Texas Longhorn Beef

I have been making weekly trips to the Barton Creek Farmers Market for about a month. One of my favorite places to get my beef for the week is Wright Longhorn Beef. Grass-fed Longhorn Beef is high in omega-3’s, has less fat than chicken or turkey, and is packed with flavor. Longhorn cattle are also much easier on the fragile and dry ecosystem of Central TX, because they browse (eat shrubs) as well as graze (eat grass). The cattle have no added hormones or unnecessary antibiotics, and are never exposed to the stresses of the feed lots that mass market beef cattle endure.

I specifically asked Mr. Wright about his longhorns and was pleased to hear they are 100% grass-fed from start to finish, and he even invited me to visit his farm. Some farmers feed cattle grass for only part of the duration and then stuff the cow full of grains but still claim it is "grass-fed." The key here is to be an informed consumer and ask questions.  Plus, by buying Longhorn, you’re helping to keep the symbol of Texas a viable breed.

I buy the ground beef and sausage each week and it's delish! If you aren't shopping at a Farmers Market, then start now. By doing a quick google search, you will be amazed at what you can find in your area.

Leeks

I am on day 3 of my 12 day REFUEL cleanse with Coach Crystal Bold. It's going great and nothing has been too extreme or crazy for me. I have no doubt it helped that I weened myself off caffeine the past 3 weeks so now going completely caffeine free is not bad at all. The biggest challenge I have run into is learning to cook a few new vegetables-- beets and artichokes to be exact. Overall, the meals are right in line with how I eat through out the week. I am loading up on green leafy vegetables; adding beets, leeks, and artichokes to my diet; making sure all vegetables are organic, and all meat/fish is grass-fed or wild. Fats are limited to avocado, coconut oil, and olive oil. Lastly, all meals are to be cooked at home and no alcohol. Besides learning to cook a few new vegetables, not being able to go out to eat this weekend or grab a drink will be my biggest challenge, but let's be serious, for 12 days anyone can do anything.

My next few posts will provide information on some of my food choices and why they are healthy for you. Today is all about Leeks!

I found amazing tasting leeks at the Farmer's Market this past Saturday. I simply cut them up and add them to the skillet with whatever meat I am cooking. I literally have cooked the entire stalk. I actually prefer them to onions because they're not as strong and pungent and have a slight sweet taste to them. Delish!

5 Benefits of Leeks:

1. Protects the linings of blood vessels
2. Helps cleanse the liver
3. Provides folate
4. Functions as an antioxidant
5. Decreases risk of anti-inflammatory diseases