🧀 A2/A2 cheese. What's the big deal? It's the way all cheese used to be. LEARN MORE.

Organic vs. Conventional: What's Best for Your Little Ones

written by

Sara English

posted on

January 13, 2024

Kids.jpg

At Triple E Farm, we believe in providing quality over labels. 

We're not certified organic, but does that mean we compromise on the quality of our products? Absolutely not! In fact, we believe the term 'organic' has been greenwashed and bought out, often used as a marketing gimmick rather than a guarantee of quality.

Side note rant on “organic food:”

Let's break away from the cliché image of the "affluent parent purchasing solely organic items" - that's a false narrative. We all deserve "organic" food, or whatever that implies; it's our inherent right. Allow me to provide some context. Throughout human history, our diet was "organic" until the advent of the industrial revolution, which brought about significant changes in the human diet and lifestyle.

Consuming GMO food treated with chemical sprays, is actually a recent development in the grand scheme of evolution. Our bodies inherently crave and thrive on nutrient-rich, natural foods - the kind that nature provides and our ancestors have been consuming for ages.

Our farm aims to produce exactly those kinds of foods. We follow regenerative practices, focusing on improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. This goes far beyond typical organic farming standards.

Why is this important for parents and their children? 

Because the food we consume is directly connected to the health of our bodies and the environment. Our nutrient-dense products ensure that you are nourishing your children with the best nature has to offer. By choosing our products, you're not only investing in your child's health but also leaving a better world for them. After all, healthier soil leads to healthier plants and animals, and ultimately, healthier people. It’s all interconnected, and at Triple E Farm, we understand and respect these connections

Grass-fed Beef and Dairy: The Healthier Choice

Have you tried introducing grass-fed beef and dairy into your kiddo's diet yet? Trust me, it's a game-changer. They are both packed with all the good stuff like Omega-3s, Vitamin E, and CLA - that help our little ones grow strong, boost their immunity, and even support their brain development!

And the best part? It's not just healthier but also yummier. You can whip up some delicious meals that your kids will love. How about a juicy grass-fed beef burger for dinner or a creamy mac 'n' cheese made with grass-fed dairy? Or even some homemade beef tacos or a hearty beef stew for those chilly nights. And let's not forget the classic: a glass of grass-fed milk before bedtime. Trust me, it's not just about making meals healthier, it's about making them tastier too!

Pasture Raised Chicken and Eggs: A Nutrient Powerhouse

Ever considered giving pasture-raised chicken or eggs from your local farmer a try? They're not just tastier but also packed with all the good stuff our kids need. Compared to the conventionally raised chicken, pasture raised chickens have more Omega-3s and Vitamin E. And it doesn't stop there. Even the eggs from pasture raised chickens are nutrition powerhouses, with higher amounts of Vitamins A, D, and E, and lesser cholesterol and saturated fat than eggs from conventionally raised hens.

Imagine all the fabulous meals you can create! Scrambled eggs for breakfast, chicken wraps for lunch, or maybe a chicken stir-fry for dinner. And let's not forget the good old-fashioned boiled egg as a quick snack. It's all about making meals healthier and fun for our little ones.

Woodland Raised Pork: Savor the Difference

Woodland raised pork is an excellent and tasty choice to add to your child's diet? These pigs are raised in their natural habitat, which results in meat that is not only leaner and healthier but also richer in flavor.

But let's dive a bit deeper into the nutrition aspect, especially when it comes to our kids' development. Pork is a great source of high-quality protein, which is crucial for their growth and muscle development. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals like B-vitamins, which support brain development, and iron, which is essential for their energy levels and cognitive development.

Imagine the delicious meals you could whip up - pulled pork sandwiches, grilled pork chops, or a hearty pork stew. All these dishes would not only be a hit at the dinner table but also nourish your family too!

Organic Labels vs. Real Nutrition

While shopping at the food store, it's easy to be swayed by 'organic' labels. However, an organic label doesn't automatically make a food item healthy. For example, organic junk food is still junk food, and unfortunately many of the organic junk food products on the shelves are marketed to children as “healthy” and they simply are not.

At Triple E Farm, we believe in transparency and quality. We're proud to offer products that are not only delicious but are nutrient dense and nourish your family.

Thank you for choosing Triple E Farm, where we prioritize health, taste, and sustainability over labels.



More from the blog

A2/A2 cheese. What's the big deal? It's the way all cheese used to be.

Have you heard about the A2/A2 dairy thing?  Sure, I could get into all the science-y stuff behind it. The beta-casein protein structure, the peptides it breaks down into, the mechanisms for how it could cause damage, etc. But... that seems a little complicated. The way I like to think about the A2/A2 dairy thing is that it's the old fashioned kind. Here's why: A long time ago, cows underwent a genetic mutation that made them produce a new kind of protein - A1. You see, all mammals naturally produce milk with 100% A2 protein in it (humans, goats, sheep, mice, whales, etc)... with one exception: COWS.  A couple thousand years ago, cows in Europe were put indoors in cities. They weren't on pasture and couldn't exercise. People started to feed them grain and byproducts from making whisky or beer. They were living an unnatural lifestyle, eating an unnatural diet. The cows were stressed. And what do living things do under stress? They adapt and sometimes mutate.  Those European cows underwent a genetic mutation that made them produce a new kind of protein in their milk - A1. And then, those cows made their way to the US. And now, basically all cow dairy in the US has a mix of A1 and A2 proteins (also called A1/A2). The A2 protein is the old fashioned kind. And, gee I'm not surprised that the old fashioned kind is easier to digest and works best for most.  This is especially true for people from eastern countries like India and China. Why? The cows there didn't undergo that mutation. They still produce A2/A2 milk. People there haven't had time to acclimate to the A1 protein. When someone is intolerant to A1 protein, they generally have tummy troubles. The symptoms can be similar to lactose intolerance: stomach pains, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, etc. Over time, those issues can develop into more chronic issues like IBS or colitis. I've heard from so many people who haven't had dairy in years and then try A2/A2 and rejoice - "I can eat dairy again!" Did you know that all of our cheeses are now A2/A2?  That's right! And since cheese basically has the most protein of any other dairy item, it's a great place to start with A2/A2.  We plan to convert our entire herd to A2/A2 by the end of the year. That means that ALL of our dairy will be A2/A2 soon. Stay tuned! Do you handle A2/A2 dairy better, or does it not matter for you? What are the top things you look for when shopping for dairy? I'd love to hear from you! Comment below or contact us 😊

Mmmm... spring milk. Super special when you eat from a natural farmer.

Back in the day when all farming was natural, spring was extra special.  First off, spring feels really good after a long winter. There's the happy emergence of yellow daffodils and pink cherry flowers, the sounds of birds chirping and bugs buzzing, and the warm sun on your skin. But, the most exciting spring thing for a grass farmer like me and for a grass milk shopper like you is when the pasture turns from brown to bright green. When the cows are eating the first growth of 100% fresh spring grass - yeehaw! That means spring milk - the best dairy of the year! You see, when cows are fed outside on real pasture and are raised in harmony with nature, the milk changes throughout the year. There's variation that's in line with nature. In spring, the milk is hands down the best.  When you eat from a natural farmer, there are 3 things to look for with spring milk (or butter or cream or yogurt): The yellowest color. The bright spring grass means yellower milk. You're seeing the extra spring beta carotene in there! It's a sure way to know that your milk was 100% grass fed. The creamiest texture. Spring milk is loaded with more fat than other times of the year. You may notice the cream line on the milk get heftier. It's a perfect time for butter making. The most flavor. Since fat holds flavor and spring milk has more fat... that means the most flavorful milk is spring milk. Plus, when cows eat from biodiverse pastures like mine, it has a nuanced taste. Some may call it grassy or earthy. I call is straight up yummy. And, beyond what you can see and taste, spring milk is known for having max nutrition. Us humans are innately smart at stuff like this. When it naturally looks better and tastes better, it often means it nourishes you better, too! On my farm, 100% spring milk started a couple weeks ago. Now's the time to enjoy the dairy at its best! Have you noticed a difference in the milk or butter lately? Do you love the spring and spring dairy? I'd love to hear what you think! Comment below 😊-----PS: Did you know that, in nature, calving season is spring? We follow that natural cycle with most of our cows. That means we had a lot of mama cows that just gave birth!

Why corn & soy free? Here's an old fashioned standpoint.

In case you didn't know, over the past few years, we've transitioned all of our animals to be corn & soy free. Our dairy and beef and lamb have always been 100% grass fed. It's nothing new and simply the most natural way. I'm more talking about our animals that need supplemental feed in addition to what they forage for in the woods or at pasture - pigs, chickens, laying hens, and turkeys. There is just one exception: our GMO-free eggs. We're offering them now simply because we don't have enough corn & soy free eggs for everyone. They're the second best option around. Once our corn & soy free flock gets big enough, we'll likely discontinue the GMO-free eggs. But why? Why go corn & soy free? What's the big deal? Recently, I've heard a bunch of farms touting low PUFAs or having great omega 6/3 ratios. Well, that's all fine and well. It's always nice to have science back up what you're doing.  But, it's not really about that for me and my brother Phil. Sometimes it's softer, sometimes just by doing things that are innately natural lead to better health. The scientific whys and hows seem to constantly be changing, but the fact that natural is better has been a constant for a loooong time. Forget PUFAs. Forget omegas. Going corn & soy free is honestly the most old fashioned, most natural way of doing things in our confusing modern world of agriculture. Here are 5 reasons why (as it mostly relates to chickens): Chickens naturally forage for small grains, not big ones like corn and soy. If we go back in time, chickens were scavengers. They'd live on a farm or homestead and mostly fend for themselves. They would find kitchen scraps in the compost pile (veggies and grain and even meat). They would find spilled feed from other animals and eat that. And of course they would forage for grasses and bugs and seeds. And when foraging, they'd usually go for smaller seeds. Think about how big a grass seed is. It's small, much smaller than a large corn kernel or soybean. A modern, unnatural diet of mainly corn & soy can lead to health issues in animals. Here are a few problems that can arise: It's hard for chickens to digest corn and soy. Trying to do it over and over again can lead to digestive issues. For example, corn is high in starch and ferments easily. Chickens eating too much corn can have intestinal distress. Or, another example is that soy is high in anti-nutrients like lectins. This can interfere with how well a bird digests protein and absorbs nutrients.It can also lead to nutritional imbalances. For example, soy is high in anti-nutrients like lectins. Overconsumption can interfere with how well a bird digests protein and absorbs nutrients.It can lead to gaining weight and growing too fast. It's just unnatural. It can lead to issues with muscles, bones, joints, and the heart. Birds that grow too quickly are more prone to broken bones and lameness. We can avoid modern GMOs with certainty. No risk of cross pollination. Sure, corn and soy have been around for thousands of years. But, today's versions are nothing like they used to be. They've been hybridized and genetically modified. And because of the ridiculous amount of fields filled with GMO corn & soy, there's a pretty good chance of cross pollination nowadays. Eliminating corn and soy also eliminates the risk of anything GMO being in your food. Corn & soy are, more often than not, farmed with modern conventional practices. Those are usually bad for the environment and the future of soil. Corn & soy are the top 2 crops in the US. 90%+ that's grown is GMO. And that means that the farming practices are uber conventional.  Tilling, fertilizing with synthetic stuff, spraying lots of chemicals (including glyphosate), etc. These practices usually lead to some big problems environmentally: soil erosion, topsoil loss, loss of microbiology in the soil, loss of ecosystems, pollution in many forms, the list could go on and on!  Feeding a natural diet means healthier animals and therefore more nutrition for you! This is just common sense, right? When you eat better, you are healthier. And when it comes to farming, when you have healthier animals, they produce nutrient-dense foods! We do our best to give our animals the most biologically appropriate, most digestible, most bioavailable foods we can. It's really for the health of everything! What do you choose corn & soy free? Is it the PUFA/omega thing or something else?