ZERO CATTLE RANCH

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

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

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