Goat Milk

Cottage cheese is a good source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, which play a vital role in many of the body functions. The health benefits of cottage cheese include weight loss, a good supply of protein, B complex vitamins, and healthy fats.

What is Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is prepared by boiling and curdling milk with the help of acidic substances such as lime or vinegar. As the milk boils, it starts to curdle, forming lumps of curd. This curd is then pressed to squeeze out the whey or milk serum to form a big lump of curd or cheese.

Cheese is a milk product that is made in a number of different ways and can be purchased in different forms depending on the milk and fat content. The different types of cheese include hoop cheese, farmer cheese, pot cheese, paneer, queso blanco, and various others. Each of these cheeses is prepared with a different procedure and sometimes different ingredients are added. Thus, different kinds of cheeses have evolved with different flavors.

The process of preparing cottage cheese and commercial cheese is somewhat similar. The only difference is in the proportion of milk used to obtain the cheese.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, nutrients found in cottage cheese (100 g) include energy (98 kcal), carbohydrates (3.38 g), fat (4.5 g), sugar (2.6 g), protein (11.12 g), vitamin A (37 ugs), and vitamin D (21 ugs). Some trace elements found in cottage cheese include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, selenium, and zinc.

Cottage cheese is formed when casein, a milk protein, reacts with acid and coagulates. This is one of the favorite proteins for athletes, bodybuilders, sprinters, and various sports enthusiasts because casein is a very slow-digesting protein and releases energy slowly. Whey protein is also a preferred type, which is a by-product of cottage cheese. Whey is very healthy and popular amongst sports and fitness enthusiasts. It can be stored in a cool place to be used at a later time.

9 Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese provides many health benefits, which are listed below:

Rich in Protein

One of the biggest benefits of cottage cheese is the high amount of casein protein found in it. It is believed that cow’s milk may contain the highest amount of casein protein among various kinds of milk. The amount of protein contained in cottage cheese is ideal for vegetarians in supplying them with the required amount of daily protein. Cottage cheese does not require any amount of cooking and it can be consumed directly. A study cited in JAMA Network shows that drinking milk provides excess energy in some children.

Good For Pregnant Women

Cottage cheese is recommended for pregnant women along with athletes due to various essential nutrients found in it. They need calcium and cottage cheese is a very good source of it. Cottage cheese also contains phosphorus, an important element found in bones, which is also recommended during pregnancy.

Rich in B-complex Vitamins

B-complex vitamins, found in cottage cheese, are helpful in various metabolic activities in our body. They include vitamin B12, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, niacin, and folate.

• Vitamin B12 is needed for proper brain functioning and helps in absorbing iron.
• Riboflavin helps in converting carbohydrates into energy.
• Pantothenic acid acts as a synthesizer that helps in forming proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids in our body.
• Thiamin helps in converting sugars into energy in the pyruvate dehydrogenase system.
• Niacin plays an important role in digestion, energy production, and cholesterol reduction.
• Folate helps in fetal development in pregnant women, producing red blood cells, and keeping the heart healthy.

Strengthen Bones

Calcium is one of the major elements associated with milk and milk products such as curd or cottage cheese. The benefits of calcium-rich foods may include bone strengthening and weight loss. The amount of calcium in cottage cheese is 8% of the daily recommended value. Calcium may help in building strong bones throughout childhood and adulthood. Eating calcium-rich foods during pregnancy and later years is helpful, especially in the prevention of osteoporosis. It also helps the nervous system in sending nerve impulses.

Help Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Cottage cheese help reduce blood sugar levels. Many recommend it as one of the best snacks to have for people with diabetes. In a study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota, USA, and published in the Nutrition and Metabolism Journal, men who ate 25 grams of cottage cheese with 50 grams of sugar had 38% lower blood sugar afterward, compared to those who consumed sugar alone.

Improve Biological Functions

Zinc found in cottage cheese is about 4% of the daily recommended value. In the human body, it is found in the brain, muscles, bones, kidneys, liver, prostate, and eyes. It helps in the metabolism of DNA and RNA. Zinc is one of the trace elements whose presence in our body helps in improving the immune system and digestion. It is also useful for relieving stress and anxiety, curing night blindness, improving ocular health, preventing appetite loss and prostate disorder, and fighting various infections. Moreover, it acts as an antioxidant too.

Improve Digestion

Cottage cheese contains phosphorus, which can play a major role in the formation of DNA and RNA. It is a major component in forming bones along with calcium. Phosphates may also help in digestion, excretion, and in the production and extraction of energy in the cells. A 2012 study shows that moderate intake of cottage cheese along with other fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, and whole grains is effective in achieving and maintaining weight loss.

Have Antioxidant Properties

Selenium is a trace element found in cottage cheese. It is required in very small quantities, not more than 50 mcg to 70 mcg in adults. Selenium is useful as an antioxidant that protects cells and DNA from damage.

Cholesterol Levels in Cottage Cheese

The level of cholesterol in cottage cheese depends upon the type of milk used for preparing it. If whole milk is used for cheese preparation, the cholesterol content would be higher (33 mg per cup) as compared to low-fat milk (10 mg per cup) or no fat milk (4 mg per cup). So, if you are health conscious, use low-fat versions of cottage cheese to avoid extra fat intake and excessive cholesterol.

 

 

 

 

 

What is kefir?

 

Kefir is Caucasian origin fermented milk product. Kefir is an acidic, slightly foamy product made from pasteurized and fat-standardized or decreamed goat milk that has passed through a combined acidic and alcoholic fermentation of symbiotic lactic acid bacteria and yeast kefir grains. The finished product Kefir, contains 0.6 to 0.8% lactic acid and 0.5 to 1.0% alcohol. Kefir grain includes mix microbial flora. Its size varies between 0,5-3 cm. Kefir is white or white-yellow colored, and has pop-corn like appearance.

 

The benefits of Kefir

Kefir is easy to digest and help cell growth. Kefir is believed to expend life due to preventing flocculation of materials in intestine. Kefir is rich in protein, fat, lactose and minerals and decrease the bad cholesterol level in blood. Kefir decrease tension, dilute urine, evacuate body toxins, accelerate intestine movement, prevents hepatitis, joint diseases, diarrhea, constipation, blood lost, postpartum problems. It also decrease blood sugar but most importantly prevents cancer.

Kefir is an important nutrient for sick people and children, because it is easy to digest and rich in protein. Kefir is also beneficial for nervous problems, anorexia, ulcer, bronchitis and asthma.

 

How to make Kefir

 

There are so many ways of making Kefir, and there is almost no wrong method! Some people like to culture their grains for 12 hours, and some for 24 hours, or more. Some like to tighten the lid on the jar of fermenting kefir making it a fizzy kefir but, be sure to leave extra air space in there if you do, so the jar does not burst. Some people use raw goats milk, while others use cows milk.

 

Here are some simple instructions to get you started making Kefir :

 

1. Place Kefir grains in a clean glass jar.
2. For every tablespoon (approx.) of grains, add 7-8 ounces of goat milk (making one cup total per tablespoon of culture).
3. Cover jar loosely, and allow to sit at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. On top of the fridge or in a cupboard are great places to make kefir. Swirl it once or twice a day to agitate the grains and expose fresh surface area to the milk.
4. After 12-24 hours, strain the kefir using a strainer or colander. You can use a spoon with small holes in it to “scoop” the kefir grains out of the finished bowl of kefir, returning them to the jar.
5. Enjoy your fresh Kefir, which will keep in the refrigerator for several months. Use the remaining grains to make a new batch, starting over with Step 1.

 

* You may also consider using your excess grains to culture rice milk, coconut milk, soy milk and etc. but kefir grains that are cultured in non-mammalian milk will cease growing.

Kefir is a natural pro-biotic, containing vitamins and enzymes that encourage digestion and live microorganisms (yeast and bacteria) also help with the digestive process. Fermentation also preserves the kefir for a time, discouraging the growth of less human-friendly molds and bacteria.

Researches showed that kefir increase potency of people. Woman use it as face-mask.

 

 

Simple Homemade Kefir Facial

 

Why use cultured milk facial?

 

This homemade cultured goat milk facial happens to be the easiest you can kick start with homemade facials. Honestly, this is one you really have to give it a try!

 

It consists simply of applying kefir to the face, leaving it on for about 10-15 minutes to dry, and rinsing.

 

Kefir is a thick, smooth, creamy substance much like sour cream, but with more body, and you actually feels a lot like facial cream as it is applied.

 

After using this facial continuously for two days, you may realize that your skin is smoother, softer and firmer. Perhaps, even small blemishes had disappeared.

 

 

Kefir is a cultured milk product, so it includes the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), lactic acid. It has also been shown to have antibiotic effects – among a multitude of other health benefits of kefir, which could potentially be a plus for those with acne problem.

 

If you only want one, simple homemade facial to use, this is it!

 

 

Simple Homemade Kefir Cheese

 

Kefir cheese is a fresh, sweet curd cheese, similar to paneer or cottage cheese . I recommend this cottage cheese because it is quick and easy to prepare, and is a rennet-free cheese.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 gal.  Fresh goat milk
• 2 cups Kefir –preferably an extra sour kefir brewed for 2 days or 2-day refrigerated kefir, although freshly strained kefir will do
• ½ tsp.  sea salt to taste

 

Directions:

• Heat milk to about 140°F.

• While gently stirring the milk, slowly pour kefir into the milk as a slow steady stream. Do not stir too fast or too vigorously or for too long or the curds will break apart and become un retrievable. The curds should begin separating from the whey– the whey should be reasonably clear and not milky. If the whey is still milky, either increase the heat, or add a little extra kefir (while very gently stirring for a short time only) until the whey becomes reasonably clear. Let sit for 2 minutes.

• Remove curds by skimming with a strainer.

• Place curds in either a pre-moistened cheesecloth lined colander, or in a suitable mesh-type strainer. * Optional – (Add a little sea salt in the fresh curd).

• Let curds drain for about 15 minutes. And that’s it!

 

* Optional – A little sea salt to taste may be added to the fresh cheese. You can add sea salt to the fresh milk prior adding kefir, or, add a little sea salt in the fresh curd.

 

The recipe makes a nutritious, low-fat cheese. Enjoy!

 

 

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Cottage Cheese