Cultured Dairy. Good or Bad?

Phil — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:06:50 +0000

One thing that has really help our family’s health has been the introduction by Marjorie of keifer into our diet. We take organic whole milk that I can get locally, add raw eggs from our chickens, some bananas and coconut oil and blend up. Everyone has a glass of this every day. The cultured milk (kefir) is a probiotic with beneficial bacteria helpful to the gut, thus the digestive and immune system. There is even evidence of the digestibility of kefir for those that are lactose intolerant. It all depends on how someone can readily process milk casein and lactose (which are less in cultured milks than normal milk).

Raw pastured eggs add a good dose of protein, as well as “good fats”. Coconut oil is also a source of beneficial oils. Here is short listing from the website “Organic Facts” concerning coconut oil and good fats (http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html):

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

We are not promoting kefir specifically persay, but more sharing the benefits of probiotics and getting those from sources that are readily available and healthy. Yogurt is another cultured milk product, but if someone is anti-dairy there are products such as kombucha that also are good (we make our own as well). I like using local organic whole milk as well as our own eggs because its one step in the direction of a more sustainable life, even though the presence of bananas and coconut oil are not “local” by Iowa standards.

If anyone has other sources of probiotics or comments, please share!

Planning for 2009

Phil — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:49:53 +0000

Normally we plan for the next year the year previous, optimally in November. This year, due to many changes in our operation and the economy, the planning process has extended now into February. We are in the process of several changes that will effect our operation significantly. One, we are really contemplating changing our sheep breed to a hair-type breed, so we don’t have to shear. While Marjorie is still a committed knitter and fiber enthusiast, the time that it takes to transform wool into yarn is huge, given we have 2 small children and a host of enterprises on the farm. Hair sheep don’t need to be sheared, so we would cut out that portion of the operation and concentrate on just raising sheep for meat.

Secondly, we are expanding our vegetable operation. We plan to add another acre of squash and potatoes, and are collaborating with a like-minded grower to help process/package and deliver our wares to our Iowa City markets. Thirdly, we are reconstructing our hen house to include a house movable on wheels — to allow for us to move our chickens around on pasture. Pasture-based chickens are great in helping break down manure left by other animals, and they also get a larger portion of their diet from the ground instead of eating bought feed.

These are challenging times in our economy. We feel this is the best time to be on a farm and growing our own food for our family, our friends, and our community.

Moorgate Farms » pastured eggs

Cultured Dairy. Good or Bad?

Planning for 2009