Grassfed is the New Black

Want a cold, refreshing glass of Grassmilk?

Sounds kind of scary, right? Maybe a concoction your kid would make outside in their play kitchen? 

Well, not only is it real, it is my new favorite grocery purchase. 

Grassmilk is milk from pastured cows. But all cows eat grass, and thus all milk comes from "pastured" cows, right? Sadly, no. Most convential dairy (and meat) cows eat corn and soybeans, as well as chicken manure & feathers (seriously). 

As disgusting as that sounds, it isn't the main reason I look for "pastured" on my milk, half and half, and butter. The main reason are the omega-3s that occur naturally in dairy products from pastured animals (eggs included).

Cancer fighting powers:

Short-chain vegetal omega-3s allay the harmful effects of hormones that promote cancer growth. They have also been linked to lower cholesterol and attenuation of spikes in blood sugar levels... In France, researches reported that women with breast cancer whose tissue samples were richer in omega-3 fatty acids derived from plants had a significantly lower risk of developing metastatic tumors.*

Grassfed milk, butter, eggs (and beef, but I'll get to that in a sec) tastes better than the conventional stuff. It's true. Guests have commented that my butter tastes good! Here are the products I like:

• Milk
• Half and half
• Butter

In the last six weeks, my own small flock of chickens has begun laying organic eggs, but I do sometimes still buy eggs and when I do, I make sure they are coming from pastured, organic hens. If not purchased from local farmers, I love this brand. 

Last in the grassfed items I buy and cook with is beef. All through my chemotherapy (5 months!), I drank a nutrient-dense broth my mother-in-law made for me from grassfed beef marrow bones. Now, unfortunately I can hardly say the words "bone broth" without having some PTSD effects (from the chemo, not the broth!) but we do continue to buy grassfed beef. My current favorite source is Leftcoast Grassfed/Tom Kat Ranch up the coast a little ways in Pescadero, CA. Their meat is delicious, and affordable. 

If I'm going to eat red meat now and then, I want it to be worth it. This stuff is!

(Leftcoast cows. Photo credit here.)

It is a good first step to ensure the meat and dairy products you consume are organic (pesticide, antibiotic, and hormone-free), but if the animals are simply eating organic corn and soy, you are consuming a diet richer in omega-6s than omega-3s, which causes inflammation. 

Instead, let's eat what our grandparents ate: Real eggs. Real milk & butter. Real meat. 

Check these websites to find producers in your area: www.eatwild.com and www.americangrassfed.com

Recipe: 13-Bean Grassfed-Beef Chili (kid tested; kid approved!)

Cancer fighting powers:

Cooked tomatoes ~ Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes leads to longer survival for prostate cancer patients. Tomatoes also contain a whole series of anticancer nutrients whose combined actions is more effective than lycopene on its own. Note: Tomatoes must be cooked in order to release these nutrients. Olive oil improves their assimilation, as does combining cooked tomatoes with broccoli.

Onion ~ The sulfur compounds of the alliaceous family (garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, chives) reduce the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines and N-nitroso compounds, which are created in over-grilled meat and during tobacco combustion. All the herbs in this family help to regulate blood sugar levels, which reduces insulin secretion and thus inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Moreover, they specifically promote cell death (apoptosis) in colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer, as well as in leukemia. *

Serves approx. 8; begin by soaking the beans overnight, then 1/2 hour of prep time, 4 hours of cooking time

1 1/4 cup 13 Bean Dry Soup Mix (I like Bob's Red Mill)

1 lb. grassfed, organic ground beef (I like Leftcoast Grassfed)

1 organic medium onion, chopped

8 oz organic pizza sauce (I like Eden Organics) or double the tomato sauce below

8 oz organic plain tomato sauce

1 TBSP Mexican Seasoning (chili peppers, garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, celery seed, oregano, cayenne, bay)

1 tsp salt

1 pinch of pepper

Optional: Grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, crusty whole grain bread

*Note: This chili is robust but not spicy. You might want to add chilli powder in addition to the Mexican Seasoning.

Directions: 

Soak the beans. I prefer to do this overnight. To do so, place in a large pot (Dutch oven works great) and cover with water. 

First thing in the morning, drain the beans, then cover with fresh water and simmer for 3 hours. (Alternatively, you can let them sit all day, and then simmer them approx. 4 hours before you want to serve the chili.)

After 3 hours, turn off the burner and let the beans hang out all day in their soaking water. 

When you're ready to prepare dinner, chop the onion and brown the beef in a skillet. Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook for approx. 5 minutes. 

Add the beef and the onion to the waiting beans and soaking water. Add the pizza sauce and the tomato sauce to the bean mix. Add the spices as well. 

Stir, cover & simmer for 1 hour. 

Serve with grated cheddar and sour cream. Crusty bread for dipping is nice, too, as is a glass of cancer-fighting red wine.

 *Cancer-fighting nutritional info comes from David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD: Anticancer: A New Way of Life.

Comments

[Berit]

Avoiding GMO's is another compelling reason to opt for grass fed. Great sources, thanks

[Kyle]

It obvious you've done your homework, excellent posts! Great job on the new blog.

[Megan Arneson]

Thought I'd share in case you didn't read this already ... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-schiffman/to-save-the-earth-we-must_b_2397924.html?utm_hp_ref=food&ir=Food

It'd be fun to go see the exhibit if/when it makes it to SF!