Why Our Family Switched to Raw Milk

Just a few years ago, we made a HUGE transition in our family to Raw Milk from conventional, processed {grocery store} milk.

Before we went “raw”, we were buying Organic milk – to the tune of 3-4 gallons a week. Our kids love milk – but little did we know that not all milk is the same.   Likewise, I don’t think many people realize the health benefits of Raw Milk — many families out there today will tell you they drink Soy or Almond Milk .. and if you head to Costco, almost everyone comes out with Soy or Almond.

Many families and food bloggers alike will quickly tell you that they are “Dairy Free” – they or their children cannot have dairy due to what it does to their body…after all, dairy is touted as being a bad health choice.

The truth is, not all dairy is the same, and Raw Dairy is actually an amazingly healthy food. We consider Raw Milk liquid gold – not only does it help support and strengthen our children’s immune systems, it’s an amazing source of nutrients. 

Wondering why it’s SO valuable for your health? Read this post on Why Raw Milk is a Healing Food.

So why did we make the switch? And why do we continue to spend $50 – $60 each week on Raw Milk? 

#1 – Raw Milk is a Whole, Real Food

Store bought items leave a lot to be desired – they are re-boxed, repackaged, and often times not really even close to what you can call “food”. Not even close to “real food” honestly. 

Raw Milk is something that you can consume from it’s natural state – it hasn’t been altered.

Clean, raw unprocessed milk is highly nutritious food – it’s great for boosting immune system, and is a valuable source of nutrients including proteins, probiotics, enzymes, phosphorus and more.

CLA, short for conjugated linoleic acid and abundant in milk from grass-fed cows, is a heavily studied, polyunsaturated Omega-6 fatty acid with promising health benefits (33). 

Among CLA’s many potential benefits: it raises metabolic rate, helps remove abdominal fat, boosts muscle growth, reduces resistance to insulin, strengthens the immune system and lowers food allergy reactions. As luck would have it, grass-fed raw milk has from 3-5 times the amount found in the milk from feed lot cows (35)(36) (Source)

Since the milk is not pasteurized, enzymes are kept in tact – they are very beneficial to your body in that they help absorb nutrients.  Likewise, beneficial bacteria is also present – that bacteria (which is not in pasteurized milk) helps your body ward off infections and keeps you healthy.  

Unlike processed milk, all 8 of the essential amino needed by the human body are found in raw milk.

#2 – Tastes Amazing

Have you ever had Raw Milk? I Crave raw milk. I can’t drink the milk from the grocery store – it tastes bland, and just icky. 

Raw milk is creamy, and wholesome. I love drinking 2 cups in the morning at breakfast, I love drinking it mid-day, and it prevents me from getting hungry constantly.  When you mention Raw Milk people often times think “sour milk” but it’s not sour at all.

The milk is thick, RICH, and tastes absolutely amazing. You can’t replicate that taste, it’s just so good.

(So good in fact I just finished off 2 cups here while writing this part!)

#3 – It’s our Immune System Booster

If you, at any time, google “Raw Milk” you will likely get a long, long laundry list of warnings — the FDA claims it’s unsafe, pregnant women are told to avoid it, and almost every person you mention it to turns up their nose and claims that dairy is bad, bad stuff.

That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Dairy is bad – but not all dairy is the same.  Raw Milk is NOTHING like processed dairy.

Raw Organic Milk from grass fed cows has beneficial bacteria that primes your immune system an reduces allergies. It’s a great source of vitamin A, enzymes, and zinc.  The health issues that comes with pasteurized milk (skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps) are not associated with raw milk.

The fats in raw milk will also benefit your immune system. Raw milk is our liquid gold. I feel like it strengthens my kids immune systems – they are rarely ever sick. We don’t visit a doctor (and haven’t since our kids were born!) and they rarely ever come down with anything – and we have 4 kids (going on 5!)  

 I really don’t think it’s coincidental – but I do think that the choices we have made contribute to their health on a larger scale than many may think.

#4 – I Can Use it for Many Things

Unlike pasteurized milk, I can do lots of stuff with Raw Milk.  Pasteurized milk is just some weird stuff – if you have kids who drink a half cup and leave it out, you are doomed after 30-45 minutes. You have to toss it — it is just icky. It goes bad and you will risk getting sick if you even try to drink it.

Raw Milk is entirely different. I can use it to make homemade yogurt – without the sugar and thickeners that store yogurt has (YUCK!)  I can use it to make my own sour cream, use it for heavy cream – I can even use it to make my own whip cream.

One of the BEST uses for it is making Kefir – it far exceeds the kefir you will find in store. Kefir from raw milk is full of probiotics and is amazing for supporting a healthy gut.

But What about the Risks?

Like we mentioned earlier, if you tell anyone you drink raw milk, or, Google “Raw Milk” you will find over a thousand articles with experts weighing in on how bad it is for you. 

Even our own government weighs in pretty heavily on the horrible effects it will have on your body.  They will claim it’s unsafe for children, pregnant women and more… it can’t possibly have ANY health benefits – because the risks are far greater.

When you first start studying raw milk it can be daunting .. because almost every site out there imaginable tells you not to drink it.  Your doctor might even tell you it’s bad for you – in my case, my OBGYN told me it was one of the most “unsafe” things I could eat/drink while pregnant. I begged to differ.

I think you have to be willing to see that there is a HUGE door between food giants, agribusiness, pharmaceutical companies and the FDA. 

The intent of the FDA is to have so much control over the food supply, and give that control to HUGE agricultural corporations that want to sell you junk and processed food because THAT is what keeps their costs low.  

If the FDA was concerned about  the health of consumers, they would start putting warnings out about much of the processed food industry – instead in the U.S. Bovine Growth Hormone (which is banned in other countries) is completely legal here.

Where to Find Raw Milk

Want to buy raw milk? Unfortunately each state has different laws – thankfully we can purchase here in Arizona, but not all states allow you to purchase Raw Milk so you will need to know your state laws.

Find a local farmer in your area – just remember that each state has different requirements on the sale of raw milk, so you will want to check with your state to see if they allow.

1. Learn your local State Laws

• Real Milk – summaries by state
• The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund

2. Find a Farmer

You can look at LocalHarvest.org to find your nearest Farmer who sells Raw Milk; or you can call theWeston Price Foundation and talk to your local chapter leader to find out more.