Logan County WIC

03/10/2026

Day 7 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Having a simple healthy snack can feel like such a struggle sometimes, but it doesn't have to be! Veggie Dippers are a great healthy snack, and having them prepped and ready to go can be a life saver in a pinch!

Ingredients:
Cherry Tomatoes: washed
Celery Stalks: washed, cut into sticks
Bell pepper: washed, cut into sicks
Cucumber: washed, cut into sticks
Carrots: washed, pealed, cut into sticks

Method of prep:
1. Wash and cut veggies as instructed above and store in the refrigerator for future use.
2. Put a serving of your favorite dip in the bottom of a small cup. We love the hummus recipe from Day 4!
3. Fill the cup with veggies you have already prepped and ready to go!

Having veggies washed, cut, and stored in the refrigerator makes it so easy to reach for a healthy grab-and-go snack!

03/09/2026

Day 6 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Taste the rainbow! Skittles may be good, but real fruits are so much better for us! This Rainbow Fruit Salad is a great opportunity to get kids to engage in forming healthy eating habits and have fun practicing learning colors. The wider variety of colors, the wider variety of antioxidants and vitamins.

Ingredients:
Strawberries: 2 cups, washed, diced
Mandarin Oranges: 2 cups, pealed (or drained if canned)
Banana: 2 cups, pealed, diced
Pineapple: 2 cups, diced (or drained if canned)
Kiwi: 2 cups, peeled and diced
Blueberries: 2 cups, washed
Red Grapes: 2 cups, washed, cut in half
Lime Juice: 2 tablespoons
Zest of 1 lime
Honey: 2 tablespoons

Method of Prep:
1. Add lemon juice and maple syrup to a large bowl and whisk together.
2. Add all the fruit to the bowl and mix until combined and all the fruit is coated with the dressing.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Rainbow Fruit Salad makes for a great healthy snack, side dish, or dessert! Try serving it with some yogurt and granola! YUM!

03/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AJPTsngM/

Are you pregnant? Have you given birth in the last 6 months? Are you caring for an infant under 6 months of age? Are you curious about resources that you may be eligible for? Do you need support?

Having a baby is a scary and exciting time. The Better Births Outcomes of Logan County Il is here and excited to help and support you during this journey.

Call or text 217-871-0999 with questions

03/06/2026

Day 5 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Veggie Skewers make for a great healthy side dish! Plus, all the veggies and fresh herbs are WIC approved!

Skewer Ingredients:
Zucchini: 1 small, washed, cut into 1 inch rounds
Yellow Squash: 1 small, washed, cut into 1 inch rounds
Mushrooms: 1 container, washed
Rainbow Bell Peppers: 2, washed, cut into 1.5-2 inch pieces
Red Onion: 2, pealed, cut into 1.5-2 inch pieces. Do not separate after cutting.
Skewers

Dressing Ingredients:
Olive oil: 1/3 cup
Garlic: 4 cloves, minced (minced in a jar works just fine!)
Fresh cilantro: 3 Tbsp, chopped
Fresh Parsley: 3 Tbsp, chopped
Fresh Chives: 1 Tbsp, chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Honey: 1 Tbsp
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper: 1/4 tsp, ground

Method of Prep:
1. Soak your skewers, if wooden, in water for about an hour before cooking. Don't skip this step! Wooden skewers will catch fire on the grill if they are not pre-soaked.
2. Make the dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, mix well, then set aside
3. Skewer the veggies by alternating among the different colors.
4. When you're ready, preheat a grill to medium-high. Clean and oil the grill grates
5. Give the skewers a light brushing of the dressing, and on they go
6. Grill, turning often (watch for flare-ups because of the oil), until the veggies are softened and charred around the edges.
7. Lightly brush with the dressing when you take them off.

Enjoy!

03/05/2026

Day 4 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Store bought hummus may not be a WIC approved food, but the main ingredient is! Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans are a great way to use your WIC approved beans. Let's make hummus at home!

Ingredients:
Chickpeas: 1 can (15 oz), drained (reserve the liquid to the side - we'll use it later)
Lemon Juice: 1 Tbsp
Olive Oil: 1 Tbsp
Garlic: 1 clove, crushed
Cumin: 1/2 tsp, ground
Salt: 1/2 tsp
Paprika: for garnish (optional)
Sesame Oil: 2-4 drops to taste (optional)

Method of Prep:
1. Blend chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and sesame oil in a food processor.
2. Stream reserved chickpea liquid into the mixture as it blends until desired consistency is achieved. Should be smooth and creamy.
3. Spoon hummus into a bowl and top with a sprinkle of paprika and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with veggie sticks.

Hummus is so versatile! Try adding roasted red peppers during the food processing step for a different flavor!

Happy snacking!

03/04/2026

Day 3 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

WIC now offers fish (cans or pouches) for women and kids age 1-5! Contact us for more info!

Fish is an excellent source of protein and heart healthy fats! Try out this Salmon Salad Veggie Wrap recipe!

Salmon Salad Ingredients:
Salmon: 10-12 oz, can or pouch, drained
Mayonnaise: 1/3 cup
Celery: 1 medium stalk, small dice
Red Onion: 3 tbs, small dice
Fresh Dill: 1 tbsp
Lemon Juice: 1-3 tbsp (to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste

Method of Prep:
1. In a medium bowl, add mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, and black pepper.
2. Add onion and celery, and mix.
3. Add drained salmon and mix/fold gently to avoid completely shredding the salmon chunks.

Wrap Ingredients:
Whole grain tortillas
Romaine lettuce
Cucumber sticks
Bell pepper sticks
Carrot sticks
Tomato slices

Method of Prep:
1. Lay 1 WIC approved Whole Grain Tortilla flat
2. Layer tortilla with clean veggies of your choice. (We particularly love cucumber and bell pepper sticks! YUM!)
3. Top veggies with Salmon Salad
4. Fold the sides of the tortilla inward to seal each end, and roll up your wrap.

This recipe can easily be served with crackers, or on WIC approved Whole Wheat bread! Enjoy!

03/03/2026

Day 2 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Smoothies for breakfast? Yes please!

Smoothies are a great way to pack in fruits and veggies - especially if you have some picky kiddos! Plus, all ingredients in this recipe are WIC approved! Smoothies are so versatile! Feel free to change it up to match your taste!

Ingredients:
Apple juice: 1.5 cups
Assorted frozen fruit: 2 cups
Low-fat yogurt: 3/4 cup

Method of Prep:
1. Place the juice, fruit and yogurt in a blender.
2. Blend until completely smooth.
3. Pour into 2 glasses. Garnish with additional fruit and mint sprigs if desired.

This recipe makes 2 adult sized servings and can be easily increased for larger families or split up for smaller kids.

Need some protein with your breakfast? Try making this smoothie recipe with 2 cups of bananas and add 2 tbsp of peanut butter!

Want to hide some veggies? Adding 1 cup of fresh spinach will turn your smoothie green, but it doesn't change the flavor!

Enjoy your smoothie your way!

03/02/2026

Day 1 of, "Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Veggies."

Pizza...? Healthy...? It can be! Try out this Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe! Plus, all the main ingredients are WIC approved foods!

Cauliflower Crust is an easy blend of riced cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and a few spices (optional) that's flattened and baked into a golden crust. Freeze it for later or top it off with fresh ingredients for a healthy dinner recipe!

Ingredients:
Cauliflower: 1.5 lbs of chopped florets
Cheese: 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella
Egg: 1, beaten
Salt and pepper: to taste
Italian Seasoning (optional): 1 tsp

Here’s a breakdown of how to prep your cauliflower:

Fresh Cauliflower:
If you’re using fresh cauliflower, you’ll need 1 large cauliflower head (about 2 pounds, which yields about 1 1/2 pounds of florets).

1. Remove the florets from the head of the cauliflower, and cut them into even sized pieces.
2. Grate the florets using either the grater attachment on a food processor or grate by hand using a box grater.
3. Microwave the cauliflower rice for about 4-5 minutes to soften it.
4. Drain the cauliflower rice by using a cheese cloth towel and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

Frozen Cauliflower Florets:
You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds of frozen cauliflower florets.

1. Thaw the frozen cauliflower in the fridge overnight.
2. Grate the florets using either the grater attachment on a food processor or grate by hand using a box grater.
3. Drain the cauliflower by using a cheese cloth towel and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

Pre-Riced Cauliflower
You’ll need approximately 5 cups of pre-riced cauliflower.

1. Microwave the cauliflower rice for about 5 minutes to soften it.
2. Drain the cauliflower by using a cheese cloth towel and squeeze it until all the moisture is out.

Method of Prep:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prep your WIC approved cauliflower using one of the above methods.
3. Grate 1/2 cup of WIC approved mozzarella block cheese
4. Beat 1 WIC approved egg
5. In a large bowl, mix the cauliflower rice, cheese, egg, and (optional) seasonings. 6. Using clean hands, toss everything together in a large bowl until it’s all combined.
7. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray of your choice.
8. Shape your pizza crust. On the parchment covered baking sheet using your hands, press the dough down into an even circle. The diameter should be about 9 inches.
9. Bake for 25 minutes. If you started with frozen cauliflower, it may need to cook a few minutes more. Remove from the oven when golden and crisp.
10. Add your toppings. Then pop the pizza back into the oven for an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheese and cook the toppings.

Here are some WIC approved topping ideas we love!
Freshly grated Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar, and/or Monterey Jack block cheese,
Plain, canned tomato sauce - feel free to add spices of your choice!
Peppers,
Onions,
Zucchini,
Mushrooms,
Spinach,
Tomatoes,
Fresh Basil (Yes, fresh herbs are now WIC approved! Call us for more info!)

Happy Cooking!

03/02/2026

Happy National Nutrition Month!

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is "Discover the Power of Nutrition." Nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive. Discover how food and beverage choices can help power your day. Learn tips for accessing healthy foods in your area. And build healthy habits into your day to help you feel great now and in the future.

Whether you're looking at nutrition headlines or searching for nutritious options, boost your confidence when it comes to food and health. WIC is here to help!

Every Monday - Friday this month, we will be posting 1 new way to enjoy more fruits and veggies and a recipe developed by our Nutritionist to go along with it! Enjoy!

02/24/2026

They are out of town however they do offer telehealth!

At Elliott Counseling Group, we believe mental health care should be accessible to everyone — not just those with certain insurance plans or financial resources.

That’s why we’re proud to now accept Medicaid at both our Urbana and Mattoon offices as well as through telehealth.

Expanding access to care means strengthening families, supporting stability, and investing in the overall wellbeing of our community. Cost should never be the reason someone goes without the support they deserve.

For more information visit Elliottcounselinggroup.com/medicaid If you or someone you know could benefit from services, our Client Care Team is here to help.

📞 217-398-9066
🌐 www.elliottcounselinggroup.com

02/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17qTkFdtAx/

Safe sleep is easy to talk about during the day, but it feels much harder in the middle of the night.

Exhaustion is one of the biggest challenges for new parents, and it can lead to unsafe choices like bed-sharing feel like a tempting solution for rest. But having a “Plan B”—like a partner who can stay awake while you feed or a rule to move the baby to the crib the moment you feel drowsy—can keep those 3 a.m. slips from becoming dangerous.

Here are some ways that can help you stick to safe sleep best practices:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱-O𝗳𝗳: If you’re too tired to stay awake for a feeding, ask a partner to sit with you to ensure the baby is returned to the crib safely.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗯 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁" 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲: If you feel yourself drifting off, place the baby in their crib—even if they are still awake. It is always safer than a couch or chair.

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: Couches and armchairs are the most dangerous places to fall asleep with a baby because they can have their airways blocked by the cushions. If you feel yourself nodding off, the safest move is to put the baby in their crib.

By planning for your own fatigue, you’re taking a smart step toward keeping your baby safe.

01/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1H2pGJNcQb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

RECALL: Ge**er recalls arrowroot biscuits over baby snack possibly containing pieces of plastic or paper >>> https://www.14news.com/2026/01/29/gerber-recalls-arrowroot-biscuits-over-baby-snack-possibly-containing-pieces-plastic-or-paper/