Fun on the Farm

I have begun a recent journey in search of more natural and healthy foods for my family. What began has a desperate search for non-allergenic food options has led me to become more open-minded of the idea of living organically. I have never been a big proponent of organic living. As a matter of fact, a few years ago I would have claimed that "organic" products were simply a marketing ploy for food manufacturers to get you to spend more of your hard-earned money on their products.

Boy, was I in for a serious education! I am only just beginning on this journey, and as a self-proclaimed processed-food lover, I have a long way to go! I am loving the education I am getting, however. The books, the articles, the research, and certainly the conversations with others who know so much more than I.

For example, I had a conversation last week with a friend who is much farther on the "organic journey" than I am. (When I found out she grinds her own wheat I told her I didn't know if we could actually be friends! ....Love you, Linds! :)) In the course of the conversation I learned that she and her family drink mostly raw milk and have done so for almost two years now. I had heard of raw milk, but didn't really know what it was or why it is considered (by some) to be better for you.

My curiosity was piqued and so last Friday the kids and I set off with my friend and her kids on their weekly milk run. I was interested in trying this phenomenon called raw milk, but honestly, I was mostly excited about taking the kids to a farm where they could feed and pet goats, see the cows from which the milk actually comes, climb a few fruit trees, and visit some bunnies and chicks. I was not disappointed. Here are some pics from our little field trip:

Feeding Mama Goat

Checking out the peach trees

Stopping to study a roly-poly

Looking for the cows

Little Man wasn't sure he liked the goats at first,
but he eventually warmed up

As for the raw milk...I bought a gallon for my family to try. As one friend put it, "Surprisingly, it tastes like...milk!" I thought it had a bit of a "buttery" aftertaste, but after my second glass or so I didn't even notice the aftertaste anymore. I'm not saying we're ready to "convert" to raw milk. But I can say, I LOVE the idea of knowing where my food (and milk) comes from.

I know there are some large controversies surrounding the issue of raw milk, and I haven't sufficiently done my own research. I'll have to get back to you on our final verdict. If you're as curious as I am, do your own research. (And if you have researched it, let me know your thoughts and share your resources...I'm always interested in learning more.) If nothing else, it's interesting to learn where your milk comes from, what happens to it before it gets to you, and decide for yourself what you think about it.

For more information on raw milk, see:
Raw Milk Facts
RealMilk.com
RawMilk.org
The FDA
US News
University of Minn Food Safety