Dear Sun Spots: We would like to thank you for the glowing recommendation you gave the WIC program in your April 25 column. We are proud that we have been around for more than 30 years to help nourish our families in need. In addition to the benefits of the health foods you had listed, WIC also provides support to breastfeeding moms in the form of tuna fish and carrots, but also in the education, promotion and encouragement for moms to continue nursing their babies as long as possible. The Auburn location also has a pilot program for breastfeeding peer counseling which has been quite successful so far.

The phone number you provided was for the Augusta site, but for Androscoggin or Oxford counties, people may call 795-4016, or 1-877-512-8856. Those in Franklin County may call 1-800-645-9636 or 645-3764 in the Wilton area. To find a WIC program outside of these areas, please phone 1-800-437-9300.

WIC also provides support for smoking cessation, and is also starting a peer counselor program for this as well.

We would encourage pregnant, recently post-partum, or breastfeeding women, as well as their infants and children up to the age of 5 to participate. You must meet income guidelines, which are quite high compared to some other programs, or have proof of MaineCare eligibility. Thank you. – The WIC Staff at WMCA, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: Would anyone have a recipe for homemade mayonnaise? My mother used to make this. It was very good, but I can’t find her recipe.

Also, we have a gift card for Quad-m’s restaurant in Fairbanks, (Farmington area) that closed a few months ago. Do you know who we can contact to get this card honored? Thanks. – C.A., No Town.

Answer: As noted in the March 28 Sun Spots column: “According to our Farmington office, the restaurant closed without any notice in January, and was placed for sale. Sun Spots tried contacting the owner, but that number is disconnected with no forwarding number provided.

Perhaps there are readers out there who may have more information that they would be willing to share with you.”

Regarding your question about homemade mayonnaise, hopefully you and readers will enjoy the following recipe from The New Doubleday Cookbook by Jean Anderson & Elaine Hanna and posted online at www.homecooking.about.com:

Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon powdered mustard, 1/8 teaspoon sugar, pinch cayenne pepper, 4 to 5 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar, 1½ cups olive or other salad oil, 4 teaspoons hot water. Method: Beat egg yolks, salt, mustard, sugar, pepper, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl until very thick and pale yellow.

You and your family might also enjoy the following variations to the recipe above:

Remoulade Dressing: Prepare mayonnaise as directed, then mix in 1 tablespoon each minced capers and gherkins, 2 teaspoons each anchovy paste and Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon each minced parsley and fresh chervil. Serve with seafood or use to dress cold vegetable salads or sliced tomatoes.

Sauce Niçoise: Prepare mayonnaise as directed and set aside. Mix 2 tablespoons tomato puree with 2 minced pimientos and ½ crushed clove garlic; press through a fine sieve and blend into mayonnaise.

Russian Mayonnaise: Prepare mayonnaise, then mix in ¼ cup black or red caviar, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 tbls minced fresh dill.

You might also consider the following heart-healthy version located online at www.dungenesscommunications.com: This isn’t a low-fat product, so use sparingly if you’re cutting calories. It does remove the cholesterol from mayonnaise, and the oils are heart-healthy canola and olive, rich in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Ingredients: ¼ cup egg beaters/starts, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon dry mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 cup canola oil. Method: In blender, mix egg beaters, olive oil, mustard, salt and sugar on high until blended. While still running first add lemon juice, then slowly pour in canola oil. You will have to perform the “turn off-stir-restart” maneuver several times in order to get a smooth product.

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