Milking the Moment in Madison, Wisconsin

If you’re not familiar with the “Feed Me” mantra, it’s to find family-friendly dining establishments on the road. Places where families can enjoy the atmosphere, come out of the car, and gather around a different dinner table. Sometimes you need quick, convenient meals. Other times, kids need a place to stretch their legs and burn off steam while your eyes look at something other than interstate signs.

Being on vacation is fun for kids and parents. We love juice boxes and hot dogs as much as the next family, but when it comes to driving and dining, it’s still important for kids to drink milk and water the majority of the time. Maybe it’s because our family lives in Wisconsin, the dairy state, milk is a default beverage choice at our house. (We even started the rumor that chocolate cows make chocolate milk.)  However in some families and in other parts of the country, milk is not part of the local culture.

Because milk is the leading food source of calcium and vitamin D, it’s important for growing strong bones. Milk is also a good source of high-quality protein for lean muscle and B vitamins for energy. Plus it tastes good and you can dunk stuff in it. If you don’t believe me, try dipping a chocolate chip cookie in pop.

Mustache in Memphis

When I got wind that the the National “got milk?®” Milk Mustache Mobile Tour is crossing the country from March to September, we checked our calendar and popped in on the action at the “Cows on the Concourse” event in Madison this past weekend. We even got milk mustaches like this Memphis baby (what a hunka hunka burnin’ love).

Traveling to 75 cities nationwide, the “Milk the Moment” tour features a variety of fun and educational activities for the entire family. This year, the tour helps celebrate family dinners and invites moms to share how they make the most of time together around the table. I figure, why not suggest milking the moment on the road.

Here’s why: Studies show that when kids eat dinner with their families, they’re more likely to have nutritious diets, healthier weights, and do better in school. Research also shows that they have higher fruit, vegetable, and calcium intakes than their peers. Soft drinks and sugary fruit drinks have been edging out milk at mealtime, but these drinks don’t give kids the long-term energy they need to get up and get “mooving” in other aspects of their lives.

Score Big With Milk

During the tour season, the Milk Mustache Mobile Tour crew travels all over the country with milk, cameras, and an arsenal of information on moo juice. I touched base with Shannon Traeger, member of the Chicago “herd”. I asked what she thought milk drinkers have in common, “All families who drink milk seem to appreciate the value of using milk as a great nutritional addition to every meal. Milk is so naturally nutrient-rich like no other beverage, and I think families who drink milk seem to really appreciate this healthy beverage choice!” Part of Shannon’s job is also assisting with the milk mustache. Apparently, if you don’t tip the glass properly you could end up with a milk goatee. And now I’m kicking myself for asking for advice on crying over milk spills.

If you’re road tripping this summer, why not go to whymilk.com and see if the Milk the Moment tour is passing through a city you are too. Stop by for a mustache, milk memorabilia, and enter the enter the national “Milk the Moment” contest by sharing how you milk the moment with your family (you could win a trip to San Francisco to have a family dinner with the latest Milk Mustache celebrity and chef Tyler Florence).

For more information on the importance of serving milk at the dinner table and the National Milk Mustache “got milk?®” Campaign visit whymilk.com, fan them on Facebook or follow @MilkMustache on Twitter.

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