The Process
1 year birthday: female cows are artificially inseminated
cows are kept in tiny stalls or in over crowded pastures, conditions are barely enough for the cow to maintain pregnancy
After giving birth, their calf is taken from them
baby female - put through the same cycle as their mother, becomes a dairy cow
baby male - sold + chained in tiny stalls for 3-18 weeks and raised for veal
10 months after birth, the female (mom/birthing) cow stops lactating and is then artificially inseminated (please explore the process of how this is done) again
“Some spend their entire lives standing on concrete floors; others are confined to massive, crowded lots, where they are forced to live amid their own feces.”
Cows can live up to 20 years!
However, they are subjected to various conditions on dairy farms:
stress - this is significantly heightened by the loss of their calf. Cows form complex relationships, show emotion and intellectual capability.
poor diet, are even forced to canabalize
lack of bedding or clean pastures
And then are sent to slaughter by age 4 or 5.
Up to ages 4-5
cows are genetically manipulated, forced antibiotics and hormones, and fed unnaturally high protein diets (chicken feathers and fish) so that they may produce more than 22,000 pounds of milk each year
Cows are only meant to produce enough milk to meet the needs of their calves.
With the abnormal conditions these cows are enslaved in, various medical conditions and diseases occur. For example, Mastitis. Mastitis is a disease caused by various bacteria.
Why does this matter?
infected udders = diseased milk with pus from a cow’s udders
How:
Symptoms of mastitis are not always visible.
So…
somatic cell count (SCC) of the milk is checked > determine whether the milk is infected with pus
(Somatic cells = white blood cells and skin cells that are normally shed from the lining of the udder)
white blood cells aka “pus”
healthy milk = count of somatic cells must be below 100,000 cells/milliliter
How does dairy industry get around this?
They are allowed to combine milk from all the cows in a herd in order to arrive at a “bulk tank” somatic cell count
Milk with a maximum bulk tank somatic cell count of 750,000 cells/milliliter can be sold.
A bulk tank cell count of 600,000 or more generally indicates that more than two-thirds of the cows in the herd are suffering from udder infections “Trouble Shooting Troublesome Somatic Cell Counts" by Richard Wallace
No species drinks milk beyond infancy or drinks the milk of another species
BESIDES HUMANS.
Cow’s milk is for baby calf’s.
Why not humans?
allergies
digestion
bloating
gas
cramps
rashes
asthma and other nasal/bronchial breathing problems
various skin conditions - trouble with acne, rosacea etc? Try removing dairy.
Our bodies are not meant to perform on this formula intended for an entirely different species.
"Strong bones though?"
Rather than preventing the disease, medical studies have shown that milk may actually increase women’s risk of getting osteoporosis
Aside from our physical health…
What we do to the planet, we do to ourselves.
The detrimental effect of dairy farms on the environment is immense.
Instead of dairy?
MILK
Oatly
Dark Blue = full fat
Light Blue = low fat
What's it good for?
- creamer in coffee
- sauces (replacement for milk or when recipe calls for plant milk)
- normal replacement for milk
Califa Protein Oat Milk
8 grams of protein per 8 fl oz!
*Original (not a fan of the vanilla)
What's it good for?
- thicker creamer in coffee
- adding in shakes to get additional protein
EXTRA: this texture is a bit different and can be chalky. If you want to try it, but end up not liking it, you can always add it into your shakes - you will barely taste it and will reap the benefits of higher protein!
YOGURT
Forager Organic Cashew Yogurt Vanilla Bean
I also love their other flavors. They come in little packages (as pictured) and are a great snack or additive to a smaller meal.
What's it good for?
- normal replacement for yogurt!
- add in shakes
TRY THIS: mix yogurt with pomegranate seeds (or your favorite fruit)
Forager Probiotic
*This is absolutely not a yogurt. However, it can serve as one.
This is a thicker shake texture but much more watery than yogurt.
What's it good for?
- replacement for yogurt, I love adding some crunchies/granola in this and just eating it as is!
- great if you have trouble taking vitamins/pills
- getting your probiotics in and the other stuff OUT!
CHEESE ALTERNATIVES
** The best part about adding more plants to your plate is that you’re eating real, whole foods. These alternatives are best if you’re craving the real thing or every once in a while! Try not to rely too heavily on processed foods.
Miyokos Cheddar
Sharp cheddar taste that melts with heat.
What's it good for?
- Pizzas!
- normal replacement for shredded cheddar cheese
365 Brand Plant based Cheese
These alternatives offer a good taste with decent texture.
Gouda Cheddar + Mozzarela
What's it good for?
- sandwiches
- curb a craving
- normal replacement for cheese
BUTTER
** Any butter, as well as vegan butters are high in saturated fats
Miyokos Cultured Vegan Butter
Best replacement - is it a replacement if it's better than the real thing?
INGREDIENT LABELS!!
Look at your labels! "CONTAINS MILK" is on sooo many things. Read the label all the way through and look for things like milk powder or other forms of dairy.