HEEFS August 2018 newsletter

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Our stalls now have Softstall!

Over the past few weeks we had Softstall installed in our main barn to significantly improve the quality of life for our pigs at HEEFS. This is a life-changer for senior pigs, like Len, and for any aging or arthritic resident, plus it's just super comfy and easy to maintain!

 

Softstall  covers the floor with over 2” of thick, slip-proof and shock absorbent insulation that can easily be mopped and sanitized. Where layers upon layers of blankets and towels provided a cushy surface in the barn before, Softstall will now provide that and more without having the ongoing laundry and straw requirements. This will help cut down on operational costs and allow us to channel funds to other projects and into ongoing resident care.

The magic of kindness

Softstall was donated to HEEFS by a kind supporter who had visited us back in the spring, and recognized an opportunity to make the quality of life just a little bit better for some of our residents. While the Softstall people were here installing the flooring, they fell in love with our mission (and Dan). As a result, they generously donated the materials and installation to completely overhaul stall #1 and stall #2, and they have agreed to get the other half of the barn covered in Softstall for us, too! 

You can help us thank Softstall and give them the recognition they deserve by liking them on Facebook! 

A day in the life of...Heidi!

Born in 2016, Heidi came to live at HEEFS when she was just over one year old.She was found abandoned, after three days in a freezing cold garage in Toronto with no food or water. This near starvation left Heidi with neurological issues and she often has trouble picking up her food. Weighing in at just a single pound means that ensuring Heidi gets enough food is a constant concern as is chronic dehydration. When it comes to feeding time, we make sure that she and her flockmates have a large bowl, which helps Heidi to eat. We also make sure that Heidi gets plenty of her favourite snacks throughout the day, which includes grapes and hydrating watermelon.Each morning Heidi is given a medical check to ensure that she isn't losing weight and that her hydration levels are where they need to be. If not, she is given extra fluids before she is allowed to head out to Bunnytown for the day with her friends, Anne, Farley, Hope, and Ashley.

You can meet all of our residents at www.happilyeveresther.ca

We have a scanner!

Have you heard the news??? We reached, and significantly exceeded, our fundraising goal for the Pegaso scanner! 

There were over 10,939 donations from 58 countries around the world! We are humbled by the incredible outpouring of support for the Esther Scanner Fundraiser and we cannot say thank you enough!

Watch your inbox for a special edition HEEFS newsletter with a very exciting announcement about the Esther Scanner Fundraiser!

There are so many ways to help

It's no secret that Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary runs on the power of volunteers but did you know that we are also 100% funded by kind and generous donations from supporters all over the world? There are many ways to help HEEFS from a one-time donation to becoming a monthly donor. 

Hey it forward...in style!

Hay it forward bracelet!

Our Hay it Forward bracelets are each one-of-a-kind and made with love by some of our amazing volunteers using the twine from the bales of hay in our barn. 

You can purchase the bracelet on it's own and, included in your purchase, will be the donation of one bale of hay for our barn...Or we'll send you a Hay it Forward bracelet for free when you donate 12 bales of hay to HEEFS!Also...you can get the Hay it Forward bracelet with thedonation 12 bales of straw!

 

 

 

 

 

Try this today!

Blueberry Orange Scones

Ingredients
* 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/3 cup + 1 Tablespoon granulated cane sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
* 1/4 cup softened vegan butter
* 5.3 oz (approximately 3/4 cup) plain nondairy yogurt
* 1 teaspoon orange extract
* Zest of 1 orange (zest first before juicing) 
* 2 fl oz orange juice from 1 orange
* 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
* Additional cane or Demerara sugar sprinkled on top of each scone dough

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper; set aside. 
2. Combine the dry scone ingredients in a mixing bowl with a silicone spatula. Stir in the wet ingredients. Stir the dough just until a dough forms. Do not over mix. Stir in the blueberries. 
3. Scoop out 1/3 cup of dough for each scone. Place the dough in the palm of your hand and gently shape into a ball. Drop each dough onto the parchment paper lined baking tray. Lightly press the surface. Sprinkle cane or Demerara sugar on top of each scone. 
4. Bake the scones for 12-15 minutes. Test with a toothpick to check if the scones are done baking.

Find more delicious recipes at Esther's Kitchen