Chewing The Cud

The San Antonio Express News says it best in its book review entitled, "Fast Food Tale Lot to Chew On." The journalist, L.A. Lorek, makes the point that this book literally makes her sick to her stomach. This anti-agriculture, anti-business, anti-everything book targets the agriculture industry, big businesses, and the entire fast food industry. Some of the claims in this book were both ridiculous and profound. The fast food industry is the number one purchaser of beef, and as a beef producer and National Beef Ambassador, I feel the need to defend my product. Not only do America's beef producers make incredible strives to provide a safe and quality product for consumers, but its healthy as well, providing 29 lean cuts of beef to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle. Any way you slice it, the beef industry is strong, safe, and a healthy choice for consumers. So while, Eric Schlosser may have given us some food for thought, its all wasted calories, because beef is always going to be on my table. Now and forever.

After a long absence, I will be back shortly with some new posts featuring the new direction my blog will be taking. Please stay tuned.

I was reading through some buzz surrounding this new movie, Fast Food Nation, when I fell upon an interesting article. The Oregonian posted an interview with Richard Linklater about “Fast Food Nation.” Linklater discussed the making of the movie and his own political beliefs.

If reading the article isn't enough to discredit this movie all together, let's further examine this director. He has directed some doozies in his day: School of Rock, Dazed and Confused. Ring a bell? Sure, School of Rock, had a good message in questioning authority and thinking for yourself, but it lacked in promoting education and learning as roads to success. The same story is told in Dazed and Confused, a movie about students ditching class, getting high, and worrying more about initiating the freshman and getting women than homework. Its ridiculous to say that someone who clearly dislikes education and the American dream should be taken seriously in a movie about animal welfare.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know that turkey is the traditional protein of choice gracing the tables of most Thanksgiving celebrations, but I hope that beef might still be part of your day. Turkey isn't just bland and dry, it doesn't carry the bang for the buck like beef does. Beef, juicy and delicious, is nutrient dense! Beef has got zip!

Did you know that beef is the number one source of zinc and protein in the diet? Protein is essential to metabolism regulation and can be used as a source of energy. In addition, protein can provide protection from disease by enhancing the body’s immune response. Also, zinc plays a critical role in growth and development, maintenance of the body’s immune system and resistance to infection, wound healing, taste acuity and appetite control.

Did you know that beef is the number three source of iron in the diet? The type of iron found in meat (heme) is two to three times better absorbed than non-heme iron found in plant foods.Also, when consumed at the same meal, meat has been shown to increase the absorption of plant iron two- to four-fold. Meeting iron needs is important for cognitive development, intellectual performance, pregnancy outcome, immune defense and work performance, including intense exercise.

Beef is a nutrition powerhouse. When compared to a skinless chicken breast (or turkey!), beef’s 19 leanest cuts have, on average:

6 ½ times more vitamin B12
6 times more zinc
2 ½ times more iron[22]

So for some extra ZIP in your day, choose beef!

It's getting cold in South Dakota. Now not cold like last year during the ice storm where my family and I lived without electricity for eleven days, and not cold like the Blizzard of '97 where my family and I were snowed into our farm for over a week. That is cold. It's getting to be the kind of cold that in a couple of months when it is this temperature, all the frozen South Dakotans will come out of hibernation to thaw out. With the weather changing, I'm starting to miss cooking steaks on the grill or sizzling kabobs with fresh green peppers and onions. I miss camping trips with beef brats and lazy nights after chores with cheeseburgers. Then I realize that with winter brings a whole new way to cook beef! With the holidays quickly approaching, beef can be made in a variety of festive way: prime rib, philly steak sandwiches, meatballs with pasta, stromboli, cheese dips, and cassaroles can decorate a table for any occasion! I heard once that the average American consumer gains five pounds over the holiday season, but I guarantee you its not from the beef.

Read on and learn how beef is a great meat product to incorporate into your diet for a healthy lifestyle!

To all my faithful viewers out there, I must apologize for my long absence. I have been out and about promoting the beef industry like usual. Two weeks ago, I drove the long, boring drive out to Pierre, South Dakota for a Cattlemen's Convention there. Last week, I was pleased to spend some time at the NCBA office in Denver. It was fun to view the inner workings of an organization that puts beef as a top priority. With that, I have returned renewed and regenerated to promote my love, the beef industry!

First of all, I need to share a story with all of you about my mealtime experiences on my beef trips the last two weeks. When my ambassador team and I go out to eat, we sport bright red shirts with the BEEF Checkoff logo blazed on the front. The servers never seem suprised when we all order beef off the menu. However, on this particular trip, Peter and I were feeling a little spunky and felt the need to give the competitive protein, chicken, a chance. BIG mistake. I ordered a spicy chicken sandwich with red pepper soup. Peter ordered breaded chicken in marinara sauce on a bed of noodles. My mouth watered as the server placed down the beef orders all around me:beef brisket sandwich in au jus, barbecued ribs, and a steaming beef gyro evaded my senses. Then my plate came out. As soon as the plate was set down on my table, I knew this would be a blog topic for me. I couldn't even find the chicken in my sandwich. All I could taste was bread! Peter had way too much chicken that was dry and didn't go well with the sauce. To top it all off, we had to watch our comrades gloat as they enjoyed thick beef sandwiches. Peter and I spent the afternoon hungry. The mediocrity of our meals really spoiled the day. :(

Now, I don't mean to complain. I just have a huge BEEF with chicken is all. The moral of the story, if you want a healthy and satisfying meal: go with the filling and enticing beef options. You can never go wrong!

In my last entry, I discussed growing up in the bull business. My story now takes us to a different phase in my life growing up on the farm: calving season. It's the best and worst time of the year. If you aren't familiar with this time in a rancher's life, I suggest you experience it. My family and I both artificial inseminate and natural our females. As a result we seem to be calving during the Winter and Spring months. Our constant fears are if the mama cow will drop the baby in the snow or in the mud. Why do I tell you about calving season? The answer is simple. After breeding season, this is the next stage in the beef production story. Imagine these moments in my life.....

When I was in fourth grade, my family and I were snowed into our farm for a week during the infamous South Dakota blizzard of 1997. This blizzard killed thousands of cattle, left many people stranded on highways, and brought South Dakotans closer together as they fought for survival. My family and I experienced many hardships as we struggled to save our cattle, our passion in life. Last year, I experienced a similar plight. South Dakotans were hit with an ice storm that left my family and I without electricity or heat for eleven days.

With the temperature remaining below zero, I am reminded of these winter blunders. Then Colorado cattlemen come to mind...

With all of my travels promoting the beef industry, most of my classmates refer to me as the Beef Girl. Normally, most females might take it offensively to have a nickname of bovine; however, I know I received this nickname because of my passion and dedication to the beef world. My friends are well aware of the fact that I am a beef enthusiast, and this topic often comes up while dining in the SDSU Union. I’ll take note of the fact that they are eating chicken strips, again. This one comment erupts into a heated discussion that there are barely any good beef options offered on campus.

Then the question will arise of how long it has been since my friends have eaten beef. At which point I remind them that SEVEN DAYS WITHOUT BEEF MAKES ONE WEAK! On one such occasion this subject was discussed, I was shocked at my friends disconnect with agriculture.

SDSU held its first annual Relay For Life Cancer Awareness Walk April 20th, and Block and Bridle members in the beef interest group were there to catch the action.

I was joined by several of my peers to grill up burgers and beef brats for the participants in the relay. We served up over 400 burgers and 250 beef brats to the students taking part in this amazing event. The atmosphere was intense and exciting as everyone "walked for a cure."
It only seemed appropriate to give them some ZIP for their walk and to remind everyone that beef is a nutritious addition to a healthy lifestyle.

The beef was purchased from the SDSU Meat Lab with South Dakota Beef Bucks and Beef CheckOff Dollars. The meal was also sponsored by the South Dakota Cattlemen's Auxilliary. The SDSU Relay for Life generated over $20,000 to go towards cancer research. Thanks to everyone who participated.

I recently wrote a descriptive story for my English class, and I thought I would add it to my blog. Maybe I have been away from the farm too long being at college, but hopefully this romanticized story of why I fell in love with agriculture will ignite memories of why you too love this great industry. From my heart to yours...

The little girl pulled out the blades of grass with all her might, falling back on her bottom with only a few blades in her grubby, little fingers. The small girl, pigtails bouncing, stood up and brushed off her wrangler jeans and white shoes. She shyly walked up to the fence and extended her hand, offering the grass to the beast. Meagerly, a mighty bull made his way to the fence. He reached his neck out and sniffed at the girl’s hand, caressing her fingers with his cold, wet nose. In turn, she crinkled her own nose and boldly took another step towards the curious bull. Finally, their eyes connected—girl and beast. They seemed to understand each other. The bull nodded his lumbering head and licked up the few bits of grass remaining in the little girl’s hands. In delight, she ran back to fetch more blades of grass for the burly bull. His eyes glisten in delight. Together the duo becomes friends, and the frail child visits the massive bull day after day.

Her love of agriculture began at the age of five. As the college freshmen sits in her desk chair in her compact dorm room, she thinks back to her days on the farm—befriending her bulls, spending time with her dad, and basking in nature’s glory. She smiles, remembering her reasoning for pursuing a career in agriculture. The young woman returns back from her daydream, and continues her homework, knowing it will one day lead her back to the farm she loves.

I took the four-wheeler out to the pastures this past weekend and smiled as I saw a whirlwind of baby calves race across the grassy hilltops. As the sun started to slowly descend and cast a rainbow of colors across the dusk sky, I thought about how these new baby calves were the symbolism of new beginnings in agriculture. With spring comes the promise that the upcoming year will be filled with true success and happiness.

Although ranchers face many obstacles and overcome even more trials to maintain a cattle operation; each year, cattlemen start over with a fresh optimism and a renewed passion for what they are doing. I realized that even though we face challenges in agriculture, the reward of raising quality livestock and serving the land is the best journey in life. As spring fades to summer, I would like to remind everyone to breathe in the fresh air of nature and be proud that we can enjoy the best career anyone could ask for--continuing the great American tradition of providing wholesome and healthy food for the world.

As I sit at my desk by my seventh floor window in a corner apartment building at George Washington University in Washington D.C., the sunlight shines in on me as I think about all I have left behind in South Dakota. I think about the rolling hilltops of thick grass beneath my feet and the lazy clouds gliding above me. I fondly remind myself that in some sweet spot in this nation, one can view pastures of cattle and rows of corn as far as the eye can see. Then I think of my cattle, and I wonder why I traveled thousands of miles away from the very animals that I am so passionate about.

After spending one day as a summer intern with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Agricultural Marketing Service within the Livestock and Seed Branch, I have realized that traveling across the country to better serve the livestock industry is the perfect way to prove how dedicated I am to the beef cattle that I love. I realized that to be closest to the farm, I sometimes might have to leave it to further make a difference for cattlemen across the country.

I know I may just be a summer intern and realize that I may not be solving the world’s problems, but I do know that as our nation’s future—young people from across the country have gathered in one of the world’s most powerful cities to try and make a difference. In just three days of being in this booming city, I have rediscovered myself as a dedicated agriculturalist with a true heart for the beef industry. Nothing—not even skyscrapers, glittering lights and cobblestone walkways, will take the farm out of this girl.

Here is a picture of me with a few interns at the Memorial Day Parade my first weekend in D.C.

Slipping on a crisp apron and gearing up with gleaming grilling tools, the chef pulls his steak from the refrigerator, marinaded in a delicate sauce of tangy juices. Heating up the grill, the chef lays his tender beef cut on the grill continuing his love affair with preparing a delicious meal for all to enjoy. The steak sizzles as the fire below dances at the cut above. The chef smiles at his artistic abilities--knowing the masterpiece he is creating

Anyone can feel like a chef as they prepare another grilled entree for their family. Grilling is easy, and with the right tools--it can be a safe way to provide a wholesome meal to your loved ones.

An important thing to keep in mind is the temperature of your beef. By using a thermometer, anyone can grill up the perfect steak with ease. For steaks, it is recommended to reach 145 degrees and for beef and veal 160 degrees. Check out this chart to use as a convenient reminder to reach the correct temperature for a safe and succulent supper. Enjoy dominating the grill this summer!

The grills sizzle, the fireworks sparkle, and the fun begins with Americans celebrating our nation's Independence. I'm thrilled to have the privilege of celebrating this special day in the world's most powerful city...Washington D.C. I had a fun-filled day of parades, festivals, and of course, an impressive fireworks show with the Washington Monument as the beautiful backdrop.

As I sat near the Lincoln Memorial, my eyes aglow from the sparkle of fireworks celebrating the United State's birthday, I realized that even though this nation is filled with troubles, and even though my first priority, agriculture, sees its fair share of challenges...I'm proud to be an American and even more proud to be a farm girl.

Having my roots stem from those amber waves of grain makes traveling the world to see the purple mountains of majesty, from sea to shining sea only more meaningful to me. My heart is full of love for everyone who dedicates their lives to providing food, fiber, and fuel to share with the world.

A special salute to American farmers and ranchers, and a heartfelt thanks to the soldiers who give it all to protect our freedom...Happy Birthday America!

My weekend could only be described as putting out fires lit in uneducated consumers...

I spent the weekend visiting my South Dakotan friend Natalie Sturdevant at the New Jersey ocean-front home she is staying for the summer while serving as a nanny for a wealthy family to earn money for college. It was almost a culture shock to see how different their life was compared to my own. What amazed me the most was their choices of food: coffee beans shipped directly from Hawaii, fruit ordered online from a local producer, and organic EVERYTHING! Organic fruit, meat, cereal, and more. I realized that this is the hip and trendy appeal for people to consume products they might not otherwise eat. I reminded the family that conventional products were just as safe as organic products, and farmers and ranchers have been providing safe and wholesome foods to feed the world for generations.

On the train from New Jersey to Washington D.C., I met a man in his mid-fifties. I told him I grew up on a cattle ranch in South Dakota. His eyes got big and he said, "You live on a real cattle farm?" I almost wanted to laugh as this middle-aged business man curiously looked at me just like the first graders do at the Ag in the Classroom workshops I do back home in South Dakota. I patiently explained to him my experiences of growing up on cattle farm...pasture to plate. It was a very humbling experience.

Just when I thought I had changed another consumer's view point on agriculture, a new challenge presented itself to me when I arrived to my dorm at George Washington University.

Cowboy poet Baxter Black ended his speech to the Cattlemen's Beef Board at the 2007 Cattle Industry Summer Convention with a tall tale about cows chewing their cud. I couldn't resist; I just had to interview him...

Baxter Black, known for his hilarious poems about the cowboy way of life, is a feisty and adventurous cowboy with a heart of gold. Black doesn't own a computer or a cell phone, and after some persistent chasing, I was able to schedule breakfast with the talking cowboy.

We spent two hours discussing everything from veterinary medicine, immigration laws, the beef industry, and Christian faith. I'm truly honored to have spent time with this man. He has graciously volunteered his time and talents to being the voice of the Beef Checkoff. Baxter gave me several words of advice as he charmed me through our morning together with a twitch of that handlebar mustache and a twinkle in his sparkling eyes.

There simply are not enough people spreading the good word about agriculture today. Baxter Black has been putting smiles on the faces of agriculturalists for decades. Even though I may not have a handlebar mustache, I hope that one day I will be able to join the voice for agriculture.

My blog has been experiencing technical difficulties, and I apologize for the absence of blogs lately.

I am merely hours away from leaving the city, and I'm realizing how much there is still to do and see here! I'm trying to squeeze in as much as I can, but it's a great feeling to know I'm only a day away from my family and my farm! Hold me back! I'm bursting with joy! I hope you will all stay tuned while my blog gets fixed.

Look forward to reading my latest adventures...

You'll hear my recount of my fine dining experience at Ruth's Chris Steak House. Hint: The steaks melted in my mouth and the dessert was sinfully free!
You'll read about my return to South Dakota. Aww I can smell the fresh air already!
You'll have to endure me gushing about seeing cattle again! I can't wait to get a pair of boots on and get dirty again!
You'll get to see what happens when a 10 year old takes over my radio show! Total chaos!

I love it when life gets exciting! Thanks for your patience while my blog returns to normal!

I literally have hours left in the most powerful city in the world. Tomorrow I will pack up my belongings, flag a taxi, catch a plane and be in the arms of my wonderful and loving family. That's tomorrow...tonight I reflect. This final week can only be described as an invasion of textures, a heightened awareness of the greatness that surrounds me. Let me recount my last few days in Washington D.C.

There was no better place to be this week than Mitchell, South Dakota. The annual Corn Palace Festival, Bull Bash, and Dakota Fest had people from every walk of life thronging to my quaint and friendly home town. During this week in Mitchell, one can find carnival rides, corn dogs, bucking bulls and rodeo clowns, farming technology and machinery, livestock exhibits, and educational forums about the latest issues in agriculture.

I had the privilege of spending time at Dakota Fest with SDSU and South Dakota Cattlemen's Association. The forums held covered topics including: natural beef, animal identification, 2007 Farm Bill, and animal rights activism. Scott Jones, President of the SD Cattlemen's Association, and I teamed up to address how animal rights groups influence ag policy.

The Humane Society of the United States is, by far, the most dangerous lobbying group threatening food production. With a $200 million budget, this group doesn't run a single animal shelter, yet raises money for their hidden agendas with the confusion that comes with their name. In fact, HSUS has enough money to run every single animal shelter in the country with money to spare; and yet, they primarily use their money to sway legislation in their favor. Their goal: complete animal liberation and economically crippling farmers and ranchers.

It's time we start paying attention. Check out this website to find out where other animal rights organizations spend their money to hurt the farmer and make the consumer pay.

It's August and that can only mean one thing: State Fair Season! With the South Dakota State Fair only a few days away, I've been pondering on some of my great fair memories...

-Camping with all of the relatives
-Indian Tacos on Junk Food Alley
-Showing my Limousin cattle
-Water fights
-Carnival Rides
-Meeting boys at 4-H Dances!
-Collecting all of my school supplies from display booths
-Purple Ribbons and Belt Buckles
-Early morning chores
-Late nights catching up with friends
-The smell of woodchips and Kleen Sheen
-Livestock Judging Contests
-Entering crafts and cookies
-Taking naps on the show box

Ohhh, the memories! So readers out there, what's your favorite State Fair memory?

Make sure to listen to this week's radio show found on the right hand side of this webpage. I'm joined by livestock judge Travis Hoffman who shares his enjoyment in working with the 4-H youth and why he believes this program benefits young people in the long run.

After a long absence due to the South Dakota State Fair, starting classes at SDSU, and switching jobs to work at the school meat lab, I'm BACK and Chewing the Cud (CTC) is ready for new improvements, exciting stories, and readers to take part in this industry we call agriculture!

Check out my new photo gallery to learn more about my family and life on the farm.

Listen to my recent radio shows!

Get ready for some tasty new recipes!

Read about HSUS and veganism.

Learn what YOU should do to protect agriculture!

STAY TUNED!

I read a slogan the other day that read, The world wide web just got a whole lot world widier!

While this may make absolutely no sense, it made me start thinking...

Who are my readers? Where are you at? What do you do for a living? Where do your interests lie in agriculture and food production? Is there something you want to discuss on this blog? Do you have any interesting stories about the foods we eat and the farms that produce them?

Talk to me people! The world wide web is pretty darn huge, so let's be friends! Tell me your story...

On Thursday I attended an incredibly heated debate titled Competition for Land: Conservation, Energy? Production?. From each angle there were industry representatives discussing their side of the story. Each stressed the challenges they face...erosion, manure management, corn production for energy, ethanol boom and decline, and challenges a beef producer faces with EPA requirements and high prices of corn.

Wherever you stand on this, there is one thing all sides could agree on: Young people continuing the tradition of farming. Can it be done? With all of the challenges facing young people today (land prices, estate tax, input costs,urbanization etc), it seems like a huge mountain to climb.

This is what I think: challenges or not, we are the future of food and fuel production. We someday will run the land and will be responsible for conserving it for future generations. While it may be hard to remain optimistic, I know that I am determined to someday raise my kids on a family farm.

What are your thoughts on this? Do young people stand a chance? Should we even try? How should this country respond to this growing problem? How do we secure our future in food production?

Just some food for thought? Some cud to chew. Let me know when you have mulled it over...

Two days ago I posted my journey of standing up for animal agriculture and leading a peaceful walkout on the Carrie Underwood Concert at the 2006 National FFA Convention. I also reposted my video on YouTube. Since then, there has been over 100 views on the web. Along with that have been some incredibly positive feedback, but with that also comes the negative.

I've decided to post some of the comments my video has received on YouTube. These are just a small taste of what I went through last October: my friends didn't talk to me, my peers thought I was crazy, and my parents were certain I was going to end up in jail. Welcome to my pioneer! :)

kellygirl884 says,

i don't know why this girl would promote animal agriculture when SHE'S A COW HERSELF. one day someone is going to mistake her for the heffer she is and string her up by her hooves. then some happy ffa loving family can roast her. hopefully they have a george foreman grill so they can drain all the fat off before they eat or i foresee a few untimely heart attacks.

hadlun49 says,

This is bogus. Amanda has a true connection with animals. She is a DOG.

Susie911 says,

This COW needs to get her facts straight!

I heard a quote last night that said,
"There is never a wrong time to do the right thing."

The time is now, what's right is standing up for our future in food production. Are you ready? Oh yeah, and don't forget to listen to my Chewing The Cud radio interview with lobbyist Jess Peterson as we talk about the future of the Beef Checkoff Program. The link is on the right hand side of the page. Have a GREAT day!

I recently read an article in Vegetarian Times Magazine titled, Why Go Veg? The article lists an array of falsified benefits from going vegetarian.

Why Eat BEEF? I'll tell you why...

Beef Gives You ZIP! Zinc, Iron, and Protein, that is. Not only does it taste good, beef is also a great way to fuel your body. In the American diet, beef is the number one contributor of protein, zinc and vitamin B12, number two of vitamin B6, and number three of iron and niacin. By supplying a nutrient bundle in every bite, eating beef is a great way to make your calories count. A 3 oz. serving of lean beef contributes less than 10% of the calories in a 2,000-calorie diet. At the same time, it supplies more than 10% of the Daily Value for these nutrients.

Beef is Versatile. The American Dietetic Association and the Beef Checkoff combined their expertise to produce The Healthy Beef Cookbook, a compilation of more than 130 delicious recipes, the latest nutrition information, and cooking techniques to create tender, moist, flavorful beef dishes every time. Authored by Chef Richard Chamberlain (owner of Chamberlain's Steak and Chop House in Dallas) and Betsy Hornick, M.S., R.D., The Healthy Beef Cookbook highlights healthy beef recipes brimming with fresh, flavorful ingredients that complement the lean, tender beef. Example recipes include juicy and exotic Mojo Beef Kabobs or hearty and flavorful Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili.

Beef Is Celebration! Beef Is Family! A fireworks show on Independence Day isn't the same without a tenderloin sizzling on the grill. A juicy potroast with homemade bread is always waiting at Grandma's house. A slowly cooked prime rib makes Christmas time a family time. Cheeseburgers are always a hit after a softball game. Steak fajitas and beef tacos always make a good party. Life is a treat when we eat beef!

Beef is Lean 29 X There are at least 29 cuts of beef that meet the government labeling guidelines for lean or extra lean. According to government guidelines, a serving qualifies as "extra lean" if it has less than 5g total fat, 2g or less saturated fat and less than 95mg cholesterol per 3.5 oz. serving. That's 29 ways to say YES to your health!

Beef May Help You Lose Weight. Conclusive Protein Research: Research conducted at the University of Illinois, published in the August 2005 edition of the Journal of Nutrition, demonstrates that high protein diets provide a metabolic advantage that when combined with exercise, resulted in dieters losing fat, rather than muscle. Participants that ate high-quality proteins such as meats, dairy, eggs and nuts, and exercised for as little as 100 minutes each week lost weight. However, when the same high protein diet was combined with five 30-minute walking sessions and two 30-minute weightlifting sessions each week, participants lost even more weight, and nearly all of that weight loss was fat.

Beef Is Life! Beef is more than just meat. We use 99% of the cow, everything except the moo! Beef byproducts touch our everyday lives: shoes, belts, coats, paintbrushes, crayons, deodarant, insulin for diabetics, stearic acid for tires, antifreeze, and countless other items all come from a cow.

Beef Is Good for the Environment. Despite the outrageous propaganda, raising beef cattle actually helps the environment. Over 50% would go to waste if cattle did not graze on it. Cattle graze on land that is too steep, hilly or rocky for modernizing or farming. When they graze, they press grass seed into the soil allowing oxygen to enter and the grass to grow. Cattle also prevent wildfires too by grazing.

Beef Is Tradition. For America’s beef producers, the land is their livelihood and their legacy. They carefully follow science-based best management practices to protect our country’s natural resources for future generations. In fact, beef producers have led conservation efforts proving that raising cattle and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. Good management of natural resources on farms and ranches across the country isn’t a choice; producers know that protecting the environment now protects the business for future generations.

Beef So Simple. I bet you're busy like me and wish you had time to put together elegant and impressive meals. You can do that with beef as easy as 1-2-3. Sign up HERE to join an email list that sends cooking tips, recipes, and ideas for convenient ways to prepare amazing meals your family and friends can enjoy!

Beef...There is Nothing Better. Nothing, nothing in the world tastes better than a juicy, sizzling steak hot off the grill. Nothing melts in your mouth with such tenderness and bursting flavor. Nothing makes a celebration more complete than a night out enjoying a steak dinner with friends. Nothing is as simple and as elegant as a steak. Nothing in this world compares to a steak. Nothing. The proof is in the pictures. You ready to give up this for carrots and legumes?

Well the list could go on,
But if you like what you see,
Post this on YOUR blog,
Or comment to me.
With love,
Amanda

The steak sizzles as it's thrown on the grill, the heat searing in the juices. The fire dances and the eyes twinkle in delight. The gleam of the stainless steal grill tools glimmers as it delicately picks up the steak. The long awaited masterpiece has the aroma of sinfulness without the guilt because it's one of the 29 lean cuts of beef according to government regulations. Effortlessly, the first bite is cut and as with it, the steak melts in the mouth. Oozing in flavor, juiciness and tenderness, the steak is a delectable treat to the palate.

So what is it? You pictured the grill, you imagined the scene...What cut of beef ranks number one on your dinner plate?

Calling all readers: What's your favorite cut of beef? Leave a comment!

My video of the Carrie Underwood Walkout, which I posted last week, has received quite interesting comments recently. I shared a few with you in one of my most recent entries; however, the one I received yesterday is worth discussing.

Cloudbug9 tells me...

What a silly girl this Amanda is. The Humane Society's main goal is to spade and neuter animals. What a joke. There was no massive walkout. A Few people leaving a show because they don't know the facts. Silly.

What's silly is to think that the Humane Society of the United States actually works to help pets! In fact, they would prefer that animals were completely liberated, severing relationships between animals and humans. Let's recap some of their most dirty deeds:

1. HSUS has accumulated $113 million in assets and built a recognizable brand by capitalizing on the confusion its very name provokes. This misdirection results in an irony of which most animal lovers are unaware: HSUS raises enough money to finance animal shelters in every single state, with money to spare, yet it doesn’t operate a single one anywhere.

2. Despite the words “humane society” on its letterhead, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not affiliated with your local animal shelter. Despite the omnipresent dogs and cats in its fundraising materials, it’s not an organization that runs spay/neuter programs or takes in stray, neglected, and abused pets.

3.HSUS spends millions on programs that seek to economically cripple meat and dairy producers; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics. HSUS spends $2 million each year on travel expenses alone, just keeping its multi-national agenda going.

4.HSUS’s new “campaigns section,” Pacelle wrote, “will focus on farm animals.” For Americans accustomed to eating meat, eggs, and dairy foods, the thought of an animal rights group with a budget three times the size of PETA’s targeting their food choices should be unsettling.

5. HSUS has learned that pouring huge sums of money into ballot initiative campaigns can give it results normal public relations and lobbying work never could.HSUS scored a big victory in Florida in 2002 when a ballot initiative passed that gave constitutional rights to pregnant pigs. Florida farmers were banned from using “gestation crates,” usually necessary to keep sows healthy during pregnancy and to prevent them from accidentally rolling over and crushing their newborn piglets. After this amendment passed, raising pigs became economically unsustainable, and farmers were forced to slaughter their animals rather than comply with the costly new constitutional requirements.

6.They plan to extend these legislative wins to huge agricultural states. HSUS’s four-year Iowa campaign, misleadingly called “Care4Iowa,” has a stated goal of promoting the so-called “humane” methods of livestock production which universally result in greater costs for farmers and higher prices for consumers.

Thanks for allowing my soapbox this morning. If you want to learn more, link here.

Oh and don't forget to come back later today and check out my radio interview with Michigan Dairy Producer, Melissa Hart. After responding to a Why Go Veg? article, Melissa is going to help me continue with my series, Why Eat Beef? with her own Why Drink Milk? Don't miss it!

It's that day of year, that one day where you can be anyone or anything in the world you ever wanted to be. Children across the nation will gear up in their favorite Power Ranger's uniform, crown their princess status, mask their ghoul tendencies, or purr their way into a cat outfit.
TRICK OR TREAT will ring out in chorus as candy is dropped into bags.

Balance the sugar act this Halloween with milk and meat products. Parents are the number one role models when it comes to their kids's diets. If parents make smart choices, eat a variety of foods, and exercise regularly, their kids are more likely to do the same.

Here are a few pointers to lead your kids into the right direction:
1. Most kids need about 5 ounces of meat per day and 3 cups of milk according to MyPyramid guidelines.

2. Meat and Dairy products provide zinc, iron, protein and calcium. These are important to growth, brain development, and physical function.

3. Don't forget to make the plate colorful: fruits, veggies and grains paired with meat and dairy make a complete, wholesome diet to make your child happy and strong.

4. Try these recipes straight from Zip4Tweens to encourage a healthy lifestyle at a young age.

These tips aren't tricks, and your kids will agree that eating healthy is the real treat!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

*I may regret this for future blackmailing references, but not even college kids are exempt from Halloween Festivities. This picture is of my roommates and myself last Halloween! This year, I'm going as a pumpkin! :) What was your favorite costume? What are your kids going to be this year? Or maybe you are throwing a costume on yourself? Don't be shy, fill me in!

Maybe I'm biased, or maybe the 700,000+ reports don't coincide with the facts--but red meat does not have a direct correlation to cancer! To prove this point, I'm joined by several experts in the nutrition field. Dr. Eric Westman, Duke University professor of obesity and nutrition and Mary Young, registered dietician at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Don't forget to listen to the show, found on the right hand side of the page.

Then stay tuned because tomorrow I continue my two part series with the OTHER side of the spectrum. Vegetarian and registered dietician Susan Levin, for the Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine will join me to discuss her viewpoint.

*Remember who PCRM is? PCRM consists of less than 5% physicians and health professionals. It's another animal rights organization in disguise.

It will UNDOUBTEDLY be a pretty interesting debate... don't miss it!

An article from My TSC Store online:


In North Dakota farm country, barns rarely draw a second look. But, one barn three miles outside Jamestown stands tall, red, and eminently eye-catching with a mural that turns barnyard culture upside down.

"We do really make an effort to be advocates for agriculture," she says, "and to share our story with people not directly connected to agriculture so they know where their food comes from."

What a breathe of fresh air after a long week of fighting the correlation of red meat and cancer and of tackling attacks on milk and meat. I love it when people are working hard for the industry they love. Congrats to Jeremy and Sarah Wilson, and THANKS for the story!

To read the entire article, link here.

Or better yet, take a further step into the Wilson farming operation with their interactive blog and website. They are truly a pair working to promote the agriculture story! God Bless 'em!

It's one of those days again. It's cold, it's Monday, and life is a blur. Blurred by the snow that is! We had SNOW today! EEEEK, could winter be coming already? Readers, I'm sorry for keeping you on your toes for another blog spot, but I'm off to help with an FFA District competition in Watertown. I'm judging Extemporaneous Speaking. :)

But hey, if you like to read some of the articles that are sent my way, and if y