This is how cattle should be raised.
For a lot of people, getting access to grassfed beef is a tricky proposition. Not all grocery stores carry it, and there isn’t always a local farm nearby that you can buy from.
If there is, the farmer may want to sell off their animals in large bits like 1/4 or 1/2 an animal. If you’re like me and don’t have an upright freezer, then you won’t be able to fit 1/4 of a cow in your available freezer space.
U.S. Wellness Meats is a great alternative for those of you who live in the United States (they only ship domestically).
Why grassfed? There are several reasons to procure grassfed beef, but the superior polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio and the prevalence of conjugated linoleic-acid are some of the key factors. This is the result of the animals living and eating the way they were meant to in their natural environment. As their company slogan says, “Our animals eat right so you can too.”
I usually do a lot of my shopping at Costco to take advantage of the discounts you get from buying food in bulk. I go through a lot of meat, nuts, and eggs, so I have to take those price advantages into consideration. However, there isn’t much of a selection of grassfed beef, or even humanely raised animal products at my Costco and other local grocery stores.
Seeing how I’d like to buy higher quality animal products for the benefit of my health (and conscience), I’ve started splitting some of my meat purchases between U.S. Wellness Meats (USWM) and my grocer.
Grassfed beef and pasture raised animals still fetch a premium price, no matter where you buy it from, but sourcing it online from a large catalog of products allows me to better plan out my food shopping.
Between ordering and receiving my purchase, it only takes about four to five days. And, if you’re not sure about getting meat delivered, the packages come in thick styrofoam coolers. I know, not the best environmental solution, but the meat is still frosty when I open it up at home. Just be sure to check with the deliver company and see if their policy is to leave the package at the door. You don’t want a box of meat to sit outside all day, so you’ll need to plan the delivery.
I really like USWM because there is so much to choose from: steaks, grass fed ground beef, bones for stock, liver, free range chicken, you name it, they can probably ship it to you. As well, their pork products are certified compassionate, so you can feel better about eating bacon.
I tend to eat a lot of bacon, so it’s nice to be able to get a pork product that isn’t loaded with nitrates and other additives. My typical order is usually about five pounds of grassfed ground beef, some bratwursts, and a couple pounds of nitrate-free bacon.
Once you get everything out of the cooler, it’s already packaged up, so it can go straight into your freezer. And since you have the option to dial in your order by weight, it’s really easy to plan for how much freezer space you have. Once you get close to finishing up everything you currently have, just place another order online and expect it about a week later.
If you’re looking for a place to buy grassfed beef, or are interested in other natural animal products then U.S. Wellness Meats (affiliate link) is a great source to check out. I’m happy to promote their company because I like what they stand for, and I buy my own food from them.
I firmly believe that food is the most important thing that you can spend money on. What you feed your body has far-reaching effects on your health throughout your entire life, and the lives of your family. Every dollar is worth it.
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10 Responses to Buying Grassfed Beef From U.S. Wellness Meats
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Thanks for this post. I would like to also suggest that anyone who can buy their meat and vegetables from their source – the farm. We as a society have lost touch with how food is produced. Now I know that it is not always possible for everyone to purchase their vegetables or meats locally, but most communities do have farmers markets that feature local growers and meat producers. It is a great experience to buy your food from the hands that worked so hard to produce it. Besides, I can almost guarantee you that besides just being better for you, it will taste so much better!
Chris´s last [type] ..Too Much- Too Soon
So i am a few days into Paleo and im trying to find a balance of how many nuts are still healthy for you. All the research ive read points to too many nuts are bad if you’re looking to loose weight (which i am) but at the same time i’m looking to gain strength for CrossFit. Any thoughts?
Jason´s last [type] ..Meat Gun Slinger
I only really eat macadamia nuts and almonds. The macadamia nuts are basically all monounsaturated fat, so no worry about throwing off omega 3/6 ratios. They are kind of expensive though.
The almonds, I eat less of, and I also soak them in water to reduce their phytate content.
I treat nuts as a snack, and don’t really eat more than a handful a day.
Ah…I read about soaking nuts to increase the health benefits…I may need to try that. (insert joke here)
Jason´s last [type] ..One Paleo Brontosaurus Burger Coming Right Up!
While US Wellness Meats is wonderful and I don’t want to discourage anyone from shopping there, I would encourage people to first check their area for grass-fed beef raised locally. You’ll save a lot on shipping and support local businesses, as well as sustainable production.
There is a long list of options at http://eatwild.com/products/index.html – but you can often find other local options just by searching for “beef” on your local Craigslist.
Hint: Craigslist is also a great place to find a freezer for very little money, which you’ll need no matter where you buy your beef from.
JS
I just received my first order of ground beef from them yesterday – was really impressed with the overall speed of the order (and ease) plus the packing was just wonderful! tonight, our first meatloaf made from these ingredients! thanks for the link (I have found two local sources, but I have to buy an entire cow or 1/2 or 1/4 – so buying from US Wellness allows me to buy the cuts I’d like)
Glad to hear that CC, yeah sometimes the order comes really fast. A lot of places have to be conservative with their shipping estimates. Like I mentioned, I also don’t have the storage capacity to buy such large sections of a cow. An extra freezer is on the list of things to get, but probably not until after a new set of laundry machines.
Better yet, grow your own. Nothing better than cattle you know. I think I might indulge myself in a little pate’.
I’ve been eating US Wellness Meats for about a year since I left California. I had year round access to grassfed meats then, but now I live in colder climates so US Wellness comes in pretty handy. Plus, I love their pemmican!
I bought some of their pemmican for my last order. Definitely the real deal. the smell of the tallow is so strong.