GOT MILK?

Dairy................is it necessary?

United States Department of Agriculture, facts:

The United States Department of Agriculture suggests daily allowances for vitamins and minerals based on the "average American". What this means is that some people will need that amount and some will not. Ayurveda believes each person to be unique, not average. The Wind and The Fire can consume the most dairy as it is sweet and cooling. The Earth should not consume dairy. If you are experiencing an Earth imbalance, give up the milk!

USDA Requirements for Calcium Consumption

Age		Milligrams
4 - 8		800
9 - 18		1300
19 - 50		1000
50+		1500

By simply consuming one glass of fortified OJ, one glass of fortified soymilk and one tablespoon of Sesame Seeds to your diet each day, you can reach 948 milligrams of calcium. Add to that some beans and leafy greens and you are well taken care of!!

It is widely recommended that adults take a multi-vitamin daily and woman should take a calcium supplement. Elemental OM agrees with this recommendation.

Ayurveda and Milk Consumption

Dairy holds a special place in Ayurveda. Cows are considered to be sacred animals. The milk from a cow that has been well-loved and well-cared for rejuvenates tissues and nourishes the body. Unfortunately, these cows are few and far between in the West.

If you are the Earth, you can and should avoid all dairy.

Elemental OM believes that most Elements thrive without DAILY dairy. If you choose to consume dairy on a regular basis, buy whole, organic, non-homogenized, and much loved products.

Milk is Sweet and is to be combined with other Sweet tastes. However, it is never to be combined with meat or fish.

Milk should never be drank cold. Bring it to a boil first and then turn down and let it slowly boil for 5 or 10 minutes. This changes the molecular structure of the milk and makes it easier to digest.

Think of milk as a snack or a digestive aid. You can replace breakfast with warm milk adding a little bit of nutmeg, cinnamon, honey and almonds. Warm milk taken 30 minutes before bedtime will aid in sleep. Warm milk and ghee taken prior to bedtime will aid with constipation.

Dairy facts for our Western Culture:

A high protein diet, especially proteins from animals, causes CALCIUM LOSS in the Body. The proteins in cow's milk actually inhibit absorbtion!

75% of adults show some degree of lactase activity (lactose intolerance) worldwide. Interestingly, countries consuming the most amount of milk which are largely in the West show lower intolerance due to more consumption. Eastern countries where milk is not consumed as an adult show the highest percentage of intolerance. This would imply that your body does adjust to milk consumption, but it is truly "adjusting" over a lifetime of consumption. However, as you age, you may develop lactose intolerance because your body produces less lactase enzymes. If your stomach churns, if you experience gas, bloating, nausea or diarrhea after ingesting dairy, then you may be lactose intolerant.

Jersey (small, honey-brown, friendly) cows provide the highest quality milk, however 85% of the milk produced in the United States is provided by Holstein cows (typical black and white cow).

Cows are typically milked up to 3 times per day and given hormones such as bsT to boost milk production.

Organically produced milk does use up to 80% more land. That's because the cows are actually getting out and enjoying life a little. If you are worried about the environment, drink less milk overall. As a matter of fact, just consume less of everything!!

Non Dairy Sources of Calcium, in milligrams, about 1 cup:

Soymilk 93
Fortified Soymilk 368
Quinoa 100
Rainbow Trout 73
Mung Beans 56
Baked Beans 128
Navy Beans 128
Refried Beans 88
Bok Chow 158
brussel Sprouts 56
Turnip Greens, boiled 158
Celery, raw 48
Broccoli 72
French Beans 111
Kelp, raw 144
Sweet Potato 76
Blackberries 46
Figs 269
Orange Juice, fortified 300
Papaya 72
Ocean Perch 116
Collard Greens 226
Mustard Greens 104
Sesame Seeds 280 (1 oz)
Basil 85 (1 Tbsp)
Cinnamon 74 (1 Tbsp)
Thyme 76 (1 Tbsp)