Majestic skylines, simple grasslands, sharply jagged, snow-capped mountain ranges, and gorgeous cloud tufted blue skies. Rivers running wildly down their natural waterways, skipping and splashing runoff through valleys of twists and turns. Breathtaking. Refreshing. Awesome. Clean fresh air… breathe in deeply, breathe out. Rejuvenating. Driving mile after mile by open, native farmland, forests and foothills; simple wildflowers by the roadway, cottonwoods blooming. Lined by simple timber fencing corralled herds of peacefully grazing animals- cattle, sheep, horses, bison. A lovely natural panorama to enjoy in beautiful Wyoming. Perfect time to speak of the superiority of grass fed and pastured meat. We have been attracted by grass fed meat because they provide our bodies with fresher, cleaner fuel, we choose grass fed meat whenever possible. 100% grass fed meat is the healthier option, and since we are seeking healthier bodies and lives, we feel that we need to support this environmentally stable option. Grass fed animals are allowed to roam in open lands and pastures, they are free to eat the grasses and forage the foods that nature intended. This provides your family with a wholesome, naturally clean meat source without the use of hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics. These pastured ranch lands support sustainable practices, and they are growing. Many family farm-based ranchers and farmers, living closer to the land, are committed to a type of natural health and food revolution and then offering this directly to you! Let’s talk beef. Grass fed cattle have health advantages, since they have only eaten organic grass and foraged foods throughout their entire lives. Some benefits that grass fed beef may have over other beef, is that it tends to have a better nutritional profile, improved fat composition plus it is nutritionally superior with less chance of pesticide contamination. Grass fed beef has been found to have heart-health benefits as it has less total fat in the meat. In addition it has more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-a fat that reduces risk of heart disease, cancer, some immune disorders, diabetes, Vitamin K2 and antioxidant vitamins, like vitamin E. “Grass fed beef can contain ten times the amount of the essential omega-3 fatty acids than cattle raised on grain in the feedlot.” (Nicholas Gonzalez,MD Total Health article) That was enough of a reason for me - and grass fed beef tastier too! Standard, conventional cattle are raised on industrialized feedlots, animals are packed into crowded pens, given no exercise and fed inexpensive, high caloric grains as filler. Since animals were designed to forage and eat grasses (not grains) for their entire lives, it is not surprising that the health of grain fed animals is substantially compromised. Feedlot animals also need to be given growth hormones and an array of antibiotics to help fatten them and keep them well. Here is my question for you: Are you aware that conventional food producers are using a product called “meat glue”? Well yes they are. Smaller cuts of meat, scrap pieces and random meat parts stuck together can resemble larger chunks of meat (like pricier cuts of Filet and sliced meats) once this meat glue is used. Meat glue uses enzyme transglutaminase, found in blood that works as a clotting agent. Its use allows different types of meat to stick together. The US meat industry uses transglutaminase in meats sold to restaurants, markets and the fast food industry. As one can imagine, there are health concerns with meat constituted in this way, as bacteria from different cuts can become mixed into the interior of larger pieces of “newly formed” meat, and if it is not cooked well, we could get sick. USDA requires that markets must label this meat- "that it has been formed from pieces of whole muscle meat, or that it has been reformed from a single cut”, but this is not a required disclosure for restaurant. Another great reason to start buying grass fed and pastured options for beef, pork and chicken. Buy Grass Fed— When you select naturally grazing grass-based livestock they provide you with superior tasting meat and high nutrient density. Peaceful days roaming in pastures and open area, animals are grass fed and finished throughout their entire lives. Rotational grazing of the herds is part of an overall land management plan of regeneration that works to improve soils and the ecosystem and animal waste is a great plant fertilizer that’s naturally disbursed on their rangelands. This proves to be beneficial both environmentally and financially. Where to get Grass Fed— Local Farmers Markets are a good source for grass fed meats and eggs, and fantastic locally grown produce. We find that Trader Joe’s has organic eggs, and some grass fed meat options and organic free range chicken. We buy beef, pork, chicken and honey from Primal Pastures (available for local SoCal area), Wild caught Alaskan fish from Vital Choice (excellent clean, wild fish- Delivered,frozen), US Wellness Meats and Butcher Box for meats delivered nationally, also check out Eat Wild- a resource giving benefits of choosing meat, poultry, eggs from pastured animals and state lists of suppliers. Hints and resources for preparing and cooking natural grass fed beef and salmon from Vital Choice:
Now it is up to you- You have been introduced to this information about healthy and great tasting natural grass fed meat. Think about what you are eating on a daily basis, and start making changes to your food buying habits. Change takes work, be patient with yourself. Remember your health and gaining wellness is worth the time and commitment ahead.
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