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3 weeks ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
When I stop for gas at the local Kwik Star, I also like to check out the store’s latest seasonal flavors of milk. Recently, I tried the new chocolate milkshake flavor. (And, yes, it tastes a lot like regular chocolate milk.)
As I paid, the cashier commented about the calorie count – 500 calories per bottle. He joked that a candy bar would have fewer calories. I smiled and replied, “Yeah, but it has calcium!”
Honestly, I was a little annoyed that he was low-key giving me nutrition advice.
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3 weeks ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
Nothing brings people together quite like burgers sizzling on the grill. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a quick weeknight dinner, real beef burgers are a favorite for kids and adults alike.
But burgers aren’t just delicious. They’re also packed with important nutrients that help fuel your family.
Real beef provides 10 essential nutrients, including about half your daily protein needs, says Erin Good, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition and health for the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
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3 weeks ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
Kaitlyn Porter, a dedicated farmer in Franklin County and FFA advisor at West Fork High School, raises corn, soybeans, cattle, and sells premium, direct-to-consumer beef. Her commitment to exceptional animal care is evident in the way her cattle are treated—they enjoy fresh water, high-quality feed, and free-choice hay, ensuring they live healthy, comfortable lives.
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3 weeks ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
You might be surprised to learn that real beef can actually be part of a heart-healthy diet!
“Beef is naturally low in sodium and packed with lean protein,” Good says. “And you’re in control when you season it yourself. You can add your own salt-free seasonings.”
In fact, some veggie burgers have five times more sodium than real beef burgers. Plus, many plant-based alternatives use added oils, which boost calorie and fat content.
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1 month ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
If there’s one thing that Iowans like to chat about besides the weather, it’s the rising prices at the grocery store. But surprisingly, higher costs haven’t slowed our demand for nutritious, high-quality real meat for our families. In fact, meat sales hit a record $104.6 billion in 2024, and pounds sold increased by 2.3% compared to 2023, according to a new report from the Food Industry Association (FMI) and the Meat Institute.
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2 months ago | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
I have a guilty mom confession: I keep several boxes of frozen French toast sticks in my freezer because it’s the only food my young daughter will eat for breakfast. I’ve tried giving her healthier options, but the girl refuses to eat even bagels or toast. (I mean, who doesn’t like toast?!) And I can’t stand the thought of her going to school on an empty stomach. What makes me feel a tiny bit less guilty is knowing that I’m not the only parent who struggles with a picky eater.
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Mar 25, 2025 | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
Some of the best conversations with my daughter happen in the car. The other day, we were talking about how everyone has their own strengths - like how I’m good with words and she loves math.
Then she said something that stuck with me: “It’s like in music. If one person doesn’t know the words to the song, then the other people can sing it.”
What a perfect way to explain how our different skills can come together to make us stronger.
That’s true in life – and in farming, too.
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Mar 25, 2025 | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
The truth is all food contains hormones. All living things – plants and animals – naturally produce them.
Hormones help regulate growth, reproduction and our everyday bodily functions. So when you hear the term “hormone-free” food, that’s just clever marketing.
Are hormones in meat and milk safe?
Yes, the tiny amounts of hormones in meat and milk are completely safe for people to consume, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and nutrition experts.
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Mar 25, 2025 | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
Author
Teresa Bjork
Published
3/25/2025
Visit Calhoun County Farm Bureau member James Hepp, who shares his insights into the invaluable role of cover crops on his farm. Discover how these practices enhance water infiltration and improve soil health, contributing to a more sustainable and productive agricultural environment.
The Iowa Dish
Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.
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Mar 25, 2025 | 
iowafarmbureau.com | Teresa Bjork
Social media is full of influencers claiming that certain foods can “balance” your hormones or prevent health issues like low energy, weight gain and mood swings. But experts say there’s no magic food or diet that can regulate hormones.
“The solid information we have about healthy hormone production isn’t some kind of fad diet. It’s what we would recommend to be an overall healthy diet,” says Lorraine Lanningham-Foster, a nutrition scientist at Iowa State University.
