Month: April 2015

Recipe: Quick, convenient and inexpensive, eggs pack a nutritional punch

by India Luetkemeyer

Spring has sprung. Although eggs are definitely front and center during spring, and are wonderful to dye and decorate with the family, they can be utilized long after Easter has passed. They bring so much more to the table than just a pretty face.

For just 15 cents and 70 calories apiece, eggs are packed with nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of your body’s cells, including your brain, eyes, and nervous system. Eggs are also a quick and convenient source of high-quality protein, which can help you and your family stay full longer and fight off hunger throughout your busy days.

The sky is the limit when preparing eggs. Try them scrambled with your favorite veggies, over-easy with whole-wheat toast and avocado, baked into a casserole with spinach and cheese, or rolled into a breakfast burrito. Have a “breakfast for dinner” night to incorporate this incredible food into every meal.

India Luetkemeyer, a dietetic intern and Masters of Dietetics and Nutrition student at KU Medical Center, is a guest columnist for Kansas State Research and Extension, Wyandotte County. For more recipes visit www.kidsacooking.org Like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KSREWyco and follow us on Twitter @WyCoSnapEd.

Spinach Quiche Cups
Makes 12 Servings
A little olive oil (for cooking the mushrooms)
1 10-oz package fresh spinach
4 eggs
1 cup shredded cheese of your choice
1 8-oz package mushrooms, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat a little oil in a large skillet. Sauté the mushrooms until they are soft, about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

Place the spinach in a deep pan or in the skillet that you used for the mushrooms. Add a little water, 1/4 cup should do it. Using medium heat, cook the spinach just until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Use either your hand or a spatula to pack in the spinach. Drain the excess water really well.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. Add the cooked mushrooms, spinach, and cheeses to the eggs. Mix well. Season to taste.
Divide evenly among the 12 muffin cups.

Bake for about 20-23 minutes, or until it’s well set and a tester/toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Leave in the pan for a few minutes or just until it’s cool enough to handle. Pop-out and enjoy.

Nutritional information for each serving: 79 calories, 6g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 72mg cholesterol, 1.5g carbohydrates, 0.5g fiber, 0.5g sugars, 101mg sodium, 5.5g protein, 48% vitamin A, 11% vitamin C, 10% calcium, 5.5% iron

Special memorial service and candlelighting for homicide victims to be April 27

The 16th annual Memorial Service and Candlelighting for Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be held on Monday, April 27.

The event will bring the Wyandotte County community, families of fallen victims and community officials together to remember those who have lost their lives to homicide in 2014, a spokesman said.

The event is free and open to the public, a spokesman said.

The Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E.), a program service of Friends of Yates Inc., and co-sponsored by the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Victim Services Unit, will sponsor the event, which will be held at the Forest Grove Baptist Church, 1417 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. The Rev. Desmond Lamb is pastor of the church.

The event begins with a light dinner from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the program from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E.) was developed after the death of a 10- year-old girl in Kansas City, Kan., about 17 years ago. This tragic event created great concern throughout the Kansas City, Kan., community, a spokesman said.

The spokesman said that in response to the outrage, a forum was called by Friends of Yates Inc. and members of the Baptist Minister’s Union on Oct. 27, 1998, to bring together local businesses, law enforcement personnel, community leaders and concerned citizens to begin the dialogue about how crime was hurting the Kansas City, Kan., community.

More important, Friends of Yates Inc. wanted to challenge these community leaders to design a strong plan to address the violence in the area, the spokesman said. Through the efforts of Friends of Yates Inc.; a collaborative partnership was formed and became known as the Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E.).

This year’s memorial service will remember the 38 victims of homicide, serve as a support system for victims’ families and educate the Wyandotte County community on the progress made to diminish the threat of violence throughout the community, the spokesman said.

This year’s guests will include District Attorney Jerome Gorman, KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler, Sheriff Don Ash and Vivian Van Vleet, Kansas U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness coordinator. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about this and other programs and services sponsored by Friends of Yates Inc., or for ways to support, volunteer or donate to the agency; contact the administrative office at 913-321-1566 or visit the website at www.friendsofyates.org.

Former county clerk dies

Edward J. Mayfield, 82, former Wyandotte County clerk, died April 14.

Mayfield was the county clerk from 1969 to 1979, and from 1993 until 2000. He also was active in community organizations, including St. John’s Catholic Club and as a 3&2 and CYO coach.

He leaves his wife, Mary Elaine, nine children, 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 20, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.