I πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’— my local butcher


(AnnaLeeThal) #1

I just got back from a quick trip to my local butcher. They are just amazing. Their meats are sourced from pasture raised animals, which is important to me especially when buying the fats. Every time I go there I buy all the tallow they have in stock. I told the guy working there that I just love the tallow to use for deep frying, etc, and he said they have a really hard time selling it. I told him that I will just come buy it all, sell it all to me! We talked a little bit about Keto, which he knew about, and said that him and the other butcher try to follow Paleo but they both really like bread (of course). I spouted off just a few of the benefits I have seen from Keto (down 23lbs in less than 3 months, reversed pre-diabetes, feel great). It was nice to geek out a little about fat and meat with someone who gets how beneficial it is. He said he β€œheard good things about Keto for kids who have trouble concentrating”. I hope I was a positive influence on him just a little today in planting a little seed about Keto. I will keep going back and buying their delicious meats and fats and singing the praises of Keto!

Oh…they also are amazing because they can basically accommodate any carnivorous request that I have. Today I asked for chicken liver, of course they had some in the back(cheap too!) Need rabbit? Sure! Fresh whole pastured chicken? No problem. Fresh duck? Why not! If they don’t have something they can will work their darndest to get it. I feel very fortunate to have found them and hope they stay in business for a good long time.


(Guardian of the bacon) #2

What establishment is this @AnnaLeeMI ?


(AnnaLeeThal) #3

E.A Brady’s in Grand Rapids. I totally want to invite these guys to the forum next trip i make.


(Guardian of the bacon) #4

You may have competition for your tallow…don’t be overly concerned as I don’t get to GR all that often. I just bought 1/2 of a grass fed steer that we are picking up from the butcher this week. That is coming from Byron Center which is further away yet. I sure hope I like grass fed beef.


(AnnaLeeThal) #5

I am jealous of your meat purchase! Alas, since my husband had sworn off red meat due to his gout it is just myself and the child eating beef, so I can’t justify any bulk purchases currently. I will, however, be searching for a great price on bulk purchase of pastured chickens. I have a group of crunchy mom friends that used to be all into Weston A. Price and I typically ask them if they have any hookups. I keep trying to see if I can buy raw milk cream somewhere too, but I don’t get much luck.


(Tom Seest) #6

I will possibly be up in the GR area for a bicycle ride. Maybe we can do a local Meat Up while I’m up that way. I know a couple of people in other groups that live to the north of you.


(AnnaLeeThal) #7

Cool! Yes! That sounds like fun for sure :slight_smile:


(Guardian of the bacon) #8

I’m in!

I’m considering raising some chickens next summer for eggs and slaughter. I need to find somebody to butcher them…I’m not chasing around a bunch of headless chickens.

Raw milk products in MI is pretty tough as it’s illegal…sigh. Milk fresh from the farm bulk tank is the best!!! I have heard that there is a workaround. Supposedly if you can find one near you (I can’t near me) you can buy a coop share of a cows production. You literally take ownership of a portion of a cow and are entitled to a portion of it’s weekly production. It’s legal to drink raw milk from your own cow.


(AnnaLeeThal) #9

Yes, I have had a milk share a couple times. I don’t want to do that again as no one in my house really drinks milk much, but it’s near impossible to get a share that offers just cream.


(Guardian of the bacon) #10

you could make your own mozzarella, Carlshead for life!!


(AnnaLeeThal) #11

Yes…I suppose I could. I’m not sure I need to add one more thing to my plate! Can’t someone just milk their dang cow, skim the cream, and set it on my doorstep once a week? Is that really too much to ask?


(Larry Lustig) #12

Pro tip: If you do this, make sure to get the portion with the udders.


(Guardian of the bacon) #13

Thanks for the head up Larry.
As a life long farm boy I woulda figured it out. I think I could get by on just one teat.


(Richard Morris) #14

I make my own Mozzarella - there is no comparison between handmade and industrial.


(AnnaLeeThal) #15

Well…I’m sure I could make arrangements with my friend to get milk once a month. Dang it, now you got me thinking about it!! We do end up using a lot of mozzarella with pizza and whatnot.


(Richard Morris) #16

Jules just made home made feta to give to people as xmas presents.


(Guardian of the bacon) #17

We bought 2 young heifers for breeding to develop our own small grass fed herd. I plan to harvest a bit of their milk and cream away from their babies. Going to be awhile they are 7 months old. Need to be 14-15 months to breed and gestational period about same as humans.


(AnnaLeeThal) #18

So when is this potential GR trip?


(Tom Seest) #19

I’ll have to look it up but I believe it is in or near June 24th. A friend of mine wants me to do a 24 Hour bicycle ride with him.


(AnnaLeeThal) #20

They are cute! Hello pretty babies! Cows seem like such fun animals. I have heard they are pretty personable.