July Sanctuary update

Art for the Auction is a wrap!
11th Annual Art for the Animals Auction wraps up, another success in the books
We can't thank our community of supporters enough for the success we had in this year's auction. We were able to raise more than $25,000 in donations, sponsorships, and bidding to go toward our annual hay purchase, which has already started rolling in on trucks.

We had 262 items donated and bidders from all across the country. Thank you all who participated. 
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On average, we purchase about 140 tons of hay a year, and this year, with drought and other conditions, prices are way up. We're seeing some tons at $300 delivered, with our normal suppliers being short in supply. This means we'll spend around $42,000 just on hay. 

Just some of they hay starting to come in...

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Where do Vegans get their protein anyway? 
Perhaps the most frequent question vegans get asked is, “Where do you get your protein?” Many people equate protein with animal products and worry that vegans must be deficient, but the reality is protein deficiency is not at all common in the United States. Protein comes in many types of plant foods. The key to a healthy plant-based diet is variety.

The Mayo Clinic reports that you can can get “sufficient protein from plant-based foods if you eat a variety of them throughout the day. Plant sources include soy products and meat substitutes, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.” 

Let’s break some of these sources down…

Soy products: Delicious and nutritious options include soy milk, tofu, and tempeh. Soy milk is on par with cow’s milk in terms of protein, containing about 7 grams of protein per cup compared to cow’s milk’s 8 grams. A 3-ounce serving of extra-firm tofu contains 8 grams of protein, and a 3-ounce serving of tempeh contains a whopping 18 grams! 

Nuts: Almonds, pistachios and cashews are some of the highest-protein nuts. You can eat them raw or buy or make your own tasty nut butter. 

Legumes and lentils: The USDA in particular recommends black or kidney beans, cooked split peas, and yellow or green lentils. I personally love chickpeas, and who can forget peanuts when it comes to protein! One hundred grams of peanuts contains over 25 grams of protein – half of one’s daily recommended amount.  

Seeds: Try sprinkling hemp, chia, or pumpkin (pepita) seeds on your next bowl of oatmeal or vegan yogurt or incorporating them in homemade granola. 
   
Whole grains: Some of the grains with the highest protein are oats, wheat, spelt, amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa. 

With the right variety of nutrition, there’s really no limit to what your body can do on a vegan diet. Think about elephants and gorillas – some of the strongest animals on the planet build their muscles from plants!

For some inspiration about what’s possible, look up vegan ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll (who has visited River’s Wish!) and check out the documentary film about vegan athletes called “The Game Changers” on Netflix.

Thinking Vegan? is a monthly feature by Megan Jonas, River's Wish volunteer and vegan activist. This information should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor if you have questions about your health. ​

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Fulfilling our mission by sharing the wonder of animals, art, compassion
Despite some hiccups due to the extreme heat, River's Wish is so pleased to be welcoming groups back to the sanctuary in-person. We are holding four weeks of art classes at the sanctuary in partnership with the Spokane Art School (spaces still open for 7/26 class!), and have had seven field trip groups from local schools. 

As the summer progresses we hope to be hosting some more events and tours. Keep your eyes on our Facebook events page for the latest updates. 

The Art, Animals, and Garden workshops with Kit Jagoda have introduced quite a few budding artists to the residents here, and allowed them to expire a variety of art techniques and media in the presence of the rescued animals who call River’s Wish home. Students also spend time in the garden at River’s Wish, learning about plants through observational drawings and scientific illustration.

Our Sanctuary Based Education provides a peaceful setting for creating, reflecting and connecting with the residents of River’s Wish while fostering compassion and empathy.