It Could Grow On Me!

Statement made by the head of our house.  Well actually the statement was, "With salt, it could grow on me."  Last night we feasted on grass fed beef.  Grass fed beef is much healthier than conventional beef that has been raised on grain and often pumped with growth hormones and antibiotics.  However, it tastes a bit different!  I have to keep reminding myself that this change in our diets will take some adjustments!

Research suggests that animals raised on a grass diet, as opposed to a grain diet, have higher levels of beta carotene, conjugated linoleic acid and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Grass fed beef is also lower in fat and cholesterol.  And let's not forget fewer calories!  "As an example, a 6-ounce steak from a grass-finished steer can have 100 fewer calories than a 6-ounce steak from a grain-fed steer.  If you eat a typical amount of beef (66.5 pounds a year), switching to lean grassfed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year-without requiring any willpower or change in your eating habits."  http.//www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm   

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is considered a good fat that is believed to be an anticancer agent.  In lab rats, CLA has helped combat obesity, cancer, and diabetes.  Currently there are human tests underway.

Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for life.  As stated above, grass fed beef is high in Omega-3 fatty acids.  Corn fed beef is high in Omega-6 fatty acids.  A healthy diet should consist of a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 intake.  However, the average American consumes 14-25 times more Omega 6 fatty acids than Omega-3 fatty acids.  According to the British Journal of Nutrition, after only 4 weeks of eating moderate amounts of grass-fed meat, Omega-3 increased in blood levels of healthy volunteers.

Here is an interesting article by Time called The Grass-Fed Revolution.  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200759,00.html

So now we know it is healthier, but is it tasty?  Here is the Lovins low down on the grass fed beef super easy crock pot beef roast:  Michael: with salt, it could grow on me.  Natalie: it tastes like buffalo and I don't care for buffalo.  I'm in the Michael camp though, when we want red meat I think it could grow on me, only without salt.  All 3 kids ate it up with no hesitation.  They didn't even notice a difference.  I have to say that we had left overs tonight and I liked it so much better!  I really did.  Wondering if I am already adjusting or if time flavored it up a bit.  Either way, I will definitely pick up some more grass-fed beef at the farmers market.  The recipe below was used to create our grass-fed feast.  Enjoy.

Super Easy Crock Pot Beef Roast

American Grassfed Beef ~ MO.~ AGA Member

Cook/Bake Time: 8 hours in Crock Pot

Ingredients:

• 3 lb Frozen Grass fed beef chuck or arm roast
• 3/4 liter Burgundy
• 1 Thinly Sliced Onion
• 1 Beef or Vegetable Bullion
• 1 T Worchester Sauce
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 2 C Water

Directions:
If you are organized and pre-plan your meals, you could thaw your grass fed beef roast, Jaccard it and sear it on both sideswith some butter or olive oil in the pan before throwing it in a crock pot. However, if your schedule is hectic like ours, just throw all the ingredients including the frozen grass fed beef chuck in a crock pot set on low and cook all day (about 8 hours or more). Either way, you will have beef so tender it will be falling apart.  http://www.americangrassfed.org/super-easy-crock-pot-beef-roast/

Sources:
http://www.eatwild.com/cla.html
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-6-000317.htm
http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm
British Journal of Nutrition (2011) Red meat from animals offered a grass diet increases plasma and platelet N-3 PUFA in healthy consumers. Volume 105, pages 80-89.