Southwest Missouri Moms website

Moms + Meals: Ramsey’s chicken

April 11, 2018 By: admincomment

We all have them, and are constantly looking for more of them. I am talking about those “go-to” meals that are always a hit with your family. This is one of them at my house. We don’t know the actual name of the dish, but my husband’s college roommate, Ramsey, used to whip it up all the time for us! Thus, at my house, we call it “Ramsey’s Chicken.”

There wasn’t a whole lot of cooking going on at their bachelor pad, but every once in a while, they would make this and it would disappear in a matter of minutes! It has since proven to be a hit with my kids too. Super simple and IF you have leftovers, they will still taste great.

I serve the dish over rice with green beans or a side salad. I typically use brown rice and my kids eat it up! In this particular photo, I only had white rice in the pantry, so we had white rice!

Ramsey’s Chicken:

1-2 pounds of chicken (I usually do 2, so we have leftovers)
1, 9 ounce jar, of apricot preserves
1 package of onion soup mix
1, 9 ounce, bottle of Russian salad dressing.

Cut chicken in bite size pieces. Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for approximately 40 minutes.

Beauty: 5 common skincare myths

April 9, 2018 By: admincomment

We’ve all been victim to the latest and greatest beauty trends out there. With this in mind, we thought we’d clear up some of the most common misguiding advice that just doesn’t seem to go away—along with the real truths you should know.

1. You don’t need sunscreen in the winter

Whoever said you only need sunscreen in the summer is incorrect. UV rays are harmful all day, every day. One of the main causes of premature aging is exposure to UV rays. UV rays can still pass through the clouds and even through your car window. Do yourself a favor and invest in a moisturizer that has SPF already in it. I use a moisturizer with SPF 50 in it every day. I would try and shoot for at least 20-30 SPF in your daily moisturizer. Oil of Olay and Rodan and Fields has some great options.

2. If your skin in oily, use less moisturizer, or don’t use any at all.

False. You skin actually overcompensates in the oil department if you don’t have enough moisturizer on it. Also if you use a product that dries your face out to much, your body with naturally produce more oil. Once again I really like the two moisturizers I mentioned above for an everyday light weight moisturizer.

3. Diet doesn’t affect your skin.

Have you heard the saying “You are what you eat?” this is so true, especially when it comes to your skin. If you notice you are all of a sudden getting a lot more breakouts than normal, check your eating habits. Have you been eating more fast food or greasy foods? This would be the culprit to those ugly breakouts. The best diet is a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and veggies. You can’t honestly go wrong with following the food pyramid, except feel free to cut out some of the bread if also trying to shed a few lbs.

4. You don’t need to treat wrinkles until you see them.

Actually, prevention is your best defense to combat those pesky wrinkles. Dry skin cracks faster. Once again lather up your skin with a great daily moisturizer. We can’t say this enough. Another great prevention method is exfoliating. Your skin can’t properly absorb the moisturizer you are applying if it is covered in dead, dry skin. We recommend getting a good exfoliating product and use it two to three times per week for best results.

5. Shaving will make your body hair grow back thicker.

While you may think that your hair grows back thicker each time you shave, this is not the case. Much to our pleasant surprise, the hair just appears shorter and a bit more stubbly, making it seem thicker than it really is in between shaves.

Sunday Devotion: All in His perfect timing

April 8, 2018 By: admincomment

By Kelli Artherton

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I sit here tonight anxiously awaiting a buyer for my home. I constantly check my phone for a message from another realtor asking to show my home. Sadly I am greeted with no messages. Every time my phone rings I am hopeful it’s a realtor asking to show my home, sadly it’s an appointment reminder or a random call.

Yes, my home is currently for sale. It hasn’t been for sell very long at all, but I am still anxious and worried. If any of you have recently sold a home you understand my anxiousness and worry. Will someone love my home as much as we have? Are we priced fair? Is it staged properly? The list of worry goes on and on.

Jacob, my husband and I have felt a very strong calling to move. We truly feel God has been stirring our hearts to move for quite sometime. We just didn’t know where He wanted us to go. We tried to figure it out on our own and it never worked out. We were committed to praying daily for God to place it on our hearts of where to move. After about a good year of dedicated prayer we finally felt the calling to move and the move had a purpose behind it. Everything started to fall into place beautifully. We fell in love with another home, a job unexpectedly opened up for me and most importantly our church is building in the area we are moving. We know this is where we are supposed to go. We know we are called to help grow the new church. We know this is God’s plan.

But, why isn’t my home selling? As I sit here questioning this, analyzing everything from price, to set up of my home, paint colors ect. I am reminded of God’s perfect timing. It’s perfect every single time. He never fails us. If we trust in Him, He will calm our anxiousness and our worry.

I know He has already paved the way for us. I know He already knows our next steps. He already has planned a beautiful future with us. We just have to trust in His perfect timing.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Local pics: Easter peeps

April 6, 2018 By: admin

I know we are biased, but we think Southwest Missouri may just have the cutest kids! These Easter photos are giving us all the heart eyes! Whether you were hunting eggs, going to Church or playing in your backyard–thank you for sharing your photos with us!

Wishing you all a very happy spring!

Things to do in SWMO: April 2018

April 4, 2018 By: admin

The Springfield Little Theatre Presents: Madagascar, JR. A Musical

March 22nd – April 8th

Embark on an unforgettable journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from the blockbuster DreamWorks film.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle – the main attraction at New York City’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some plotting penguins – to explore the world. The friends face new challenges when they find themselves on an unexpected voyage to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Featuring a talented youth cast and filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore, and an upbeat score, Madagascar Jr. leaves you with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”

For tickets and more info click here.

The Springfield Expo Center Hosts: 417 Fashionation

April 7th 7:00pm

Buy the shoes. Gather your squad. FASHIONATION is 417-land’s biggest night of glam! Fashionation is much more than a show: Featuring a VIP pre-party, fashion show, runway seats, live music, pop-up shops and more.

For tickets and more information click here.

Bass Pro Shops Presents: Dog Days Family Event

April 7th 11-3pm

alling all dog lovers! Join us for our annual Dog Days event at Bass Pro Shops, Springfield! ONE DAY ONLY! Come on out for a day focused on man’s best friend and favorite outdoor buddy! Get here early for FREE give-aways to the first 100 pups to bring their human in to the event!

Seminars at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on hot topics for your pup. And don’t miss this year’s contest for BEST Dog Trick at 1 p.m. The top 2 tricks as judged by our panel win! Also, join us at our photo-op station for a FREE photo download from 11-3 p.m.Don’t miss it!

For more information click here.

Juanita K. Hammons Hall Presents: Josh Turner

April 12th 7:00pm

Multi-platinum MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. With a rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Turner has sold more than 8 million units; he is a disciple of traditional country music and one of the youngest members of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry. From his 2003 platinum-selling debut Long Black Train to his most recent 2017 Billboard No. 1 release Deep South, featuring the #1 hit single “Hometown Girl,” Turner has garnered multiple GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM nominations. Turner’s hits include “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Firecracker,” “Would You Go with Me,” “All Over Me,” and “Time Is Love,” the most played country song of 2012.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

JQH Arena Presents: Stronger Men’s Conference

April 13th and 14th

Guest Speakers: John Gray, Craig Groeschel, & Louie Giglio

Conference Host: John Lindell

Conference Schedule

Friday, April 13th

3-6:45pm – Pre-conference activities and games
7-9:30pm – Session One
9:30-10:30pm – Friday Night Entertainment

Saturday, April 14^th
8am – Session Begins
10:10am – Break
10:30am – Session Resumes
1pm – Conference Ends

*Please Note: This schedule is tentative and is subject to change.

To register for this event, please visit www.strongermen.org

Springfield Expo Center hosts: Queen City Sertoma’s Cajun Cook-off

April 14th 12-5pm

The 2018 Queen City Sertoma Cajun Cook-off is back and at a new location! We’ve grown into the Expo Center for this year’s event. Rain or shine, we’ll see you April 14, 12-5p.m.! Live music all day and all the Cajun food you can eat!

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

Springfield Ballet presents: A Tale of Two Wolves

April 13th – 15th

Twice the story. Double the fun.

Springfield Ballet presents: A Tale of Two Wolves, featuring Peter & the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood.

Both of these beloved musical tales have been individually choreographed for our dancers. The show will also feature the debut of a contemporary ballet interlude.

Guest Artists: Ken Braso & Kim Crosby

Tickets on sale NOW!

Friday, April 13 | 7:30 p.m. – Blue Cast
Saturday, April 14 | 11 a.m. – Red Cast
Saturday, April 14 | 4 p.m. – Blue Cast
Sunday, April 15 | 2 p.m. – Red Cast

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

Juanita K. Hammons Hall Presents: Rockin’ Road to Dublin

April 15th 7:00pm

Following sell-out shows in the Northeast, Rockin’ Road to Dublin is coming to Hammons Hall on their 2018 national tour! Rockin’ Road To Dublin is the new sensation that combines the art of an Irish dance show, the power of a rock concert, all with the finish of a Broadway theatrical production. Starring World Champion Irish dancers Scott Doherty and Ashley Smith, Rockin’ Road to Dublin is a must-see spectacle that Irish Dancing Magazine calls “World-Class.”

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

The Shrine Mosque Presents: Bush

April 16th 7:00pm

As the lead vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter behind multi-platinum rock band BUSH, Gavin Rossdale has sold close to 20 million records in the U.S. and Canada alone. Together with BUSH, he’s compiled an amazing string of 18 consecutive Top 40 hit singles on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, including 11 that hit the Top 5. Six of these became No. 1 hits: “Comedown,” “Glycerine,” “Machinehead,” “Swallowed,” “The Chemicals Between Us” and “The Sound of Winter.”

Their story continues with new album Black and White Rainbows, which People magazine called “a triumphant return.” Rossdale also recently served as one of the coaches for the hit TV series, “The Voice UK.”

For tickets and more information click here.

The Shrine Mosque Presents: Clint Black

April 19th 6:00pm

It is one of the most storied careers in modern music. Clint Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of ’89, reaching #1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, Killin’ Time. He followed that with the triple-platinum Put Yourself in My Shoes, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the ’90s. Perhaps most impressively, Clint wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including “A Better Man,” “Where Are You Now,” “When My Ship Comes In,” “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain” and “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” part of a catalog that produced 22 #1 singles and made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era.

Along the way, Clint has sold over 20 million records, earned more than a dozen gold and platinum awards in the U.S. and Canada, landed nearly two dozen major awards and nominations, including more than a dozen GRAMMY nominations, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For tickets and more information click here.

The Gillioz Theatre Presents: Weird Al Yankovic

April 19th 8:00pm

“Weird Al” Yankovic burst onto the scene over three decades ago and never looked back. For the first time in his storied career, the world’s foremost musical satirist and four-time Grammy-winner foregoes his usual high-octane, big-production show for an intimate evening of music, focusing on original (non-parody) songs from his 14-album catalog. After his 2016 world tour, including venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall, this is a rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with this legendary performer.

Weird Al’s most recent album Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. In 2018 he will be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For tickets and more information click here.

19th Annual Rockin’ Ribs Festival

April 20th-21st

What’s delicious, mouthwatering and benefits seven local children’s charities? The Annual Rock and Ribs Barbeque Festival! 80 teams from all over come together to compete for the best Barbeque in a ‘Kansas City BBQ Society’ Sanctioned event. Be one of the thousands of samplers who enjoy chicken, pork and beef starting at 1 p.m. There’s 11 hours of live music, a Kids Play Zone and of course: plenty of food and drink. And yes, it’s ok to wear a bib!

Friday: 5-11 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

For more information click here.

The Springfield Expo Center Presents: Jurassic Quest

April 20th -22nd

Jurassic Quest brings you a Dinosaur Adventure for the whole family. The exhibit features over 80 ultra-realistic, life-size dinosaurs. Our proprietary robotic and animatronic technology allows our guests to walk among “living, breathing, even WALKING dinosaurs”. Experience the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods first hand.

We have the only interactive baby dinosaurs in North America. Our walking dinosaurs playfully interact with our guests for a truly unique experience. Guests can walk among these huge creatures, learn about them and even ride a few. Jurassic Quest has the largest Dinosaurs in North America. There are even huge fossil digs where young paleontologists can uncover long hidden dinosaurs bones, the “Dino Bounce” area with several, towering, dinosaur theme inflatable mazes, face painting, Dino crafts and much more!

For tickets and more information click here.

The Dickerson Park Zoo Hosts: Party for the Planet

April 22nd 10:00am-2:00pm

Celebrate Earth Day at Dickerson Park Zoo with hands-on conservation learning stations and zookeeper chats. Activities free with paid zoo admission.

For more information click here.

The Complex in Springfield Presents: Bone Thugs N Harmony

April 26th 7:00pm

Bravada Entertainment Presents:

BONE THUGS N HARMONY
East 1999 25th Anniversary Tour
With Special Guest
Sloan Bone

For tickets and more information click here.