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A Day in the Life of a Vegan and Passionate Activist

August 17, 2012

Debby Rubenstein and friends

Meet Debby Rubenstein, the Founder & President of two non-profit organizations: Wagner Farm Rescue Fund and its sister organization, Have A Heart Farm.

Wagner Farm Rescue Fund works to protect all animals associated with the Glenview (IL) Park District’s Wagner Farm.* In the past 10 years, we have rescued and transported 13 cattle, 65 chickens, 2 geese and 2 big farm pigs to life-long sanctuary. These animals would have otherwise been sent to immediate or eventual slaughter. We also address daily welfare issues at Wagner Farm as necessary and are working to address welfare issues connected with their 4H program.

Have A Heart Farm is working on establishing our own multi-species animal rescue/community service sanctuary for domestic animals, farm animals and wildlife with a focus on hard-to-place animals. We’re also working with other rescuers to establish a smaller satellite location as an interim location to move animals who need immediate, emergency relocation. These animals would then be fostered, adopted or moved on to our larger sanctuary. We also work in conjunction with other no-kill rescue sanctuaries.

Where do you live? Glenview, IL

How long have you been vegan? I will just say “for a long time”.

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7 Easy Being Vegan Tips

January 23, 2012

Another 2012 Vision Board Snapshot

Today I present seven more tips from my Facebook page. Shout it from your rooftop, tell everyone you know — It’s Easy Being Vegan! Or, just spread the word. It’s going to take an army to change the world. Be a part of it!

Tip #15: Make B12 Your BFF.

Take B12 regularly, either from a supplement or fortified foods.

Tip #16: Be pleased with yourself for going vegan –No matter what anyone says.

Becoming vegan isn’t just about what you eat. It’s about how you live, how you think, what you wear and what you eat. It’s a lifestyle that supports compassion and health. Be proud of yourself (yet humble). It’s something to feel good about.

“One day the absurdity of the almost universal human belief in the slavery of other animals will be palpable. We shall then have discovered our souls and become worthier of sharing this planet with them.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. (Thanks, Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, for posting this quote on your Facebook page last week.)

Tip #17: That can’t be vegan!

Oh, yes, it can. Check out PETA’s “accidentally vegan” page online. Some foods may surprise you.

Tip #18: Check out the magazine for vegans.

Pick up a copy or subscribe to VegNews to learn about all-things vegan. It’s the pop-culture magazine for vegans.

Tip #19: Visit a farm animal sanctuary.

It’s fun to get up close to the animals we actively avoid eating. There are animal sanctuaries all over the world. In the US, check out this directory to find one near you.

Tip #20: Just say NO to animal testing.

Explore the Leaping Bunny website and learn which companies do and don’t test their products on animals. Check the database to see if your favorite products are tested on animal. Commit to buying only cruelty-free cosmetics and household products.

Tip #21: Give up perfection.

Do the best you can. When you do your best, you will feel great. On the other hand, don’t beat yourself up when you accidentally eat something not vegan. Just last night I confirmed myself a “dizzy blond.” I found a jar of chicken bouillon in the fridge. I bought it months ago thinking it was “chicken-flavored” vegetarian bouillon. When things like this happen (and they will), laugh it off, vow to read labels more carefully and move on. This isn’t the first time.

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Eatin’ Vegan on Thanksgiving

October 12, 2011

Thanksgiving 2008

It’s easy being vegan ’cause you can eat Tofurky on Thanksgiving.

Vegans are creative folks and, of course, you have options beyond Tofurky. I like Field Roast’s Celebration Roast as an alternative. But most Thanksgivings, I haven’t had a turkey substitute.

Vegan Thanksgiving at my friend’s house involves delicious home-cooked food. It’s that simple. Do we miss the turkey? Absolutely not. Does everyone enjoy the vegan dinner? Absolutely! Are there omnivores at the table? Yes, yes, there are. Give it a try this year, and remember, Thanksgiving is about being thankful and not a turkey.

If you’re able, consider sponsoring a turkey this holiday season from a farm sanctuary including my personal favorites SASHA Farm or Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Turkey, not Thanksgiving dinner.

This proud turkey lives at SASHA Farm. Visiting a farm animal sanctuary is a real treat. Take a day to volunteer and you will get up close and personal with the animals. Animals are cool. Help them.

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The presidential race and animals

January 13, 2008

Do you know where your favorite presidential candidate stands on animal issues? Farm Sanctuary has made it easy for you to find out: Click here for more information. Then, don’t forget to vote.

In Illinois, February 5 is the official date of the primary election. To skip long lines in Chicago, vote early beginning January 14 through January 31. Click here for locations and hours.

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Enjoy a Cup o’ Joe and Help Animals

January 3, 2008

Have A Heart Farm, in conjunction with Wagner Farm Rescue Fund, is now selling it’s own line of packaged fair trade coffee. Proceeds are going towards establishing an animal rescue sanctuary. (See below for more information.) This new coffee is called “Bart’s Blend” in honor and memory of WFRF’s first rescue, Bart, the bull.

To purchase the coffee online or in person, visit Ethical Planet in Evanston. For more information, please contact HAHF at HaveAHeartFarm@aol.com.

bart0001.jpg

Bart, the bull

Wagner Farm Rescue Fund (WFRF) was founded in 2002 from a need to locate sanctuaries or other humane alternatives for the animals that the Glenview (IL) Park District no longer wants for its programs at Wagner Farm. WFRF welcomes support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to maintain its ongoing effort to encourage and promote humane treatment, good living conditions, finest available medical care, sanctuary placement, transportation and lifetime care for Wagner Farm animals.

Have A Heart Farm (HAHF), the sister organization of WFRF, was founded in 2006 from a need to establish a permanent, humane placement site for the unwanted animals from Wagner Farm. It is also the mission of HAHF to be a permanent placement site for other farm and non-farm animals. Additional plans for the Have A Heart Farm sanctuary include an education center on animal welfare and environmental issues, as well as an organic crop farm. Targeted area for location is southern Wisconsin.

Both WFRF and HAHF are 501 C 3 non-profit organizations. For more information about the rescue fund and/or farm, contact:

Debby Rubenstein
Founder / President
Wagner Farm Rescue Fund
Have A Heart Farm
Wagner Farm Rescue Fund

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