My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope

I've always been a voracious reader, but life- including 89, blogging, and various electronic devices (including a fitbit!), has recently gotten in the way much more than than I care to let continue.  A short while ago, I was contacted by the publisher about doing a review of My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope by Ellie Laks.  I was anxious to learn all about the sanctuary that I've heard Ellen rave about, but at the time I was in the middle of reading another riveting non-fiction tome and, when I finished, decided to bring a much lighter (physically and in content) read on vacation with me.  Fast forward to it taking me an embarrassingly long month (!) to finish that novel when I suddenly found myself home sick for two days with a snuggling pup and no excuse not to lose myself in a book.

I could have easily finished it on the first day, but I purposefully took a break to let the whole story unwind in my head and absorb in my heart after I was a bit more than midway through; My Gentle Barn was truly a joy to read.  Rather than being made inconsolable by the overwhelming cruelty in the world, you will be touched by Ellie's triumphs; the gravity of the subject matter is presented in a manner that makes you feel hopeful, not hopeless.

My Gentle Barn isn't simply a description of how a sanctuary began: it's a complex journey centered around how one woman's innate need to help animals guided her life's work towards the grand scale with which The Gentle Barn fulfills her mission.  From dogs to "farm animals" to horses, Ellie Laks and her husband Jay have expended almost all of their energy on saving as many animals as possible: providing rehabilitation and sanctuary in even the most dire of circumstances- at one point literally saving their entire, rescued brood from what seems like certain death during a wildfire.

If there's one thing I'm learning as I get older and have the pleasure of meeting more people involved directly in the saving and sanctuary of animals, it's that you have to be fearless and go with your gut.  Ellie has the chutzpah to go with her gut every time and countless animals have had the opportunity to live out their days loved and in peace as a result.

There are many reasons why I don't make a living within the animal rights community- most of which are admitted weaknesses.  But my admiration for those who do has increased monumentally as a result of having read Laks' life's tale.  I could not recommend the book more highly: for animal lovers of any ilk.  It is especially touching how Ellie seamlessly incorporates personalized context for so many issues: for example, in the midst of sharing the story of an individual calf, she matter-of-factly exposes the cruelty of the dairy industry.  This book is not just for vegans, it's for anyone who "loves animals" but hasn't yet made the connection as to what that really means.

And for those people who think that by choosing to stand up for animals you are consciously choosing to turn your back on humans, think again.  Laks' mission has always been to simultaneously help animals and to provide a safe haven for at-risk and special needs youth; it's incredible to read how she manages to do so- by allowing young people to see themselves in another living thing.  I cannot help but to think what a generation armed with the kind of passion Ellie can ignite within could be capable of accomplishing.

Truly a must-read and, for me, The Gentle Barn is now on my list of must-visits.  Get involved!

The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia

I am a voracious reader of fiction, but I rarely read anything that I would wholeheartedly recommend.  While I realize this isn't a novel, I am so impressed by The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood that I have to gush a bit and implore you to check it out.

Basically you look up any fruit, vegetable, grain, or herb that you are interested in and it gives you a bit of history, along with medicinal benefits, usage, types, and tips on how to buy, store, and sometimes prepare.  So cool!

• Did you know that popcorn is a decidedly American snack?  
• Or that you should store a pineapple upside down in your fridge for a few days before cutting?  And that it's juice can soothe a sore throat?  
• Were you aware that pine nuts seasoned with asafetida makes a delicious snack?
• Or that refrigerating potatoes causes some of their starches to turn into sugars?

While I haven't read the encyclopedia in its entirety yet, I promise that I have read beyond the "P"s (basil is a natural mosquito repellent!).  It's hard to resist going from one page to the next once you get started reading.

This book will not only remind you of how healthy it is to be vegan (prepared foods such as donuts and ice cream aren't included), but will also provide you with plenty of useful tips to share with others: vegan or not.  The index is another incredible tool, as you can search by terms such as "burns" and it will point you to the items that serve as natural remedies.

Because it is as interesting as it is a useful source, you will find yourself using this book not only as a food encyclopedia, but also randomly flipping through for informative entertainment.  My only complaint is that there are no photos, but I would imagine that might have caused the price to skyrocket prohibitively.  Definitely check it out; it quickly became a welcome addition to my kitchen and library.