As I sat sipping on some tea this afternoon, my thoughts began to wander back to Ireland, where I just got back from visiting a few weeks ago. Part of my time in that beautiful country was spent in Northern Ireland. Afternoon tea is extremely common in Northern Ireland, as it's part of the UK, and I had the pleasure of sharing it with some lovely new-found friends and their adorable baby. It was a rainy afternoon, the company was life-giving, the tea (with milk) was delightful, and the scone... the scone was out of this world!! And what does one spread on a scone in Ireland? Grass-fed butter of course. I'm pretty sure no other type of butter exists there! I'm not typically one to consume dairy or gluten, but when in Rome... or Ireland.

Since my return to the States, I've been very curious as to why my body was so much more tolerant of the dairy in Ireland, and even Rome for that matter. The most obvious reason that came to mind was the fact that it all comes from grass-fed animals. By now, most people have heard that grass-fed meat and dairy products are healthier, but I think for a lot of people it may seem trendy. My hope is to provide further explanation on why they are so much better and give you a small taste of how amazing Ireland and its people were to me.

The first intriguing piece of information I found is that all Omega-3's originate in the green leaves of plants and algae. Fish contain a great deal of Omega-3's because they eat small fish, which eat smaller fish, which eat algae and phytoplankton. Grazing animals contain a great deal of Omega-3's because they consume grass directly.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 are two of the most common essential fatty acids. They are essential because our bodies are not able to make them on our own. We absolutely need both of these fats, but we need the right balance of Omega-3s and Omega-6's. Most of us consume too many Omega-6's (grain and corn-based oils and food) and it can actually have a negative impact on our bodies. Excessive levels of Omega-6's have been linked to problems such as inflammation and increased risk of cancer. On the other hand, high levels of Omega-3s have numerous benefits because they are good for the heart, improve brain function and emotional well-being, as well as decrease cancer risk.

Why am I going on about Omega-3's? Because grass-fed animal products were found to have two to six times more Omega-3s than grain-fed animal products!! 85-95% of cows in American dairies are raised in confinement, which means they are only consuming grains, corn, and other filler, not grass.

I'm also fairly convinced that the stress-level of these grass-fed animals plays a role in their nutritional value. The cows pictured above were chillin and grubbin in a field situated right next to an old castle where we had dinner our first evening in Galway City. As I walked along the road where these cows were grazing, I was in awe of the silence and stillness around me. I think this is the closest I've come to physically experiencing Psalm 23 where David says "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quite waters, he refreshes my soul." The silence was truly deafening and the level of peace there was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I know these cows and sheep have got to feel it too.

Research has shown that the stress levels of animals directly increases the levels of certain hormones present in the products being consumed from them. So I don't know about you, but if I'm going to consume some cheese or butter, I would much rather get it from a cow who has been roaming in green pastures!

So what are your options if you live in the US? While we may not have a lot of grass-fed livestock here in the states, more and more ranchers and farmers are starting to jump on the band-wagon. Check to see if there is a local co-op in your area, they often times offer grass-fed and free-range meats and dairy products, plus you're supporting your local farmers and ranchers! If you don't have a co-op in your area, stores such as Whole Foods and Central Market will typically carry a pretty good selection of grass-fed products. And if you don't have any of those stores nearby, or you just don't like going grocery shopping, you can purchase some products like Kerrygold Butter on Amazon.

No matter your method of acquiring healthier food choices, I hope that you are feeling inspired to make yourself a cup of tea, be present in this very moment, and find gratitude in the silence and stillness, even if it's short-lived. Cheers.

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