School is back in session and work isn’t slowing down, so days are more full than ever. How’s your self-care going? Are you eating the right fuel to help your body and your brain stay energized from morning to night?
Since 1987 Jo-Ann Dykstra has relied on goat milk and yogurt to give her family a healthy start to the day.
“It’s just a part of our lives,” says Dykstra, who along with her husband, children and grandchildren runs Goat’s Pride Dairy in Abbotsford. “Cereal with goat’s milk, goat yogurt with fruit or a quick healthy smoothie — there are lots of breakfast options. To us it’s just normal milk, and a tasty, healthy part of our breakfast every morning.”
Easier digestion
Between dietary restrictions, food allergies and the selection at the grocery store, Dykstra understands that choosing a cow milk alternative can be overwhelming. It’s important to do the research to find the product that’s right for you, but if an estimated 65 per cent of the world drinks goat’s milk, maybe it’s worth considering!
- Goat milk cells are smaller than cow milk cells —about one-fifth the size —which makes the milk easier for humans to digest.
- The protein in goat milk is more easily tolerated by humans — most cow’s milk contains both A1 and A2 protein, but goat’s milk contains exclusively A2 protein.
- Goat milk contains an enzyme that helps humans digest lactose, so those who are lactose intolerant may experience milder symptoms, or none at all.
Goats run from the rain
Goat’s Pride Dairy supplies milk, yogurt and cheese to many local grocers, and they also welcome visitors to the farm store at 30854 Olund Rd.
“It’s a lovely location in the countryside with fresh air, cute baby goats and even fairies,” Dykstra says.
An accessible road tours you through the farm on foot or in your car, with information signs and a fun fairy house hunt. Most days you’ll be able to visit and photograph the goats, but Dykstra says they’re funny animals.
“Goats hate rain! At the first drop of rain they just bolt for the barn. Usually before we even notice it’s raining the goats are hurrying in from the hill,” she says. “Then they crowd around the door looking out, eager for it to stop.”
Visit the farm store Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and ask the friendly staff for more information on the benefits of goat’s milk, or check out their website goatspride.com. To add a little goat to your timeline, follow Goat’s Pride Dairy on Facebook and Instagram.
