As we established here, Jeff and I are taking next week off to take care of less glamorous blogging business (which makes it sound like I’ll be out back digging a blogging ditch (?) or something, but I think you all know what I mean).
Nevertheless, the whole world won’t be busy! Busy digging blogging ditches! There will still be plenty going on. One industrious gal, let’s call her Jackie Pearce, as that is her name, will be hosting a vegan dinner party on August 28 as well as a garage sale (not a vegan garage sale though, because that’s not a thing), August 27-29. Funds raised will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Fundraising for charities and cooking are both hobbies for Jackie, and she says this isn’t the first dinner party she’s hosted. We exchanged e-mails yesterday, and I got the lo-down on her upcoming vegan feast.
SALLY: Why are you fundraising for the MS Society?
JACKIE: I have several friends and clients who have people …in their lives who suffer with MS every day, so I have seen and heard first hand just how debilitating it can be.
I am also a very avid cyclist, and the fundraiser is a build up for a really awesome ride! In June my Dad and I took part 
in the Leduc to Camrose ride and we enjoyed it so very much that we decided to sign up for the ride in Hinton on September 12 th and 13th. For the Leduc to Camrose ride my goal was $1,000. I ended up raising a total of $1,425.00, but not wanting to fish the same group for the Hinton ride I decided to look at alternative fundraising routes, and I chose the dinner party and garage sale for that route.
SALLY: What prompted you to throw a dinner party?
JACKIE: I really love to cook and bake, even when I was a little girl. I would be bored at home and ask my Mom for something to do and she would get out her cook books and I would make cookies or muffins, I always really enjoyed handing them out to friends as little gifts and special treats. I am known widely for always bringing a dish of some sort anywhere I go, and at work I am famous for my Birthday cakes. Now that I am vegan I especially love the awed expressions when people find out my goods have no dairy or animal products in them. The very first vegan cakes I made were under strict supervision of my Mom who was sure I was sneaking eggs in when no one was looking!
SALLY: Do you have a favourite chef? Who or what influences your cooking?
JACKIE: I don’t really have a favourite chef or cook book, but find most of my inspiration comes from what I like. When I have dinner out I am always thinking, “hmm this would be better if…” and then I go home and experiment from there. I am a bit of a health fanatic so i am always looking for ways to make my cooking and baking healthier, whether it be finding sugar substitutes or ways to make yummy cakes and pies with heavier flours that are more nutritious.
I am also a colour and Sound Therapist and incorporate the therapeutic aspects of colours to my dishes, it is really quite fascinating and limitless!
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The dinner party is taking place at Jackie’s house, and costs $20 bucks a plate. The menu is available here, but since it’s Friday and we’re all tired, I’m going to post it here as well:
Appetizers: Minted Bruschetta with Bread
Veggie Platter with 2 vegan dips
Tofu Sesame Strips
Hummus with Crackers
Main Dishes: Caesar salad with teriyaki tofu
Rice and Chili
Grilled veggies and tofu with baked potatoes
Quinoa Pilaf
Dessert: Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Carob Coconut Orbs (Raw Food)
Upside down cranberry cake
Cookie Platter
You can RSVP at jackiethephotographer@yahoo.ca or download a flier for more information.
