The more I look into what is really in (or in some cases, what isn't in) store bought food, the more I want to avoid it. We've switched to homemade bread products made with fresh ground wheat, homemade snacks, and I grow and preserve as much food as I can. Other than finding a good meat source (which I think I have already) the only thing I needed to do something about was our dairy products.
I'm not going lie. This was a very hard decision for me. It took many, many months for me to finally jump in and do it. And really, it wasn't me that did it, the farmer did. They had some extra milk, and wanted to know if I wanted it. If I didn't, it would be poured down the drain. Not being one to waste, I jumped on it, and I haven't looked back. The family loves it!
Benefits of Raw Milk
- During the pasteurization process, milk store bough milk loses roughly 60% of it's calcium.
- In addition to losing that much calcium, it loses all of it's phosphate. Doesn't sound too important--but it is! Phosphate helps your body to absorb (or use) the calcium.
- Raw Milk is higher in B12 (here is great article on the importance of Vitamin B12)and Vitamin C, as well as many other vitamins that are completely destroyed by the pasteurization process.
- Raw milk contains beneficial enzymes and amino acids that aid in digestion and vitamin absorption.
- Many "lactose intolerant" people are able to drink Raw Milk because it is easier to digest.
- Store bought milk goes rancid, where as raw milk just sours. Sour milk can still be used in baking; makes great muffins, breads and pancakes.
- We skim off the cream on some of our gallons, and I use it to make butter, or for my coffee. 2 birds with one stone.
- Less is more. Raw Milk will fill you up faster since it still has all of the nutrients and cream.
- Raw Milk tastes so much better.
Things to keep in mind: Only buy from farmers that feed their cattle green grass and that do not use antibiotics. Also make sure that the farm is clean, and that the milk is stored correctly.
These fancy processes that our food goes through isn't necessarily a good thing! I've come to really love Sally Fallon's book Nourishing Traditions. It is a definite eye opener, and it will change the way you look at food.
Taking a closer look at real nutrition, which was one of my 2009 goals, and finally switching my family to raw milk works for me! There is no turning back for us!
This post is being linked to Works For Me Wednesday
9 comments:
You always give us such good "food for thought". Love all the things you are learning and passing on to me. :) Thanks. I read every single time you write -- you are on my "Fav blog" list.
You always give us such good "food for thought". Love all the things you are learning and passing on to me. :) Thanks. I read every single time you write -- you are on my "Fav blog" list.
We grew up on unpasteurized fresh farm milk. I remember going to the farm once a week to get it! I have been wanting to do this too, but have debated on switching over to goats milk or making my own nut milk. I have read that regular cows milk wasn't really meant for humans, as the proteins are meant for a growing COW! LOL. But a 1/2 gallon of raw goats milk runs about $8 so you can see why I haven't jumped on that one yet. My solution has been just to greatly limit our milk consumption. I have made almond milk in my blender, and I love the taste of it but the kids..not so much. I have GOT to get Sally's book! If you don't mind my asking, how much are you paying per gallon of raw milk? And do you skim the cream off the top to make other things?
Gwynie Pie--Thank you so very much! I love passing the info along, glad you find it helpful.
Stephanie--I've never had almond milk, but it sounds interesting.
Raw milk is a rich source of vitamins and animal fats (which are essential). While it may not have been intended for humans, it sure is a good source of those much needed nutrients. I dont recommend sitting down and drinking a half gallon, by any means, but a glass or two a day is perfect.
Yes, you do need Sally's book--it is a HUGE eye opener. I read through most of it within 2 days, I just skipped over some of the recipes. It is hard to put down!
We are paying $3/gallon for our milk. While it is a bit more expensive than store bought milk, I can easily justify it because of it's benefits. Right now I have just made butter with the cream and used it in my coffee. Most of the time we leave the cream in the milk--my DH loves it like that.
Oh and the butter--SO good, and easy to do! More on that, later. :)a
Wow, $3/gallon! It is $8/gallon where I am, so we don't get it, but we'd love to. Very informative post. Hopefully this will become more mainstream so that the prices will drop.
We are following the same food path you are on. We have been buying meat from local organic farmers and we find them through the Eat Wild site. We have had great luck! The meat is so good. I just need to find a source for chickens. I had found one and the lady would raise a clutch of eggs into meat chickens for you, according to their site, but she never contacted me back. Oh well, I will keep looking! Good luck, I wish we could do raw milk. I thought it was illegal in OH?
I just found your blog via another when searching for menu planning tips. I just had to comment on the raw milk. Last year two friends of mine nearly lost their toddlers when they got sick from raw milk contaminated with e-coli. The children were hospitalized with kidney failure and were put on dialysis. Both of them were two at the time. They eventually recovered but may have a lifetime of health issues. The milk was from a reputable cooperative farm that had never had a problem prior to this incident. I'm sure you are aware of the issues but others that read your blog might not be, it would be beneficial to your readers to add some of the possible dangers.
Have you heard of Real Food Wednesday? Sounds like it would be right up your alley. It's a blog carnival dedicated to real food - raw milk, unprocessed, etc. It's hosted at cheeseslave.com and kellythekitchenkop.com - the alternate Wednesdays. I link up every week and have met some neat people.
I have not made the jump to raw. I bought some free-range eggs from a local farmer and Joe and I both wondered what in the world they do to the chickens to get the eggs to look the same when you buy them at the grocery store. Then we thought that maybe we don't want to know. :)
I grew up on raw milk and love it and SO agree with you on the benefits. Since I am married I have started using raw milk again, partly because it is cheaper (we only pay $1.50 a gallon) and also because it is so much better for you.
Thanks for the post!
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