On Saturday, November 21, 2015, I attended the Celebration of the Turkeys at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. I have been a couple of times before, so I knew the routine, but I hadn’t been in the last few years because I waited too long to get a ticket. So, needless to say, I was quite excited about everything – the feeding of the turkeys, the vegan Thanksgiving dinner, the picturesque beauty of the farm, the chance to celebrate compassion with like-minded others, and, yes, the gift shop!!

This year I decided to pay attention to as much detail as I could. My observations started in the parking lot. Mostly New York State cars, but I saw license plates from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and even one from California. The barn building where we all signed in was a rustic structure with a charming vibe. On display was information about the work the Farm Sanctuary does, facts about animal agriculture abuses, a display wall of photos and quotes from celebrities in the scientific and entertainment community about human relationships with other living beings and others praising the work of Farm Sanctuary. Hot apple cider, hot tea and coffee, and healthy chips and cookies gave us sustenance for our journey to the animals.

Despite a blustery cloudy day, we set out to once again see and interact with those farm animals that most of us might pass on the road when we see cows or chickens in a field, but don’t get to look into their eyes and know them the way we do our companion animals. 

The feeding of the turkeys, of course, is the main event. We all sat on bales of hay and watched trays of cranberries, lettuce and squash being placed on the low lying tables being set for the feast. The guests were not us humans all seated around on bales of hay, but the turkeys. It always strikes me that this event is such a powerful symbolic scene. On Thanksgiving, so many turkeys are killed to provide that essential? part of the celebration. But today we were reversing that to feed the turkeys, not eat them. A new tradition of compassion witnessed by men, women and children who want to see a change in how we eat, care and live. I especially love seeing the families with young children – those children are experiencing other ways to see the farm animals and learning to treat them with respect – experiences that will travel with them into adulthood and hopefully influence their choices. 

Lastly, this event is a reinforcement for the choices that I have made – it makes my commitment stronger. Seeing 350+ people take the time to attend this event, support the Farm Sanctuary, some traveling many miles – all for the purpose of gathering to honor and share with like-minded others, the compassionate lifestyle. Seeing the enthusiasm of so many for this lifestyle gives me hope that this movement to respect the lives of farm animals and their right to not be abused and treated like commodities for human consumption will spread and prevail. 

Happy Thanksgiving!– as I celebrate with my family both vegan and non-vegan, I will take the opportunity to share some vegan approved food with everyone and be thankful for those that have taught me, helped me and supported me in my journey towards the compassionate life.

Feed the Turkeys

Last Saturday went to the "Feed the Turkey" celebration at the local Farm Sanctuary - Traveled there together with a small group of animal rights activists. The day started off with a visit to the Farm to see all the rescued farm animals - cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys and more. The air was cold but the sun was shining and the beautiful views of

the surrounding farmland and rolling hills were beautiful and calming. The main event was the feeding of the turkeys. The food is piled neatly on large trays - cranberries, lettuce and assorted greens and placed on low lying tables. Once all is in place, the turkeys are let out of the barn to partake of their feast. Check out this picture:

After the turkey feast is over, there is time to continue to visit with the animals, take some refreshments at the Main building or visit the gift shop. Warm cider, vegan cookies and apples - Yummy on a chilly day! 3 of us also had fun discovering a secret 'well-heated' video room where we watched a great factory farming animated short called "The Meatrix". If anyone would like to see this (google Meatrix), it communicates the info about factory farming in an entertaining and clever way.

After the farm visit, we all went to a very upscale restaurant for a vegan meal. The banquet room was large and very festive. The food was delicious - yummy appetizers, tofurky, field roast, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy. The dessert was a pumpkin truffle and a chocolate dipped strawberry. It was so nice to be able to eat every offering without having to ask what was in it!!! There were speakers with interesting stories and info and many conversations with fellow animal lovers and vegans. What a rare treat it is to be spending a day with others on the same path to the compassionate life. No animal suffered in the success of this day. I hated to see it end. Here are a couple of other pictures that captured the spirit of the event.

Some alternative proteins

I was just taking a kind of inventory of the ways that I have substituted vegetable protein for animal protein. My love for these vegetable proteins has increased over time and I have learned to prepare them in many tasty ways. The thought of eating a carcass with the tendons and blood and bones and the possibility for serious bacterial and fecal issues makes me think of "Night of the Living Dead". When I see someone chowing down on a chicken wing, it now looks so low class and rough. I ask myself if the whole meat, egg and dairy industries cleaned up their act - treated the animals with respect for natural in raising (proper quarters, food and medical care, respect for pain-free in slaughter and respect for meat industry workers and the environment - would I go back to eating meat? The answer is most likely - NO! Since my awareness has been raised with all this and I have found ways to eat that meets all the nutritional need AND actually makes me feel better and healthier and needing less medications - the answer is clear. Even with all the 'head' answers, I have developed a very deep-seated unpleasant 'feeling' about the idea of eating animal products. My research and instincts about this whole issue also tell me that the word is spreading pretty mainstream now and if the meat industry continues on its current path (or even if it tries to change), they will have already lost a lot of people like me who have found happiness without meat. This will be the first Thanksgiving that I do not eat turkey. However, my impending change to veganism was predicted for the last couple of years when my husband had to clean off the carcass for me and throw it out. I used to even use it to make soup - recently I couldn't go near it. I have also recently read "Eating Animals" and there was a lot in that book about turkeys that I had not previously known. Now, not eating a turkey will feel good, not sad. The sad part now will be that the gatherings I will go to and sponsor will include a dead turkey. I will not be eating it, but it will be dead and on the table. Although I will not eat it and feel strongly about the situation, I can't use the holiday as a soap box for turkey rights. I will, however, make some vegan dishes to share and be thankful for the fact that I have a wonderful family and that I live where I have choices about what I want to eat. I especially thank my daughter who educated me on these issues and my husband for embracing change, and my son and daughter-in-law for being sensitive to my animal-free diet. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembers all the things they have to be thankful for (including the beautiful animals with whom we share this Earth)

Superbowl Menu

This is my SuperBowl menu for a mixed vegan/non-vegan group:
Turkey Subs
Tofurky Subs
Condiment Choices: Cranberry sauce, baby spinach, sliced tomatoes, sliced onion, mayo, mustard
Fruit salad with apple, canteloupe, strawberries, pineapple and banana
Tortilla Chips with guacamole and salsa
Rich chewy vegan brownies with both vegan chocolate chips and cocoa (and of course other vegan ingredients
All attendees raved about the delicious, easy and healthy food. We wanted to watch every minute of the game and the commercials, so wanted the food and drinks to be easy to get and not messy or difficult. I even had the 3-D glasses. That was a great game. I was happy for the Steelers, but was rooting for the underdogs and marveled at some of the great plays by both teams. I spent 4 years in marching band in high school and 1 year in college and never cared about the football game. Many years later - now I love watching it. Maybe next year I'll get out my piccolo and play the 'touchdown' song when my team scores. Unfortunately that may whittle down the attendees for the Superbowl party, eh?

Post Thanksgiving Assessment

First Thanksgiving as a full-fledged vegan. I expected to be more tempted by the turkey and gravy, but that was not the case. I made the stuffing so it had all the usual ingredients like celery, onion, vegan margarine, apples, bread crumbs, herbs but instead of being in the bird, I added vegetable broth for moisture. If I do say so myself (and so did everyone else), it was quite yummy. I also made an apple cranberry pie with a toasted crumb crust that also was popular. I have to admit that I watched longingly as some ate pieces of pecan and pumpkin pie - these are what were tempting. So, we had the usual family good times and squabble time - catching up yet counting the hours until we could go home. I have such mixed feelings about the holidays. Part of me wants to get under the bed, pull the covers over my head, eat junk food and stay home. The responsible side of me usually wins out and we end up traveling somewhere to celebrate holidays since one member of our family is not able to travel. OK here is my poem about family get togethers:

My Thanksgiving Poem (not autobiographical at least mostly)

Who is fat and who lost weight?
Wasn't that a terrible crust made by Kate?
I really wanted that last piece of bread
but now it's gone - typical of Uncle Ted
My sister's kids broke a window again
They cheated at the game so Jim could win
That cousin of mine just sat on her ass
Didn't bring a thing and forgets to pass
My mother's dog chewed up my new shoe
Her boyfriend once again yelled f--k you!
Mona has cancer, Roland has gout
My Dad's boyfriend sits there with a pout.
Getting together is just so much fun
It's a good thing I don't own a gun.
Next year I'm going to stay home
Have popcorn and pizza and suffer alone!