One mama. Two kids. Twenty two empty bottles clinking a catchy little rhythm as our car zipped along the country roads. It can only mean one thing…
It was our turn to make the milk run this week!!
Why do we drive almost an hour to buy milk, coordinating with friends via e-mail and cell phones and collecting bottles at the farmers market or during our church coffee hour?
Because nothing compares to fresh, raw milk from grass-fed cows — both in taste and in health benefits — and until it becomes legal and accessible here in Rhode Island, we’ll keep making our westward milk runs into our neighboring state of Connecticut where it can be purchased directly from farms as well as at grocery stores.
Our farm of choice is Baldwin Brook Farm in Canterbury, CT. Not only is the milk absolutely delicious, but when it is our turn to make the mlk run, we get to enjoy scenery like this:
(I couldn’t resist bringing home one of these bumper stickers.)
Quinn has made the milk run with me before, but this was Lily’s first time. As we drove out of the winding drive and over the covered bridge to leave the farm, she said, “You were right, Mama. It is a long ride to get here, but it is definitely worth it!”
That’s my girl.
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Want to read about another exciting milk run I took last year?
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Beautiful pictures. I’d love to tag along on one of your milk runs some day.
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Beautiful! We’re so thankful to be one of the “runners”! Thanks, again, for bringing the perfect end to my Monday:)
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I just bought my first raw milk a couple weeks ago. I was a little saddened though that my family didn’t notice any difference. We were all ready drinking local and organic milk. Cost wise – that is much less inexpensive and delivered to my door. I love your glass bottles though.
Denise´s last blog ..
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We are blessed to be able to buy raw milk from a farm a few miles away, but if I had to drive through the territory you’ve pictured above I don’t think I’d mind too much:)
The health benefits of raw milk are tremendous!
Elizabeth´s last blog ..handmade…scarves -
I love that covered bridge! Good for you for supporting raw milk! We are so lucky that we have access to raw milk just down the road. We used to get raw cow’s milk, then my kids broke out in rashes…then we switched to raw goat milk, and again rashes. So, we tried, but the kids just can’t do animal milk…now we do rice and almond.
Suzy
Hip Mountain Mama´s last blog ..Snow Candy -
Just one of the many things I love about the blog world — the access to different experiences and opportunities and ideas. I’ve never had raw milk or known anyone who has had it (well except for my mom who grew up on a farm in the 40s and 50s). I’m fascinated by it and the movement behind it. Don’t have the slightest idea how I’d get access to it, and that’s coming from someone in the Midwest where theoretically it should be easy. But if I could have views like yours, I think I’d find a way to give it a try.
Ivy´s last blog ..A Little Better All the Time -
I am so out of it- why would raw milk be illegal? What are the advantages/disadvantages to drinking it vs organic milk?
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We live in the sucko state of Michigan when it comes to raw milk laws– MI. was the first to make it illegal way back in 1948! While we are lucky to have a dairy farm an hour away that supplies grass-fed cow milk it isn’t raw. There are folks working on changing that law here, but government moves so very slowly…so when I saw your picture I was thinking “wow– 22 bottles = $44!” (it is a $2 deposit on bottles from the farm…I think we’re up to 16 here…we call it our “bookstore money.”)
Truly though, good for you for making the trek– what a great way to teach the kids about the importance of good food.
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ivy ~ you can find farms that sell raw milk at http://www.realmilk.com/where.html
kelly ~ it’s illegal in some states because it is considered to be a health risk because it is not pasteurized.
there’s quite a lot out there on the benefits of raw milk. here are some good resources:
http://www.realmilk.com
http://www.rawmilk.orgthere are also some books out there (i haven’t read them) about it:
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Thanks, Erin. Ironic how something like raw milk is illegal and yet companies are allowed to sell dyes and chemicals and call it food!
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Awwww! You beat me to it! I’ve had my milk bottle pics for a few weeks plotting a post that just hasn’t happened ;-)
We love our raw milk.
Hillary´s last blog ..flowers13: ummmm… I meant *heart*, but you knew that, right? -
I’m a recent convert to raw milk!!! (So glad I live in CT!) Just got some today.
Beautiful pics! :)
Kate´s last blog ..My Everyday Magic 1/06/2010 -
How funny that the first day I find your lovely blog, the post is about raw milk. Just TODAY I began coordinating an effort to bring raw milk to my brave friends… come on guys it’s so much better I say…… so we’ve found a place an hour away and I hope before the end of the month I’ll be driving up to get fresh milk. Yeah!
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We are ridiculously lucky, because we live right behind a raw milk dairy farm. It is just so creamy, and amazing for our skin and hair as well. The photos here are just gorgeous. I am especially in love with the one by the creek.
Heather´s last blog ..Restorative Yoga for Children -
What happened to getting raw milk just down the street?
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we switched for grass-fed cows (on acres of lush pasture) and glass bottles!
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beautiful pictures. i’m still waiting to try raw; i’m so very intrigued.
Alisha´s last blog ..These are my confessions -
this has been on our minds a lot lately, as it seems we may be about to leave our vegan life behind us!
beautiful photos, i love to see icy rivers flowing through the snowy landscape!
renee ~ heirloom seasons´s last blog ..WIP Wednesday… catching up on December-
oh wow renee! what a big change for your family.
wishing you all the best wherever your path leads you.
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What beautiful pictures. I recently blogged about how our family buys raw milk as well. We have just a five mild drive, however. I so admire your dediction! It truly is worth it.
Warm wishes.
Tonya´s last blog ..Our Journey – Part 1 -
I hope this comes out right, Erin, but I feel like in the last few weeks you’ve really “found yourself” here at exhale.
Ever since Lily’s request re: your blogging when you did lots of soul searching–you come across even more real and beautiful than before–like you know who you are and what this space is meant to be about.
And it’s obvious that many folks feel a connection with you because of that.
So my point is just–you’re amazing! =)
Jamie
steadymom´s last blog ..Thoughts on Blogging-
thank you for this jamie. it means so much to me, especially coming from you!
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such beautiful photos erin! it sounds like a perfectly lovely day and a wonderful trip for your littles.
gardenmama´s last blog ...: A Tutorial For Waldorf Window Stars! :. -
Yum!
A local mama here in So. NV drives over 2 hours to AZ to get raw milk for DOZENS of families. SO worth it!
Since we went to raw dairy, we can’t tolerate the other stuff. blech
TheOrganicSister´s last blog ..The Fearless Girl and Her Egg -
Isn’t it funny that something so natural as pure milk has become so politicized? Well, perhaps not funny, really, but it boggles the mind. I love the bumper sticker! And what a lovely landscape on your journey!
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Raw milk lovers here too! We count down the days to our raw milk-cheese-ice cream pick up! Whoooo!
BOATBABY´s last blog ..January Loving -
Oh I came over here from FIMBY and reading this post makes me want to be back in CT. I grew up along the CT shoreline about 1.5 hours from RI. I spent many summers at Masquamicut Beach and the waterslide along the way. Funny thing is that I grew up drinking raw milk and didn’t know until just recently that only some states allowed it and others didn’t. I’m in a don’t allow it state.
Annie´s last blog ..March 8 :: Quotable Monday
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