Wow it is hard to believe this work week is over.  

On Monday I always want the work week to hurry up and get over so I can spend more time with my family but then Friday seems to sneak up on me and my to-do list seems only half-way done.

This week has been a myriad of things...from the EPA sending us things to look into at work to new lambs and a new heifer, to birthdays.  There never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done for work, the farm, our family in addition to doing Mommy School with lil' man and spending quiet time alone with God reflecting on his word.  

About a month ago I joined an online bible study...(you can here more about it here) from Good Morning Girls.org.  It was a great way for me to get motivated and have conversations with ladies studying the same verses (they have a Facebook page as well).  All was well until everything seemed to catch up with me and snowball all at one time.  This week I haven't read a single verse even though each day I intended to get caught up.  I have been distracted and unfocused and frustrated all week...you know why because I am not taking time to spend in God's word.  His word is what creates calm and order in my life not me.  I have to let go...hopefully next week will be better!

Well like I said we have been celebrating birthdays...yes days.  My husband, son and father-in-law all have birthdays in the month of February (the 5th, 7th, and 16th).  To make it more interesting the all share the same name (Sr., Jr., and III)...thank goodness we call them all something different or that would be confusing (Hubs-William, Son-Wyatt, FIL-Bill).  Each celebration comes with its own unique issues.  We celebrated William's birthday last night...at home with just Wyatt, William & I. 

 It was wonderful to me however Wyatt was devastated that Daddy didn't have a BIG PARTY like he did...but he settled for the chance to pick out Daddy's cake.  Wyatt insisted on Lightening McQueen "because Daddy loves the movie Cars."  (I personally think that he is getting a little confused with the whole name thing).  

Lastly I had to go to the grocery store early in the week to buy meat...

yes pretty much just meat.

I purchase the majority of our meat in the grocery store usually with the expectation of sausage and ground beef.  However this week I had to purchase ground beef as well because we are out.  With homegrown our homegrown beef I don't have to drain the meat after browning it because there is very little fat however with the 75% ground beef from the grocery store I have to drain it or our food is swimming in fat.  Now with that being said realize this is still what I buy.

 I just make sure that I brown the meat alone first and then drain the meat in a strainer and run hot hot water over it to help wash away any excess fat.  If I needed to cook it with onions or seasonings or whatever I just wipe out my pan while washing the meat and throw everything back in the pan for a few more moments.  This gets you a leaner supper, cheaper.  

Beef is a regular part of our diet.  Most nights that is what we eat for supper.  Now I don't expect everyone to agree with that but my hubby isn't a chicken man and in our family pork is a mainly a breakfast meat.  Occasionally we will enjoy pork chops...oh how I love a good fried pork chop or chicken leg...or most anything fried (sorry just a ramble...almost lunch time)

There are many good lean, healthy beef cuts that you can enjoy.  I encourage all of you to hope over to Explore Beef and check it out.  To encourage you to try some beef I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes:  Country Fried Steak.  I use a recipe similar to the Pioneer Woman's seen here

So each day we produce gallons of milk...I mean literally 

on an average day we produce about 805 gallons of milk a day!  

Needless to say we love milk in our house.  

We drink anywhere from 2-3 gallons of white milk and about a gallon of chocolate milk each week...

that's only between my husband, myself and our 4 year old.  

The milk we drink comes just like yours from a grocery store.  We typically purchase the store brand or PET (a division of Dean Foods).  Why?  Because that is where our milk goes and we like supporting family farmers like ourselves.  

The National Dairy Council says, “together, low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese, and yogurt provide a unique package of nine essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, and niacin (niacin equivalents). Not to mention great taste.”  

For example:

You can learn more at Got Milk

On the pricing side of things on average I pay $3-$4 for a gallon of milk 

depending on if its on sale or not.  

Let me break down for you how much of that we receive on farm...

we are not paid by the gallon...we are paid by the hundredweight (cwt).

A gallon of milk weighs roughly 8.6 pounds

so each day we produce about  6,923 pounds of milk.

According to an article on Progressive Dairy "in August 2011, 

on average, consumers paid $3.40 per gallon 

and producers received $1.53. 

In values per hundredweight, 

the numbers are $39.40 and $17.85, respectively."  

That's a pretty big difference in my book.  

So on those 805 gallons of milk we only got $1231.65 

but consumers paid $2,737.  

Now we all know and understand there are other cost associated with food

Hauling, marketing, bottling, etc.   

So there you have it...why milk is good for you and the cost break down.

I hope this helps you understand milk a little better...

if you have any questions please feel free to email them to me,

post them on my Facebook page SCFARMWIFE

or comment below.

Until next time--

Caci

Well let me tell you that simply isn't true.  I  visit the local grocery store at least once a week...many times more.  I understand the price of food in the grocery store...even though we have a dairy I still purchase ALL yes ALL of our milk from the store.  Over the next few weeks we are going to discuss our Food Supply and the price of food.  If you have questions shoot them to me and I will do my best to answer them! 

Tomorrow's topic...MILK...supply/demand and price!

Until then--

Caci