Planting Trees & Enjoying Nature

April 26th is Arbor Day. This very special day represents hope for the future. Everyone is encouraged to go out in nature and plant trees. 

When Arbor Day was originally celebrated in the late 1800s, prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

Why Is Arbor Day Important?

According to the EPA, planting trees and vegetation can cool areas.

“Research shows that urban forests have temperatures that are on average 2.9 degrees lower than unforested urban areas,” it states.

Not only does planting trees in urban areas reduce the temperature, it also reduces energy use, improves air quality, and improves quality of life.

How To Celebrate Arbor Day Today

• Celebrate by planting a tree
• Volunteering for an organization to plant trees locally. 
• Clean up your local park.

For this special day my Spinach Mushroom Quiche Recipe is perfect to share with friends and family. Have a blessed Arbor Day everyone! 

Spinach Mushroom Quice Recipe

Ingredients

• Pastry for 9-inch one-crust pie
• 1 10oz. package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1/2 Cup thinly sliced mushrooms
• 1 Cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/3 Cup sliced green onion
• 4 Eggs
• 1 Cup Milk or evaporated skim milk
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Heat oven 425F
2. Place pastry 9-inch plate and flute edges.
3. Arrange spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and green onion in a pastry-lined pie plate.
4. Beat eggs slightly; beat in remaining ingredients.
5. Pour into pie plate. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
6. Reduce oven temperature to 300F.
7. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean (30min. longer)
8. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
9. Serve