January 2023 Newsletter

Spotlight: On-Campus Resource

Did you know that we have a health clinic on campus that’s open to the public?? Waco Family Medicine has been a partner with MCC and operates a clinic in the CSC building. 

At this clinic, you can access family health services like preventive care, well-child or well-woman exams, sports physicals, management of acute or chronic illnesses, lab services, and referrals for additional services. For more information, visit the website or call 254-313-5800.

Spotlight: Off-Campus Resource

Do you currently receive Medicaid? During the past couple of years, everyone has automatically been re-enrolled year-to-year due to pandemic uncertainties. HOWEVER, this year YOU must re-enroll yourself; otherwise, you’ll be dropped and will lose your healthcare coverage. We don’t want that to happen to you!

So here’s what you need to know. Head over to the Texas Medicaid website and follow their steps to re-enroll for 2023. If you’re uncertain about whether or not you qualify, come visit the CREW for assistance. 

If you want to browse more insurance options, we’ve curated a list for you in our Campus Resource Guide ! Head over to our website to check it out.

Shout-out!

Shout out to the Community Clinic employees over in the CSC! We’re grateful for your partnership and all you do to keep Wacoans healthy!

Self-Care Tip

You know that appointment you’ve been putting off scheduling? Do it. You’ll thank me later.

We often build these things up in our minds, dreading the process of calling the clinic, finding a time that works, and then actually going to the appointment. In reality, though, it takes just a few minutes–you could schedule an appointment between classes!

Even better is the relief you’ll feel. 

We have open and closed loops in our brains. Open loops are the decisions that are hanging over us. Whether or not we’re aware of our conscious processing of this unmade decision, the open loop drains a lot of mental energy (think about how apps running in the background drain your phone’s battery).

It’s important that we close as many loops as we can. This action will free our brains to think about other things…like school!

So go ahead and schedule that appointment. Just one. See how you feel. Then next month you can schedule another. Caring for our minds is just as important as caring for our bodies.

Read more: “ Closed Loop Productivity ” “ Want to Calm Your Mind? ”

Easy Recipe

If you’re anything like me, then this is soup season! For this month’s easy recipe, I’m sharing a one-pot white chicken chili–hearty, delicious, and EASY! There are more ingredients than usual for this month’s recipe, but you just dump everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it cook through. 

Need any ingredients? Swing by Paulanne’s for some non-perishable goods, frozen meat, fresh fruit, cheese, and/or milk! We have lots of beans and corn for your chili!

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Prep Time:  10 mins
Cook Time:  50 mins
Total Time:  60 mins
Servings:  8 (1.25 cups per serving)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeño 
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 15oz. cans cannellini beans (drained)
• 1 15oz. can pinto beans (drained)
• 1 7oz. can diced green chiles
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Deseed then dice the jalapeño. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño to a large pot with the olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions have softened.
2. Add the chicken thighs, cannellini beans, pinto beans, diced green chiles, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine.
3. Place a lid on the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the chili to come up to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. After 30 minutes, remove the chicken thighs and shred with two forks. Add the shredded meat back to the pot along with the corn. Stir to combine and heat through.
5. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and stir it into the chili until melted. Stir in the sour cream. To further thicken the chili, smash some of the beans against the side of the pot.
6. Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Serve hot with your favorite toppings!

NUTRITION (per 1 serving)

Calories: 403 kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 701mg | Fiber: 9g

Stats

• Paulanne’s Pantry: 845 visits
• Shepherd’s Heart: 1,684 families
• Waco Transit Riders: 12,265 rides
• Third Thursday Thoroughfare: 172 participants
• Thanksgiving gift cards: 196 students, 3 staff
• Winter Clothing Collection: 22 students + their families
• Fall 2022 Resource Fair: 35 Students signed in
• New Student Orientation: 506 students were introduced to the CREW
• Emergency Grants: 319 students were introduced to the CREW via the Foundation
  

CREW This Month

Tuesday, 1/31, 10-1 @ The Quad || Resource Fair

Connect with on- and off-campus resources to learn how they can help you!

Thursday, 2/9, 3–4 pm @ Lot R || Shepherd’s Heart Food Distribution 

Swing by Lot R for FREE food from Shepherd’s Heart! Free and open to anyone in the community!

Thursday, 2/16, 11:30–1 pm @ SLC || Third Thursday Thoroughfare

Come for free lunch and learn about resources in McLennan County just for college students!

More events are available on the  CREW calendar ! Be sure to save the calendar so you never miss an event!

View past newsletters here:  https://www.mclennan.edu/campus-resource-guide/newsletter.html

*Composed by Emma Cartisano*