HEEFS August 2017 Newsletter
/Bear Care
It was our sweet senior pig, Bear, who was the inspiration behind the launch of Bear Care.
Most of you know that Bear came to us as a senior with mobility issues and, as time went on, he required more and more medical care to ensure that he was always happy and comfortable. The HEEFS staff and volunteers who cared for Bear started using the term “Bear Care” as a general way to refer to any of the HEEFS residents who were in need of medical care…and it stuck!
It’s always been an informal thing but with the passing of our beloved Bear in June, we decided that we wanted to make Bear Care the name of our healthcare fund that will provide for the well being of all of our senior and ill residents.
From physical to emotional to mental, the Bear Care healthcare fund will help provide for each resident’s healthcare needs. You can help contribute to the Bear Care healthcare fund by becoming a monthly donor or making a one-time donation.
Take A Walk Along Memorial Trail
It’s a sad reality of sanctuary life that we eventually have to say goodbye to residents who have become a very special part of our lives. But just because they are gone, they will never be forgotten. That is why we decided to create Memorial Trail. Located in the north part of our Enchanted Forest, your stroll along Memorial Trail will take you on a path lined with 400 year old cedar trees and flowing vines. Along the way you’ll find benches dedicated to the memory of departed residents and plaques with their story. And, if you visit during dusk or evening, you’ll be treated to a show from the many fireflies that make that area of the Enchanted Forest home. Our Memorial Trail is scheduled to open in the fall of 2017.
Our Volunteers Mean the World To Us!
It's no secret that HEEFS runs on the power of volunteers! We are grateful to our wonderful regulars who come weekly, and to thousands of friends from around the world who visit us and give of their valuable time on volunteer workdays throughout the year. There simply isn't enough time in the day to say thank you enough!!!
Meet Angie!
Angie, who started volunteering at HEEFS in November 2016, was introduced to us through her friend, and colleague, Dan Green. Both are career fire fighters and both began volunteering together. Even though Angie’s regular volunteer day is Monday, she often shows up to lend a helping hand throughout the week.
While at the Sanctuary, Angie enjoys doing a lot of everything from feeding and cleaning to animal enrichment. If it needs to be done, we can always count on Angie to step right up and do it!
Volunteering at HEEFS holds a very special place in Angie’s life. As she told us, “For years I struggled with discovering what my purpose is in life and now I know. I was placed here to help rescue, and be a voice for, animals. HEEFS has filled that need in my heart and soul.”
Angie feels that everyday she’s at HEEFS is an adventure and sometimes that adventure leads to hilarious situations like the day when she backed up right into Captain Dan and she got a little toothy reminder to watch where she’s going!
Like all of our volunteers, Angie loves and respects each and every resident of the Sanctuary but she does have a special place in her heart for BJ. “I’ve always been drawn to the ‘bad boy’,” laughs Angie. And thanks to Andrea (Farm Sanctuary Coordinator at HEEFS) and her love of all things feathered, Angie has come to realize what amazing little creatures all of our birds are. To quote Angie, “Who freakin knew??” (Ummmm…we did!)
Get To Know Lenny!
There are smiling faces and then there’s Lenny! When he flashes his infectious, toothy grin, you can’t help but smile back.
A 900 pound White Yorkshire pig, Lenny came to live at HEEFS along with his friends, Captain Dan, Bear and Bobbie when the sanctuary where they were living had to close. Leonard is a happy 8 year old who has unfortunately begun to experience some mobility issues in his back legs, due primarily to arthritis. To help keep him comfortable he gets weekly professional massages and lots of stimulation, along with his favourite diluted iced tea and watermelon. After the passing of his best friend, and roommate, Bear, Lenny has taken to sharing his sleeping quarters with piglet Hercules, and turkey Cornelius who drops by from time to time.
Help Us Feed Our Friends
It has always been one of the goals of Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary to be as self-sufficient as we can be when it comes to feeding our residents. That's why we are always increasing the size of our garden and planting more fruit trees in our orchard. Right now we have cherries, peaches, plums, pears and apples. Next year we want ot include pumpkins and melons.
You can help us by donating a tree for our orchard from the HEEFS Store.
Thanksliving Tickets On Sale Now!
You don't want to miss this fun-filled annual event! You'll enjoy an afternoon filled with live music and entertainment, delicious Esther-approved foods and, of course, a tour of the Sanctuary and a chance to meet all of our residents!
Try this today!
Raw Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding
Ingredients
1 cup (250ml) unsweetened organic almond milk
4 Tablespoons (60ml) or 1/4 cup (60ml) organic chia seeds
1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons (30ml) organic coconut palm sugar or other dry sweetener of choice
(a liquid sweetener is not recommended and adjust sweetener to taste)
1 Tablespoon (15ml) organic raw cacao powder
1 cup (250ml) pitted, sliced fresh or frozen organic cherries
Directions
1. Add the almond milk, vanilla extract and sweetener to mixing bowl. Whisk in the chia seeds until they are incorporated into the almond milk. Allow the pudding to set up in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
2. Remove the chia pudding from the refrigerator. Pour the chia pudding and cherries in a blender. Blend on high until the cherries are blended well.
3. The chia pudding may be served now or placed back in the refrigerator to firm up more.
4. Garnish the chia pudding with sliced sliced pitaya, fresh cherries, raw cacao nibs and dried coconut.
Check out all the delicious Esther Approved recipes at Esther's Kitchen.
