ThanksLiving is a time to celebrate life at Luvin Arms. Robin is one of our newest rescues who arrived at Luvin Arms in October. Robin lost her significant other, and shortly after she lost him, the people she lived with got divorced and Robin was all alone. For anyone who has lost a loved one, you can imagine the pain of not having your best friend next to you. Did you know that turkeys have been observed to display an overwhelming amount of concern and emotion for an injured or dying fellow bird? Karen Davis, from United Poultry Concerns has carried out a number of studies on turkeys. She explains that when a factory-farmed turkey has a convulsive heart attack, it can cause other birds around it to die, and argues that this indicates a strong sensibility in these birds.
Of course, we all can relate to that kind of grief. Imagine losing your spouse, your home, and the only life you know all at the same time, now that is a lot to handle. Robin was lucky enough to find a great foster human family, but Robin had emotional trauma. Robin started plucking her own feathers, and was grieving the many losses in her life.
Robin’s foster mom loved Robin, but knew she needed a forever home and called Luvin Arms. Robin’s foster mom called us in June or July, but we had Sunny and Blueberry in quarantine and couldn’t take Robin until they were well. Sadly enough the day Robin arrived, Starlet – Walter’s best friend died. Walter and Robin will be able to understand each other and the grief that comes with losing someone you love. Love and life continue, and thankfully, the sun comes up despite your pain. And then there is gratitude to be able to live your life another day.
Perhaps this gratitude is felt more deeply because of the loss. There’s appreciation for watermelon in your bowl, for leaves crunching on the ground, for a walk into a new home, and there’s a special thanks in the morning for being with another individual like you..someone that understands your Turkey language. There’s much to celebrate this ThanksLiving.. Life and compassion to all beings! Thank you for your love and support, and helping us to spread Ahimsa- nonviolence to all beings through compassionate choices. It’s the actions that you make each day that create a kinder world.
Here’s my favorite ThanksLiving recipe below. Please be sure to join us live on Facebook at 12pm on Thanksgiving Day 11/26 to watch our turkey residents enjoy some ThanksLiving treats!
Pecan and Mushroom Wellington
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 50 mins | Servings: Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1.2kg mushrooms chopped
- 3 onion finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic crushed
- 3 Tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- 4 1/2 cups pecans activated or lightly toasted
- 3 cups breadcrumbs
- pinch of chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp Tamari
- 6 sheets vegan pastry
Directions:
- Cook the onion and garlic for around 5 minutes
- Add the mushrooms, thyme, chili flakes and tamari and cook for a further few minutes. Then let it cool for 10-15 minutes
- In a food processor, blend the pecans finely. Add the mushroom mixture and blend again. Then add the breadcrumbs and blend until all the ingredients are combined
- Let the pastry thaw a little. Spread half the mixture in the middle of one of the pastry sheets. Cut the pastry in 1cm diagonal strips on either side. Then cross over each other until they are covering the mixture. Alternatively, you can put half the mixture on one edge of the sheet and roll the pastry over it to form a loaf. Then pierce the top with a fork or score with a knife. Top with sesame seeds or poppy seeds if desired
- Bake at 180℃ for 50 minutes. If it browns too much on top while cooking, then cover with foil until ready to come out of the oven
- Serve with your favorite vegetables or salad!
