Have you tried bone broth yet? I’ve been riding this latest health food bandwagon I’m loving it!! I just finished my latest batch of this liquid gold and had to share some of the awesome health benefits with you, because when you discover something awesome, you just can’t keep it to yourself!
I know, I know…it sounds kinda gross, right? I promise, it’s not! Just imagine your favorite chicken soup broth, only richer, more delicious, and LOADED with healthy nutrients. Are you intrigued yet? Keep reading to learn what it is, why we should drink it, and how to make it!
What is bone broth? Bone Broth is basically chicken or beef stock that has been cooked VERY slowly for at least 24 hours (more for beef broth) in order to pull the beneficial minerals and nutrients out of the bones. It is rich in nutrients, and, although bone broth has been around for centuries, has recently become mainstream in for it’s long list of health benefits.
Why should we drink it? Bone broth has a LONG list of health benefits that I’ve quickly summarized for you.
1) Minerals – Unfortunately, most of us are not getting enough minerals in our diets, and mineral supplements are never as good as those naturally derived from food sources. Bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and more. These can help with everything from quality sleep to overall mood and energy.
2) Immune boosting – The nutrients in bone broth naturally boost your immune system, and can help speed recovery when you are sick.
3) Healthy joints – Bone broth contains glucosamine & condriotin, as well as collagen and gelatin that all provide support for the bones and joints. They can also help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
4) Digestion – The collagen and gelatin help to soothe the digestive tract, and can even help to repair some digestive issues.
5) Bone broth makes you beautiful! No, really, it has a long list of beauty benefits, such as shiny hair, glowing skin, improved elasticity and fewer wrinkles. This is due to the collagen and hydrating minerals present in the broth. I mean, people pay big bucks for collagen treatments, and bone broth does this from the inside out!
How do we make it? Although it takes a long time, making bone broth is actually very easy! There are tons of recipes online, but I’ve outlined my basic recipe for chicken below:
1) Use two ORGANIC (preferably grass fed) chicken carcasses to two gallons of water in a stock pot. Some people like to add 2 chicken feet as well (for the extra gelatin and collagen). I know, kind of eww, right? I couldn’t do it at first either, but I worked my way up to it 😉
2) Add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3) Roughly chop 1 onion, 2 carrots and 2 celery stalks and add to the pot. I like to add a small amount of sea salt and cracked black pepper at this point as well, but that is optional.
4) Turn the heat on as LOW as it will go, cover your pot, and allow to simmer for at least 22-23 hours. It should barely simmer. You don’t want to cook it too fast!
5) After the 23 hours have passed, add in some parsley, thyme and a couple cloves of garlic. I also like to add a bit more salt and pepper during this last hour.
6) After 24 hours, strain the liquid into mason jars and store in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to drink it! If you plan to freeze, only fill the jars 3/4 full, and cool completely in the fridge before freezing.
Are you ready to try this powerhouse health food? My husband and I have both been drinking small mugs of broth each morning, and I am really loving it! Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Cheers!
xoxo,
Malea