Compared to the meat, poultry and dairy products that you can find in today's supermarkets and health food stores, the benefits of free-range, grassfed meats and dairy products cannot be denied.

In an effort to feed large masses of people year-round, commercial farms throughout the U.S. and the world have largely overtaken the small, home-grown producers. While the convenience and low cost afforded by these corporate operations became the priority in animal production for many years, a large number of families and health professsionals now seek a more healthy approach to the food we consume.

Bison, pigs, chicken, sheep and cattle need to roam and graze to thrive as they were created. In many of the large farms animals are kept in close confines without adequate space to exercise and are fed grains instead of their natural diets of grass and other legumes. Because of this, the meat from these animals not only loses a great amount of their nutritional value, but are often filled with hormones, antibiotics and other substances which are proving harmful to human health. Chronic diseases including obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol and other conditions are now linked to a lack of nutritional value in the foods we consume.

Grassfed meats, poultry and dairy products provide many benefits to reverse the effects caused by their mass-produced, grainfed counterparts. Because of the leaner quality of grassfed animal products, consumers receive significantly fewer calories and less fat than traditional store-bought products.

In addition, grassfed meats, poultry and dairy products are considerably higher in Vitamin A, important for healthy vision; Omega-3 fatty acids (good fats) which may reduce the risk of heart attack, cancer and mental illnesses including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer's Disease; conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which helps prevent cancer, including breast cancer; and Vitamin E which may lower the risk of heart disease and help slow down the aging process.

If taste remains an important factor, which it does for most of us, don't be fooled that the fat of grainfed animals makes them more delicious. By adjusting your cooking habits, including grilling meats over a lower heat, the leaner meats retain their juiciness and actually posses a more robust flavor than that of over-processed meats.

Many pets, like humans, have a low tolerance for gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, oat and other grain products and flours. Gluten-free pet treats are all-natural - made from products that your pet can digest easily. If you or a family member require a gluten-free diet, it is important that your pets also become gluten-free because the dust and other particles from their food can easily be transmitted through petting, grooming and general contact with your pet which may irritate your sensitivity to gluten.

Today, we often read how unhealthy milk is to our diets. While homongized, pasteurized, irradiated milk (the processes required of store-bought and most organic milk you purchase) can be linked to a variety of health issues including allergies, intolerance to lactose, anemia, ear infections and many other adult and childhood health issues, raw milk provides a wide range of health benefits to consumers. Raw milk, which means it goes straight from the cow to the cooler without being heated, is high in Vitamin A; Vitamin C, important for healthy teeth and gums and a strong immune sytem; and Vitamin B complex in which all the B vitamins work together to build a strong metabolism, boost the immune and nervous systems and promote the recovery of skin and muscle systems. Also, calcium is more readily absorbed by the body and lactose more easily digested with raw milk.