Last Minute, Healthy Super Bowl Snack Ideas
January 31, 2015
by Dorothy C. Lee, Escambia County Extension Service
Get defensive about your health. These easy-to-tackle recipes are just as tasty, but lower in fat and calories than typical game-day fare. It’s a Win-Win situation.
Skip the six-foot-long sub sandwich usually drenched in mayonnaise. Instead serve a soup and sandwich smorgasbord with a variety of low-fat cheeses, whole grain breads, fresh, low-sodium cold cuts, and lots and lots of fresh vegetables. Serve soups that are hearty and full of vegetables or grains.
Swap calorie-laden soft drinks with 100% fruit juice or vegetable juice. Prepare mock cocktails using half juice and half seltzer water for a healthy, refreshing beverage.
Set up a make-your-own sundae bar. Use low-fat, protein-rich Greek yogurt and add low-fat granola, fresh or frozen fruit like strawberries, blueberries, even dried fruit. Top off yogurt sundaes with nuts.
Replace chips with vegetable sticks or fruit, or try making your own tasty pita chips. Recipe follows and it only takes a few minutes. Serve a store-bought salsa or a homemade bean dip (see recipe) with carrots, celery, red pepper strips, and cucumbers instead of high-fat dips and salty chips.
If you are going to serve dessert, opt for fruit—fresh, frozen, or canned in its own juice, or there are sugar-free options.
These game day decisions will help you develop a winning game plan.
Garlic & Herb Pita Chips
- 4-6 whole wheat pitas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
Coat 2 large baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray
Cut pitas into 8 wedges each and separate each wedge at the fold
Place the pita wedges in an even layer on the baking sheets
Brush wedges with oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt
Bake at 350°F for 6 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
May be baked ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Pinto Bean Salsa Dip
- 1 (approximately 15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed, or 1 1⁄2 cups cooked dried beans
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1⁄2 to 1 cup chunky salsa
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped onion (optional)
- 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder or to taste (optional)
Mash beans with a fork. Mix in cheese. Stir in enough salsa until mixture is desired consistency for dipping. Add onion and seasoning as desired. Serve cold or cook, stirring, over medium heat until the cheese melts and the mixture is well-blended and hot (about 5 minutes).
Flomaton Police Seek Suspect In Early Morning Assault
January 30, 2015
The Flomaton Police Department is looking for a suspect in an assault early this morning at Flomaton Woods Apartments.
Jamie Gafford, 40, is wanted on outstanding warrants for burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree, according to Flomaton Police Chief Brian Davis.
Police say Gafford has local connections and may be in the Century or Flomaton area. If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or your local law enforcement agency.
More details on the assault are expected to be released later today.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Highway 29 In Ensley
January 30, 2015
A pedestrian in a wheelchair was pronounced deceased after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident occurred about 11:56 p.m. Thursday on Highway 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) near West Devane Street — that’s near Pensacola Pools just south of the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 58-year old Walter Gonzalez Coto was northbound on Highway 29 in a 2004 Audi when he struck a person in a wheelchair. The FHP said the 49-year old victim was not in any crosswalk or intersection at the time of the crash.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. The name of the victim and other details in the crash have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol pending notification of next of kin.
No charges were filed in the crash.
Jay Man Charged With Sex Crimes After Being Caught With Student On Campus
January 30, 2015
A Jay man has been charged with multiple felony sex offenses after using allegedly using a phone app to contact a local student and sneaking onto the Jay High School campus to meet the juvenile.
Curtis Joshua Cannon, age 27 of the 13000 block of Highway 89, was charged with two counts lewd and lascivious battery on a victim age 12 to 16, lewd and lascivious molestation with a victim age 12 to 16, solicitation of a minor, and transmission of harmful material to a minor. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
The alleged relationship between the victim and Cannon came to light after they were seen kissing and hugging in the school parking lot by a teacher who told a school resource officer.
The resulting investigation revealed the pair would meet on a trail by a barn before school hours, and Cannon tried to get the teen to skip gym class and leave the campus with him. The victim told the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office investigator about multiple sexual contact incidents that occurred, with many of the incidents occurring while both were clothed.
The pair communicated through the smartphone app “Kik”, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. A search of the victim’s phone found where Cannon had allegedly sent inappropriate photos, encouraged meetings and contacts, and even discussed love and marriage using the Kik app.
According to an arrest report. Cannon told deputies that his lawyer had advised him not to speak to anyone about the allegations.
Due to Florida law, the victim’s age and gender were not released by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
Cool Photos: Our NorthEscambia.com Walnut Hill Eagle
January 30, 2015
This is our “resident” NorthEscambia.com eagle, seen high in a tree outside our NorthEscambia.com office in Walnut Hill enjoying the week’s blue skies and warmer weather before flying off. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired Disturbance: Gunfire Hits Century Home
January 30, 2015
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 6000 block of Jefferson Avenue Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival, they discovered that an unknown suspect had fired one round into the side of a home.
During the investigation, 29-year old Cassious Lett was detained for questioning. He was arrested for marijuana possession and on an outstanding failure to appear warrant, but was not charged with the shooting incident. Lett was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $2,500.
“There was insufficient probable cause to arrest anyone on gun related charges at this time,” Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said.
There were no injuries in the incident.
Photos: Installation Of 54 Ton Beams Cause Delays On I-10
January 30, 2015
Drivers have dealt with nighttime delays this week on I-10 in Escambia County as crews positioned large beams for a new Scenic Highway overpass. The beams are about 102 feet long and weigh 57 tons each (114,000 pounds). Because of the massive size and weight of the beams, a 200 ton crane was required to lift and place them.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Anything But Perfidious: Escambia’s Best Spellers Take On The Bee
January 30, 2015
The 2015 Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee wrapped up Thursday night with the crowning of the very best student spellers in Escambia County.
At the high school level, winners were:
1st Place — James Henderson, 9th grade, Pensacola High/IB Program
2nd Place — Dawn Van Iderstine, 11th grade, West Florida Home School
3rd Place — Malik Blankenship, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High School
Other North Escambia area students that took part in Thursday night’s round were: Morgan Myrick, 10th, Northview; McKenzie Fleming, 10th, Tate; Jessica Amerson, 11th, Northview; and Matthew Chavers, 12th, Northview.
The winning word was “perfidious”, an adjective that means deceitful and untrustworthy.
Other grade level winners were:
Middle School
1st Place – Amber Lee – Jim C. Bailey (7th grade)
2nd Place - Kneia Williams – Warrington (6th grade)
3rd Place – Justin Witter – PCA (7th grade)
5th grade
1st Place – Connor Barton – Helen Caro
2nd Place – Lauren Bisson – St. Paul
3rd Place – Colin Gold – EDS
6th Grade
1st Place – Christina Wooten – Home School
2nd Place – Kneia Williams – Warrington
3rd Place – Jeffrey Bates – Jim C. Bailey
7th Grade
1st Place – Justin Witter – PCA
2nd Place – Anna Huynh – Ransom
3rd Place – Amber Lee – Jim C. Bailey
8th Grade
1st Place – Rebecca Woodcock – GBMS
2nd Place – Andrew VanIderstine – Home School
3rd Place – Cassilyn Owens – PCA
Pictured top: Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee high school winners: (L-R first place James Henderson, 9th grade, Pensacola High/IB Program; third place Malik Blankenship, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High School; second place Dawn Van Iderstine, 11th grade, West Florida Home School, and sponsor Sandy Sansing. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For ACM Radio Station Of The Year
January 30, 2015
Escambia County’s locally owned country radio station, Cat Country 98.7, has been nominated for Radio Station of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Winners will be announced during the 50th Annual ACM Awards Show live from Dallas on CBS on Sunday, April 19.
“Our team is passionate about our community and country music, this is a great honor,” said station owner Dave Hoxeng.
This is the seventh time Cat Country 98.7 has been nominated for the prestigious award in the last 11 years. Cat Country was name ACM Radio Station of the Year in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
Northview Students Place In Cooperative Education Club Events
January 30, 2015
Several Northview High School students recently place in District Cooperative Education Clubs of Florida (CECF) events:
- Raymond Clark – Fourth place in Automotive Technician
- Savanna Roux – First place in Business Communications
- Iyanna Davidson – Third place in Business Communications
- Hannah Gibson – First place in Customer Service
- Kortney Reid – Fourth place in Customer Service
- Austin Adams – Third place in Hospitality
- Grady Rigby – Fourth place in Hospitality
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.