Good Morning Good News! Wednesday, March 26, 2014

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
This Morning: Mostly sunny with temperatures warming rapidly into the mid to upper 30s. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Today: Plenty of sunshine. Cold. High near 40F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Cold. Low 22F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
HIGH: 40 F. LOW: 22 F.
Sunrise: 7:07 AM Moonrise: 4:10 AM
Sunset: 7:30 PM Moonset: 3:09 PM 

Today (Wednesday, March 26, 2014) is MANATEE APPRECIATION DAY!
Here are a few links where you can learn more about manatees:  

Wikipedia - Manatee conservation status    

Manatee Documentary (on Facebook)    

Save the Manatee Club  

 

 

Don't forget your Wednesday 3/26/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

 

 > CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! < 

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.”
~~ J. B. Priestley ~~  

Rikki’s Refuge is the place where magic happens every day! 

TOASTED SESAME NOODLE SALAD

2 packages Toasted Sesame Asian Noodles
3/4 cup shredded carrot
1 cup sugar snap peas
1 red bell pepper julienned
1 cup shredded cabbage
2 tbsp. sesame oil
3 tbsp. soy sauce
Heat noodles in microwave for 30 seconds
Pour noodles into bowl with veggies and stir
Mix sesame oil and soy sauce together in separate bowl
Pour sauce on noodle mixture, toss together, and serve cold

This recipe is courtesy of http://www.tastybite.com/ and was tried by MARIA and it’s AWESOME! Highly recommended by all of us at Rikki’s Refuge! 

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!  

> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! < 

If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960 

 

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NEW PHOTOS FROM RIKKI'S REFUGE FROM TUESDAY 3/25/14 - FEEL FREE TO SHARE!

GORGEOUS PEACOCK IN THE SPRING SNOW! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning Good News! Tuesday, March 25, 2014

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014
Today: Snow during the morning will give way to showers of rain and wet snow during the afternoon. Cold. High around 40F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 2 inches.
Tonight: A shower or two possible early with partly cloudy skies later at night. Low 24F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Sunrise: 7:08 AM Moonrise 3:24 AM
Sunset: 7:29 PM Moonset: 2:01 PM 

Don't forget your Tuesday 3/25/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! < 

 VEGAN PAD THAI

1 cup water, plus more for soaking the noodles
1 10-oz. package rice noodles or ramen-style noodles
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 12-oz. package extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into chunks
4 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
Juice of 2 limes
3 Tbsp. sugar
Sriracha, to taste
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Chopped peanuts, for garnish (optional)
Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with water & heat in the microwave until boiling. Carefully submerge the rice noodles in the water & let soak for about 15 minutes. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat & add the garlic cloves & tofu chunks. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce over the tofu & sauté until golden brown. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, sugar, Sriracha, remaining soy sauce & 1 cup of water. Add the soaked noodles & peanut butter mixture to the tofu & cook through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions & chopped peanuts & serve right away. Enjoy! 

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
~~ Mahatma Gandhi ~~ 

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!  

> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! <
If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960 

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PHOTOS FROM RIKKI'S TAKEN MONDAY 3/24/14

CINDY FEEDING BREAD TO THE EMUS!

HAPPY PIG! OINK OINK!

HARVEY ON A STROLL!

Good Morning Good News! Monday, March 24, 2014

Good Monday Morning to you! 

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014
THIS MORNING: Sunny with temperatures warming into the mid to upper 30s. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
TODAY: A good deal of sunshine. High 46F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few snow showers after midnight. Low 29F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 30%.
Sunrise: 7:10 AM Moonrise: 2:33 AM
Sunset: 7:28 PM Moonset: 12:55 PM 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA FELTS!
Long time volunteer at Rikki's Refuge, tireless animal advocate and the heart and soul behind Rikki's Refuge Re-Tail. We wish you the happiest of birthdays today! Thank you for all you do! 

We missed yesterday's BLOG, so today we will share two recipes and two critter wisdoms with you today! 

PINEAPPLE SORBET
( Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, No Added Sugar!)
1 Can of Unsweetened Pineapple (or fresh equivalent)
Coconut Milk (optional)
Fresh Frozen Fruit of your choice (optional)
A few hours (or days) beforehand, open the can of pineapple and pour it, juice and all, into a freezer-safe container; a large, flat one works best. When it’s frozen hard, remove it from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes. Use a table knife to break the block of pineapple into several large chunks; then put it into the food processor. (If your processor is small, you’ll have to do this in more than one batch.) Process the pineapple, stopping often to push the chunks under the blades, until it is a smooth, creamy consistency. This will take a few minutes, and you may have to be patient as the friction of the blades heats the pineapple slightly, allowing it to blend smoothly. Serve immediately. If you have leftovers, return them to the freezer and re-process briefly before serving later. If you like it creamier, try adding coconut milk. You can also substitute half of the pineapple with frozen mangos, bananas, peaches, or berries if you want. 

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone."
~~ Ronald Reagan ~~ 

VEGAN MAC AND NO CHEESE

1 (8 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup cashews
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 1/3 cups water
salt to taste
1/3 cup canola oil
4 ounces roasted red peppers, drained
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Transfer to a medium baking dish. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until tender and lightly browned. Gently mix with the macaroni. In a blender or food processor, mix cashews, lemon juice, water, and salt. Gradually blend in canola oil, roasted red peppers, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend until smooth. Thoroughly mix with the macaroni and onions. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. 

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
~~ Khalil Gibran ~~ 

 

Rikki’s Refuge needs ORANGES for the guinea pigs! Donations may be dropped off at the Rikki’s Refuge Education Center on Saturdays Noon-2:00 PM or at the Rikki’s Refuge Re-Tail Store in Fredericksburg during regular business hours.
RIKKI'S REFUGE
Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc.
10910 Barr Lane
Rapidan, VA. 22733
(540)-854-0870
mail@rikkisrefuge.org
www.rikkisrefuge.org
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate 

Possible T-Shirt design (below)? What do you think? 

Don't forget your Monday 3/24/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

> CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! < 

 Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!  

> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! <

If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960 

***NEW PHOTOS FROM RIKKI'S REFUGE OVER THE WEEKEND! ENJOY!***  

 

 

Good Morning Good News! Saturday, March 22, 2014 - Guinea Fowl, a Pheasant and a Chukar

Good morning and Happy Saturday from Rikki's Refuge! 

Today we're going to share about our guinea fowl, pheasant and chukar! We have about 70 or so guinea fowl here, along with one Pheasant named Phil and one Chukar named Chuck.

 GUINEA FOWL AT RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

These beautiful birds are very loud. They're called watchdogs because when they see something unusual they all stand tall and SCREAM .... and it's one heck of a racket they make !!!!

Their noise is what often brings them to Rikki's Refuge. People want the birds, they've heard of their wonderful tick eating abilities (yes, for real, they are a huge help in controlling the tick population) and they are pretty. They don't know how noisy till they try them out. Daytime, nighttime, Saturday's too .... they'll stand up and SCREAM if a predator comes anywhere near ... like within a mile or something .... a car comes down the driveway, a dog in the distance barks ..... or anything that may startle them.
One bird stands up and SCREAMS .... and the entire flock follows along ... never stopping to ask, Exactly WHAT are we screaming for? It's "protect the flock" first .... ask questions later.
The guinea fowl are the peace keepers at Rikki's. They cannot stand to see anyone fight anyone. They've flown into the faces of dogs fighting, screaming and flapping wings .... and the dogs stop right there. Cat fight ... or even a rough tussel that the Guineas think is getting out of hand ... the flock descends on the perpetrators screaming and all cats go running for cover.
When the hens get sick and tired of Leghorn Foghorn and he's after them again, the guineas scream and fly in to the rescue.
The most compassionate think I think I ever saw the Guineas do was save a song bird. A cat had caught somebody, which is highly against our rules, and cats who have a high hunting instinct are not allowed free range. The cat had just jumped and caught a poor songbird and looked rather shocked himself. Other cats came running, hoping to share. The flock of Guineas descended screaming and surrounded the cats, beating with their wings and screaming until the cat dropped the bird and took off.
Then the Guineas quieted and circled the songbird. They sat down and waited. The bird was very frightened, and I'm sure hurting, though I pray there were no serious injuries. For several minutes the bird sat there, then preened a little, then flew away. The Guineas kept that protective circle around the bird till he went off.
Seeing them so protective of a distant cousin really warmed my heart and made me realize that the compassion they have rivals our own. Perhaps we should all be bird brains !!! 

PHIL THE PHEASANT AT RIKKI'S REFUGE!

Phil Pheasant has spent his entire life at Rikki's Refuge. Pheasants are not native to Virginia. They are a favored species to hunt with dogs. Many have been released here - Virginia, not Rikki's Refuge - to add to the "sport" of hunting them. When startled in a grassy patch, they fly, quickly spreading their wings, and some people have a thrill watching their dogs flush them out so they can shoot this beautiful bird dead.
Well, once upon a time, many long years ago, we'd just gotten in a bunch of baby chickens. They'd been abandoned and were dying, and we were called to see if we'd rescue them. We did. Over 600 of them. Sadly many were already dead, others were dying. We worked around the clock hydrating them, getting some food in them, and about 400 survived.
Well that's a lot of chickens. And that means a lot of chicken food. We had a few adult chickens at the time, and a few of those hens took over watching the brood.
That's when a mama pheasant - who lived in the wild - came along and decided this might be a pretty good and safe place to raise her new family. And so she nested in Chicken City and laid her eggs.
She raised her brood right alongside the chickens. Phil was always a bit different .... he preferred to play with chickens instead of his own kind.
Yes, birds play. Folks are often amazed to find out that birds each have their own personality, they play, they love, they have special friends, they argue .... just like all the rest of us. Most people don't know about their personalities cuz they know the birds ... they just see them as a group pecking away or flying overhead .... but yes, birds do have distinct personalities.
And so Phil spent more time with the chickens than the pheasants. Though sharing the same area, the rest of the pheasants kept pretty much to themselves. Mom Pheasant would sometimes go over and pull Phil back to the pheasant nest .... but soon you'd see him back tucked under a loving hen.
As they grew, it became time to learn to fly .... all but Phil ... he never too much to that. Up to the top of a fence ... but that was it. Like a chicken ... not a pheasant !! Eventually his mom and feathersibs flew off .... At first mom would come back and poke at Phil to get a move on and go with her .... They'd have a conversation, but Phil would stay with the chickens. As the days wore on .... mom came back to visit less and less often.
Phil was one of the chicken flock.
Pheasants are smaller than chickens. Longer tails, but smaller bodies. Maybe it's the longer tail feathers .... or maybe he flaps to his own drummer .... Phil grew up to like roosters instead of hens. At Rikki's we don't mind who or what you like, as long as everybody is happy and nobody is hurt. Where there's love .... well there's love and that's all that matters. We've had Peacock and Goat couples, Cat and Dog couples, Pigeon and Guinea Pig couples ..... if they don't see a difference or any reason not to love each other .... who are we to get in their way ?
As Phil grew up and matured, his mind began to turn to other things .... as it frequently does with teenage boys. Now I know you're wondering why he wasn't neutered. Rikki's neuteres EVERYBODY .... don't they?
Neutering a bird is very difficult, all the parts are internal in both sexes, and they have a very high blood flow. A rooster has three times the blood flow to his tests which are located internally right above the adrenal gland ..... than to his brain. So now you see why they have one thing on their mind !!!
Anesthesia is difficult on birds, neutering causes a great blood loss, and about 1/3 of them die during such a surgery. Though all surgery caries risks, 33% mortality is just too high when there are other methods to manage the reproduction issues. Egg management is very easy. Many of our hounds help out .... you ever heard of an egg suckin hound? Well we've got 'em !!! And the skunks come at night to eat the eggs the dogs leave behind.
No, nobody hurts the hens. Hens these days have been breed to be lousy mothers. The lay their eggs .... and walk away .... Fewer than 1 in ten hens will have any maternal instinct towards a baby chick. Those who do are absolute fierce in protecting their young.
And so back to the story of Phil...

Phil became very attracted to Leghorn Foghorn a giant white rooster. Chief rooster of Chicken City. Nobody but nobody crossed Leghorn Foghorn. Now he loved the attention of the chicks, and loved warding off the other guys from HIS women ..... but he didn't love the attention Phil lavished upon him.
Phil became rather aggressive with his attentions (I'll spare you the x rated details) towards Leghorn Foghorn ...... and got beat up pretty badly.
Phil was in the hospital for a couple weeks recovering. Assuming he'd learned his lesson to leave Leghorn Foghorn alone .... Phil went back to Chicken City ....
But Phil's lust for Leghorn Foghorn was just too great. We broke up several scrapples. And then there was a huge fight and Phil ended up with a broken leg. Now he had a long hospital stay and he ended up with a limp.
When he was able to go outside, we let him go to Rabbit Rotunda for the last of his convalescence to keep him away from Leghorn Foghorn. Well Leghorn Foghorn marched right up to Rabbit Rotunda and screamed at Phil thru the fence. Phil screamed back. They jumped and flailed at each other thru the fence. Luckily saved by the fence.
To this day, Phil still lives in Rabbit Rotunda where he has a few hen friends who hate roosters, pigeons, rabbits and guinea pigs !!

CHUCK THE CHUKAR AT RIKKI'S REFUGE!
Chuck the Chukar -- chukars are often used as training bait for hunting dogs. They are slower than some others and so easier to catch. Some are relatively uninjured and "reusable". Many die. Some are seriously injured. Chuck and his wife were two that were seriously injured.
That day at the training grounds there was a compassionate person who was pretty upset about the whole thing. She was able to convince the owners to let her take Chuck and his wife to a rehabber. Only thing was .... Todd was a pigeon rehabber. But a very kind and generous man. Who said, "well, these poor chukars need help. Then help they will get." They healed and thrived under his loving care. He did not feel they were able to be released into the wild. They had little chance of surviving in the city ... or the country. Different hazards. Having been captive all their lives, their "make it in the big jungle out there" skills were sorely lacking.
They lived happily amongst Todd's rehabbed pigeons for quite some time. When Chuck's wife passed away, Chuck was grieving. He seemed to want to get outside. Maybe discover the wild. But it was far too dangerous. And so he came to Rikki's Refuge to see if Rabbit Rotunda, which is built like a big aviary, would cheer him up.
And it did !!!! And he became our Chukar in a Cherry Tree !!

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FACTS ABOUT GUINEA FOWL, PHEASANTS AND CHUKARS!

(From WIKIPEDIA!)

1. The guinea fowl (/ˈɡɪnifaʊl/; sometimes called guineahen) are a family of birds in the Galliformes order, although some authorities (for example the American Ornithologists' Union) include the guineafowl as a subfamily, Numidinae, of the family Phasianidae. The guineafowl are native to Africa, but the Helmeted Guineafowl has been domesticated, and both feral and wild-type birds have been introduced elsewhere. 

2. Pheasants refer to several genera within the subfamily Phasianinae, of the family Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have longer tails. Males play a part in rearing the young. Pheasants typically eat seeds and some insects.The best-known is the Common Pheasant, which is widespread throughout the world in introduced feral populations and in farm operations. Various other pheasant species are popular in aviaries, such as the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus). 

3. The Chukar Partridge or Chukar (Alectoris chukar) is a Eurasian upland gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It has been considered to form a superspecies complex along with the Rock Partridge, Philby's Partridge and Przevalski's Partridge and treated in the past as conspecific particularly with the first. This partridge has well marked black and white bars on the flanks and a black band running from the forehead across the eye and running down the head to form a necklace that encloses a white throat. The species has been introduced into many other places and feral populations have established themselves in parts of North America and New Zealand. 


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OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
HAPPY CATURDAY FROM RIKKI’S REFUGE!
This morning will be cloudy with temperatures warming rapidly into the low to middle 60s. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. By this afternoon the high will be 71 F. cloudy, winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20%. Tonight we’ll have a few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 38F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 10%.
Sunrise: 7:13 AM Moonrise: 12:39 AM
Sunset: 7:26 PM Moonset: 10:58 AM 

 Don't forget your Saturday 3/22/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

 > CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! < 

 EASY SPICY BEAN SALSA

(Serve with tortilla chips!)
1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas or garbanzo beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green or yellow bell pepper
1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers
(you can use chopped fresh jalapenos instead, as many as you prefer!)
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
(you can use chopped fresh tomatoes instead! about 2 cups)
1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
Red Pepper Flakes to taste for “heat” (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian-style salad dressing and garlic; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. 

(WE REALLY NEED ORANGES, WET CAT FOOD AND PAPER TOWELS TODAY! PLEASE SHARE THIS FOR US!)
DONATION DROP-OFF EVERY SATURDAY AT RIKKI'S REFUGE 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Rikki's Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733
***For this Saturday (March 22, 2014) Rikki's Refuge really needs CANNED CAT FOOD, ORANGES AND PAPER TOWELS!***
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! 

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
~~ Winston Churchill ~~  

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!  

 > CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE! <
If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to: 

Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357 
Orange, VA. 22960

Good Morning Good News! Friday, March 21, 2014

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014
My weather report is late late LATE today! Why was it late? Because it was so nice outside, that I started playing and walking around, and kind of forgot about it! SORRY! MEOW! I’d like to report that today’s high just after 5:00 PM was 67 F. and it was partly cloudy, but that’s OK. It was nice and warm today. Tonight will be partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 10% chance of rain.
Sunrise: 7:14 AM Moonset: 10:08 AM
Sunset: 7:25 PM Moonrise: - - - - - - 

Don't forget your Friday 3/21/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 

 CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RIKKI'S REFUGE! 

 TOFU SPINACH QUICHE

1 pie crust, store-bought or your favorite recipe
3 T olive oil
1/3 c. onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 c. broccoli, roughly chopped
3/4 c. mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. firm or extra-firm tofu (not silken), pressed
1/2 block soy cheddar
1/2 c. nutritional yeast
2 T water
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 t. dried basil
1/4 t. cayenne (optional)
1 c. fresh spinach, not packed down
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large pan, saute the onion, broccoli, mushrooms, and garlic in the olive oil, covered, for about 8 minutes. Don't let the broccoli get too tender, because it will continue cooking in the oven. In a food processor, combine the tofu, soy cheddar, nutritional yeast, water, salt, pepper, and basil. Blend well and pour the tofu mixture into the pan of vegetables. Remove from stove and stir in the fresh spinach.
Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake about 30 minutes. Remove from oven when the center is done. Allow it to set for five minutes or so to firm up. 

 (WE REALLY NEED ORANGES, WET CAT FOOD AND PAPER TOWELS TOMORROW! PLEASE SHARE THIS FOR US!)
DONATION DROP-OFF EVERY SATURDAY AT RIKKI'S REFUGE 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Rikki's Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733
***For this Saturday (March 22, 2014) Rikki's Refuge really needs CANNED CAT FOOD, ORANGES AND PAPER TOWELS!***
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! 

A cat as black
As blackest coal
Is out upon
His midnight stroll,
His steps are soft,
His walk is slow,
His eyes are gold,
They flash and glow.
And so he runs
And so he ducks,
Leaving behind
His black-cat luck.
~~ M.R.A. ~~ 

One of our refuge kitties enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures today!

Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU! 

> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE <

 If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to: 

Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357 Orange, VA. 22960

Good Morning Good News! Thursday, March 20, 2014

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014
This morning it’s in the upper 30’s with partly cloudy skies. Areas of patchy fog. But today I bring good news! A bit later on today it will be mostly sunny with temperatures warming rapidly into the mid to upper 50s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. WARMER! NO RAIN! HOORAY! It’s still going to be a chilly night so don’t take those flannel sheets off the bed just yet! This evening clear to partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunrise: 7:16 AM Moonset: 9:24 AM
Sunset: 7:24 PM Moonrise: 11:39 PM 

Don't forget your Thursday 3/20/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448

 Walnut Bread Muffins
(Vegan/Dairy Free/Gluten Free Recipe!)

2 ripe mashed bananas
1/2 cup warm almond milk + 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup vegan cane sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup soy free buttery spread, melted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups gluten free flour
1 tbsp. milled flax
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/3 cup walnut pieces
Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a glass mixing bowl, mash your very ripe bananas. Add to the bananas, rice milk, vinegar, cane sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract & cinnamon. Cream this mixture together well.
Next, in a separate mixing bowl, mix together the flour, milled flax, baking powder, guar gum & sea salt. Add your flour mix, carefully to your creamed banana mixture & mix it all in well. If it appears not moist enough, add a tbsp more of rice milk or so. Moisture is a good thing! After creating a batter, lightly oil a six-sectioned silicon muffin pan & evenly distribute muffin batter between the six sections of the pan. Next, add your walnut pieces to the top & place in the oven to bake 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
Test with a toothpick in the center, to indicate readiness. 

DONATION DROP-OFF EVERY SATURDAY AT RIKKI'S REFUGE 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Rikki's Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733
***For this Saturday (March 22, 2014) Rikki's Refuge really needs CANNED CAT FOOD, ORANGES AND PAPER TOWELS!***
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! 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!!!
"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."
~~ Harriet Ann Jacobs ~~  

Meet pretty Caitlyn who is comfortably lounging on the hood of Amy's truck this morning! 

  

We're sooo happy for Spring!!