Yeah, I am a big fan of smoothies. I like to blend things in the blender almost everyday. I particularly like real milk, berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), banana, cocoa, and eggs. That is probably my favorite combination. This particular morning I thought I would mix it up a bit with an avocado since I was all out of bananas. I am a big fan of avocados too. Am I saying ‘fan’ too much?

Avocados promote HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol). They are full of monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) which is good for heart health. They are also bursting with nutrients… bursting I tell you! Avocados contain vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, H, K, minerals like folate, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, and all of the essential amino acids that our body needs.

Now, now… adding avocados to a smoothie may be a little too weird for you. It is a different taste. But no fear, I have experimented several times and I rather enjoy it myself. I first wanted to try it after reading how in other parts of the world avocado shakes and durian shakes were common fare. I have never had durian fruit, but hey I have avocados! And off I went blending and combining.

I would recommend trying a little at first and seeing what you think. I like 1 cup of milk, a banana and then I add all of my other ingredients to taste. Smoothies are a great way to get goodness into your body… especially since digestion takes so much of your body’s energy. Preferably you don’t give your body a crazy insulin swing with way too much sugar in your smoothie. AND Yes, my smoothie is in a wine glass… that’s just how I roll. Not really, I was just in a goofy mood and wanted to put it in a wine glass this particular day.

Nice window, nice counter, nice flower.

Check out this article on a study done on the quality of milk from grass-fed cows. The study found “grazing cows on organic farms in the UK produce milk which contains significantly higher beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins than their conventional ‚Äòhigh input‚Äô counterparts.” It also went on to note that during certain periods CLA was 60% higher!

Numerous studies have found conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to fight cancer, preserve muscle, and reduce fat. Basically CLA makes you a lean mean fighting machine. Ok, I just wanted to say that. The best way to get your CLA is through high quality grass-fed beef and raw dairy. I do believe all plant eaters like sheep and cows produce CLA. I have heard lamb is an excellent source of CLA as well and I have had the taste for lamb lately and when I have it I will blog about it and let you know . Well… I am gonna go have a glass of real milk.

An article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted a study of around 14,000 children which showed that breastfeeding in the early months can raise verbal IQ by an average of 7.5 points.

The lead author in the study noted that more research needed to be done to determine whether the results were from the interaction between the mother and child or from the difference in the milk itself. I would definitely say it’s both.

Even little ones eat today to live tomorrow…

Out.

I am not going to list them now but I just saw another good article on Natural News.com so I am bringing your attention to it.

You can check it out here.

Nice.

The Ithaca times had an article recently showing some of the negative impact of industrial farming with regard to Willet Dairy.

It is amazing to see the negative effects of distorting the way God meant for things to be. Milk in this manner is a poison all around.

What can be done about the wrong industrial practices when it comes to food?

I think one of the first things is to use your pocketbook. In the case of Willet Dairy that would mean stop buying their products… or stop buying from the distributors which buy from Willet.

The second thing to do would be to help educate people or encourage people to educate themselves with regard to their food choices.

The third thing in this case would be to move.

I am sure that many people, probably even the owners, are “great”, well-intentioned people at Willet Dairy. However, in our economy the only thing that really talks is money. Therefore the best thing to do is to let the business die. Move out of the town, stop supporting the products, and help educate other people.

I am not an environmentalist by any means… well, in truth I am, but not politically as we define environmentalist these days. It is just a fact that cows need to be on fresh pasture and that confining creates a host of negative ramifications. The cows health is bad, the milk quality is bad, the “bad bugs” are abundant in everything, the manure is toxic and creating illness in the surrounding community. It is a rather sad picture.

So, how should it be done? I mentioned them earlier: Organic Pastures Dairy Company. Check them out. Learn. Read.

There are lots of other free-range, grass-fed farmers all over the country though. I have met several in the midwest. You just do not see the quality with 9000 cows. Organic Pastures is a decent size operation and they only have 300-400 cows. Think about a mega farm with 9000 cows…. not raised on pasture the way God intended… only bad things for everyone… except maybe the bankers.

Everytime I hear about real milk being banned it just burns me up. Burns me up. The FDA as well as state departments continually act foolish with regard to milk. The worst thing about it is they do it in the name of safety, when they really have no clue. There is no common sense there. Again with me and the common sense thing.

For thousands of years people have been drinking real milk from the animal… well animals. It is good and it is safe. What is not safe is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. What is not safe is high fructose corn syrup, What is not safe is sucralose. Cigarettes, aspartame, msg, and on and on. You get the point?

Here we have the government banning milk. The onus (I like that word) is not on them. Nor is it on the store that you get your food from. The responsibility is your own. Sure there are going to be farms which do not take care of their animals. There will be farms which thin out their milk and try and cheat the consumer. It is the consumer’s job to know where you are getting your food and have a relationship with that producer (farmer) to ensure that is not the case. If that is the case then stop buying from them and tell others. Put them out of business.

Well. I am done ranting. What set me off was an article about FDA action against Organic Pastures Dairy Company… one of the coolest milk operations running in the US. I am gonna go drink some real milk and calm down.