If you've read all you care to about raw milk, don't worry, this is the last day of the raw milk series. You'll like today's story though, so stick with me for one more day on this topic. Before we get to that, I want to let you know that there's been a lot of activity in the comment section over in the My Dark Secrets post (scroll to the bottom). Be sure to check it out for some interesting information from another nutrition blogger, Anna, on why Agave Nectar is not a good choice for a healthier sweetener after all…
ON TO PART #4…
If you missed the others, here is part #1 about the many health benefits of raw milk, part #2 about safety issues and some logistics, and part #3 is a guest post from Karen Lubbers, who answers more questions about safety and also talks about clean farming practices. Today, in part #4, I'm thankful to my friend, Michelle, for agreeing to write a guest post for me! You'll love reading her story about how she and David decided raw milk was the best choice for their family.
A RAW MILK STORY
David and I belong to an awesome bible study group consisting of seven couples. We have been meeting every third Friday of the month for the last five years. We are so blessed to be a part of this group because they are dynamic, on fire for the Lord, raising warriors for God’s army and just plain fun to be around! (Kelly's note: read more about this group at my other blog.)
For quite a long time David and I have listened to them talk about free-range chicken, fresh brown eggs, raw (I don’t like that word) milk and organic peanut butter. And truly, as weird as that all sounded to us, we were the oddballs because we ate all the bad, “tainted” food we buy at Meijer, and still do! The group kept using the word “raw” (which reminds me of uncooked meat). Even though the thought of “raw” milk really sounded awful, I felt that the milk I did buy was not good either. It has always bothered me that young girls are developing so much quicker and menstruating at a much younger age. I have even gone so far as to think that since cancer is everywhere in everyone’s families, that perhaps it is coming from our milk…
At this point David and I decided to start making some small changes in our kitchen. Kelly, a.k.a the Kitchen Kop, had picked up some organic peanut butter and jelly for us at Cosco. So, while I was at Kelly's picking up our peanut butter, I asked if I could taste her “raw” milk. I was shocked at how wonderful it tasted, thinking it would be horrid! Kelly told me that they call their “raw” milk, “fresh” milk, which I liked the sound of a whole lot better, and she was kind enough to give me some that I could take home and test on my family.
That evening at dinner, I poured my son a glass of fresh milk without telling him, as he is my biggest milk-drinker. He guzzled it like he would the store bought milk. I proceeded to tell the rest of our children what he had and they were all amazed! I also made them each try a little sip. They all agreed that they liked it and were surprised that it did not have some kind of weird taste.
From there, Kelly gave us the name of Karen Lubbers, who owns Lubbers Farm and lives ten minutes from our house! We called and told her we wanted to buy a share of a cow, the only way you can buy fresh milk in Michigan. Karen is wonderful and we are excited to own a share and a half of Mona. I couldn’t wait for the kids to come home from school so I could tell them about our new ownership. She is beautiful and has gorgeous eyes, they look like they have eye liner around them! I never thought I could be that excited about a cow! Every Tuesday morning we take our Mason jars to fill up and bring home three gallons of fresh milk. And I didn’t even have to milk her myself!
photo by: kevinzim
We have made a big change in our home by drinking fresh milk and are very happy to have made this step. We will continue making baby steps for better choices in our eating and drinking habits. Again, we are blessed by Kelly and our wonderful bible study group for sharing their good nutritional habits with us!
Thanks for listening!
Michelle
NOW THAT WE'RE AT THE END OF THIS SERIES, PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT BELOW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT RAW MILK! Do you still think I'm crazy? Does it sound reasonable but you wonder if it would fly with your family? Are there questions you wonder about that I haven't covered? Bring it on, I can take it!
RELATED POSTS & LINKS:
- Here’s a book on the topic that you’ll definitely want to read: The Untold Story of Milk
- Do you know anyone with psoriasis? Check out my sister's comment in part #1 of the Cod Liver Oil series (scroll to the bottom for the comments)
- More raw milk testimonies – everybody loves a good story!
- Still don't think you'll switch to raw milk? Read here about the next-best options
- Part #1 about the many health benefits of raw milk
- Part #2 about safety issues and some logistics
- Part #3 is a guest post from Karen Lubbers, who answers more questions about raw milk safety and clean farming practices
- Raw Milk Benefits and Information: Q & A with Mark McAfee
- My Dark Secrets
- Scroll down at this site for more interesting reading on raw milk
Steve says
Hello – we live near Ann Arbor, MI and are investigating raw milk – particularly to see if it would help one of our sons who has autism. Does anyone have any experience with either Hicks Organic Dairy or My family coop dairies? They are a couple of hours from us, but they deliver to our area 1x/week..
Appreciate the help!
KitchenKop says
Hi Steve,
Check into your local chapter and they can help you: https://www.westonaprice.org/local-chapters/find-local-chapter
Kelly
Steve says
That’s a good suggestion. Thank you!
– Steve
Elaine says
Judy:
One more thought – since you have been addressing your husband’s high cholesterol by eating less meat, no red meat, skim milk and other non-fat dairy. How has it been working?
Judy says
Elaine,
It’s a good question. One I’ve thought quite a bit about. When we were eating low fat, whole grains only, no red meat, etc., his cholesterol actually was staying under 200. Then this summer, we had an international move and less control over menu ingredients, and his test with his new doc here showed that it was too high (although from the reading I’ve been doing lately, I now see that the goal number the doc is giving him is arbitrary).
So the change had me worried. But he and I have been doing a lot of reading and we are going to give this a try for six months–until his next test–and see how things look at that point.
He’s more than a little happy to eat grass-fed beef steak again, and wow! Fresh milk is delicious!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Judy
Elaine says
To Jusy:
There is a lot of information about cholesterol, raw milk, etc. at Weston A. Price site. Also rawmilk.com has a chart that compares pasteurized and raw milk. Keep researching – you’ll find what you need. There is a Dr on WAP that writes about cholesterol – I believe you can email him. People in the know actually say if you can’t get raw milk, you are better off NOT drinking pasteurized milk – it is not good for you (look at the chart, I mentioned above). You are better off eating raw milk cheese than Pasteurized milk. Remember we have been drinking raw milk for 100s of years so pasteurization is relatively new.
One more point – in 2010 I had a bone density test and had “osteopenia” (beginning of osteoporosis) – a month ago I was re-tested and it is gone (reversed). My Dr was shocked when I told her the only difference was me drinking raw milk.
Good luck – research, research, research on your own!
Judy says
The thing that’s holding me back from the switch is not my husband’s opinion, but his health. He has high cholesterol that we have been addressing for years by eating less meat, no red meat, skim milk and other non-fat dairy. From what I’m reading, he might actually be better off without all that, but I’m worried about making the switch and increasing his risk of a heart attack. Where can I find more information specifically about the cholesterol issue?
Thank you!
Judy
KitchenKop says
Judy,
It’s great that you’re taking the time to do the research!
Keep in mind that there’s a LOT I don’t know & I’m not a doctor. But if you scroll down at this post you’ll find all sorts of articles specifically on cholesterol: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/08/healthy-fats-oils.html
Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Elaine says
I just love reading about raw milk. We brought up 5 healthy children on it when we lived on an acreage. It is wonderful. How sad it is that we don’t even know what REAL FOOD is anymore. We have been brainwashed. Think real, think nature, think God given and you can’t go wrong!
Margaret Merkel says
The book ‘the untold story of milk’ is what convinced my husband – check it out!
Charlene says
Kelly,
How did you convince your hubby to make the switch? Here in VA we have the same type of thing where you can purchase a cow share, and I’m all for it but I don’t think that my husband is. He thinks I’m nuts!
KitchenKop says
Charlene,
I’m lucky, my husband grew up on a farm and drank raw milk as a kid. He saw it as no big deal. Try to get your husband to read these posts – education is the key! (And some prayer, too!) 🙂
Kelly
KitchenKop says
Alex,
First of all, you MUST do all your own research on the issue so you can make an informed decision, and if you decide to drink raw milk be SURE to find a reputable and CLEAN dairy farm. Do not make a decision solely on what you read here at my blog.
All I can tell you is what I would do: I would stay away from pasteurized milk and drink my clean, fresh raw milk that is packed with nutrients that would nourish my body so it could nourish my baby. I drank raw milk with our youngest (and took cod liver oil and ate plenty of healthy animal fats) and he’s been the sweetest and smartest baby of them all. 🙂
Kelly
Alex says
I understand and agree that drinking raw milk is better for us. Although I am still slightly hesitant to make the switch. I am pregnant and I’m constantly told I really shouldn’t have anything unpasteurized. Do you think it would be safe to make the switch now or should I wait until the baby comes?
Cat says
Hi,
I’ve found a source of raw/fresh milk at my local farmers market, organic too. Raw milk is not allowed to be sold for human consumption here in Aus, so the milk has on the label “for cosmetic purposes only”. But many people are buying it and the farmer sometimes runs out if it’s a busy market. I love knowing I am making my family healthier every day and this milk just exudes healthyness, haha!
Thanks, Cat
Cat
Kelly says
Thanks for your comment and for your post today, too – I added a link to your site at the bottom of my “related posts & links”.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly
cheeseslave says
Great post!
I researched for a whole month before I switched my family to raw milk. I was worried about the safety of it — my baby was only 5 months old and I needed to make formula for her (I was still breastfeeding but could not produce enough milk).
I had been reading about all the gross additives in commercial formula and decided to make my own with the recipe from Sally Fallon’s cookbook, “Nourishing Traditions”.
Within a few weeks of switching to homemade raw milk formula, her persistent cradle cap and excess mucous cleared up.
I’m so glad our family switched. It’s hard to know the right thing to do these days — there is so much conflicting information out there. I’m grateful for blogs like yours!