We Bought a Cow
Posted: December 10, 2010 at 9:22 amI can hardly believe Friday has already arrived. Weeks seem to fly by lately. We are already ten days in to December. Christmas Eve is two weeks from today. 2011 is only 22 days away. Baby B could join us in just a month’s short time. Which reminds me. I have some baby laundry to do and a hospital bag to start getting in order. You know. Just in case.
So, last night after my shopping extravaganza, I wrapped up all the gifts and then settled in for a nice evening. Peter grilled up some steaks for us from our cow.
You heard me correctly. Our cow. Now, those of you who are vegan/vegetarian may be kind of put off by this, but Peter & I went in together with another couple to purchase the meat from a cow. We don’t mind red meat in this house. In fact, we have it one, maybe two, times each week with many of our other meals vegetarian based and an occasional dinner using chicken. That’s right. We mostly eat beef or vegetarian style.
We like our beef, but we don’t like the standard run of the mill stuff from the market. We would make a point to purchase the highest quality possible, which could get expensive when its at least $7/lb for ground. When we heard about having the option to purchase extremely local, grass-fed, hormone free, etc quality beef and have the chance to support a local family business, we went for it. It also helped our wallets. We received a large variety of steaks, cuts, and ground for less than $3/lb.
It’s kind of disturbing to have that much meat in an extra deep freezer, but I don’t mind if it means better quality. Plus, that extra freezer we had to buy means more room to put frozen and ready to eat meals for after baby B. Or my Trader Joe shopping spree finds. Or holiday cookies. Or…dang, we should have bought a bigger storage freezer.
For the record, that meat was yummy. And for the record, I’m going to miss Glee while it has reruns. I finally watched the Christmas special last night and loved it. Although didn’t really care for the rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. That’s my favorite Christmas song (along with Silent Night). I don’t mind the two guy thing – c’mon, I have a gay brother (pretty sure you knew that) – but it just sounded off. I love the one from Elf. Wow. That was a tangent. Getting to my point - I had fun watching Glee…eating a delicious steak and broccoli dinner…and now listening to the Glee version on Youtube on repeat because M wants to hear it over and over. Happy Friday!
- What types of things are you picky about with the quality of your food? I’m most particular about where meat comes from. I also prefer to purchase things like spinach and apples from the “dirty dozen” list organically.
- A random thought you are having right now. I know I’m not the only one who has a mind prone to tangents and randomness.
I think my husband would like to move in with you.
He would have all that meat covered in a couple months, huh? Too bad he would have to dine vegetarian style a good chunk of the time too if he lived here. Plus, I don’t like chicken. I think that alone would send him running. LOL
My dad used to be the business owner for a company that involved trucks and employees who liked to hunt. At one of their parties they would have a cow auction? (I really don’t know how to describe it). All I remember as a child was getting our portion of the cow lol.
I’m starting to get picky about my yogurt … and pizza. I’d rather have a single slice of gourmet pizza than half a cheap one.
And thanks for the memories this morning. My parents used to buy an entire side of beef and keep it in the big freezer in the garage.
We might get a cow share so we can get whole milk.
I’m really picky about where my food comes from because I get sick if I have lots of pesticides and other things. That means a big part of our budget goes to food. But we are okay with that.
It’s definitely worth the $ for your health!
We would LOVE to buy a cow to freeze (especially a high quality kind). We don’t shy away from red meat or any meat for that matter so this would totally fit our lifestyle. I’m jealous 🙂
Wow a whole cow! For that price it is a great deal.
Have a great weekend 🙂
I’m really picky about processed food and try to avoid it as much as possible. We also don’t eat a lot of meat and try to buy local/organic.
Random thought: what, besides what I’ve planned, could we possibly have for dinner?
I loved that song in Elf!
I love steak!
When I was a kid I always asked for steak and baked potatoes for my birthday meal.
My dad has suggested that we all buy a cow together — we just don’t eat enough beef to be honest. Maybe if I knew more ways to prepare it (I haven’t been successful in the past). Honestly we don’t buy/eat a ton of meat because of the expense. I buy it at a local butcher shop – humanely raised animals, all that.
Random thought: I really need to trim my fingernails.
we have friends that go elk hunting and share the meat…i love it! and random thought: i love whatever that Christmas song is by WHAM!
Heather, are you talking about the song “Last Christmas?” Because I really love that one, too.. I think you either love it or you hate it.
Random thought: I wonder if my family still has the Mickey’s Christmas Carol video…
My parents bought half a cow once. It worked out really well for them.
I personally am not a big meat eater. Never have been. I am VERY picky about the quality of my chicken though. I rarely buy it because everything they have in the grocery store makes me nervous.
We also usually have either red meat or vegeterian meals! Chicken just isn’t my favorite thing. So glad to see we’re not alone :o)
So many people find that so odd. I used to be huge on chicken. Then pregnancy with M changed all that. Ever since then I haven’t been able to stomach it much unless its hidden in a soup or casserole style dish.
We have talked about purchasing a cow with some people. Tony’s parents do this from time to time and give us a lot of the meat from it as a gift. I think it is great that you supported a local business. I am picky about my food in general. I look for quality and sustainability as much as possible. Random thought…I’m hungry!
We’re the same about the quality of meat. We decided to keep our meat budget the same but buy the best quality. So, we eat it less often, but it’s so much better. I include chicken and fish as well.
I would absolutely do what you did if we were somewhere that we had the opportunity.
I really love the way you write about things. I think you have one of the lovliest blogs in the quality of your writing, your topics, your generosity of spirit, your humor… and I appreciate the way you share your faith without giving any sense of excluding or judging anyone. That’s hard to find.
I was raised Catholic and have been around and around with my own beliefs.. I can be (unfairly) turned off by anything “religious”.
Thank you for sharing so much.
You are doing a fantastic job here.
Thanks so much for this comment! I have the biggest smile going on right now. 🙂
And don’t even get me started on “religion”. “Religious” is not having faith. I believe faith can impact a life…not religion.
I grew up on a farm/small town and so I find what you did sort of… normal? he he he…
I’m a long time vegetarian who recently transitioned to veganism and I think it’s great that you were able to source a more ethical alternative to factory farmed beef. The last animal protein I gave up was eggs, because I was able to get them from a friend of mine who has her own farm and raises her chickens in a truly cruelty free environment.
Random thoughts are graduating from university and the post-grad trip that I want to take. I’m day dreaming the day away
LOVE the quasi-random blog post! And it’s kinda refreshing to read about a fellow meat-lover out in bloggy land. We eat tons of chicken in our house but also love a good “date night” meal of a fancier cut of meat like filet mignon. MMM. Sooo good with a glass of vino – which you’ll soon be able to have again, yippee 😉 PS. I didn’t know your brother was gay – yet something else new I learned about you today! Very cool.
My parents buy a cow and I love it. The meat tastes so much better–plus I always have a free supply of great meat!
My aunt and uncle raise a few beef cattle (I don’t know the exact breed, I am so bad with livestock terminology!) each year and we get a fair share of meat from my parents who purchase 1/2 a side of beef. I know exactly where it’s coming from and have seen some of them on their farm.
And we get elk meet when my Dad goes hunting, but he hasn’t gone for a couple years. I really enjoy wild game, but my husband didn’t grow up with it so he hates it! It’s a distinct taste.
I almost thought about doing that this year, but the only one who eats meat in our house is the Husband!
I am super picky about the way my beef is cooked. I like my meat charred and extra well done. The idea that I could see any pink makes me squirm!
Very economical of you to buy a cow! I like that idea. I actually don’t think I’m picky about anything. Maybe I should be?
I’m not a huge beef eater but I love a good steak from time to time. Especially if it’s grilled…yum! And a greasy super unhealthy cheeseburger does wonders for me during that “time” every month 🙂
While I am a vegetarian, I am not put off by this idea at all. I don’t eat meat because it does not agree with my stomach and I get pretty sick from it. I actually support your decision to purchase local, hormone free meat! 🙂
A random thought I am having right now is that the left side of my face looks like it’s been hit with a baseball… but I’m still going running today! 🙂
how much meat did you wind up with? we’re strugging to find someone who’ll have a cow with us but we don’t know if we could eat all that meat.
We ended up with 1/4 since we split a 1/2 cow share. It was probably about 75-80 lbs worth of meat. In a deep freezer it will stay good for over a year though.
I have yet to watch this week’s Glee!! Hoping to change that tonight 🙂
I know lots of people who purchase meat the same way you did and I think it’s a great idea! I’m pretty picky about everything I put in my mouth, if I’m going to eat something I want it to taste good and be good for me!
I haven’t watched Glee yet, but I can’t wait… I think it will be on the agenda this weekend since we are getting a big snowstorm!
I buy organic apples, spinach and grapes too! That dang dirty dozen list. Miles can eat about 50 graes in one sitting…I wonder if that’s too much! 😉
I married into game hunters- I have eaten bear, vension, wild turkey and some other game. I like the fact that his family ( Matt as well) processes their own stuff…so they take off all the gross stuff- less fat, tendons and garbarge then if you have a special place do it fr you. You know what you are getting.
My random thought vanished because you asked the question! haha 🙂
I also buy organic, grass-fed beef from our local farmer.
The meat is amazing, and I’ve been to the farm, so I can feel confident that the cows live good lives. For me, I have basically made peace with eating meat, but I have not made peace with conventional farming at all – it adds so much suffering to these animals’ lives for no reason except to save us money. Say what?
Anyway, it certainly is pricey – so I am happy for you for getting the half! I eventually will do that once I invest in a freezer.
That’s exactly how I feel. I don’t think I could ever go fully vegetarian, but I don’t want to support poor treatment of animals either.
I think it’s awesome that you bought a cowshare: if you want to eat beef, that’s probably the best way to do it. My husband hunts and fishes a lot, so we actually have two freezers up here to hold that. And we try to harvest lots of berries and veggies too!
I’m picky about ‘dirty dozen’ veg also, and am starting to get pickier about what meat I buy for my husband to supplement his fish and game.
love
Ela
While I wouldn’t rush out and buy a cow (obviously as a vegetarian) my sister and her ex husband have done so and I totally understand why.
I had no idea that you could do this. I think it’s fabulous!
My dad raises Angus cattle, so I grew up having good meat pretty plentiful in supply. We were always a “meat and potatoes” family, and heavier foods. As a result, I’m probably not a big red meat person, with having it so much. I usually don’t order steak from restaurants, b/c it’s just not the same as my dad’s, though I do like having it every once and awhile.(That and restaurants don’t ever have Kraft BBQ sauce, which is my favorite! LOL) I usually end up ordering fish or chicken (which if I was with my dad, used to tease me that I wasn’t supporting the ‘beef industry!’)
Maybe it is the vegetarian in me, but I think knowing that all my meat came from one cow would be really upsetting for me. Knowing me, I would name him. I guess that’s why I am a vegetarian 🙂
I think buying half a cow is a fabulous idea! That’d be too much for the two of us though, I’d go half-pig with someone.
We actually split 1/2 a cow so 1/4 of it went to us. It’s a lot of beef, but in a deep freezer stays good for over a year, which I think is doable for us.
My boyfriend and I bought 1/4 of a cow last year. The meat tasted really good and I loved that I knew where the meat came from. We didn’t buy one this year since I’m not eating meat currently (I’m trying to figure out my stomach issues). But I would do it again if I start eating meat again!
Awwe! I loved their rendition of Baby It’s Cold Outside. They both sounded pretty androgynous, and I think that added to the appeal for me…
I’m not picky about any food… as long as it isn’t rotten. LOL! I prefer higher quality/more nutritious food, but I like my junk, too. Can’t lie! 🙂
I’ve been so out of the loop. I can’t believe baby #2 is almost here!! YAY!!!
My grandmother’s family used to raise a goat for meat. But she and her siblings always refused to eat the goat meat because they felt the goat was their pet. Right now, my aunt and uncle raise chickens for eggs. I would love to be able to raise/grow my own food! For now, I just try to buy quality meat (if I ever eat it) and yogurt.
I…cannot stop contemplating facebook relationship statuses. I had to write a blog post about it because I thought about it so much. NEED JOB.
We have a ranch and also have a cow in the freezer…or half a cow that is. We split one with my parents and I love knowing that my meat is locally raised (as local as you can get!) and lean! We get at least 90% lean and I love it.
Random thought: It never occurred to me until after reading all the comments to this post that people wouldn’t know that you could purchase a cow or half a cow. However, now that I’ve typed that sentence out, it shows me how much of a redneck I really am. Oops!
I’m especially picky with seafood! It has to be the best quality and the freshest in order to peak my interest – at which point I am in love!
I think it’s awesome you bought a cow, I am all for buying locally grown, high quality meats and that is for sure a good way to do it!
What a great price! But, wow, that’s a lot of meat!!
I love when they sing it in Elf too! P.S. I just said a little prayer for you that Baby Boy comes sooner rather than later! Hoping you’re feeling well, Tina!
My family bought 1/4 cow this year, but mostly we use venison that my dad harvested and processed for our red meat source.
Though, lately I could forego all meat and live on grilled cheese sandwiches. The one I just made (Baby Swiss on whole wheat) was pretty much perfection. 🙂
I’m picky about pretty much all of my food. During the summer when the Brookwood market was open I was buying eggs and grass-fed beef from some local farms. I thought about doing a meat co-op from them but am nervous about getting whatever they choose to pack that week. I want to pick out my own stuff. They do pork too which is nice. I’ve been buying organic milk and free-range eggs for years, even before Sydney came along. We don’t eat many processed foods and Sydney gets mostly organic snacks. I’ve cut back on the organic produce because it’s soooo much more expensive with the amount we eat. I only buy Boar’s Head deli meat and won’t feed Sydney almost anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup. I even make my own salad dressings.
[…] continued to eat well with dinner last night. Remember when we bought a share of a cow from a local source to get higher quality beef? We pulled some steaks out for dinner last night with my parents before they leave today. I had a […]
SO cool that you bought a share of a cow! My boyfriend has been wanting to do this, but we live in a TINY apartment and we have zero space for an extra freezer (which we already really want… and that’s just for normal purposes!) Would you suggest going ahead and buying a second freezer? (Are they expensive? I honestly have never looked into this..) My guess is it would be worth it…
We have ours in our basement and love it. Dont know how much I would love it though if it took up space we didnt have.
[…] lb lean ground beef (LOVING our cow share for this […]