Last Spring Meetings: May 11 & 14!

Our last meetings for the spring session are this week!. The Wednesday group will meet May 11, where we'll watch video speaker Alexandra Kuykendall discuss Engaging in Healthy Relationships, and we'll discuss how to create a web of support by understanding and investing in our circle of relationships.

The Saturday group will meet May 14, for a fun, lighthearted, end-of-season party. We'll have a few activities to help you connect with other moms before the summer break.

As always, both groups will be providing a yummy light breakfast snack and free childcare! See you there!

Want to stay in touch over the summer? Watch this space or add us on Facebook, and as we learn about playdates or Mom's Nights Out, you'll be sure to be in the loop! Want to organize something? Drop us a note (e-mail campbellmops@gmail.com) and we'll help spread the word!

Pampered Chef Snacks & Raffle, Friday morning!

This Friday at 11:30am in the Birch Room at Campbell Church, MOPS mom Danielle Humphreys is hosting a Pampered Chef show. There will be a very short demo making salsa fresca as well as snacks and shopping (and if your children are signed up for Parents' Time Out, you will be done in time to pick up your children). With Mother's Day coming up, this is a good time to see what's available.

Danielle is also raffling away all of her host benefits at this event to four lucky winners, who will receive everything from free merchandise to deep discounts! You don't need to be present at the event to enter. E-mail Danielle for the full details about the raffle at this "Mystery Host Show"! Don't have her e-mail address? E-mail campbellmops@gmail.com and we'll help get you in touch!

If you're interested in checking out the products but can't make it to the show, you can also order from Danielle here http://www.pamperedchef.biz/dhumphreys. Be sure to enter her name as the host if you order online to earn your raffle ticket(s), and again Danielle would be happy to answer any questions.

Monthly Playdate: THURSDAY 9:30-11:30!

Remember that this month's end-of-month playdate is not on Wednesday, but it will be on Thursday, April 28, from 9:30-11:30 am! Please bring 6 filled Easter eggs and we'll have a mini egg hunt for the kids! Thanks to MOPS mom Kara Rocha for offering to host this event at her home! For directions, please e-mail campbellmops@gmail.com and we'll send her address along!

Quick Recipe: Shrimp Pasta

Here's another of the yummmy recipes that Chef Gini prepared for us on Saturday!

Shrimp in Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce with Angel Hair Pasta
From Mentor Mom and Personal Chef Gini Bortz

Servings: 6

8 oz angel hair pasta
12 oz roasted red peppers, jarred, drained
8 oz cream cheese, light, softened
1/2 c chicken broth, fat free
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 t red pepper, ground
2 lbs shrimp, frozen, uncooked (31-40)
1/4 c basil, fresh, chopped

Directions:
In a blender or food procesor, blend red peppers, cream cheese, broth and garlic until smooth, scraping the sides.

Pour mixture into a large skillet and bring to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Add raw shrimp and cook just until done,about 3-5 minutes.

Remove from heat and blend in chopped basil and serve.

Quick Recipe: Spinach and Sausage Pizza

From Mentor Mom Gini Bortz:

Spinach and Sausage Pizza
Healthy and fast - and a great way to sneak green veggies into your kids' diet!

3 oz. baby spinach
1 14 1/2 oz can tomatoes in juice, drained
1 pizza crust, 12 inch
1 lb. Italian sausage, browned
3 oz. Mozzarella cheese, grated

Place tomatoes in a fine-mesh strainer and press out as much liquid as possible. Spread spinach onto pizza crust. Top with tomatoes, sausage and mozzarella.

Preheat oven to 450. Bake 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Quick Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

From Wendy: This recipe is so easy, according to Wendy "You almost can't call it a recipe!"

Prep time: 5 minutes
Six to eight servings, depending on how hungry you are!

2 jars Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce (you can find this at Safeway)

4-6 country style spareribs (boneless) OR 4 lbs (or so) pork shoulder

Place ribs, fat side up in crock pot and pour one jar of sauce over.
Cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove meant and discard sauce from pot. Shred and serve on rolls with fresh sauce from the second jar. For traditional style sandwiches, serve with cole slaw (Wendy says that KFC's slaw is the best - pick up a container on the way home).

Quick Recipe: Low-Fat Crock-Pot Chicken

Renee's Crock-Pot Spicy Chicken

Prep time: 10 minutes
About 8 servings

4 large chicken breasts (can be frozen still)
1 can black beans, rinsed
2 cans corn, drained
1 jar of salsa
1 package of shredded cheese

In crock pot layer one can of corn, then beans, then corn, then half jar of salsa, then all chicken, then last half of salsa. Cook 6-8 hours.

Serve on top of brown rice and sprinkle cheese on top.

For extra heat, we like medium salsa!