“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.”

~~ Benjamin Disraeli ~~

POWER COOKIES

4 cups rolled oats
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped prunes or dried cranberries or dried cherries (or a combo of all 3)
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Grind the oats in a blender until resembling coarse flour. Puree beans and applesauce together. In a medium bowl, combine the ground oats, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; blend into the bean/applesauce mixture. Stir in the prunes, coconut, raisins and walnuts. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

This week’s (7/27/14 – 8/2/14) Staff/Volunteer of the Week for Rikki’s Refuge is RON HERFURTH! Thank you Ron, for everything you do! We appreciate you!  🙂

Ron, Rikki’s Director of Serving Cats, simply came on a tour many many years ago. And he fell in love. With a beautiful long hair calico. He came back the next weekend to inquire about adoption. Discovering he was a fabulous Crazy Cat Man, he was approved and Cassey went to her “furrever” home. And the next weekend Ron came back … and started helping to build new and improved Cat Houses. He’s been coming back just about every weekend since and has really made Feline Fields an outstanding place. He’s now building Opie and Timmy and Sylvestra a playground of their very own! Ron was the architect and builder of Vincent’s Tree House.

Did you know that you can help Rikki’s Refuge every time you make a purchase on Amazon? Sign up for free for AmazonSmile at http://smile.amazon.com/ and search for us there as “LIFE UNLIMITED OF VIRGINIA INC”. Choose us as your charity. For every purchase you make afterward, a donation will be sent to Rikki’s!

1. Rikki’s on the Web:
https://www.rikkisrefuge.org/
2. Rikki’s on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RikkisRefuge
3. Rikki’s on Twitter:
@RikkisRefuge https://www.twitter.com/rikkisrefuge
4. Rikki’s Blog:
http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/
5. Rikki’s on Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/RikkisRefuge/
6. Rikki’s on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/sets/
7. To make a donation to Rikki’s:
https://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate

Rikki’s Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 400 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals. The refuge is home to over 1200 animals of over 20 different species, including but not limited to cats, dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, emus, chickens, ducks, geese, a chukar, peacocks, and more. It is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc. an approved not-for profit Virginia Corporation and IRS tax code 501(c)(3) corporation as determined by the IRS. Federal Tax-ID number 54-1911042. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

*** COME JOIN US THIS SUNDAY 7/27/14 ***
2nd and 4th Sundays of every month! (at 7:00 PM)
COME JOIN US! (Classes are FREE! Donations appreciated!)
Rikki’s Refuge meditation/spiritual development/self-improvement classes!
*** POTLUCK *** Bring a vegan or vegetarian dish to share!
Rikki’s Refuge Educational Center
21420 Constitution Highway
Rapidan, Virginia 22733
www.rikkisrefuge.org
LEARNING IS FUN!
*Plenty of parking!
*Nice kitchen!
*Climate-controlled facility!

RIKKI’S REFUGE
Donation Drop-Off Every Saturday NOON-2:00 PM
Rikki’s Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733

WHAT WE NEED THIS WEEK:
Dry/Wet DOG FOOD, Dry/Wet CAT FOOD, Fresh Produce, Paper Towels, Large Heavy Duty Trash Bags
You may also leave donations for Rikki’s Refuge at Re-Tail in Fredericksburg any time during normal business hours, if this is more convenient for you!

To make a donation to Rikki’s:

https://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate

Rikki’s Amazon Wish List:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/LI8PP4S40XZD/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o?

We really need your DAILY votes in the Animal Rescue Site SHELTER CHALLENGE! You could help us win a much needed grant to help the animals! Please vote! Please share on every social media venue you can: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Sharing helps us!

Please VOTE & SHARE for RIKKI’S REFUGE in the Animal Rescue Site SHELTER CHALLENGE every day! Thank you!

Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 diced onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup diced carrots
2 stalks diced celery
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Salt & Pepper
1 bay leaf
1 quart vegetable stock

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium size pot.
Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the cauliflower florets and saute for 5 minutes. Add the bay leaf, salt, pepper, and vegetable stock.
Cook for 15 minutes or until cauliflower is completely soft. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender in batches) blend the soup. Pour into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped herbs of your choice and/or roasted pine nuts. Serve with a good crusty bread and this makes a wonderful meal!

POSITIVITY PLEDGE

I shall no longer allow negative thoughts or feelings to drain me of my energy. Instead I shall focus on all the good that is in my life. I will think it, feel it and speak it. By doing so I will send out vibes of positive energy into the world and I shall be grateful for all the wonderful things it will attract into my life.