Summer is all about making memories with our families. When I think about my own childhood summers, I remember hours and hours at the pool, visiting the library for stacks of novels to devour, and enjoying cold, sweet treats nearly every day. To this day, a cold, delicious milkshake is my favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day. I’ve passed this love of milkshakes on to my kids, and we have had so much fun this year trying out different recipes for this classic dessert. Our favorite milkshakes by far are made with Organic Valley products.
Happy Cows Make Better Milk
Even when our family is eating a dessert, I care about the quality of the ingredients used in our recipes. Whenever possible, I try and use organic products, especially dairy. Lately, I have tried to be intentional about teaching my kids where the food we eat comes from, while also giving them simple lessons on the ethics of food production.
Organic Valley milk comes from cows that spend more time outside than other cows. As a parent, I know getting kids outside and away from devices makes them happy and healthy, and the same goes for cows. The more time they spend outside, the healthier they are and the better quality milk they produce. And just like kids, cows thrive in environments where they can express their natural behaviors – like grazing, roaming, and playing on pasture.
Additionally, Organic Valley cows eat more grass than is required by organic standards. As such, their diet is nutrient-rich. I explained this to my kids as a nutritious and delicious salad bar for cows. All the nutrients they get from a pasture-based diet not only help keep them healthy and feeling good but also help make excellent quality milk.
The Organic Valley Difference
Unlike most businesses, Organic Valley is a cooperative owned by organic farmers. This means they all work together to grow the food and run the business. The result is a unique passion for doing what’s right for people, animals, and the planet, and an unwavering commitment to bringing ethically-made organic food to families everywhere.
Organic Valley has been producing healthy food for over three decades. They provide economic stability for family farmers and rural communities, build healthy soil, protect the environment, and care for animals in a way that promotes their health and all of ours.
The fact that Organic Valley is made up of small family farms means that their herds are kept small, which allows them to provide plenty of care to their animals. Their farmers care deeply about the care of their cows and know their personalities and quirks. In fact, it’s not uncommon for Organic Valley farmers to name their cows and call them by name, just like kids name their pets. When I told this to my kids, they had a great time guessing some of the names of the cows whose milk we were using in our milkshakes. You won’t be surprised that the name Milkshake was the clear winner.
It’s clear that Organic Valley goes above and beyond to pour all their love into taking care of their animals. The animals are then able to provide you with nutritious, delicious organic milk you can feel good about giving your family.
This summer, make it a point to talk about food and ethics with your kids. Make it fun by using Organic Valley milk, available at a store local to you, to make some delicious milkshakes.
Happy cows make better milk, and better milk makes better milkshakes!
Best Vanilla Milkshake
Looking for a fun treat for your kiddos this summer? Try our founder, Steph Flies’ Best Vanilla Milkshake recipe and add your favorite selection of candy to make it extra fun.
Best Vanilla Milkshake
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 4 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1/2 cup Organic Valley Whole Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Whipped Cream Organic Valley Whipped Cream Recipe: https://www.organicvalley.coop/recipes/whipped-cream/
Instructions
- In a blender, combine ice cream, vanilla extract (clear vanilla extract is my preference), and milk, and blend until pourable.
- Pour into a glass, top with whipped cream and additional toppings if desired
- Enjoy!
No-Ice-Cream-Needed Milkshakes
Looking for a No-Ice-Cream-Needed milkshake? Organic Valley has recipes for chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry milkshakes. All three can be made in about 5 minutes, but the vanilla shake does need an additional 3 hours of freezing time. These treats are perfect for little ones who want to help in the kitchen but don’t want a long, drawn-out process to get their mouths on that cold, yummy goodness!
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