Is It Really Milk?
Not too long ago and for the better part of man’s existence, the milk of cows, sheep, goats, llama’s, water buffalo, rain deer, camels and several other mammals have been vital to the health if not ultimate survival of many cultures around the world. In each case there was no pasteurization, homogenization, refrigeration and certainly no regulation about consuming raw milk from real animals fed on real feed as an integral part of ones daily sustenance. Generation after generation were raised to understand and appreciate the value of an animal that when properly cared for would sustain them on what can only be considered one of natures perfect foods.
At the turn of the 19th century many families had their own cow or had access to someone who maintained a small herd of old fashioned breeds like Jersey, Guernsey or Red Devons. These cows, living an average of 12 to 15 years were raised on green grass from early spring to late fall and green feed, hay and root vegetables through the winter. They spent the vast majority of their lives on pastures exposed to the fresh air and sunshine doing what cows do. The result was one to two gallons of milk rich in vitamins A and D and what is known as the “Price Factor” (a fat soluble catalyst that promotes optimum mineral assimilation) produced every day for the making of butter, yogurts, clabber, cheeses etc.
In sharp contrast, the modern day cow is a mega Holstein that lives three to four years in confinement with very little access to fresh air and sunshine. To produce three times as much milk per day as the old fashioned cow, she’s fed a diet rich in growth hormones, antibiotics, cottonseed meal, soy meal, commercial feeds, citrus peel cake laced with pesticides, chicken manure and bakery waste. Then without fanfare she is sold off to become pet food for the family dog.
Only in modern times have we found such a circumstance in which one is led by hook or by crook to believe that a gallon of milk is a gallon of milk whether you buy it from the local big box department store, a convenience gas station or from a “real” farmer. For better health, don’t be fooled; real milk comes from real cows fed real food. Remember, if the cream doesn’t rise to the top, don’t drink it!