By Rachel Carlsruh

The Bear River Health Department was aiming for something more significant than yummy muffins in their contest last Saturday. The five winning recipes will be used to help increase breast cancer awareness in Cache Valley.

Fourteen women entered their original muffin recipes in the "Muffin's for Mom" contest at Ma's Pies and Goodies. The top five recipes will be printed on the back of breast cancer information sheets that will be available in Cache Valley stores where women frequent, said Pat Stephens.

Stephens has worked for Bear River Health Department over seven years. She said that breast cancer is the number one cancer-killer of Utah women. Only heart-disease, and lung-cancer precede it.

"Hopefully the recipes will be around where women will use them often. It can be a continual reminder to women of the importance of regular breast and pelvic examinations," Stephens said.

The health department offers a low-cost clinic that provides breast, pelvic and pap examinations for $25 or less. Stephens said the cost depends on the patient's income.

If women qualify, they can get the entire examination done for free.

"This service isn't used enough. We're trying to inform ladies that it's there," she said.

The flyers can be found at local craft and fabric stores.

Shelby Ivory, who also works at the health department was a "muffin-judge". After the contest, all participants received gift certificates, and Shelby gave them a "do's and don't" list of how to make pro-muffins.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment at the women's clinic, call 752- 3730 ext. 100. Or for breast-cancer information, the American Cancer Society's on the Internet at: www.cancer.org

Here's the winning recipe, by Sue LaVerkin from Brigham City:

Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 18 ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries dusted with 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 35. Line muffin pan with paper liners or spray.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well.

In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

Add butter mixture gradually. Gold in cranberries and nuts

Spoon into muffin tins.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden, and a toothpick comes out clean.
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