Recipes for Health—Goat Milk & Free-range Eggs

Phone: 320-532-4946/1-800-323-1361

Fax: 320-532-4946 (call)

 

We can now extol the virtues of goat milk without reserve!  The richness and flavor of whole goat milk is a gourmet experience compared to 2% cow milk.  And, no, it does NOT taste like a goat. Goat milk is nutritionally different from cow milk. It is relatively high in calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, chloride, copper, and manganese as compared to cow milk. Goat milk is relatively low in vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D. These nutrients must be supplemented when using goat milk as an infant formula. Adults have access to a variety of foods as well as sunshine that supply the B vitamins and vitamin D, although in our Minnesota winters we might all do well with a vitamin D supplement. Goat milk also has smaller, more digestable proteins and is sometimes recommended for folks who cannot tolerate cow milk. Goat milk is relatively low in butterfat. Average Saanen (our breed of nanny) butterfat is 3.6%.; although she does have some Nubian whose butterfat is 4.5%. In addition to whole goat milk, we ferment our own kefir which is much more thick and creamy than the store-bought cow milk kefir. The fermentation process further breaks down the proteins and makes it very easy to digest.  It provides a healthy dose of beneficial bacteria and is one of nature’s true probiotics. Very comforting to the stomach, too. Combine goat milk with free-range eggs, whole wheat toast, and Loretta Bye’s delicious wild grape jelly and one has a complete meal. As compared to the U.S. poor industrial hen’s eggs, free-range eggs have tested 2-6 times higher in betacarotene (form of vitamin A), 2 times higher in vitamin E, and 4 times higher in the omega 3 fatty acids. They also have about half the cholesterol (178-247 mg). The nutrients in eggs depend greatly on the diet of the hen, contrary to the unsubstantiated claims of the American Egg Board. Bón appetite!

References: Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Dairy Goat Production, 1998.

Mother Earth News, 2006, http://www.motherearthnews.com/eggs/testing#free

Thanks and many blessings to all of our Customers!

May the Love & Peace of Christmas be with you always!