 Calf from Barefoot Farms | I did a bad thing. I made my friends mother cry last night. Before you judge me, let me explain. I love raw milk. In my opinion, raw milk is "Paleo-friendly", as it fits the bill; whole and hearty and full of nutrients! Plus it’s as natural as it comes – straight from the nipple! Despite the many benefits of raw milk, many people act like it’s the worst thing you could possibly be drinking; like it’s the WORST thing since sliced bread (pun intended). |
My friend’s mom is one of those people. Actually, she is the King of these people because she works at a doctor’s office…and that’s how a normal conversation about raw milk turned into her crying and stomping out of the house.
How it Happened
The weekend prior to the ordeal a few friends and I went on an overnight hike, where we filtered our drinking water from streams and laid in the dirt for a couple of days. It was awesome and I’ve included a few shots at the end of this post.
I’m telling you this because apparently I’m not as tough as I like to think I am and was sick for a couple of days after returning from the hike. I attributed this to something I ate or drank while on the trail; however my friends’ mom insisted on telling me it was from the “raw” milk I’d been drinking.
She laughed when I told her I believed raw milk to be extremely healthy but she insisted I read over the CDC report she’d brought over for me. In that report it read, “There are no health benefits from drinking raw milk that cannot be obtained from drinking pasteurized milk that is free of disease-causing bacteria”. I hate to tell you this, but this is a downright lie. A simple Google search will show you there are many benefits from raw milk, it just comes with a slightly larger risk (less than getting into your car each day).
This woman went on to tell me she works at a Doctor’s office and knows about these sorts of things. I went on to ask her, “So you study raw milk”? She of course replied no.
It gets better. I went on to explain many of the benefits of raw milk and why I choose to drink it, and told her that many lactose intolerant individuals were even able to consume raw milk with no problems, she didn’t believe me.
At this point, I was trying to tell her we should agree to disagree, but she insisted she knew more about the subject than me, and that she went to school for this stuff. She just wouldn’t let it go. I told her that she went to school 40 years ago and regardless of schooling she has never done any prior research…as I have (I have a Bachelor’s Degree as well…Go Beavs).
At this point, I’m assuming due to the old age comment, she lost it. I feel [sort of] bad for the comment, but had already tried to stop the argument prior to that, but she insisted she was correct and I was wrong. I was being attacked.
That’s what I don’t get. I don’t get why this woman would care so much about whether or not I drink raw milk to the point where she is willing to argue with me about it? Furthermore, this woman has never done any personal research on raw milk and only gathered her information from one source.
This leads to the question; why does the government restrict the production of raw milk? I think it’s because the government thinks we’re weak. The government has to aid to its weakest link or the chain will fail. Raw milk isn’t illegal because it’s unhealthy, but because it can’t be controlled. It makes sense…
Think about it, if raw milk was able to be widely distributed, quality would go down due to mass production and THAT’S how people get sick; dirty environments. The raw milk itself is not the problem.
The difference between my friends mother and I is that I’ve actually researched the subject. I drink raw milk because I feel the benefits outweigh the risks, and I told her that. I know where my milk is coming from because I am part of a herd-share. I am part of a small 17 acre farm in Clatskanie, Oregon called Barefoot Farms and Flowers.
Currently, I’m drinking from 3 Jersey cows named Annabelle, Sugar, and Babycakes, but most of Babycakes milk goes towards ricotta cheese and greek yogurt! You can see Sugar on the left and Annabelle is pictured with her calf on the right.
I’m telling you this because apparently I’m not as tough as I like to think I am and was sick for a couple of days after returning from the hike. I attributed this to something I ate or drank while on the trail; however my friends’ mom insisted on telling me it was from the “raw” milk I’d been drinking.
She laughed when I told her I believed raw milk to be extremely healthy but she insisted I read over the CDC report she’d brought over for me. In that report it read, “There are no health benefits from drinking raw milk that cannot be obtained from drinking pasteurized milk that is free of disease-causing bacteria”. I hate to tell you this, but this is a downright lie. A simple Google search will show you there are many benefits from raw milk, it just comes with a slightly larger risk (less than getting into your car each day).
This woman went on to tell me she works at a Doctor’s office and knows about these sorts of things. I went on to ask her, “So you study raw milk”? She of course replied no.
It gets better. I went on to explain many of the benefits of raw milk and why I choose to drink it, and told her that many lactose intolerant individuals were even able to consume raw milk with no problems, she didn’t believe me.
At this point, I was trying to tell her we should agree to disagree, but she insisted she knew more about the subject than me, and that she went to school for this stuff. She just wouldn’t let it go. I told her that she went to school 40 years ago and regardless of schooling she has never done any prior research…as I have (I have a Bachelor’s Degree as well…Go Beavs).
At this point, I’m assuming due to the old age comment, she lost it. I feel [sort of] bad for the comment, but had already tried to stop the argument prior to that, but she insisted she was correct and I was wrong. I was being attacked.
That’s what I don’t get. I don’t get why this woman would care so much about whether or not I drink raw milk to the point where she is willing to argue with me about it? Furthermore, this woman has never done any personal research on raw milk and only gathered her information from one source.
This leads to the question; why does the government restrict the production of raw milk? I think it’s because the government thinks we’re weak. The government has to aid to its weakest link or the chain will fail. Raw milk isn’t illegal because it’s unhealthy, but because it can’t be controlled. It makes sense…
Think about it, if raw milk was able to be widely distributed, quality would go down due to mass production and THAT’S how people get sick; dirty environments. The raw milk itself is not the problem.
The difference between my friends mother and I is that I’ve actually researched the subject. I drink raw milk because I feel the benefits outweigh the risks, and I told her that. I know where my milk is coming from because I am part of a herd-share. I am part of a small 17 acre farm in Clatskanie, Oregon called Barefoot Farms and Flowers.
Currently, I’m drinking from 3 Jersey cows named Annabelle, Sugar, and Babycakes, but most of Babycakes milk goes towards ricotta cheese and greek yogurt! You can see Sugar on the left and Annabelle is pictured with her calf on the right.
 Sugar and her calf |  Annabelle and her calf |
How can you not want to be a part of something like this? Maybe I’m just a hipster from Portland, but drinking raw milk somehow makes me feel closer to nature and this reason alone outweighs the costs.
I hate the idea of pasteurization and changing something so perfect into something so unhealthy. For me it’s raw or nothing.
I hate the idea of pasteurization and changing something so perfect into something so unhealthy. For me it’s raw or nothing.
Raw Milk Benefits | 3 Reasons I Drink Raw Milk
Beyond the satisfaction of feeling closer to nature, the real reason I started drinking raw milk was for the nutrient content. I got the idea from my main man (and mentor) John Meadows, a natural bodybuilder who explained that raw milk is rich in omega 3’s and CLA – both great for building a healthy body and a better physique. Come to find out, there were even more benefits than what he had explained.
Raw Milk Benefit #1 | Omega 3 Content
The Jersey cows I drink from are grass-fed, so my raw milk is rich in healthy omega 3 fatty acids which is something I always focus on. These omega 3’s will not only help me think more clearly due to the DHA, they will also help me build a better physique as they are needed for healthy cells and communication.
Raw Milk Benefit #2 | CLA Content
CLA is crazy, and it’s going to change the way you think about fat. The reason I say this is because you’ve been told that ALL trans-fats are the unhealthy, well that’s a lie. CLA is a trans-fat found in grass-fed dairy and it’s an antioxidant that fights cancer! I’ll repeat myself. CLA is an anti-oxidant that fights cancer.
Remember reading those articles claiming red meat and dairy lead to cancer? That’s probably true, if you eat grain-fed beef and pasteurized milk that doesn’t contain the good stuff like CLA! But now you know better!
Natures got your back, the reason trans-fats have a bad rep is due to artificially creating them for people to enjoy their chips and crackers…but you’re past that now.
Remember reading those articles claiming red meat and dairy lead to cancer? That’s probably true, if you eat grain-fed beef and pasteurized milk that doesn’t contain the good stuff like CLA! But now you know better!
Natures got your back, the reason trans-fats have a bad rep is due to artificially creating them for people to enjoy their chips and crackers…but you’re past that now.
Raw Milk Benefit #3 | Alkalizing Effect
Balance is something that I’ve found lacking in the Western culture, however well established in the East. You’ve obviously heard of yin and yang; equal and opposite forces required to keep a healthy balance. Well that’s true in every aspect of life, and nutrition is no different.
Just like there is night and day, good and evil, omega 3 and 6’s, there are also acidic and alkalizing foods that affect the pH of your body and how your body communicates to itself. It’s important to eat enough alkalizing foods (like leafy greens or raw milk) to offset the acidic foods (processed foods and even grass-fed meat).
I’m not going to list all of the alkalizing and acidic foods (Google it), just understand that raw milk has an alkalizing effect on the body, better regulating the pH of your body’s fluids.
It’s weird that pasteurized milk is acidic while raw milk is alkali, but it’s true. The best example of this is the fact that America drinks more milk than any other nation yet we have high rates of osteoporosis (lack of calcium in your bones). The reason for this is because pasteurized milk is acidic and in order to bring balance, your body pulls calcium (acid reducer) from its richest deposit – your bones. It’s counter-productive.
If this makes you upset, it should. You've been told for years milk is good for your bones – but you shouldn't drink raw milk! It’s backwards, but now you know better.
Just like there is night and day, good and evil, omega 3 and 6’s, there are also acidic and alkalizing foods that affect the pH of your body and how your body communicates to itself. It’s important to eat enough alkalizing foods (like leafy greens or raw milk) to offset the acidic foods (processed foods and even grass-fed meat).
I’m not going to list all of the alkalizing and acidic foods (Google it), just understand that raw milk has an alkalizing effect on the body, better regulating the pH of your body’s fluids.
It’s weird that pasteurized milk is acidic while raw milk is alkali, but it’s true. The best example of this is the fact that America drinks more milk than any other nation yet we have high rates of osteoporosis (lack of calcium in your bones). The reason for this is because pasteurized milk is acidic and in order to bring balance, your body pulls calcium (acid reducer) from its richest deposit – your bones. It’s counter-productive.
If this makes you upset, it should. You've been told for years milk is good for your bones – but you shouldn't drink raw milk! It’s backwards, but now you know better.
Should I Drink Raw Milk?
Am I telling you to drink raw milk? No, I would suggest you research for yourself and see if it fits your goals. If you are healthy and could use a few extra, healthy calories it's probably a good idea.
For me, I follow a Paleo-style diet because it works well with my training. I train because it’s good for my health and longevity but honestly, I train to build a muscular physique. I love watching my muscles grow over time and knowing it was due to my hard work. I love getting "swol" in the gym because it feels amazing.
With those goals in mind, raw milk is the perfect addition to my diet. With raw milk comes additional protein, healthy fats, and even healthy carbohydrates but more importantly it comes with the digestive enzymes to be able to digest and absorb them. As John Meadows says, “you are only what you absorb”. I think the milk/calcium relationship is a perfect example of that –there's plenty of calcium in pasteurized milk however none of it is being utilized.
So again, don’t take it from me, I’m not a Doctor. I’m just somebody who has goals and take steps to achieve those goals. That’s the definition of success. Raw milk works great for me. I suggest you figure out what’s important to you and choose your foods accordingly.
If you train hard and like the idea of getting ripped, raw milk might be something to consider.
For me, I follow a Paleo-style diet because it works well with my training. I train because it’s good for my health and longevity but honestly, I train to build a muscular physique. I love watching my muscles grow over time and knowing it was due to my hard work. I love getting "swol" in the gym because it feels amazing.
With those goals in mind, raw milk is the perfect addition to my diet. With raw milk comes additional protein, healthy fats, and even healthy carbohydrates but more importantly it comes with the digestive enzymes to be able to digest and absorb them. As John Meadows says, “you are only what you absorb”. I think the milk/calcium relationship is a perfect example of that –there's plenty of calcium in pasteurized milk however none of it is being utilized.
So again, don’t take it from me, I’m not a Doctor. I’m just somebody who has goals and take steps to achieve those goals. That’s the definition of success. Raw milk works great for me. I suggest you figure out what’s important to you and choose your foods accordingly.
If you train hard and like the idea of getting ripped, raw milk might be something to consider.
