lentils. It honestly adds a level of flavor that is amazing in dishes like tacos. It works in any dish that uses ground meats. I always add them 1-1 cup ratio but it can be adjusted for taste.

Submitted by WIC Mom Angelina from Tennessee

Upcycle your baby food jars!

WIC Flavor without frying

Sow some 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.

WIC Tasty low cost croutons

Show someone you care

Show someone they’re loved by giving them a baby food jar packed full of their favorite treats.

WIC Stew

Store your spice blends

Baby food jars are great for storing your homemade spice blends.  Here is a savory rub for tossing on your meats to get your spice blend collection started.

Freeze more, waste less!

How can you get the most out of your increased benefit? Don’t let that produce go to waste! Freeze fresh fruits and veggies to make them last longer. 

See more tips like this one!

Hot Recipes

Want to try something different?  Check out these recipes with Puerto Rican flair!