Beef Ambassador

Even up in the frigid plains of South Dakota and Minnesota the days are getting longer and the evenings are sunny and warm. That can mean only one thing it is officially grilling season! This means it’s time to get out the grill stock up on charcoal (or check the propane tank) and get to the store for some delicious steaks! To prepare you for this it is time for a quick end of semester review session on what options are available for this grilling season so you can enjoy your favorite beef cut! The first thing to look for is the quality grades of your cut. Those are Prime, Choice, Select and Standard. These are awards given by the USDA so that you know what quality your steaks are. One of the contributing factors is the amount of marbling in the steak. This is the small flecks of fat in the muscle. These cook off while cooking and leave you with a nice tender steak. This means that the higher the quality the more marbling the steak will have. In addition to USDA quality grades you will see different brand programs such as Certified Angus Beef, Hereford Beef or Laura’s Lean. These brands all have additional quality policies to ensure a quality product. After you have picked from one of the 29 LEAN cuts of beef make sure to keep them refrigerated up until they are cooked.

My friend JT making his selection

Once you have decided on what quality and cut is right for you it’s time to let that grill sizzle! Remember to pre heat your grill to medium heat (for charcoal you should be able to hold your hand about 3 to 4 in over the grill). Then you need to pick how well done you want your steaks. There is Medium Rare which means that there is still pink in the center and would mean you need to cook your steak to 145 degrees F. Next is Medium which has no pink and is cooked to 160 degrees F. There is also well done which is cooked beyond 160 and is thoroughly cooked. For more information on expected cook times of different cuts go to the grilling section of beefitswhatsfordinner.com. There you will also find many recipes to try out for grilling season this summer!

As some of you may have heard there was a cow that tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encepalopathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow Disease, yesterday April 24, 2o12.  The animal was a dairy cow from central California that was never presented for slaughter for human consumption. I think the farmer suspected this illness and turned it in for testing should be applauded. This BSE case should not cause consumers to stray from beef if anything it shows how observant the farmers are in caring for their cattle and insuring food safety. All US Beef is safe for the consumer. 

There have been a lot of concerns on BSE with the consumer and cattle producers know that. The good news is that there are many food safety practices that are in affect for BSE to never enter into the food supply. In 1997 the Food and Drug Administration, with full support from the beef industry, banned protein supplements from cattle feed that could spread BSE. BSE is not a contagious disease, it can only spread through contaminated feed so this was an obvious solution. The brain and spinal chord are also removed before the animal is presented into the food supply to prevent food contamination.

With all of these efforts established there is less than one infected animal per million cattle in the United States. BSE is not found in Steaks or Roasts. And the consumer can still be confident that beef is a safe and savory product for their families!

Being a college student I am always looking for ways to do better in my classes, on my test overall get better grades. That can take quite a bit of time and effort. Combine your studies with club meetings, fraternity meetings and much needed social time and it’s hard to find any extra time left in the day. That’s why to me it’s important to be as effective as possible and squeeze every last min out of the day. That’s why I feel it’s important to take full advantage of all of the things that beef for breakfast has to offer!

You may be wondering how beef could have an impact on how much time you have during the day but I think it has helped me significantly. Take today for example. Starting my day with my sirloin, egg and cheddar bagel sandwich gave me the hardy breakfast I needed to get me through my math test as well as the rest of the day. When I take the time to get up and have a good BEEF breakfast I get that time back quickly in the time I save moping around tired and hungry. Few people can say that they are as effective on an empty stomach as a full stomach. But more than just being full eating beef for breakfast has other benefits to your body. Beef is a great natural source of Zinc and B vitamins that have been proven to enhance brain function as well are important to keeping a healthy immune system and nothing slows you down faster than getting sick! Zinc has many benefits from helping to treat the common cold, preventing ear infections to things such as even preventing night blindness. Beef is also a good source of B12 another brain food contributing to a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B6 is also found in beef and has been shown to improve brain function and is important with your body creating antibodies.

With so many naturally occurring vitamins and minerals found in beef how could you pass up beef for breakfast! That serving of lean beef will help you stay healthy and let your brain perform at peak function. For those who are trying to get every minute out of every day: BEEF its what’s for breakfast!

If you would like to find more information on delicious beef breakfast ideas go to

http://beefitswhatsfordinner.com/

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-b12-15239

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/benefits-of-b6-vitamin/2011/02/10/id/385671

The other day, I happened to be on Facebook scrolling through the millions of posts left by my fellow friends and one post seemed to catch my eye. Now, I have to tell you in order for a post to catch my eye it normally is a controversial topic, a pretty awesome photography or a post that is absolutely hilarious that I just have to stare at it for a half an hour. This post, was a very thought provoking video that addressed veganism. The epic debate to eat or not eat meat, that tis the question! Ladies and gentlemen, I know most of our readers are lovers of the gentle cow and love its delicious steak sirloins, new york strips and filet minion s, but most college students my age beg to differ this opinion. College is a time where we’re able to discover who we are as a person and figure out our moral values. Not only do we learn to do laundry and do the daily tasks to function, but we are also left to feed ourselves nutritious meals on a daily basis! I know Mom constantly called me asking, “Honey, are you eating okay? Getting your three meals a day? You’re not starving are you???”  I swear, parents think we’re in capable of feeding our own bodies, but I digress. With feeding ourselves each and every day, we are given options on which to choose from and sometimes even influenced by fellow students on what we eat during our meals.

Recently, through the network of Facebook  I discovered a video titled “ The Vegetarian Myth”.  As I sat hovered over my computer I first started to wonder whether this woman in the video was in support of veganism or whether she was presenting facts that being a vegan really isn’t that healthy for you. I realized after about a minute that this woman was trying to prove that becoming vegan isn’t always the best choice. Author Lierre Keith of: “The Vegetarian Myth” talks on this youtube video of how most of society and our culture has been lead astray when it comes to the facts about nutrition and how beneficial being a vegan is. In reality, it all comes down to how much and what kinds of nutrients your body needs to be healthy and strong.  The most valuable nutrients that our bodies need for proper function such as fats: vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E which are fat soluble nutrients that you can’t find in vegetables , only in meats such as BEEF! You cannot simply avoid these nutrients ot

herwise you will die without them. Not to mention our brains are made up of almost 80% of fat. With a vegan diet most consume too much sugar. This gives your body too much blood glucose which is an overload of insulin.   Many vegans are led to believe that they can make up for the nutrients that they cannot get from eating meat  by eating some other type of supplement for that nutrient, but it simply is not possible.  Lierre Keith believed this myth for 20 years of eating the vegan w

ay, until she noticed why her health collapsed. It is important to know the facts about such diets before you implement them on your own bodies. Even if you eat one 3 ounce serving of beef you’re supply your body with essential nutrients such as zinc, iron, and protein which make your mind and body stronger. It is proven that iron from meat can be absorbed easier by our bodies than from any other nutrient food. I recommend those of you reading my article today check out this video and share with other the vegetarian myth.

Click this link to view the video

Welcome Back!!!

I am pleased to announce to  all of you fellow followers of the Beef Ambassador blog, that I Arika Snyder just finished signing up for the Broiler Maker 15K Race for July 8^th in Upstate New York!! This will be my first big race to be participating, other than my high school track and field and boy, I’m sure anxious and excited all at the same time! Did you know that just by putting in small workouts in your daily schedule can really make a difference over a long run, haha I made a pun.  Being a college student and all, I’ve had my fair share moments of being lethargic and content with my daily late night runs to the student cafeteria for occasional fries and maybe adding in that famous Ben and Jerry’s ice cream every weekend night. It wasn’t until this past summer I realized that I had started to become what I ate. Not only was I eating unhealthy foods for days on end during my freshman year, but also didn’t have sports in college that interested me in getting involved which resulted in me receiving no physical activity.

Now, a sophomore in college I currently rent an apartment off campus and have the option of cooking my OWN food with healthier choices. Now, I bet you’re guessing I’ve eliminated meat from my diet completely in order to lose close to ten pounds since last year? You’re mistaken! I’ve actually been consuming MORE beef than ever before with delicious side dishes. Beef has been the key all along to a healthy diet and I never knew. Over the last several decades, the media has tried to state that eating red meat can cause disease as well as high cholesterol and possible heart attack and/or stroke.  These beliefs are only myths, in reality beef is especially packed full of iron, zinc and protein. All nutrients that I’m going to need for a successful race this summer, iron and protein are even more important for when you’re doing physical activity because protein is used for building strength, while iron is used for the production of red blood cells so I can keep going longer with quick short breaths. I believe with the right amount of exercise and a daily serving of beef, you can say goodbye to all those unnecessary lbs you been working so hard to get rid of all year. Try a marathon or even a short jog to start off with and then improve each and every day! Not only will you look good, you’ll feel good as well.  You don’t need to fall for the tv commercial ads on how their product will make you lose weight. Join Team BEEF and make a change today!! Be sure to keep a look out for many updates throughout the year about my progress with preparing for the BIG day!!

With a Cattle Calling,

Hello there!

February has once again blessed us with its presents and man can I feel the love in the air. Although Valentine’s Day is the scared holiday where you go all out and express your love to your boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband, you can still share your love with yourself. Did you know that February is National Heart Healthy Month?!??! Why not take care of you center for love (aka, your heart) by trying out our new campaign BOLD, Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet.  Studies conducted at my very own Penn State University have shown that lean beef helps provide your body with essential nutrients while limiting the amount of cholesterol you intake. The study used 42 subjects who all had bad cholesterol. Out of the 42 subjects, 36 participants actually finished the study and maintained their weight within almost 5 lbs. Each subject was given the diet for four of the five weeks during the study.  One week out of the study, the participants were able to eat as they wished. On average these participants saw a decrease in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while on the BOLD diet.

Even if you don’t have a Valentine this Valentine’s Day you can still spread the love with BEEF! Your hearts will thank you and you’ll enjoy a fabulous meal. If you are a last minute planner like some are when it comes to remembering that special day, why not stop by the florist and schedule dinner and a movie? That way you woo him/her with the romantic gesture of flowers, treat them to a delicious steak that shows you care not only for the person they are but also their heart, and you get to digest that tasty steak all throughout that two hour movie. Let’s face it, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, money can be tight, but if you follow my last minute Valentine’s Day plan you’ll be sure to show a eventful night on a small budget. I know if I’m full after my dinner, I know that movie part of the date won’t take all my money. Sorry popcorn and soda, I’ve had my fill on BEEF tonight! Remember be BOLD and show the one you love how you really feel!

With a Cattle Calling,

Arika Snyder

Howdy Ya’ll

It sure is nice to once again share with you the beloved beef story. As we all know, this weekend is the one weekend in which almost the entire nation prays for one thing on a Sunday. Sadly, most aren’t praying on this coming Sunday for farmers and ranchers to have good weather in which they can tend to their cattle herds or praying to a faith, it’s more likely on this particular Sunday to be praying for either the Giants or the Patriots to win the all mighty SUPER BOWL!!

I can admit that I may not be the most avid watcher of football, but when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around each February I always try to catch the nearest pregame party and enjoy the many dishes of food and fellowship with friends and family.  Being able to have a gathering with friends and family by watching a football game is one way in which you can dazzle them with your cooking abilities. I am not always the greatest cook in the world, and most of the time I screw up a dish here and there, but one dish that no one can EVER mess up is a nice piece of juicy, delicious, and even mouth watering steak or other cut of BEEF!

Yesterday, as I was checking out of the Nashville Hotel from the Cattle Industry Convention I noticed the Wall Street Journal had printed an article about Super Bowl Sunday and the predicted food choices people would consume over this weekend. Although that article stated that over 100 million lbs of chicken wings will be consumed this Super Bowl Sunday, I believe that the chicken wing won’t be winning any bowl game when it comes to a juicy steak. I mean let’s get real here, how much meat is actually present there in that chicken wing? Although it does seem tasty and oh so flavorful, you must add hot sauce, barbeque sauce and maybe other ingredients that can add to the sodium intake as well as increasing your calorie count.  Let me ask you this single question, when you go out to celebrate a special occasion, what do you primarily choose to enjoy your special night? STEAK of Course! Who has ever heard of a celebratory chicken meal and felt like a winner or the honored guest? Since its Super Bowl weekend why not celebrate like a CHAMPION regardless of the score?!

A fast and easy meal to prepare for a party with many guests is going out to the grocery store and purchasing ground beef and making tacos for all your guests to enjoy. It tastes great, it’s flavorful and your guests will have consumed zinc, iron, and protein which are all essential nutrients that your bodies will need to yell and scream loud at your TV to try to change the outcome of a play/call. Trust me I know, you’ll run out of energy probably after the first quarter because the ref called something dumb.  If you have more time on your hands you might care for a nice juicy T-bone steak or possibly going out to your local sports grill and ordering that sirloin steak.

If you do get a chance to look up the article from the Wall Street Journal that was published on Thursday February 2, you’ll also see that the title of the article states: “ Carrots Vie for a Spot on Game Day”. Although this source states that carrots are a healthier choice for this Super Bowl weekend, please keep in mind that BEEF is one of those healthy choices.  Who really gets excited about eating carrots? Sorry Wall Street, but this Beef Ambassador has a different game plan! EAT BEEF, it’s your best DEFENSE!  I hope everyone enjoys their Super Bowl weekend and I’ll be back next week for another exciting blog. Until then I’ll keep riding for the brand!

With a Cattle Calling,

Arika

Hello All!

I’m back once again to discuss a brand new topic thats waiting for feedback! Since I was a little kid I’ve had the occasional fast food cheeseburger from the highly popular franchise McDonalds. I’ve wondered as well as many others probably of how they get a burger to taste so good. Many people will tell you the myths of where McDonalds’ burgers come from, but in reality most don’t understand is that our very own American farmers and ranchers work each and everyday to ensure that there is still supply for the well known burger joint.

If you haven’t seen McDonalds newest commericial ads yet, I suggest you click this link and check it out for yourself. I can personally tell you that this is one of the best ads I have seen from McDonalds in a long time and it really tells the story of why their product is so good.  You’ll noticed its not like other ads that McDonalds has produced before in the past, like “Come try our delicious burger, mouth watering juicy flavor… ” Although this tends to drive consumers to the fast food chains, some still are wary of fast food and where their food truly comes from.

Steve Foglesong, a cattle rancher from Vermont, Illinois is one of the many farmers that supplies McDonalds’ with it’s beef. In the commercial he shows consumers his family run cattle ranch and explains the daily life of a beef rancher. Once an abandoned coal mining site, Foglesong’s ranch has now transformed into a 5,000 acre cattle ranch. He currently has a herd of approximately 6,000 cattle and is currently one of the major suppliers for the fast food chain.  He takes pride in what he does each and everyday and makes sure that consumers are consuming a product that he himself would serve to his own family.

So just remember that the next time you’re out of the house and need something quick to eat at the local McDonalds, that burger you’re eating has been cared for and properly handled so that you can enjoy a delicious meal. Farmers and ranchers have a twenty-four hour job that continues to put obstacles in front of them to overcome and they do this all for the thousands of consumers around the nation and in the world. Nothing is more important for a farmer or rancher than knowing that they have produced a safe,wholesome and nutritious product from the labor of their own hands.

With a Cattle Calling,

Arika Snyder

Hey ya’ll,

This week as I started classes once again, I seemed to have a new look on the semester. Instead of being bogged down my multiple papers, test, exams and reading assignments I’ve committed myself to being a better student. In doing so, I have felt more engage and involved with my classes, not because I have to but, because I want to influence others around me with the knowledge I will learn while attending college. Interestingly enough, I decided this semester to take and AG Ethics class. The definition of ethics is a moral norm of an individual or a group and the morality is a person’s beliefs of feelings concerning their values, rules and principles. I know what you’re all thinking right now as you read this: “Arika we all know what ethics are, why are you trying to teach us a lesson in ethics?”  The truth is, ethics is vitally important, especially in the agriculture industry.

My professor decided that we would take part of the class time to discuss any current ethical issues in agriculture. As we all known, one of the most talked about issues is the use of antibiotics on livestock. I personally believe that antibiotics should be used in livestock production because it is essential for the animal’s health as well for the farmer to produce quality product. If you neglect to treat an animal for such illnesses, it can have a negative outcome for the animal as well as the producer.  Many consumers though, believe that it is not ethical to treat animals for diseases via antibiotics due to misconceptions of such drugs.  Antibiotics are also known as antimicrobials that fight bacterial infections. These drugs specifically to the beef industry are to help cattle regain or maintain superior health and produce safe beef.  Antibiotic use should be limited to prevent or control disease and should not be used if the direct intent is to improve performance.  A comment was made by a non-agriculture student in my ethics class that the opposing side would view consuming animals that have taken antibiotics as unhealthy and unsafe to consumers. He believed that animals given antibiotics could be consumed by a consumer, resulting in a harmful effect on the human’s body.

Happy Holidays to everyone from the National Beef Ambassadors including myself! On December 20^th, I traveled with the rest of the 2012 National Beef Ambassador Team to Wooster, Ohio where we were invited to Certified Angus Beef’s Head Quarters for their annual Building Block Seminar. We were welcomed by their friendly staff and learned so much about Certified Angus Beef.  The Certified Angus Beef brand is an important brand to beef industry.

In order to be considered Certified Angus Beef, beef cattle must pass all ten brand standards to qualify and also be black hided cattle. Certified Angus Beef exceeds USDA Prime, Choice and Select Beef Standards to ensure that you are getting quality beef product. I was so impressed with the Certified Angus Beef brand that I wanted to hear more about the company and learn how different they really are from the USDA selections in the supermarkets. If you are wondering as a consumer here are things to think about the next time you are buying beef at the store and see the Certified Angus Beef brand symbol.  To be considered a selection for Certified Angus Beef, cattle must reach modest or moderate marbling. Marbling is a key component to any choice of cut because it adds to the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor to a steak. The more marbling or fat you have on your steak, the better your chances are that even after cooking your beef at a high temperature that it will still have a tender and juicy taste. Maturity, as well as marbling is also key to the selection of the Certified Angus Beef brand.  “A” maturity are cattle that are harvested younger than 30 months of age, which is the most desired to be Certified Angus Beef. While if you were to select just USDA Prime and Choice cuts they can also include “B” maturity cattle that are 30-42 months of age.  The Certified Angus Beef brand takes pride in knowing that their brand defines a product that is tender, juicy and is packed full of flavor.

YUM! Everyone loves a nice juicy steak! Don’t forget that beef makes a great meal for the holiday parties and dinners you may be having over the next several days! Yea I know, beef on Christmas Day?! Let me remind you that BEEF is one powerful protein and you need fuel and energy this holiday season to spend time with loved ones and play with all those high tech gadgets. Who needs turkey on Christmas day, which tends to make everyone sleepy and tired from all the tryptophan ? Think about buying a nice Prime Rib or Tenderloin this year at the Supermarket and give the gift of protein, iron, and zinc to your family this holiday season. From my family to yours, have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season and Merry Christmas everyone. Let us not forget all the blessed farmers and ranchers in this great nation who contribute their lives each and every day to support us with safe, wholesome, and nutritious food.

Celebrating Beef,

Arika Snyder