I cried yesterday.
It was out of pure frustration towards my gut.
After I unbuttoned my pants, I remembered how change must be imminent.
These early morning thoughts for you have nothing, and yet everything, to do with raw dairy.
Back to Monday
I went on a tour of Organic Pastures, which is a raw dairy farm. I was reminded that dairy doesn’t have to be a dirty word.
Blaine, one of the owners, was the star tour guide. The tour began and ended in the main office area.
We started out where the milk is bottle and stored, but not without making sure we walked through the watered-down pad prior to entering the facility and getting our hair nets on.
I know, I know….I’m a super hottie here. Autographs later.
A very specialized machine is used to bottle the milk. The machine is so specialized that they had to have someone from Wisconsin customize its every move. Hands can never touch the milk. Hands only touch where the jug meets the machine for production.
The milk is then refrigerated.
After that, Blaine showed us the area where cheese magic happens. I always wondered about cheese because cheese looks so very different, depending on brand, type, etc.
The cheese room is a completely separate area. Upon walking in, I was greeted with smiling faces and huge cheese baths.
They were constantly stirring the cheese and checking its texture.
They also monitor the cheese temperatures and pH levels. It’s very official. I had no idea cheese making was so meticulous.
Once the cheese is made and formed, it goes into a cold fridge area, where it ferments for 60 days (per government regulation).
How Nice. But Where Does Their Raw Dairy Come From?
Blaine drove us to the cows.
The land is beautiful. It’s open, calm, peaceful.
Did you know that cows have a cycle like humans….monthly and they have 9 months of being pregnant. Most farms give cows hormones that allow them to get pregnant earlier. This is never done at Organic Pastures.
Blaine thinks about medicine the same way I do -> Western culture has made it horrible. But it’s not just about human medicine and antibiotics for the McAfee’s (Blaine and Mark’s last name). It’s about taking that same care with the cows. After all, what the cows eat and consume is passed down to us. Blaine makes their own medicine and antibiotics. Her ingredients fascinated me! And guess what? Blaine is a medical practitioner by profession. She knows her stuff….she gets it on so many levels.
The cows eat only organic hay. The cows are treated superior. They all have names. They are free to roam and play all year long.
Oh, and they have dogs there, too. This has nothing to do with raw dairy, but if it doesn’t make you smile, then we might not be able to be friends anymore. Dogs melt my heart!
Raw Dairy for the Gut
Can you and should you arbitrarily get your raw dairy from any source? Absolutely not. You do need to be careful. You need to be educated about where it’s coming from and who is providing the product. You also need to be cognizant of your current health, current gut state and ensure that you are fully aware of all factors.
Beyond that, I’m going to make the statement that raw dairy will absolutely aid in healing the gut.
Here are my top 4 reason why raw dairy will help heal your gut:
- Raw dairy is a super probiotic. It is complete with enzymes, delicate proteins, bio-diverse active bacteria, and vitamins.
- This dairy is never manipulated. Part of the reason “traditional” dairy does not work for us is because of the extreme processing which occurs. Their raw dairy is not cooked, crushed or altered in any way.
- Raw milk naturally contains lactobacilli bacteria that hasn’t been denatured or destroyed by pasteurization. This helps digest lactase (lactase is the enzyme humans lack to break down lactose). As a matter of fact, many people who can’t drink pasteurized milk can drink raw milk.
- Raw milk not only contains so many of the good bacteria, but it also contains the nutrients to feed that bacteria. This results in a stronger immune system.
So What Now?
First and foremost, you should know that I am not pushing you out the door as soon as possible to get your own helping of raw dairy. If you live in California, I absolutely recommend Organic Pastures product (p.s. they are the largest raw dairy farm in the world)!
If you do not live in California, make sure to do your research.
You should research for yourself raw dairy. Check out this raw milk info and see also the awesome information via ‘why raw?’ And please know that the government and many “studies” love to scare you, ban certain research and do not give all the facts.
Something to think about: In other countries, raw dairy is widely used. In other countries, nasty, artificial sweeteners and chemicals are banned. Seems a little off, yes? Take that for what it’s worth to you.
I have been a believer since the first time I read the GAPS Diet, since Dr. Natasha has recipes in the book for homemade yogurt and the like.
I am more convinced than ever.
And Back to Crying
My gut needs an intervention. After an amazing healing period in 2009, I slowly crept back into several old ways. Just little things.
Small leaks lead to flat tires….
My Colitis has almost reached it’s breaking point. I can tell. I can feel it. I have more and more small leaks.
I know what to do. I know how the gut heals.
I have been so focused on helping everyone else. In the process I forgot about my own gut.
And now I know more than ever. If there ever was a time for me to take on myself, it’s now.
I bought several things from Organic Pastures that day.
Tomorrow will be the final post of this little series.
I’ll show you what I bought.
I’ll give you a brand new recipe.
I’ll tell you about an event I’ll HOST in California around this topic (and virtually for all of you who can’t make it).
And I’ll tell you about a decision I’ve made….a scary one, but nonetheless, a decision.
Okay, your turn: thoughts? Questions? Raw dairy. Talk to me….or email me!
Love your guts,
SKH