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ravensinsanity · 7 years

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King Of The Poisoned Youth - Chapter TWO

Find CHAPTER ONE here.

Fandom: Once Upon A Time

Take Note: “➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶” means the Point Of View is not Raven’s.

CHAPTER TWO

I urged my sore legs to move faster once I heard rushing water up ahead. So Pan was telling the truth. I’d been trekking through thick forestation for what seemed like hours now, becoming nauseous due to only seeing trees, undergrowth, trees, and more trees all around me for the far as I could see. The heat of this jungle had made my skin slick with sweat and my bruised body made it all the more miserable. More than once I thought I’d gone off course and maybe started walking in a different direction than northwest as Pan had directed, but even then I kept heading forward. Just in case my senses were wrong, because I didn’t remember turning or anything like that. And now, the sound of the river was like heaven to my ears.

I broke from the trees and sprinted forward, my exhaustion-induced daze evaporating as I saw the river rushing before me. Crouching on the bank, plunging my cupped hands into the water, I drank thirstily, loudly gulping as the water dribbled down my chin and neck. The cool water refreshed my parched mouth, washing away the taste of salt. I could feel the strength returning to my body with each swallow. After a couple minutes, I finally stood up, drying my hands on my pants. So Pan did help me, I thought. I wondered why. An odd thing to do, considering he attacked me just for the fun of it. I splashed some water onto my arm where he’d cut me, wiping off the dried blood, pondering over this.

Shadows lengthened over the forest floor; the sun was setting, and I wasn’t about to find out what kind of animals roamed this jungle at night. A little ways from the river I found a couple of large boulders in the midst of very thick, long vegetation. With the sun almost completely behind the trees now, I guess it’d have to do. I nestled between the boulders, hidden in the dense undergrowth.

I watched as what little sky that I could see through the canopy of leaves turned from a fiery orange to a diluted purple to dark blue, in which the first stars appeared. The black took over not only the sky but settled in the jungle, between every trunk. Though I was exhausted and sore all over, I was a long ways from falling asleep.

I folded my arms over my knees whilst still holding the dagger in one hand, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. Emptiness ate away at my insides, along with a sadness that hurt my heart immensely. It was all too much—why couldn’t I remember anything? Not one thing at all? I dug in the darkness of my thoughts, trying to find a crack to any tendril of my past. Nothing.

I stayed like this for a long time, going over everything that had happened today. What occupied most of my thoughts was Pan. He was strange, dark, intriguing, and undoubtedly dangerous. I wondered when I’d see him again. As of right now, he was the only person in the entire world that I knew. Isn’t that just perfect. This sank me deeper into my misery.

Over time, my eyes began to feel too heavy to keep open. My thoughts became sluggish, my dagger drooped. I fell asleep.

Something rustled in the undergrowth. My eyes snapped open and fear sliced through me. I jerked to alertness, lifting my dagger outwards, listening for more sounds.

Another rustle, this time fainter. I sat up fully, all traces of tiredness gone. My heart thudded against my rib cage. I slowly moved to a crouch, ready to fight or flee. I scanned the trees around me but saw nothing, and I heard nothing else.

After minutes of silence, the presence of a threat faded. But I stayed alert and weary. I told myself it was just some harmless animal, maybe a deer. But now I was wide awake and scared.

Forests at night really creep the hell out of me.

Not long after, the sky began to lighten with dawn, and I immediately felt a lot more at ease as daylight took over. I got up and stretched the stiffness out of my muscles, then made my way to the river for another drink. My stomach growled, so I decided I’d scavenge for food while looking out for signs of…Pan? Other people? Both, I guess.

I kept close to the river, not straying far from it. After about half an hour of searching, I found a bush with some blackberries. I picked all of them off, hungrily stuffing them into my mouth. But it was not enough and did hardly anything to dilute my hunger.

As I stood up, I noticed that the grass around the bush was flattened and scuffled as if it’d been walked all over. Curious, I followed the crushed undergrowth, realizing it led to a trail. It looked like more than one person had been here. My heart sped up with excitement and I followed the faintly-visible path into the forest. It became harder to distinguish the deeper I went, and as my eager haste slowed down, I came to my senses. What was I doing? I had no clue if the people who’d been here were friendly or hostile. And after encountering Pan, I went for the latter. Who knows, maybe this trail wasn’t even made from people; it could very well be from animals.

“You look lovely this fine morning, Raven.”

Startled, I whipped around and saw Pan crouched on the low branch of a tree, his hand resting on the branch above. “Sleep well last night?”

“Pan!” I exclaimed, though it sounded more like a question.

He swung down from the branch and landed in front of me without losing even the slightest bit of balance. “The one and only.” He puffed his chest.

I instinctively reached for my dagger. Pan saw me and raised his hand a little. “No need for that, laddie.”

“With you in my presence, I can’t count on that I’ll be safe,” I said.

“Fair enough.” He grinned.

“So you agree?” I went ahead and pulled my dagger all the way from its sheath. “I’m not safe with you?”

“I didn’t say that,” Pan cocked a brow.

“So I am safe with you?” I eyed him skeptically.

“I didn’t say that either.”

I made an exasperated expression. “If you’re planning on attacking me again, I swear—”

“Is that all you ever think of me?” Pan cut me off. “That all I want to do is attack you?”

“It’s reasonable,” I shrugged. “considering that’s what you did with no warning yesterday.”

“One time,” he flashed a slight smile again. “Don’t make it two.”

“Is that a threat?” I held my dagger up to my shoulder with it pointed at a downward angle.

“Do you see it as a threat?” he asked, putting an amount of fake innocence in his voice.

“Maybe. Why are you here?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Why not?” Pan walked in a half-circle around me, and I turned to follow his every move. “Question, do you still not remember anything?” he asked.

“Just my name,” I told him.

Pan chuckled, grinning in that same way that made me believe he was thinking something twisted. Was that my pulse speeding up? “What’s so funny?” I demanded.

“What do you plan on doing today?” he ignored my question.

“I don’t know,” I answered. “What do you plan on doing today?”

“Nothing of your concern,” he said.

“Then I can say the same.”

“Except for the fact that you don’t have any plans,” Pan tilted his head, still smiling. “I’d advise you to head upriver, Raven. Get as far upriver as you can today. Don’t stray and don’t linger.”

“And what if I want to go back to the shore?” I objected, just to defy him, if nothing else.

“Waste of time,” Pan stated simply. “Upriver is a lot more plentiful in food.”

I held his gaze, unwavering, though I wanted to look away. His eyes were so piercing, so dark, and they bore into mine, just waiting for me to react. “Are you the only one who calls Neverland your home?” I asked suspiciously, averting my gaze down to the trail of trampled undergrowth. To my surprise, it was gone. I whirled around, searching for it, but it was like it was never there.

“Something wrong, love?” Pan asked casually.

“I could’ve sworn there was a trail here,” I explained. “It was just here.”

“Guess you saw wrong.”

“No, I’m certain there was a little path!” I insisted. “It’s like it just...disappeared.”

Pan let out a puff of amusement. “And you call me crazy?”

I glared at him. “You’ve given me that impression.”

“Well, let me be a lad and leave you with something better to remember me by.” Pan moved closer until we were separated by nothing more than a shallow margin of air. A flush crept up my face and a flurry of nervousness erupted inside my stomach. His face was too close to mine for comfort—his whole body, actually—and he stared down at me with a daring smirk.

I pulled away from him abruptly, taking many steps back. “Yeah, like what?” And for some reason unknown to me, I slid my dagger back into its sheathe. Was I showing him that I wasn’t afraid? I didn’t even know.

“By helping you, what else?” Pan arched an eyebrow in meaning. He knew what else and I had a good guess too.

“Like I said before, head upriver and don’t stray far.” He paused before adding, “You’ll thank me later.” Then he vanished into thin air without a trace left behind to prove he was ever there. Just like the trail. I blinked a couple times, looking around.

Sighing, I started walking back to the bank. Pan helped me find the river in the first place, so I was going to take his word about heading upriver. I still didn’t trust him fully, and I would stay cautious, but he knew Neverland better than I ever would. And he was the only person I knew at all. “Yeah, okay, I’m listening to you,” I muttered aloud. “Doesn’t mean I trust you. And I don’t think I ever will.” That was an empty sentence.

➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶

“Pan!” A tall, cloaked boy with a vivid scar stretching across his face hurried up to his leader. “I’m glad you’re finally back. Pirates on the island,” he said, halting.

“I’m well aware, Felix,” Pan replied coolly. “I was just on my way to confront them.”

“Alone?” Felix frowned.

“Yes,” Pan confirmed. “Hook is back. You remember that one, don’t you, lad?”

Out of habit of hearing Hook’s name, Felix touched the scar on his face. “I wouldn’t forget that dirt-eating scum in a lifetime,” he growled.

“Yeah, well, I’m going to pay him a little visit.” Pan said. “I have a feeling you will too, soon, but not today.”

Felix nodded solemnly, adjusting his grip on the club that rested on his shoulder.

“I take that the Lost Boys have followed my orders and are staying well away from the river?” Pan inquired.

“Of course, Pan,” Felix dipped his head, then his mouth edged up in a crooked smile. “No one dares disobey you.”

➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶ ➶

Pan stood in the shadows of the trees, watching the pirates climb out of their little row boats and onto the shore. Their swords glinted in the moonlight. The Jolly Roger was anchored a ways off, a giant, looming ship on the horizon. Raven had started her trek upriver like he’d told her, and he knew she wouldn’t be able to see the top of the ship masts over the treetops by now.

The first pirate that had jumped off the boat and into the sand stood scanning the treeline. The large, leather coat and the hook that shone silver in the moonlight in the place where a hand should be, made him unmistakable.

“Hook!” Pan called cheerfully, casually strolling out of the shadows of the jungle. “It’s been awhile, hasn’t it, lass?”

”Aye, that it has.” The sleep-deprived pirate unsheathed his sword. “It’s not a surprise to see you, Peter Pan.” His deep voice dripped with loathing. “Where are your Lost Boys?”

“I came alone,” Pan said, stopping a little ways in front of him. “Scout around if you don’t believe me.”

Hook cast a glance back at his crew, then flicked his head toward the jungle. “Don’t ever trust a word Pan says,” he ordered. “Keep an eye on the treeline.”

“What brings you back here, Captain?” Pan questioned. The glint in his eyes told Hook that Pan had a good guess already.

“I lost a mate at sea,” Hook growled, reluctant to give away any information. Half of him knew it was pointless, because Pan knew everything that went on around Neverland, but the other half of him still held onto that shred of hope that his daughter had managed to stay hidden from Pan and his Lost Boys, and that he would find her soon—tomorrow, if luck was on his side.

“Lost a mate at sea, eh?” Pan repeated. “And what makes you think he’s here? You’re risking a lot for just a mate. Last time I checked, your crew were there at your disposal. Didn’t realize how much you really cared. It’s risking a lot coming here for one easily-replaceable mate, mate.”

“Get out of my way,” Hook growled. Every word was laced heavily with malice.

“Maybe I can help,” Pan suggested lightly.

“Never going to happen,” Hook stated blatantly (gif).

Pan didn’t relent. “Tell me, what does your matie look like, Captain?”

“I said get out of my way,” Hook snarled, raising his hook threateningly.

Pan idly smiled down at the hook as if it were nothing more than a mere stick. “Does she have long, dark hair? Hauntingly entrancing dark eyes? Fair skin? Slender legs? A dagger that never leaves her side?”

The horror on Hook’s face was quickly shielded by rage as his worst fear was proved true: Pan had his daughter. “Bloody hell,” he spat venomously.

“A scar on her thigh?” Pan went on, arching his eyebrows.

“How in the devil’s name do you know about that?” Emotions of hatred and fury trembled through Hook with such strength his knuckles turned white gripping the handle of his sword—it took all he had to not lunge for Pan right then.

“Back dimples?” Pan grinned risquély. He was taking sick pleasure in provoking Hook like this.

“Where is she?” Hook roared, lurching forward.

Pan disappeared and reappeared farther away, and Hook whirled around to face him.

“Is she with me?” Pan tilted his head, raising his eyebrows in mock-concern.

Hook’s vision started to spot in black he was so furious. “Raven would never—”

“Save it,” Pan interrupted. “You won’t be seeing your precious little girl anytime soon. She doesn’t remember you.”

The blood in Hook’s veins turned to ice and his sword almost dropped from his hands. He started to breathe heavily. “What in the devil’s name did you do to her?” His voice was much quieter now but it still held a strength of enmity. He was in a state of shock, denial.

“I didn’t do anything,” Pan said. “She simply awoke here on this very shore, with no memories whatsoever. I’m afraid you’re a little late in coming to her rescue. I got there first. She doesn’t remember who she is. She doesn’t know you. She only knows me.” He gave a moment to let that sink in, grinning demonically. “Tell me, Hook, why did you keep her secret from me? That’s not very nice.”

Hook seethed. “You know exactly why I never told you about Raven.”

“Well, I’ve got to give you credit, that was a good choice.” Pan admitted. “But now it’s my turn to have a little fun.” His eyes were alight with a wicked rapture. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a girl here in Neverland? You won’t find her. Not if I don’t want you too. That gives me all the time in the world to play some...delightful games.” Then he vanished into thin air.

With a roar that shook the trees and made a flock of birds take flight into the night sky, Hook ran forward and plunged his sword into the sand where Pan had just been standing. Then he crumpled to his knees, clutching his hand on the sword’s hilt and resting his forehead against it. His shoulders shook in a sob and he closed his eyes tight, his face clenched with pain.

His crewmates milled around their Captain, unsure of what to do. They had never seen Hook cry over anything before. Not even when Raven’s mother was killed, for he had grieved in private. Hook never let any weakness show—especially crying.

But here he was, and he couldn’t care less that his cheeks were now wet with his tears for everyone to see.

He had just been broken.

#peter pan ouat #ouat peter pan #peter pan fanfic #peter pan fanfiction #once upon a time peter pan #ouat hook #peter pan imagine #peter pan ouat imagine #once upon a time imagine #neverland ouat #lost boys ouat #peter pan once upon a time #robbie kay #killian jones #captain hook and peter pan

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peacefulheartfarm · 5 years

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What is A2A2 Milk

You have heard me talk about A2A2 milk. Some of you may not know what that means. You may wonder if it really matters to you and your family. I’m going to fill you in on some of that information today.

First let me say welcome to all the new listeners and welcome back to you veteran homestead loving regulars who stop by the FarmCast every week. I appreciate you all so much. I’m so excited to share with you what’s going on at the farm this week, a little bit about A2A2 milk and a great and tasty recipe. Let’s just jump right in.

Today’s Show

Homestead Life Updates

What is A2A2 Milk?

Ice Cream Base Recipe – with downloadable document with flavoring ideas

Homestead Life Updates

Cows

The cows are doing great. We have a new calf and the last one for a while. There is likely one more, but that cow is way behind the others. In fact, we are getting ready to breed some of them again in a few weeks. Cloud will deliver so late that she likely will not get bred back this year.

We are selling all of our bulls. We have six. Yes six. There is 2-year-old Sam. He is 95% Normande genetics and the sire of this year’s crop of calves. Then we have 1-year-old Ray’s Rocket – mostly we call him Rocket Man. Lastly is the group of newlings born this year. All four are for sale. Some are currently being negotiated for but I’ll put a link in the show notes to the Facebook page where all of their information can be found. If you are looking to improve the genetics of your herd, this is the bull for you.

Sheep/Goats

Lambert is so fat right now. He will be receiving his bottle twice daily until nearly all of the milk replacer is gone. Then I will switch him to once a day for a week or maybe two before weaning him completely off.

If you want to get a whole or half lamb, speak up now. It will be months yet before these are ready for your freezer. We have one lamb and/or 2 half lambs currently available. A whole lamb yields 30 to 35 pounds, sometimes more of meat. Half lambs, half that. You can see the cuts that come on a whole or half lamb on our website. www.peacefulheartfarm.com/shop/lamb-package.

Orchard and Garden

There is always so much going on around here that a lot of stuff gets pushed back. Thinks like birthing, gathering and storing milk, making cheese, taking care of animals all have the highest priority. The garden and the orchard, not so much. My garden is still overrun with weeds, though I was able to dig out my carrots and surprisingly there are lots that beat the grass. Watering the garden does have a priority or it would all simply die. Other stuff slows down or stunts growth. The bottom line is we will still get a crop, but perhaps not as large as if we had gotten the weeds out and fertilized more often.

The peas are just such a crop. They are producing like mad and I will be picking them within the week, I think. Then they will have to be processed in some way. I’m scaring myself with all of that. There are just not enough hours in the week.

I still don’t even have everything planted. The green beans need to be put in the ground. The peanuts need to be replanted; I have no idea why not a single one sprouted. And the eggplant is going to wither away to nothing if I don’t get it out there in the garden.

Everything needs to be weeded. Everything needs to be fertilized.

Scott is diligently digging out the orchard from the waist high grass. It would be great if we could graze some of the animals in there, but they all eat the trees. We are still investigating how to get the sheep in their without having them raise up on their back legs as high as they can and eating all of the leaves off the branches they can reach. The goats are a complete disaster anywhere near the orchard or the berries. They will eat the bark off of the trees, killing them. And because they like to eat woody stemmed plants, they will decimate blackberry vines and blueberry bushes. No, we don’t want them anywhere near the orchard.

On the upside, they did a really great job of clearing out the wild blackberries on the island in the big pond. It is now quite pleasant to sit out there and enjoy being surrounded by water and nature.

Quail

We are newbies with the quail. It is unbelievable how quickly those quail grew. They outgrew their brooder box a good week before we had planned. Outside they went as we were having a warm spell. There were a couple of cool nights but these are wild birds and they faired very well. They are only barely over 2 weeks old and are fully feathered. The tiny birds that were barely the size of a gold ball are now the size of a baseball – perhaps even a softball. It’s amazing. They will begin laying eggs in as little as six weeks from now. Yum, yum, we look forward to it.

Four eggs are required to equal one chicken egg. Our plan is to have about 30 laying hens and 6 roosters for breeding. We will need to continually hatch out new ones as their lives are actually quite short and they only lay for a year or two.

Creamery

The creamery – ah the creamery. So much still to do there and Scott has so little time to do it. We really need that building completed. However, as I mentioned earlier, there are priorities. First the animals, then the perishable milk and cheese, then the garden and orchard. The creamery, as an inanimate object comes in last place. There are even maintenance projects that take precedence. Fences, driveways, pathways, other infrastructure – all has to be kept up to ensure the safety of our animals.

It’s a lot but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We work long hours every day – very long hours every day. Alarm goes off at 6:00 am and though 10:00 pm is bedtime, more often it is 11 or 11:30 before that happens. And every bit of it is worth it. There is never any lack of meaning in our lives. Boredom is something very distant in the past. The constant attention to the next task makes us know that we are alive in God’s wonderful creation.

One thing that evolved through nature is the composition of milk in cows. Recently, some of the genetic content and protein structure of milk has changed.

What is A2A2 Milk?

There is a great deal of scientific gobbledygook about the proteins and how they are broken down or not. I’ll try to keep this layman friendly and skip most of the mumbo-jumbo lingo. By the way, did you know that gobbledygook is an actual word that my spell-checker knew? Who knew? Well, my spellchecker knew.

A2 milk is cow's milk that mostly lacks a form of beta-casein proteins called A1 and instead has mostly the A2 form.

A1 and A2 beta-casein are genetic variants of the beta-casein milk protein that differ by one amino acid. Casein is a family of related phosphoproteins. These proteins are commonly found in the milk of mammals, comprising about 80% of the proteins in cow’s milk and between 20% and 45% of the proteins in human milk. Sheep and buffalo milk have a higher casein content than other types of milk with human milk having a particularly low casein content. Casein has a wide variety of uses one of which is being a major component of cheese. We respect our casein.

A genetic test, developed by the a2 Milk Company, determines whether a cow produces A2 or A1 type protein in its milk. The test allows the company to certify milk producers as producing milk that does not metabolize to beta-casomorphin which is an opioid peptide or protein fragment derived from the digestion of the milk protein casein.

I know, I’m getting too scientific with the lingo there. All that means is that the chemical composition of A2A2 milk may benefit our health because it is digested without inflammation that might arise from BCM-7 produced by A1 beta-casein. Consequently, A1 proteins may be detrimental to our health. That causes great push back from the gigantic dairy industry as A2A2 genetics is rare in Europe (except France) and the US. That would really disrupt their operation if their milk was found to be harmful – while others had milk that was beneficial.

As with so many health-related topics, the science is divided on whether or not there is reason for concern regarding the A1 protein in milk – whether there are adverse health effects from its consumption. Personally, I’m erring on the side of caution, as I do with so many other foods. I’ll go with tradition as opposed to modern fads in nutrition. We are breeding our cows for the A2A2 genetic conformation.

And when I say modern fads in nutrition, I mean everything that came pouring out of the 20th century and that continues to pour out in the 21st century. I’m talking about three square meals a day, the food pyramid, and the modified food pyramid. I’m talking about low fat diets, vegan and vegetarian diets, the Mediterranean diet, the South Beach diet and so on. All of these so-called nutrition experts are literally experimenting with our health as human beings. We evolved over thousands and thousands and thousands of years eating locally grown food, whatever it was. Historically, in the tropics the diet was heavy in fruits, nuts and greens, in Alaska fat predominated. In other regions protein was the main source of dietary sustenance. You must find what works for you.

Which brings me back to A2A2 milk.

History

In the 1980s, some medical researchers began to explore whether some peptides (including peptides from casein) that are created during digestion might have negative or positive health effects.

Interest in the distinction between A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins in milk began in the early 1990s via epidemiological research and animal studies initially conducted by scientists in New Zealand. The scientists found correlations between the prevalence of milk with A1 beta-casein proteins in some countries and the prevalence of various chronic diseases. The research generated interest in the media, as well as among the scientific community and entrepreneurs. If it were indeed true that BCM-7 created by A1 beta-casein is harming humans, this would be an important public health issue.

Scientists believe the difference in genetics originated as a mutation that occurred between 5000 and 10,000 years ago—as cattle were being taken north into Europe with the mutation subsequently spreading widely throughout herds in the Western world through breeding.

The percentage of the A1 and A2 beta-casein protein varies between herds of cattle, and also between countries and provinces. While African and Asian cattle continue to produce only A2 beta-casein, the A1 version of the protein is common among cattle in the western world. The A1 beta-casein type is the most common type found in cow's milk in Europe (excluding France where our Normandes with predominantly A2A2 genetics originate). It is also the most common type found in cow’s milk in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Let’s talk about the possible health benefits.

Health Benefits

Symptoms of stomach discomfort, such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea that occur after consuming dairy products, are typically attributed to lactose intolerance. However, some researchers believe that it is BCM-7, not lactose, that affects digestion and produces symptoms similar to lactose intolerance, in some people.

A study on Chinese adults with self-reported milk intolerance compared the effects of drinking regular milk that contained A1 and A2 proteins with A2-only milk on intestinal function, stomach discomfort, and inflammation.

The participants consumed 8 oz of milk twice a day for 2 weeks. They reported worse stomach pain after they consumed the regular milk but no change in symptoms after they drank the A2 milk.

Participants also reported more frequent and looser-consistency stools while they drank the regular milk. These symptoms did not occur after they consumed the A2 milk.

So, what MIGHT be happening on the other side of the coin?

Potentially Harmful Effects of non A2A2 Milk

Notice the words “might and “potentially” there. I’m not making any claims here. Some of the effects can include:

Inflammation

In the same study mentioned above, researchers also looked at markers of inflammation in the blood. They found the participants had higher levels of inflammatory markers after they drank the regular milk.

Brain function

The research showed that milk could impact brain function. Study participants took longer to process information and made more errors on a test after drinking regular milk compared to A2 milk.

Type 1 diabetes

The potential risks associated with milk containing A1 proteins include an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Some studies have shown that children who drink cow's milk protein at an earlier age than others have a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes. However, other studies have not shown the same association.

The research also suggests that the amount of milk a child consumes could influence their risk of developing type 1 diabetes, with higher milk consumption observed in children who develop the condition.

At least one study showed a link between the consumption of A1 protein and incidence of type 1 diabetes, although this kind of study fails to prove that it is a direct cause.

Some animal studies have shown associations between cow's milk consumption and a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes. One study in mice found that 47 percent of the mice that had A1 protein added to their diet developed diabetes, while none that had A2 protein added did so.

However, other research does not support the hypothesis that there is any association between milk consumption and a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes. There are links in the show notes for both sides of this discussion. Debate about the potential health effects of A1 and A2 milk is ongoing.

Research suggests that A1 beta-casein causes adverse digestive symptoms in certain individuals. But the evidence is still too weak for any solid conclusions to be made about the supposed links between A1 beta-casein and other conditions, such as type 1 diabetes and autism.

That said, A2 milk could be worth a try if you struggle to digest regular milk.

There you have it. The basics to the why of A2A2 milk. I’ll let you decide. Again, we like to err on the side of caution. We have two A2A2 certified cows and will be testing the rest of the herd as we move forward with our dairy operation. Go to the show notes for the links to the research I referenced.

Speaking of milk, how about an ice cream recipe for your A2A2 milk and cream.

Ice Cream Base Recipe (Download Flavorings)

When it’s warm outside, a cold refreshing dish of ice cream can really hit the spot. This is a basic ice cream recipe that can be used as a base for many different flavors. I’ve included a download link to the flavorings.

This silky, luscious and very classic custard can be used as the base for any ice cream flavor you can dream up. These particular proportions of milk and cream to egg yolk will give you a thick but not sticky ice cream that feels decadent but not heavy. For something a little lighter, use more milk and less cream, as long as the dairy adds up to 3 cups. You can also cut down on egg yolks for a thinner base, but don’t go below three.

Time: 20 minutes plus several hours’ cooling, chilling and freezing

Yield: about 1 ½ pints

What You Need

2cups heavy cream

1cup whole milk

⅔ cup sugar

⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt

6 large egg yolks

Your choice of flavoring (download here)

What To Do

In a small pot, simmer cream, milk, sugar and salt until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream. Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cool mixture to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Serve directly from the machine for soft serve, or store in freezer until needed.

Final Thoughts

I hope your days are filled with as much love and joy as you can stand. We love our lives here. Yes, we are busy beyond belief. Yes, it’s a little stressful sometimes. I just find it so fulfilling. From the time I was a child I was told to work hard for what I wanted. I was also told that I was too smart to not be college educated and have a career. So, no physical work. That was for those not smart enough to get out of that poor and decrepit existence. Funny isn’t it? In the end, educated to the max, I prefer the hard work. And indeed, some of it is smart brain work. But the best and most enjoyable part involves sweat.

Particularly, I love our cows and our dairy operation. Check out the references I provided for the research around A2 beta-casein. Then sign on to our herd share program with our A2A2 milk and value added products, go to www.peacefulheartfarm.com/virginia-herdshare. Read, ask questions, download the documents. We’d love to do business with you.

And as this Memorial Day weekend stretches into Monday, I hope you’ll try that ice cream recipe. There is nothing more traditional than everyone taking turns operating that crank on the ice cream machine. Well, we use the electric method. Likely you do too, but the principle is still the same. Enjoy your time with your family and friends.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please hop over to Apple Podcasts, Subscribe and give me a 5-star rating and review. Also, please share it with any friends or family who might be interested in this type of content.

As always, I’m here to help you “taste the traditional touch.”

Thank you so much for stopping by the homestead and until next time, may God fill your life with grace and peace.

References

Peaceful Heart Farm Bulls for Sale

NIH published study

Nutrition & Diabetes Study

The A2 milk case: a critical review

Recipe Link

Ice Cream Base

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