I had the opportunity to visit Vibrant Farms this past November, it was a pleasure to meet their Manager Kathryn and to also learn all there is to about their farm. We had communicated previously to which Kathryn educated me about their practices, which, needless to say, I absolutely love.
The beef is organic/grass fed and receives no antibiotics, no hormones, no medications; they are treated homeopathically if necessary, their animals eat no corn, no soy, and are not vaccinated; which is above and beyond the organic requirements. The grass that the beef animals consume is also organic as the farm has been certified organic for 30 years and these grasses are super nutrient dense. Vibrant Farms does raise chickens and turkeys in the summer outdoors on pastures too.
What is the difference between conventional meats and grass-fed meats?
We have all heard the saying, “you are what you eat” but more so than that, we are the nutrients we absorb, so what are you absorbing?
As a Nutritionist with four different designations my focus is on absorbing clean, healthy and nutritious nutrients, which in turn enables our bodies to build strong teeth and bones while also providing us with optimal energy. Eliminating toxins is especially imperative when diseases and illnesses have skyrocketed in the past years.
So, what exactly is grass fed meat in comparison to grain fed conventional meats?
Grass fed meats first and foremost are pasture raised and they are raised humanely; not raised in confined feed lots which restrict their movements. The positives of grass fed meats are; they have 80% less total fat; 30% less cholesterol; higher content of the heart healthy fats omega 3’s; they contain higher levels of antioxidants; have 4 times more Vitamin C; 10% more Vitamin A; and this meat has 3x’s the amounts of conjugated linoleic acid, which may lower cancer risk, reduce heart disease and enhance muscle growth.
These animals at Vibrant Farms are free of hormones, antibiotics, vaccines, gmo’s and are provided with a safe and loving environment daily. Vibrant Farms uses sustainable farming practices, their animals are healthy and happy, and they are also free to roam open pastures.
Now onto conventionally raised meats and why I highly suggest you make the switch to grass fed. For the most part these animals are factory farmed which means they are raised indoors in conditions that are intended to maximize their production at a minimal cost. These animals are fed the cheapest feed and grains possible which contain many by-products, their bad diet now becomes your bad diet if you choose to consume these conventional meats.
These animals are not eating what they are designed to eat, they are forced to eat low fibre grains, high starches and by products and they are also in turn given chemical additives and constant low doses of antibiotics. So, the vicious cycle continues as you then consume these meats and absorb the antibiotics, hormones and foods etc into your system. The stage is now set for you to experience drug resistance and a host of many more issues in your body.
These conventional meats that are fed a terrible diet also have less vitamins, fats and conjugated linoleic acid, they simply do not deliver nutritional goods. These factory farmed animals are typically raised in inhumane conditions, tightly packed into pens or cages, they are unable to have normal behaviours as most animals should all have access to; the end result is that these animals are extremely stressed out, thereby providing less than desirable meats.
Please know that this can become very confusing and there are many questions to be asked of the farmer. Just because beef is grass fed it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better than conventional beef. Many beef are grass fed at some point in their lives but then finished for the last four to six months on corn etc. Even if the animal is grass fed its whole life, it is a good idea to ask the questions directly to the farmer about the grasses and the land. It is possible that the grass and hay could still have been sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers, and that the animals may have been given antibiotics or growth enhancing hormones. They may have been kept in the barn with no access to the outdoors also. In a nutshell, grass fed does not mean organic, and organic does not mean grass fed. Organic beef can also be fed grains, just organic non gmo grains. Organic and grass fed is like the gold label. In order to be labelled as certified organic, farmers must supply easy access to their cows and document that no pesticides or fertilizers were used on their land for the past three years.
You may want to learn more at these hashtags, #knowyourfarmer and #knowyourfarmerknowyourmeat.
Vibrant Farms has bulk packages available, you can also buy bulk packages and divide with family and friends to keep the cost down. These meats are not necessarily more expensive, they can actually be cheaper when bought in these bulk orders.
I recommend trying the meats from Vibrant Farms for you and your families for a much healthier, cleaner and happier lifestyle. Knowledge is power and once you know better you do better.
The website is www.vibrantfarms.com which has an online store where you can shop.
Sudden Impact Nutrition wishes everyone a very Happy 2019!
Start making the changes towards a healthier lifestyle today!
Traci Moor
519-729-1965