My Visit to The Gentle Barn and Vegan Bake Sale Fundraiser

November's visit to The Gentle Barn - 

(from left to right, clockwise) Vegan Bake Sale, vegan baked goodies, 

a cute piggie, me grinning (I was so happy to be able to buy so many vegan 

sweets and support The Gentle Barn at the same time!), and a turkey friend!

Last weekend I had the pleasure to visit The Gentle Barn, an animal rescue and sanctuary located in the hills of Santa Clarita, California, to participate in a vegan bake sale that raised money for the sanctuary. This was my second time to this magical place, and it was so amazing to spend time with the loving animals, be around like-minded individuals, and help raise money for a worthwhile cause.

An 800 lbs. sweetheart named Zeus and me!

Why do I love The Gentle Barn so much? The Gentle Barn rescues abused, neglected animals and rehabilitates them with veterinary care, therapeutic practices, proper diet and lots and lots of love. They take in oppressed animals that no one else will take and spend the time to transform these scared animals into happy animals capable of loving again! Seeing the animals first hand and hearing about the nightmarish situations they used to live in was both heartbreaking and uplifting. It was so heartwarming to see these beautiful animals - cows, horses, pigs, chickens, llamas, peacocks, donkeys, turkeys, cats and dogs - all happily living out their days surrounded by so much love. Plus, they also use these healed animals to teach at-risk youth, special needs kids and other children about compassion.

So. Many. Vegan. Goodies! Lots of bakeries/restaurants donated 

vegan goods, like Native Foods, Feel Good Desserts, Sensitive Sweets

and so many more, including home bakers like me!

I want to support all that The Gentle Barn does, so the least I could do is donate some baked goods to the vegan bake sale (I made my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and they were a hit!). This is the second vegan bake sale I've attended there, and it was by far the most successful, raising nearly $1,500, with all proceeds going towards The Gentle Barn! Woot!

Franken's was frighteningly delicious! I got "The Witch" vegan

hot dog and piled it high with relish, ketchup and other fixins! 

YUM!

I even got to finally try Franken's, a vegan hot dog cart that is horror-themed! The owner is such a doll, and the vegan hot dogs were incredible! They are generally at The Gentle Barn on Sundays, and haunt LA other days, so definitely look them up if you are in the area. You can generally find out their schedule by following on Instagram or on Facebook.

Besides eating yummy vegan food all day, hugging the animals and being in awe of all The Gentle Barn does, I also got to hang out with some awesome vegan people. I got to see some old friends, as well as making some new ones! Holler at all my Power to the Veg and Instagram peeps!

Wow, here are some of the vegan goodies I bought! 

Rocky road caramel apple, chai caramel, Butterfinger cupcake,

double-chocolate brownie, pumpkin pop tart and double-chocolate

whoopie pie! They were all so good!

It really was a magical day at The Gentle Barn, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite places. I can't wait to go back again! I highly encourage you to visit and spend some time with these wonderful animals. Plus, keep an eye out for the next vegan bake sale there, which should be held sometime in April or May!

For more information or to make a donation, please visit The Gentle Barn's website!