Sorry FDA, there is a difference between rBST and non-rBST

I have never been so mad at the grocery story as I was tonight.  Usually being surrounded by food, especially anything dairy, brings joy to my life.  However tonight as I browsed the cheese cases  I was personally affronted when I read the following label " The FDA has said no significant difference and no test can now distinguish between milk from rBST and non-rBST treated cows.  I was stopped in my tracks fuming.  Considering it is now an hour since I took this photo you can tell it still has my blood pressure up.  

Here's my rBST story.

When I was in my teens I was "diagnosed" as lactose intolerant and for the next 20+ years I avoided milk like the plaque because I knew what would happen.  After one glass of milk I was doubled over with such severe abdominal pain all I wanted to do was curl up in the fetal position and whine for about 3 days.  Over the next 20 years I would have milk every now and then, and would always experience the same symptoms.

Glass of milk tonight

3 years ago I drank a glass of regular store milk knowing what would happen, but hoping upon hope that this time would be different I just wanted a taste.  You see I miss milk.  It wasn't different. And for three days the intestinal battle waged and I did my best not to crawl into the fetal position at work.  

A week later, having just come out of the intestinal funk a few days before, some new friends invited me over for dinner.  They are milk-a-holics.  So of course they served milk with dinner.  I knew what would happen, but I am always so tempted by that tall glass of creamy goodness.  I enjoyed my glass of milk with dinner and I waited. The next day I waited, I kept waiting and nothing.  No reaction.

mmmmm -mmmmm good!

As I had just had my usual reaction with the other milk I wondered what was different.  I knew it was cows milk, not almond or rice, but I had no reaction.  So I called my friends and asked them about the milk they had served.  They told me the brand and described to me that it has two different qualities than traditional milk - (1) no rBST (2) Low/Slow Pasteurized  This combination is perfect for my body.  I no longer run from a glass of milk, I enjoy it and the days that follow.  

Another interesting note, as I thought back to when I first started having issues with milk I learned something interesting.  rBST was introduced about that same time.  Coincidence?  

The best part about "my" milk (other than I can stomach it that is)?  It's local.  Made right here in Moravia NY!  One of these days Dann and I will go on a field trip to meet our dairy farmers and thank them in person.  Cheers!  

ps.  As for the FDAs findings I must say I'm not surprised based on the use of rBST in the dairy industry.  Even cows not treated with it in this generation may have multiple generations use of it in their bodies.

pps.  If you have ever been diagnosed as lactose intolerant or suspect you may be, all I can do is say I was once like you, but there might be hope.

Farm 2013: Onions Started

9 cartons planted

A growing station has been going for a few weeks now.  I set up some lettuce and herb seedlings back in January.  Unfortunately with the cold weather the temperature in the basement has not been ideal.  While we have lots of young seedlings nothing is of harvest nor transplant size.
Today I dusted off my second seedling station and started the onion seeds.  As I continue to learn how to farm one thing I have uncovered is that starting onions by seed in our climate is not optimal for full size bulbs.  Most farmers transplant onion sets, which are small onion bulbs, sometimes started by other companies in better climates.  And some farmers, like myself, start their onions on their own farm.
I'm big on reuse and composting of items so of course I've been saving half gallon milk cartons for months now for seed planting.  I cut the cartons in half lengthwise.  The half used when pouring the milk is relegated for transporting treats for the ladies, like their hot oatmeal this morning with our 4 degree temperatures.  The other half half which is still sealed, is saved for seed starting purposes.

Grow lights lowered

I filled the carton half way with soil.  Added a slurry that included some organic fertilizer, mixed the soil & slurry.  Once the soil was mixed, I layered the seeds on top, added a little more soil and a dusting of water and covered them with plastic lids to help hold the moisture in.  The grow lights were then lowered to just above the covers.