Raw Milk
Photo by Brian Suman on Unsplash
Milk Nutrition Re-Discovered
There’s quite a movement today with small farmsteads selling raw milk to friends, family, and others. Just like in the old days! Everyone who enjoys it reaps benefits long lost to Pasteurization and homogenization. Take a look at these facts found on RealMilk.com:
Real Milk -- milk that is pasture-raised, full fat and unprocessed—is an inherently safe food. That’s because raw milk contains numerous bioactive components that
Kill pathogens in the milk (lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, leukocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, antibodies, medium chain fatty acids, lysozyme, B12 binding protein, bifidus factor, beneficial bacteria);
Prevent pathogen absorption across the intestinal wall (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, mucins, fibronectin, glycomacropeptides, bifidus factor, beneficial bacteria);
And strengthen the immune system (lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, antibodies, hormones and growth factors).
No other food that we consume contains a built-in safety system like the one in raw milk.
Part of that safety system is in the fat in the form of medium chain fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins A and D. In children and the elderly, drinking skim milk results in increased intestinal distress.
Of course, this protective system can be overwhelmed, as in confinement dairies where cows live in incredible filth, often forced to stand in manure. We recommend raw milk only from cows allowed to graze on pasture.
Of interest is the fact that there are no reports of death from fluid raw milk in the medical literature, going back over fifty years; but there have been dozens of deaths from pasteurized milk reported in the literature during the same timeframe. This is all the more remarkable considering that most of the raw milk that people drink is not regulated.
Pick the Right Farm
I recommend you buy raw milk from a dairy farmer who allows cows to graze freely in pastures. They are rotated from one pasture to another to allow for fresh grass and cleaning. Also, ask if their cows are A1A2 cows or A2A2. (see below) If they are A2A2, they will have had their cows tested to know for sure.
In addition, the dairy farmer should employ the highest cleanliness standards and food handling procedures.
When you find the right farmer, give drinking raw milk a try. See for yourself how satisfied and healthy you feel. One of my favorite things to do is skim off the cream at the top and make butter — and buttermilk. (Buttermilk waffles anyone?) Then, there’s cheese, yogurt, and even soap! (so good for your skin)
What is A2 Milk?
The farmer I buy from owns A2A2 cows. Just like in the old days. Due to a genetic mutation, most cows are A1A2 animals. There is a BIG difference between the digestibility of their milk. Watch this video and learn. For more, read this article.
Chickadee Cheer August Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Manny (and Gabby) who have won the giveaway for August. I happen to have an extra canvas art of Emeline. This image will be used on the cover of the forthcoming book: Emeline - Woven Pathways. I will contact you through your email shortly.