Willmar MOMS

 Creamy Tortellini Soup Recipe from "A Pinch of Yum" Ingredients 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 2 large carrots, peeled and diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp kosher sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp fennel seed, crushed or chopped One 6oz can tomato paste 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 6-7 cups of chicken broth 14 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini 2 cups half and half or heavy cream 1 handful fresh spinach, chopped Parmesan or parsley for topping Directions In a large stockpot set over medium-high, cook the sausage, breaking up into little pieces. When sausage is mostly browned, add onion, celery and carrot. Sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add the garlic, spices, and tomato paste. Sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add wine and let it cook out for a few minutes. Stir the flour into the sa...

 "God's Blessing Over You" Mentor Mom Moment with Fern Gerdes In the most recent months of life, I found myself in a place of prayer where I felt stopped in my tracks. I struggled with the words to use– it “felt” as if they were just that. Words! I knew by faith, every word mattered, and every prayer matters. In my cry out to God, through a series of articles I read, and scripture that I opened up, I came across this prayer. I was deeply encouraged to pray these words because they alone were the TRUE WORD! Lord, I pray that you will remind my children daily that Your love for them is everlasting.  (Psalm 103:17) Cultivate a grateful heart within them. (Psalm 118:28) Help them speak the truth to others and to themselves. (Ephesians 4:25) Fill them with joy and peace. (Romans 15:13) Make them a blessing to everyone they meet. (1 Peter 3:9) Help them to listen to Your Word and do what it says. (Luke 11:28) May they never walk away from You; draw their hearts close so You wil...

 The Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe submitted by Michelle Brouwer Ingredients 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 egg 1 tsp water 3 cups flour 1 1/2 baking powder 1/4 tsp salt Directions 1. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. 2. Add egg and water. Beat until light and fluffy. 3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Sift together. 4.  Blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half in wax paper or plastic wrap and chill for one hour. 5. Roll out dough and cut out shapes using desired cookie cutters. 6. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Watch them carefully and take out of oven before edges turn brown. Chewy Molasses Ginger Snaps Ingredients 3/4 cup softened butter 1 cup sugar 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/4 cup molasses 2 cup flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/3 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp cloves Directions Mix together butter, sugar, egg and molasses until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, salt, baking soda and spices. ...

 "Let Go & Let God" Mentor Mom Moment with Cindy Clements "But when (Moses' mother) could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it  with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child  in it and put it among the reeds  along the bank of the Nile."  Exodus 2:3 “There comes a time - many times, actually - in the lives of our children where we have to put the basket in the water. We have to let go and trust the plan of the Father. The world is a scary place - a place where we fear our children could drown. But we must remember that we have to let go so that God can draw them from the water for His great purpose. He has called us to be their parents, but they were His first. My friend, whatever water you may be getting ready to put your basket into - remember that you have to put them in the water for God to draw them out and place them into His perfect plan. Though you might not be physically present withy our child as much during the next p...

  Creamy Spinach Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce Recipe submitted by Jen Peterson Ingredients 1 cup cashews 3/4 cup water (more for soaking) 1/2 tsp salt 1 clove garlic 1 Tbsp oil 4 large sweet potatoes, spiralized 2 cups baby spinach A handful of fresh basil leaves, chives,  or other herbs Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil for drizzling Directions Cover the cashews with water in a bowl and soak for 2 hours or so. Drain and rinse thoroughly. Place in a food processor or blender and add the 3/4 cup water, salt, and garlic. Puree until very smooth. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the sweet potatoes; toss in the pan for 6-7 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove from heat and toss in the spinach - it should wilt pretty quickly. Add half the herbs and half of the sauce to the pan and toss to combine. Add water if the mixture is too sticky. Season generously with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and top with remaining fresh herbs. Recipe from pinc...

"I am Steadfast When I Encourage Others" Mentor Mom Moment with Lara Duininck "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." Hebrews 10:24-25 I am blessed with a mom who is an incredible encourager. She is so good at finding ways to boost a person’s spirits and say a kind word. She taught me to ask questions and always make sure you leave a conversation having learned something about the person you were talking to. She said it was selfish and one sided to just talk about yourself and I really took that to heart (or least I try!). My mom has Parkinsons and recently fell and broke her hip, she is currently in a nursing home and it has been so hard. She wants badly to feel better and be back in her home. Parkinsons and the medications have been hard on my mom. It has made her struggle with her mind and body. I was visiting a couple of weeks ago (she lives in...

Fall Protein Bites Two Variations - Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon Apple Pumpkin Spice Ingredients 1 1/2 cups gluten-free or regular rolled oats 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup chia seeds 1 Tbsp pumpkin spice 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips Cinnamon Apple Ingredients 1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats 1.2 cup almond butter 3/4 cup chopped fried apples  1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup honey 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp salt Directions 1. Add all wet ingredients to a bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until well-combined. 2. Add all dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until well-combined and you have a "dough." 3. Place mixture in freezer for 15-20 minutes until firm. 4. Use a cookie dough scoop to scoop out the dough and use your hands to form into balls. 5. Place in an air-tight container to store. 6. Can be stored in fridge for two weeks or the freezer for a ...