VERMONT WIC'S E-NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021

Keeping you up to date on events, nutrition and health information, recipes, and new products.

Health From the Inside Out

"Health is not just measured physically. Emotional health is an equal part of the equation." -Rebecca Scritchfield, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Diet culture is everywhere in our society. It is so common that choosing to love yourself for who you are seems like an act of rebellion. In 2021, let's toss out "New Year, New You" and instead make "New Year, Love You!" your resolution. Think back to your past New Years' resolutions, how many of them have been focused on changing the way your body looks? Did you sign up for a gym membership? Try a new diet? Vow to eliminate sugar? Remember that our physical appearance has very little to do with health. Your emotional health and how you talk to yourself says so much more. This year instead of trying to create a new version of yourself by losing weight, try surrounding yourself with messages and activities that support self-compassion. Health is about being comfortable in your skin and accepting ALL parts of you. We know it isn't easy but here are some suggestions to promote body positivity in your life: Unfollow or mute social media accounts that post messages about dieting and weight loss. Follow body positive social media accounts. Include accounts that post bodies that look like yours doing activities that you enjoy. Continue to improve your relationship with food. Look into practices like intuitive eating or health at every size, or talk with your WIC Nutritionist. Create a list of what you love most about yourself and review it often.

CONNECT WITH YOUR WIC NUTRITIONIST

Black Bean Soup

Celebrate National Soup Month with this easy, hearty and delicious recipe, that's also a good source of iron.

Makes 4 Servings Ingredients 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 small onion*, chopped 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans*, rinsed 3 cups water ½ cup prepared salsa ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon lime* juice 4 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream or plain yogurt* (optional) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional) Instructions Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add beans, water, salsa and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lime juice. You can transfer half the soup to a blender and puree (use caution when pureeing hot liquids). Stir the puree back into the saucepan. Serve garnished with sour cream or plain yogurt and cilantro, if desired. Nutrition information per serving: calories 206, protein 10 grams, carbohydrates 34 grams, fat 4 grams, sodium 497 milligrams, dietary fiber 11 grams, iron 4 milligrams *WIC foods Recipe from Eating Well.

MORE SOUP RECIPES

Iron helps immune cells grow. WIC foods, including beans (like in the Black Bean Soup recipe above), lentils, breakfast cereal, leafy greens, eggs and tofu, contain iron. Eating these foods along with foods containing vitamin C (such as oranges or orange juice) helps your body absorb iron better. Stay strong, stay healthy, with WIC foods.

#StaySafeVT - Winter Activities

It’s official – winter is here! There’s no doubt this winter will look different from others. That’s why we’re sharing some of our most creative, fun, and SAFE ideas to keep you and your family entertained and active this season.

STAY SAFE, VERMONT

Refer a Friend to WIC!

WIC is here to keep your family healthy and strong during COVID-19. Do you know someone who may qualify for WIC? Tell them about us! It's easy to sign up for Vermont WIC. Click Apply to WIC to start an application online or text VTWIC to 855-11.* *Standard message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt­‐out (to stop receiving text messages). HELP for help. See end user privacy and terms and conditions.

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