The Cooking Diva Blog: Original Tropical Creations by Chef Melissa De Leon

I am BACK! Let's make cheese...

I was born with my umbilical cord attached to a computer and the Internet. Maybe I was way ahead from my piers and fellow normal kids in my generation. It is sweet and sour I would say. I have had "Internet withdrawals" for the last week. Believe me when I say that I have been barely one step from the complete and nonsense computer death and resurrection. I have been there; it's bad. A real mean human-nature interaction, or should I better call it "revenge?"

Ten days without Internet and telephone just because Father nature's heavy rain caused a mudslide in the area we were visiting in Ecuador, the beautiful Andes itself at the maximum expression. Full of tricks and treats I enjoyed to the fullest. It made me think and re-think about what is really important in life. Sometimes we forget about those little details.

I was convulsive at times. Revolting every minute the first day that the telephone line kicked the bucket. What a way to disappear. Oh boy! Sure it had some style I would say. No telephone. No Internet. I sure could have traveled back to Quito every time I wanted to connect to the Internet, BUT then it was that two hours drive, and all the traffic, and the altitude change. Ahhhhhh! I better stayed in Nanegalito. Just beautiful shades of green, the morning fragrant mist in the gardens after a night full of rain, the fresh milk and cheese, the walks in the farm and the meals with friends that were experiencing the same internet-ical issues :)

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · February 20, 2006 · 04:28 PM
Permalink · Comments (16) · TrackBack (0) · Categories: Ethnic Cuisine: Ecuadorian / Andean / Cocina Ecuatoriana / Cocina Andina · Food & Drink · General · RECETAS - Mariscos · RECIPES: made with real milk! · RECIPES: seafood · Tropical Fruit and Vegetables

The Raw Truth

My mission last Sunday was "MILK", unpasteurized, grass feed, top-heavy with its natural cream. Oh, ...so delicious with some freshly baked brownies and cookies.

The dairy is immaculate, it was built approx. 50 years ago following American standards to supply milk to the Panama Canal Authority.

On this morning I was greatly surprised to find Mr. Alberto, the owner working at the office. He is a very nice "young" man, one that you enjoy a conversation with. I asked him for 2 gallons of raw milk. Since I arrived at the exact time the caws were marching to the area where they get milked, I was about to get some still warm and delicious elixir of life.

I had to wait for about 20 minutes to get my milk, time during I had a nice chat with Mr. Alberto. I remarked that I was told by a Dr. friend of ours that he drank it every day and had done so all of his life. His face clouded over, the corners of his mouth turned down and he stared at his hands. "Yes", he replied. "I have been drinking raw milk everyday for as long I can remember. But my doctor told me last week to stop it because it contains too much FAT, so I did."

Can you believe the arrogance and ignorance of present-day doctors? The farmer´s doctor is probably young enough to be his grandson. What does the doctor know about fat metabolism? Cholesterol metabolism? Lactoferrin? Xanthine oxidase? Beta-lactose? Trans fatty acids?

Our new friend is so alive, weighs about 140 pounds (just right for his height), and appears to be in perfect health, physically and mentally. HIS DOCTOR, playing nutritionist knows NOTHING!!!

Mr. Alberto is 93 years old!!!

A few months ago I had the privilege to meet Caroline, she is along with her husband and an excellent team, working on a magnificent project called " THE RAW TRUTH".

At this point of the project, they and their associates, Organic Pastures, are soliciting funds to make a documentary film about raw milk. You can help bring the story of this incredible healing food to the screen.

When it comes to raw milk, Americans are asleep at the plate. This film will awaken them to the "Raw Truth", and you'll receive the benefits of increased consumer demand: more availability and lower costs for raw dairy products.

Part of the footage has already been shot—but they need funds to complete the project. Be part of the Raw Milk Revolution! Your dollars will make a difference.

Send checks payable to White Tiger Productions, C/O First Republic Bank, 1099 4th St. San Rafael, CA 94901

The following information on the "Health Benefits of Raw Milk" is from the "Organic Pastures" website:

Our raw dairy foods are an outstanding source of nutrients, including beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus, vitamins, and enzymes, and are one of the finest sources of calcium available. If you've been drinking pasteurized milk and you switch to this raw milk, you'll likely start experiencing a very positive difference in the way you feel, which is in basic terms your body "telling you" this natural food is good for you.

Never processed, never pasteurized, and never homogenized, Organic Pastures raw dairy products are naturally filled with living enzymes and cultures vital for health, offering a wealth of health boosting rewards, including the following:

1. Lactose intolerant consumers can eat raw milk because lactase producing bacteria are present.

2. Raw milk strengthens the immune system with the seeding and feeding of diverse beneficial essential bacteria.

3. Immunoglobulin in raw milk resolves asthma.

4. Raw milk has been used in effectively treating diabetes in the days before insulin.

5. Raw milk has also been utilized in treating eczema and arthritis.

6. Raw butter has been used effectively to assist Autistic children.

Organic Pastures produces pasture fed milk in harmony with nature. Their Jersey, Ayreshire, and Holstein cows produce fresh delicious milk alive with flavor. This raw milk is high in antioxidants, vitamins (including B-12), all 22 essential amino acids, natural enzymes (including lactase), natural probiotics, and good fatty acids.

Que disfruten! and ...Happy New Year with plenty love, health and delicious food!

Chef Melissa

We invite you to visit the following related posts and previous articles written by Chef Melissa: blogs:

No-Cooking, Real Milk IceCream in a Pineapple
The Red Velvet Rose of Love, includes facts and useful information on cooking with "edible flowers". Lear how to prepare and use roses as garnish and delicious recipes for the holiday season meals.
Gifts from the Bounty: Breadfruit, the Cannonball Shaped Fruit.
TastyRecipes - The CookingDiva´s Recipe Index, with recipes in English and Español.

Tags: raw milk, rawmilk, cookingdiva, chef, panama, dairy farm, raw milk diet, recipes

« close

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · December 27, 2005 · 06:00 PM
Permalink · Comments (25) · TrackBack (0) · Categories: General · RECIPES: made with real milk!

"No-Cooking" Real Milk Ice Cream in a Pineapple

Did you know Raw Milk is Safe? It shocks me that most of the people world wide have never had a taste of this precious food. When pasteurization became the rule, it happened because the unhealthy and unsanitary conditions of the farm caused milk contamination. Now, with all the technology, specialized equipment, and sanitary regulations at the milk farms, there is NO need to pasteurize or homogenize the milk...Then, why?

Please visit the Real Milk website, sponsored by the Weston A. Price Foundation, to learn more about the health benefits of raw milk. They have an index showing by state where you can find raw milk and raw milk products in your area. A list of great articles and bestsellers books on the subject are offered. One of my favorite books is The Milk Book, by William C. Douglass II, MD.

I am seriously thinking about getting my two cows :)

Now, the following recipe is to prepare a delicious "no-cooking" real milk ice cream in a pineapple----YUM!