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  • About
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Easy Ways To incorporate Beef into a Healthy Diet

6/24/2021

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I think many times when people think of beef, they think of a thick, juicy, fatty ribeye or a greasy cheeseburger. I think mainstream media and culture has depicted beef this way.  However, beef is so versatile and a great lean protein that can in fact be part of a healthy diet.  Here are some ideas of how to easily incorporate beef into a healthy diet. Full of zinc, iron,  B vitamins, and protein, it is hands down my favorite protein source, with vitamins and minerals you can't find anywhere else. 

1. Purchase lean ground beef. Look for 10% or even 7% fat options by reading the label at the grocery store. At Walmart, the lean ground beef is labeled green. 

2. If you are watching carbs, skip the bun, or only eat half of the bun. Many times, people make burgers unhealthy by everything they add to it- sauces full of sugars and carbs, thick buns, and a side of french fries quickly add up. Next time, try a delicious burger on a lettuce bun or half a whole wheat bun with a side of veggies for a great source of clean protein and vitamins. 

3. Try a taco salad with lean ground beef. I love to prep taco meat at the beginning of the week because you can use it so many ways- salads, wraps, taco shells, nachos. It is quick and easy to prepare and ensures everyone in the house can make what they love. 

4.  Try out the flat iron  steak. This is a newer cut of beef developed by the beef check off program that is leaner, has less fat, but is still tender and delicious . It is one of my favorites!

5.  Check out our cookbook, "Beef for the Family" for healthy meals the whole family can enjoy. Designed for quick weeknight meals, these recipes feature ways  to cut calories and show how beef can be part of a wholesome diet. 

​-Katey Johnson


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National Hamburger Day

5/27/2021

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May 28th is National Hamburger Day y'all!  So fire up the grill and throw some delicious, lean, healthy protein on the grill. 

I've been thinking back over the past year. At no other time has health been more prevalent  and central in our lives.  However, in America we remain at an alarming level of 2/3 of the population being obese or overweight. And those health problems became magnified during the covid-19 pandemic. 

Most covid deaths had preexisting conditions, comorbidities, and/or were overweight.  Yet it seemed no one ever looked at the root problem of this.

We were told to quarantine, stay inside, wear a mask, wash our hands and don't see each other.  Yet  no one said  to go lift some weights, run, get on a bike, or do some pilates. Doctors didn't tell us to look at our diets and cut back on processed foods and sugar and increase protein and vegetable intake.  Vitamin C and zinc weren't recommended. 

So maybe it's up to us to make sure we are exercising , eating rights, and taking our vitamins.  

It's proven that a high protein diet, supplemented with carbs and healthy fats, is essential to building strong, lean bodies. 

With  10  essential nutrients, like iron, zinc, and B12, beef is an excellent choice when it comes to wholesome protein options.  A 3 oz serving also contains 25 grams of protein, making it  easy to incorporate beef into a healthy diet. Beef also contains amino acids, which are great for replenishing and building muscle. 

So this beef month, let's celebrate by moving our bodies and eating healthy, delicious protein- go beef!

​-Katey Johnson

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Taco Soup

5/10/2021

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Here's another keeper for your crock pot repertoire. Hearty, flavorful, and packed with protein, think a soupier version of chili with the taco flavor we all love! Of course, you could also cook this on the stove top in a large dutch oven. 

Ingredients:
1 package ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 T cumin
1 T paprika 
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp salt 
1 can corn 
1 can kidney beans 
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes 
1 cup water
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Directions:
  1. In large pan, brown ground beef until it just starts to turn pink. Add to crockpot (it will cook the rest of the way in the crockpot). 
  2. Add remaining ingredients to crock pot on top of ground beef. 
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours and serve with your favorite taco toppings.
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Happy Beef Month

5/7/2021

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Happy Beef Month y'all!  As I was driving around our ranch yesterday, I couldn't help but feel so grateful for this beautiful life we get to live.  This is my favorite time of year- it's not too hot yet, the grass is green and thick, the cows are slicking up, the skies are clear and there are babies running around everywhere, kicking and playing and enjoying the sunshine. The air is fresh with excitement and growth and there is  a special  enthusiasm this year coming out of such a rough winter. 

There are so many benefits these ranchlands provide .  As I drove around  I thought about how special it is to be able to feed the world. I thought about how our 700 acres protects these lands from developers and turning it into concrete. I thought about all the animals besides just the cattle that call this place home- countless whitetail deer, turkeys, birds, and other species that would be pushed out and/or killed if this became a neighborhood or shopping mall. 

The grazing cattle help aerate and fertilize the soil, prevent fires, and ultimately turn unusable forages and feedstuffs into   a high quality protein for us to enjoy. That's not to mention all the byproducts cattle provide- everything from glue, to footballs, to marshmallows and gum.

So this beef month, let's be sure to be extra grateful as ranchers for this amazing life we get to live. And if you are a consumer with any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to a local farmer or rancher. We would love to share our story with you.  

​-Katey Johnson

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Garlic and red wine braised short ribs

4/29/2021

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This may be my new favorite meal ever. They seem intimidating , but I promise they are not hard! I've made these twice now and they were falling off the bone amazing both times, so this recipe is definitely a keeper!

Ingredients:
-1 pack beef short ribs
​-3 TBS oregano
-3 TBS parsley
-1 TBS salt
-2 tsp pepper
-3 TBS garlic powder
-1 diced onion
-1 cup diced carrots
-1 heaping TBS tomato paste
-1-2 cups beef broth
-1/4 c red wine
-1 TBS minced garlic
-2 TBS olive oil

​Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 275.
  • Heavily coat short ribs on both sides in salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and garlic powder (feel free to use any other herbs you like!)
  • In a large dutch oven, heat 1 T olive oil.
  • On medium high heat, sear both sides of the ribs for 3-5 min. Place seared ribs in a large baking dish.
  • In the same dutch oven, add remaining olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté garlic for about 2 min.
  • Add onions and carrots and stir for about 8 min or until soft.
  • Add 1 cup beef stock, tomato paste, and red wine. Stir for about 5 min or until sauce begins to thicken.
  • Pour sauce over ribs to cover. Add more beef stock if needed to cover ribs.
  • Cover in foil and bake for 3-4 hours.
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Blackberry Cobbler

7/29/2019

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We had a great blackberry season! We are closed now for U Picking, but we hope you will join us next year. Here is one of our favorite ways to use blackberries- cobbler! Let us know in the comment section if you try this recipe, and what your favorite way to eat blackberries is! Grab some vanilla ice cream and enjoy. 


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Southwest Burgers

7/20/2019

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Did you know that July is National Grilling Month? One of the best parts of summer is being able to grill out. And we do, all the time! You can throw the whole meal on the grill and have a quick and healthy supper that tastes great. Because really, everything tastes better on the grill. For National Grilling Month, here is one of our favorite burger recipes- Southwest Burgers. 


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Grass finished vs grain finished beef

3/20/2019

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Consumers today are at least 3 generations removed from farming, yet they want to know more about their food now than ever before. As ranchers, this begs us to educate the public on the truth behind our industry. If not, they will get their information from somewhere else, and it just might not be fact based. For consumers, read on!


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