The Walk for Farm Animals Recap

The Orlando Walk for Farm Animals, organized to raise awareness and funds to end factory farming, was a success despite the soggy conditions.  The turnout was small, about 75 in all, but we walked our route, carried our signs, and tried to inspire others to care about the plight of farm animals in factory farms. Similar walks were held all over the country this weekend.

I have never participated in an event to raise awareness for an issue like this, so it was a very interesting experience.  I feel very strongly that factory farming is not healthy for the animals, for those eating the animals or for our environment. So I signed up for the walk and encouraged others to walk too or donate to  Farm Sanctuary if they could.

Me and some team members.

We got a small team together and showed our support. We walked a two mile loop around the cultural center of downtown Orlando.  It had been pouring all morning, but luckily the skies cleared just as we started.

We passed this beautiful live oak tree.

We were led by a local guy who was very passionate about this cause.  He had us stop on all four corners of our loop to smile, wave and show our signs to the cars passing by.  This was the part that felt uncomfortable for me. Our leader was carrying a megaphone and had painted his hair green for this event. He had us stand there for too long a time and he was yelling things about liking animals and saving the animals and other stuff, but it was all garbled together.  He looked fanatical and was yelling and I don't think people like fanatics.  At least I don't.

I prefer a more subtle approach to changing people's minds and influencing their beliefs.  I know his intentions were good, I just hope he didn't turn people off with his hair and yelling.

Despite the corner loitering, it was a nice walk and we did get a lot of positive response from passerby's.

Next time a group is out supporting their cause I will definitely give a honk or a wave if I agree.  Those little gestures made us all cheer and smile.

At the end of the walk we were treated with cupcakes, brownies, water, apples, bananas and bagels from local businesses.  In addition, there was music and a vegan hot dog vendor.

To thank my team members for their support I decided to put together a goody box for them.  I found a farm themed box at Party City and went to work baking the night before the walk.

I filled it with a pumpkin-carrot cupcake, a peanut butter oreo blondie and a salted caramel square.  All new recipes I found on Tasty Kitchen.  (I liked the cupcake the best.)

It was a good morning and I'm glad I went. I got a chance to raise money and awareness for a cause I believe in and that feels good. Plus I got to keep the awesome posters of the cute farm animals!

I left feeling very hungry because I was not brave enough to try a vegan hotdog and the food just wasn't what I wanted. I ended up stopping by Jason's Deli for a  portobello mushroom panini. It was excellent!

Have you ever eaten a vegan hotdog?

Warning: Contents May Be Addictive

The Ultimate Fall Snack

Nothing says October like candy corn! But you may not know that candy corn is a superstar when it is paired with dry roasted peanuts. It's that salty sweet thing.

  Not only is it delicious, it is simple to make.

All you need is a jar of dry roasted peanuts and a bag of candy corn.

Pour the candy corn into a bowl (I used a 12oz bag)

Pour in some peanuts. (I used about 8 oz)

Mix and enjoy!

Now go make the world a happier place by making your own batch!

WARNING:

This is one of those snacks that keeps calling you back.  It can become addictive!

What food do you look forward to each fall?

I signed up for Run to the Finish Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge and you want to too!

Six Mile Run and Perfect Weather

Ahhh.  Finally Florida is getting a taste of fall! 

I know for most of you fall weather may be nothing new, but until two days ago it has continued to feel like summer here. The great weather will only last a few days, but I plan to enjoy every minute of it!  


I started this morning's long run around 9:00am, very late for me as I usually hit the road around 5am, BUT because it wasn't a broilfest today I could actually sleep in, take my time getting ready and head out for my run a little later. 


The skies were partly cloudy, there was a light breeze and the temperature was 60 degrees.
I took a little extra time trying to decide what I would wear. Usually it's a no brainer: shorts and a  tank, but the cooler temps made me think twice about what to put on.  


Because the cool days are few and far between, I never remember how many clothes I need for what temperature.  I decided to go with shorts and a short sleeve shirt and was a little chilly at the start.  You may be chuckling at being chilly at 60 degrees.  This is what living in Florida has done to me.  Its made me a wimp for any weather under 70 degrees.  

I am running a 15K in Chicago in two weeks and after running 8 and 9 miles the last two weekends, I decided to run 6 today.  I felt so energized and not bogged down by hot humid air. I did warm up, but not to the point of being a soaking wet sweat ball which is the usual result. Really the fact that is hot here most of  the time is my biggest gripe about living here!

Running felt easier, less taxing on my legs and lungs and I still had energy when I was done.  I can't get over what a difference a few degrees make.   I could get used to this!


Today was a perfect day for a run!


If you'd like to support me in my Walk For Farm Animals and enter to win the giveaway, click HERE.

What conditions do like when running?

Walk for Animals - Giveaway

Here's your chance to support a worthy cause and enter for a chance to win something for yourself!


On October 29th I am excited to be participating in the Walk For Farm Animals in Orlando. This is an annual event held all over the country to celebrate and promote compassion for factory farm animals and to raise money to support Farm Sanctuary's life saving rescue, education and advocacy work.  I believe that compassion is something we could use more of in this world! 


Farm Sanctuary works to protect farm animals from cruelty and inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals.  Your donation will help promote kindness toward animals that cannot speak for themselves and to make a difference in their lives. 


Meet Georgia:

Georgia was rescued from a “cage-free” egg farm in 2010. Found with leg bands painfully embedded in her skin and a type of tumor normally fatal to hens, Georgia would not have survived for much longer. She underwent surgery that saved her life. This tough hen made it through her trials and was welcomed home to our California Shelter. She now enjoys normal chicken activities, such as dust bathing and dirt scratching, which were previously denied to her. Though still plagued by a limp from the too-tight bands, Georgia enjoys her life in sunny California! (via)

Regardless of our dietary choices, I think we can agree that all animals have a right to live a life free of unnecessary suffering.  


If you want to support the animals, make a donation HERE.   
No donation is too small.  


GIVEAWAY


To thank you for helping the animals. I am giving away one dozen farm animal sugar cookies baked by TS Cookies. 

These adorable cookies  could be yours!

For every dollar you donate, you earn one entry in the giveaway to win the farm animal sugar cookies. For example:  $1 donation = 1 entry  $5 donation = 5 entries. The more you donate, the more chances you have to win!


HOW TO ENTER:
1. Go here and click on the SUPPORT ME button.
2. Complete the donation form. Be sure to include your email address on the form.
3. Once you have made your donation, come back here and leave a comment letting me know you donated.  Be sure to include your email address so I can match you up with your donation and give you the correct number of entries.


The giveaway will end Friday, October 28 at midnight.  After the walk on Saturday, I will announce the winner.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much for all of your support!

High School Reunion

Me in 7th grade

Last weekend I was at a high school reunion for a school I didn't even graduate from!  I went to this school from 4th-9th grade and made some of the best friends I have.  Our school was small with one class per grade level K-12.   There were only 31 kids in the graduating class.  I didn't get a chance to finish school there because my parents got divorced and my Mom wanted to get as far away from my father as possible so we moved out of state. 

Most of my friends graduated from there, so when our 30th reunion was coming up, we all decided to get together.  I did feel I bit like a reunion crasher, but knew I would know most of the people attending.  I am so glad I went - it was a blast!

Jamie Lee Curtis and me.

Friday night started with a cocktail reception with alums from all classes.  So here in a room full of people that I have not seen in 30+ years I am doing my best to see who I can recognize.  I was hoping the name tags would help, but the font was so small I had to be up close to read it.  That made it hard to be graceful if I ended up thinking they were someone they weren't. Actually I thought most people looked like I remembered.  How can that be? Do we all look like we did in 9th grade to some degree? (Okay, that's not really Jamie Lee, I just think my friend looks like her.)

I'm the second from the right in the purple shirt.

Saturday started with a 5K run around the campus.  I ran with my sister in law and we trudged through the wet, grassy, cross country trail.  That was much tougher than running on pavement.

In our day, we starred on an awesome field hockey team so later that day we played in the alumni game.  Due to a scheduling issue, the varsity team wasn't available, so we recruited some boys to play against us.  That was probably better for our egos, because we ended up calling the game after we were up 3-2.  

I had a fabulous time reconnecting with my old classmates.  It brought back great memories and made think what my life might have been like if I had stayed and graduated. Not that I wish for something different, but it was interesting to think how all the decisions we make along the way make us into the person we are today.

  

Have you every been to your high school reunion?