Milk & Eggs / You Bar Trail Mix Giveaway WINNER
Buying farm fresh eggs is something Steven and I have talked about many times before, but never acted on until recently. We wanted to find a farm where the chickens had an actual free range lifestyle, but also, where they were not taken to be slaughtered after their egg-laying lives were over. We found one place that met the first criteria but not the second. Then Steven remembered the chickens we met when we were searching for a Christmas Tree at Pioneer Farms. He called the farm and sure enough, they sell eggs (and met both criteria)! We went out there today to see the chickens again, and buy our first dozen (Steven also brought them a homemade loaf of bread as a thank you, because they did some other research for us too…).
Steven also asked the lady from Pioneer Farms if she knew of anyone who sold dairy products. She recommended us to a farm right up the street. We visited them as well, and ended up with a gallon of fresh milk. Now Steven is trying to figure out how to make homemade cheese (without animal-based rennet).
The farm where we bought the milk was fun because they had so many animals – cows, peacocks, horses, chickens, roosters, cats, dogs, donkeys… I feel like I am forgetting someone!
I think the lady there was trying to figure out what we were all about. I look like I totally belong on a farm, right? Ha ha.
We talked some more and found out she had the same mindset as us about how animals should be treated, so that was cool.
People think it’s lame to live in the suburbs, but I think it’s really neat that we can find these farms so close to our home! And truthfully, as we were driving out there, I was thinking, “wow, it would be nice to live far away like this and have a nice big yard…”
So… there were a ton of cats at the barn. They were all hanging out around the cow that was about to be milked… waiting for a taste of it! It was too funny. I thought maybe Data would like some fresh whole milk. Nope. Data’s a snob.
Do you have any interest in buying fresh eggs or milk from a farm (or elsewhere)? Do you do that now?
Note: the eggs and milk are for Steven. I don’t eat eggs or milk/milk products. I’ve said in the past that I would consider it if I could do it all on my own farm, or from someone we know. So. We’ll see.
The winner of the You Bar Trail Mix Giveaway is #19, Chez Julie. Chez Julie, please email me at kilax@ilaxstudio.com so we can discuss your custom trail mix!
Themocracy
You are looking pretty stylin’ to be hanging out at a farm!
We buy our eggs from someone at the farmers’ market – there is SUCH a huge difference between these and even the organic eggs from the grocery store. But we do not go to a farm.
My in-laws who live in Boulder, CO, go to a farm for fresh eggs and cow and goat milk. We’ve gone with them and it is pretty cool!
Do you mean huge as in size? 😛 Or taste? I am anxious to hear what Steven thinks of these! My mom used farm fresh eggs to make deviled eggs at my dad’s party last week and Steven said he could not tell the difference.
So, I’ll clarify – they are bigger, not that this means better, but the yolks are also a more intense yellow. When I cook them in something, I wouldn’t say that I notice a difference, but when they are just scrambled or hard/soft-boiled, I think that there is a difference (I tell myself so!).
Look at you rockin’ a waist belt! Love the yellow cardigan! And the kitty! meow!
!!!!!!!
Thanks snis! I am doing a self-imposed 30 day fashion challenge so I am trying to look cute every day 🙂
There were tons of cats at this place! FUN! One of them tried to climb up my leg 🙂
I have bought eggs from the Farmer’s Market several times but never milk! I do try to get as much local produce as possible. Especially during the season!
I love that we have access to so many farms up here. Actually, we will be visiting Rich’s friends’ farm weekly for produce this season. Care to join? 🙂
Yes! Send me details! We tried to do a garden the last two summers but it was so far from our house it was a fail.
My best friend in town raises chickens but I have never actually tried her eggs although I would love to. (It’s a little bit of a drive to her place). I do buy the cage free at the store.
You look very stylish! Love the yellow sweater and the waist belt.
And OMG I AM SO EXCITED THAT I WON THE YOU BAR TRAIL MIX GIVEAWAY!
Please send me an email of what you want in your mix, along with your address, and I will get it ordered! 🙂
I saw your pic and the first thought was,”Well, well look at Kim all stylin at the farm!” lol
We live near farmers and I think it will be easy to buy eggs and stuff but umm I usually only eat egg whites from a carton.
I grew up on a farm. We had chickens, but beef cows (and you are forgetting the pigs).
So I grew up with fresh eggs, and the closest I can find taste wise are free range organic ones. Not the same, but closest. Now for the raw milk..I can’t do it. We had gotten it a few different times growing up and my father stirred the cream into the milk, so it was “chunky”. As you know I have MAJOR texture issues. I would try to drink it and I would throw it up.
Very cute outfit!
My parents-in-law have their own chickens who live freely in their big messy back yard and get table scraps! Their eggs are so much better than regular eggs, in taste and I believe in healthfulness – the yolks are very very yellow.
When the chickens get too old and don’t lay anymore, they do slaughter them and eat them, though. 🙁
We buy nest-run eggs through the university, which I’m sure isn’t as nice as farm-fresh. I feel a lot better about using them though because the shells are a lot stronger, which I think is an indication that the hens are healthier throughout their lives.
As for milk, I asked Harrison to switch from buying the regular milk at Meijer to milk from a more humane distributor.
I’m currently thinking about cutting dairy out for awhile to see if my skin improves though. Farm-fresh or not, I think it’s giving me acne, womp womp.
I love this post. Chris and I have wanted to do this so many times. I always get the “free range” eggs from the grocery store, but I would much rather get eggs from a place like this. I shall have to do some research to find some places by us. Did you guys search around Google to find this place?
I think Steven did some googling, then remembered this place from when we visited in Nov and saw the chickens then. There are so many farms around the outskirts of Chicagoland, I bet there is something down by you! 🙂
Thanks! Fingers crossed! Let the Googling begin! 🙂
Love this post. I have a farm like this where I can get all sorts of stuff and I feel very good about it after being there, seeing their operation and talking with the owners.
I’d love to have chickens. One day …
CUTE OUTFIT!
Love that you searched out eggs and milk. Nic and I have been meaning to do that as well (at least finding eggs for him), but, we are able to buy eggs raised on Amish farms just 15 miles away from us at our local grocery store, so there is no real sense of urgency.
You look so stylish! That is so awesome that you were able to find a place like this. The animals all look so adorable! And when I had cats, I found that when I went elsewhere where there were cats they would always flock to me. I think other cats can all tell when you are a cat-person and they know that you are a “friend” to them. =)
I was going to ask why you needed milk/eggs 🙂
My in-laws had their own chickens and would gather the eggs on their farm.
It’s really cool that you guys are going out of your way to do that! Although, it’s probably not that far for you! I’ve been interested in doing a CSA for veggies but I worry that we would get too much and not eat it all before it went bad.
I did, however, buy farm fresh eggs on the way home from DeKalb, once. I didn’t think they were all that much better than grocery store eggs, though. Maybe I just don’t have that discerning of tastes 🙂