Education Portal

Welcome!

Providing diverse and meaningful educational opportunities at Happy Tales is a key pillar of our mission in giving back to our community. We have recently launched our revitalized Education Portal where we have compiled a database of resources, tools, activities, videos and information to allow for accessibility to our content while we remain closed through the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We are embracing the restrictions that COVID-19 has brought to hands-on learning experiences, and as such, we are pushing the boundaries of what a typical learning environment looks and feels like. As we await approval and instructions from the Provincial Government with regards to reopening under COVID-19 guidelines, we are busy restructuring our program and activity offering here at the Sanctuary.

Our Education Portal is a free space for children and adults alike to explore plant-based lifestyles, the humane treatment of animals, environmentally conscious living and more. Our breadth of topics is expanding, and we are excited to be offering a variety of new topics for exploration!

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September's Recipe of the Month

Vegan Pumpkin Ravioli

We've hunted down this incredible fall flavourite for you to try at home!

Full recipe and photography credit goes to

Linda Meyer at veganosity.com

"Pillows of pasta filled with pumpkin and smothered in brown butter with sage. This vegan pumpkin ravioli with brown butter and sage is the ultimate fall comfort food, and it’s egg-free and dairy-free! We use our homemade pasta recipe and fill it with the most delicious pumpkin filling, then top it with brown vegan butter and pecans."

Get the full recipe at veganosity.com >

Plant-Based Nutrition

The health benefits of plant-based nutrition of modern day medical research shows a low-fat, plant-based diet can prevent, and in many cases reverse chronic western diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, Type II Diabetes and more, and in the process, you will experience healthy weight loss and the benefits listed below.

Preventing & Reversing Heart Disease

Several studies have shown eating a whole foods, plant-based diet will prevent and reverse heart disease. This is present in a 20-year study by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D., that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent and stop the progression of heart disease, but also reverse its effects.

Avoid or Reverse

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is considered as a lifestyle disease. Studies have shown that a low-fat vegan diet treats type 2 diabetes more effectively than a standard diabetes diet and may be more effective than single-agent therapy with oral diabetes drugs.

Cancer Prevention

All the evidence points to a low-fat, high-fiber diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans as being the best for cancer prevention.

Lower Blood Pressure

Improved blood flow and circulation occurs almost immediately when switching to a plant-based diet. The blood vessels become rid of cholesterol build up and can self repair from the damage of animal-based foods.

Improved Digestion & Bowel Movement

Dietary fiber is found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They pass through our digestive system somewhat unchanged because it can’t be digested or absorbed entirely. The fiber helps cleanse or scrub our intestines, keeps the intestines healthy and results in healthy bowel movements

Prevent/Lower Risk of Other Chronic Diseases

Other chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease have been improved or the progression has stopped by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet.

Lower Cholesterol

Intake of your total cholesterol drops because there is no cholesterol or saturated fat in plants like in animal-based foods which cause cholesterol to build up in the blood which can lead to heart disease and blood not being able to flow through your arteries.

Higher Energy Levels

Your energy levels will improve and you will feel more vibrant and have a feeling of well-being, since whole plant-foods are abundant in various nutrients and minerals.

Start Today!

Don't let change scare you! You would be surprised at all of the plant based foods that may already be a apart of your diet. For example Pasta and Oreos!

These are just some of the many benefits to consuming a plant-based diet. To help your body get all the essential and non-essential amino acids, be sure to include a variety of protein sources such as nuts, seeds, legumes, as well as whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet.

What about your Nutrients? Here's where to find them:

Protein

There are many delicious forms of protein that you can include that can be used in limitless ways to get enough amino acids. Many of these foods are higher in protein per ounce than animal sources and include fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These foods support the body’s muscular system and promote an alkaline environment, while animal-based foods promote inflammation and lead to an acidic body. Examples include black beans, hemp hearts, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, etc.