Snow Day on the Dairy

Before I looked out the window early yesterday morning, I knew we had snow just by listening to the excitement in the TV weatherman's voice as he updated us on the winter weather conditions. It was announced that school was closed but not a word about Anglin Dairy closing for snow!

Snow days on the dairy are considered a little more challenging because it takes us longer to move from one chore to the next and to deal with any unexpected problems that may arise from extreme cold such as equipment breakdowns or frozen outside water tanks that must be thawed.

All days on the dairy farm, snow or no snow, are spent providing consistent care for our dairy cows, heifers and calves by making sure they have plenty of nutritious feed and water and making sure they are as comfortable as possible.  From my snow experience last year, I can verify that a two inch snow day on the dairy is a lot easier to manage than a twenty-four inch snow like we experienced last year in February!

Love's Circle

While baking Valentine cookies for my family, I realized that some of the most extraordinary moments of love that I share with my family  are found in the most ordinary times on ordinary days as we work together on our family dairy farm.  On this special day of love and friendship, I wish to share with you a passage from the book Thoughts of Gold written by Leroy Brownlow:

Circle of Love

     The more we love the closer we approach the likeness of God.
     Build a circle of love. For love changes things. It converts a shack into a palace and turns a hamburger into a feast. It smooths the rocky road, and pulls down the hills. It gives courage because it stands with us. It makes pain less painful, sorrow less sorrowful, and joy more joyful. It takes some of the disappointment out of failure, and puts more delight in success. It does because of its ability to share, and much of what life is all about is sharing.
     A ray of love is what we all need--to give it and to receive it. So let love shine and shine and  shine, in me and on you, in you and on me.

                                                                  Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheesy Valentine

As I was traveling home yesterday I saw several church signs inviting community members to attend their Valentine Banquet this weekend.   If you're needing a special  Valentine dish for your  family or church dinner, you might try this tasty Better Homes and Gardens  macaroni and cheese recipe I found  a couple of weeks ago at http://www.recipe.com/. I just had to give it a try tonight and it was deliciously cheesy!


Three Cheese Macaroni


Ingredients
12 ounces dried elbow macaroni (2-2/3 cups)
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter,melted
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper(can substitute black pepper)
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces American cheese,cut into 1/2 -inch cubes
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese,shredded(2 cups)
2 ounces mozzarela cheese,shredded (1/2 cup)
20 rich round crackers,crushed

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a large pot cook macaroni according to package directions;drain. Return to pot.
Add milk,melted butter,pepper,and salt. Stir in cheeses. Transfer to a greased 2-quart casserole.
Bake,uncovered, for 15 minutes. Carefully stir mixture. Sprinkle with crushed crackers. Bake 5 minutes more or until crackers are browned and mixture is just heated through (don't overheat or mixture will curdle). Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 8-10 side dish servings.

Happy Valentine Day!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

If you think back to about this time in February 2011, we were having lots of snow and extremely cold weather in Northwest Arkansas. I'm thankful for the beautiful warm winter days this year and knowing that even though we will still  have plenty of cold weather, we're closer to spring everyday!

Fuel Up to Play 60 Beats Childhood Obesity

I didn't make any bets on which team would win or lose the Superbowl game, but I am investing my dairy farmer money with other American dairy farmers  to fight the battle against childhood obesity with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.   Since 2009, dairy farmers have provided  money for  the Fuel Up to Play 60 program designed to fight childhood obesity. Empowering students to "fuel-up" with nutrient rich foods and "get up and play" for at least 60 minutes each day will  work to fight obesity and  lead to life long sustainable health habits.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program provides tools and resources that are chosen by the students and teachers of participating schools to meet the wellness goals of each school. Key program elements (http://www.midwestdairy.com/) include:

• Free Fuel Up to Play 60 Quick Start Resources
• Interactive online Playbook with easy-to-do healthy eating and physical activity "Plays"-a collection of strategies that help students fuel-up with nutrient rich foods and get up and play for at least 60 minutes each day.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 challenges are provided through out the school year to keep youth excited and engaged in the program.
• FuelUpToPlay60.com provides program resources and serves as an online portal to share successes and learn from other participants.
• Incentives to motivate students,schools and Program Advisors to meet program and milestone goals and funds to help schools make lasting improvements in nutrition and physical activity.
• Rewards to recognize those who take action and encourage continuous program participation.

For more information about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program or learn if schools in your area are participating go to http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/. 

 I love  supporting the team that makes the pledge to --"Eat Healthy,Get Active and Make a Difference"!

Cheese Lovers Fast Facts

If you're looking for a delicious,nutritious snack for your Superbowl party, cheese is the perfect choice.  There are over 300 different cheeses in the United States and 2000 in the world that can be classified into eight categories.  Midwest Dairy provides these cheese facts:

• It takes 10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese.
• The dairy food group is the top source of dietary calcium in the American diet.
• Cheese is the No.2 source of dietary calcium for Americans.
• Cheese is more than just calcium; it also provides high-quality protein needed to help stay healthy.
• Cheese accounts for only 9 percent of the total fat and 16 percent of the saturated fat in the U.S. diet.
• Natural cheeses such as Cheddar,Colby,Monterey Jack,mozzarella, and Swiss contain minimal amounts of lactose. 
• Most dairy foods are gluten free. Natural cheeses are gluten-free and in the case of cheeses that have added flavors or are processed, check the food label's ingredient list to make sure ingredients sourced from wheat,barley,or rye aren't added.

Information about cheese varieties,nutrition information, and recipes can be found at http://www.midwestdairy.com/ or http://www.ilovecheese.com/. Regardless of which team wins the game, we can all enjoy our favorite cheese!!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just as I returned to the house this morning after feeding baby  calves, I noticed this  small young woodpecker in the middle of the wood pile where the boys had been splitting wood for the fireplace.  I'm thankful for the lessons we learn from all of God's creatures in nature and on the farm.