Angel Food Ministries

I have to write a little bit about the new adventure we have taken at our church. Last month our church started taking part in Angel Food Ministries. You can go to www.angelfoodministries.com if you want the whole story! There are different standard boxes you can order. For example, the Regular box has around 7 different meats, several veggies and fruit, grains, shelf-stable milk, a dozen eggs and a dessert for $30.00 each month. If you were to go to the grocery store to buy this it would be around $60-$70.
There is also a Convenience Meal box that has 10 T.V. dinner style meals with protein, starch and veggies and/or fruit. You get 10 of these meals for $28.00 and they are larger than a Lean Cuisine so for $2.80 each it is worth it! There are several other Standard Box choices each month. After you buy one standard box you can order any special boxes. There are all meat boxes...usually several choices! There is always a fruit and veggie box as well. The food is ordered during the first 2 weeks of the month and then on the last Saturday (or so) it is picked up in Lincoln by Pastor and Chad and then brought to Kearney to disperse it. Last month our church sold 68 boxes and this month we were up to 112...so with all of the current layoffs and job losses we expect this number to grow. The other place is Grand Island that is the closest to us that is doing this ministry.
There are no stipulations as to who qualifies for this program and no volunteer hours required either! Chad and I have been asked to be some of the main helpers with the distribution each month. It is so exciting to see how we can share HIS love for us through this much needed ministry. This is a nation wide ministry so if you are interested check out the website to see if you have a distribution site close to you or if your place of worship can start one. My Grandma Carolyn, in Missouri, has used this through her church and spoke great about the quality of the products! So far we have been beyond impressed!

Tonight we tried one of the recipes that was in our Servant Magazine we received with the distribution. I really wanted to share it with you all!

Sweet Apples & Sausage

1 1/2 large apples, diced
2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 tsp. cornstarch
2/3 cup cranberry-apple juice
1 lb mild Italian sausage

Cut sausage into one inch chunks. In a large skillet, add oil and saute sausage over medium heat until cooked. Add apple slices; sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until apples are tender. Combine cornstarch and juice until smooth; stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over herb seasoned pasta or with mashed potatoes.

Herb Seasoned Pasta

spaghetti noodles (cooked)
1 Tablespoon (or so) olive oil
1 tsp. of Italian seasoning (or other seasoning of choice)
Parmesan cheese

Stir seasoning into olive oil and microwave about 45 seconds so that the seasoning is softened. Poor over drained, cooked noodles and stir. You can also add Parmesan cheese.

Calla gave it 2 thumbs up!!!