October 2024 Newsletter

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Hey, Highlanders! Fall is underway, and Halloween is right around the corner! Don’t forget to participate in the costume contest hosted by Student Life. And be sure to swing by the CREW office next week to see our (surprise) theme!! Read on for some health and wellness resources in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Spotlight: On-Campus Resources

Did you know that we have a health clinic on campus that’s open to the public? Waco Family Medicine has been a longstanding partner with MCC and operates a clinic in the CSC building—perfect for students to swing by after classes [appointment required].

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.

What’s cool about Waco Family Medicine is that they will never turn away a patient who is unable to pay, and they accept most insurance plans. If the campus clinic is not the most convenient option for you, there are 13 other locations in McLennan County that offer a range of services.

Spotlight: Off-Campus Resources

We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable health care. Here are a few health care financing options that we regularly refer students to:

  • Good Health Card: Waco Family Medicine offers this discount program to individuals and families with annual incomes at or below 200 % of current HHSC federal poverty guidelines. Eligibility for this program is based solely on family size and income. 
  • Medicaid / CHIP: Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health coverage for low-income children, families, seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Healthy Texas Women: Healthy Texas Women is dedicated to offering women’s health and family planning services at no cost to eligible women in Texas.
  • HealthCare.gov (Marketplace): If you do not qualify for one of these other options, you may be eligible for Marketplace coverage; you can apply during a special enrollment period following a life event or loss of coverage OR during open enrollment from 11/1 – 1/15.

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!

Thanks to all who donated to our first ever swap meet this month! It was a HUGE success, and we couldn’t have done it without your generous donations or word-of-mouth advertising. Stay tuned for the next one!

Featured Event: Registration Rally

On November 11-14, Student Engagement will be hosting Registration Rally! Come to the lawn outside the Student Services Building every day for snacks, swag, and a chance to enter raffles—all because you registered for spring courses! Want to make it easy? Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor NOW! It’s not too early to start planning for your next semester! Visit the Advising & Career Services office in person or connect with an advisor via Zoom. Workforce students—connect with your advisors too!

Self-Care Tip

As we’re heading into cooler months, we’ll be spending a lot more time indoors, which leads to an increased risk of catching colds or the flu. So for this month’s self-care tip, we wanted to remind you to take the time to schedule annual wellness appointments.

Have you been putting off this task—intentionally or not? Do it. Schedule those appointments. 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: “Want to Calm Your Mind?”

***Disclaimer: Members of the CREW are not medical professionals, so please consult with your primary care doctor to determine the appointments that are right for you.

Easy Recipe

The weather is starting to cool just the tiniest bit, which means it’s time for soup season! Here’s an easy and delicious chili recipe to add to your menu rotation! Need any ingredients? Swing by Paulanne’s for some non-perishable goods, frozen meat, fresh fruit, cheese, and/or milk! There’s a good chance we’ll have most of the ingredients for this meal when you stop by to shop the pantry!

Easy Fall Chili (Budget Bytes)

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Servings: 6 (1 cup each)

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 15oz. can kidney beans
  • 1 15oz. can black beans
  • 1 15oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1 6oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 cup water

CHILI SEASONING

  • 1 Tbsp chili powder**
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat until they are soft and translucent.
  2. Add the ground beef to the pot and continue to sauté until the beef is fully browned.
  3. Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, and all of the ingredients for the chili seasoning. Stir until well combined.
  4. Place a lid on the pot and allow it to simmer over a low flame for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers). 
  5. Give the chili one final taste, adjust the salt or seasonings if needed, then serve hot with your favorite toppings.

NOTES

**The chili powder used is a mild blend of dried chilies and other spices. It is not spicy or hot.

NUTRITION (per 1 serving)

Calories: 398 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 23 g | Fat: 21 g | Sodium: 468 mg | Fiber 10 g

CREW This Month

Thursday, 10/31, 5–6:30pm @ Parking Lot E || Trunk or Treat

A family-friendly event open to the whole community! Come trick or treating all in one spot on MCC’s campus!

Friday, 11/1 – Friday, 11/15 @ SS Building || Laci’s Winter Collection

Donate new or gently used cold weather gear like jackets, blankets, hats, gloves, and umbrellas! [Distribution will occur in early December.]

Monday, 11/11 – Thursday, 11/14 @ SS Lawn || Registration Rally

Stop by every day for snacks, swag, and the chance to win prizes—just because you registered for spring semester classes!

Thursday, 11/14, 3–4pm @ Parking 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, 11/21 @ SS Building || Thanksgiving Drive

Sign up to receive a Thanksgiving meal kit. MUST pre-register, so watch your student email for the link.

*There will be no Third Thursday Thoroughfare this month. Thank you for understanding!

 

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

View past newsletters.

*Composed by Emma Cartisano*

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