What Does USDA Certified Horizon Organic Milk ACTUALLY Mean + Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Have you ever wondered what USDA Certified Organic Milk actually is?

Today you will learn that! You will also be able to make these delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies so you have a treat to dunk in your USDA Certified Organic Milk!

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Sponsored by Horizon Organic. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Julie’s Eats & Treats possible. All thoughts are my own.

Horizon Organic Milk

Every wonder what USDA Certified Horizon Organic Milk ACTUALLY Means? Today you will learn just that, so you know what makes Horizon Organic Milk stand out! You will also learn how to make these delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies so you can dunk them in your Horizon Organic Milk!

They are the perfect after school snack for your kids when they get off the bus. What beats a cold glass of milk and a warm Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie?

Short answer, NOTHING!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine. [TAPINFLUENCE AGREEMENT: https://www.tapinfluence.com/tapinfluence-master-influencer-agreement/]

Is Horizon Organic?

Simple, answer, YES HORIZON ORGANIC IS ORGANIC!

Horizon’s farms are all certified organic. Each farm is required to demonstrate compliance to the USDA National Organic Program organic standards. This is done by having a site-specific organic system plan, onsite monitoring, annual organic inspections by USDA-accredited certifying agent representatives or independent inspectors, and routine visits from Horizon Organic field personnel. The same is true for our company-owned farm in Maryland.

Each farm is certified by an independent, third-party certifier to ensure stringent USDA organic standards are met.

Did you know that only 6% of the milk sold in the U.S. is certified organic? Horizon Organic is proud to be a supplier of your Organic Milk!

Why Should I Care if My Milk is Organic?

A growing concern for consumers is antibiotic resistance bacteria. Organic milk comes from cows that have never been treated with antibiotics, since organic rules prohibit the use of antibiotics to prevent disease. This is good for both cows and humans.

If a cow becomes sick on an organic farm they rely on natural and alternative methods first for treatment. If a sick animal cannot be restored to full health with organic-approved treatments, antibiotics are administered, but the animal is no longer considered organic and is permanently removed from the herd. The well-being of the animals is always first and they are never allowed to suffer.

Organic rules also prohibit the use of certain pesticides on crops, such as those that may harm people or the environment.

What is Organic Milk?

There are five qualifers to make your milk organic!

These qualifers are:

1. Non-GMO
2. No Antibiotics given to cows
3. No Toxic and Persistent Pesticides used to grow the food fed to the cows
4. No Growth Hormones given to the cows
5. Healthy Living Conditions for the cows.

Is Organic Milk Good for the Environment?

Yes! It’s great for the environment.

Organic rules are designed to do many positive things for our environment.

• Conserve wildlife
• Maintain or enhance soil & water quality
• Preserve the diversity of plants and animals
• Encourage use of wholistic and natural farming practices, such as the use of cover crops, crop rotation, and composting

How are Organic Cows Fed and Treated?

There are three main components that go into raising organic cows.

1. Feed
   1. Cows eat a diet of organic food including grass, grains, and feed. At least 30% of the diet must come from pasture during the grazing season.
   2.  Minimum 120 days/year spent grazing.
2. Living Conditions

   1. Cows must have access to the outdoors year-round.

   2. Cows must be provided shade, shelter, exercise, fresh air, and direct sunlight.

   3. Housing must provide ventilation, clean water, proper sanitation.

3. Health

   1. Cows are kept in healthy, low-stress environments.

   2. Producers must use approved preventative health care treatments and practices.

I know when I have an ice cold glass of my favorite Horizon Organic Milk I crave a fresh warm cookie straight from the oven, especially these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies! They are a little crisp on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside!

My kids also love them so it’s the perfect treat for them after school!

What do I need to make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies?

• Horizon Organic Butter
• Organic Light Brown Sugar
• Organic Sugar
• Horizon Organic Eggs
• Organic Vanilla
• Organic Flour
• Baking Soda
• Organic Cinnamon
• Salt
• Organic Quick Oats
• Organic Chocolate Chips

I bet you have almost all, if not all, of those ingredients in your house already just waiting for you to make these delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

How do I Make Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies?

1. In a large mixing bowl beat Horizon Organic Butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add in Horizon Organic Eggs and vanilla, beat until incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to wet mixture and mix until just combined, do not over mix. Stir in oats and chocolate chips until just combined. Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, until the outside of the cookie is just beginning to brown. Remove from oven, cool fro 2 minutes on sheet pan and remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

These chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are EPIC – you need to make them today! When you do, be sure and let me know! Leave me a 5 star rating below or be sure to tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats