I remember when I was sick as a kid, my parents would force-feed me ginger ale and Lipton chicken noodle soup while covering me head to toe with Vicks VapoRub (which I still crave every time I am under the weather). While it was definitely comforting, it didn't do much nutritionally.
However, my parents got it half right: ginger is known to ease the stomach and broth is hydrating and warming. Unfortunately, the sugar in the ginger ale and the sodium levels in the soup (and other nasty artificial things found in both products) counteracted the great health benefits. Great intentions and instincts were overthrown by the hype of commercially processed high sodium and sugary foods.
Let’s talk about broth, more specifically bone broth. Why did our parents feed it to us, and why did our grandparents swear by it? Well, bone broths are full of so many nutrients, minerals and collagen. Yes collagen, the stuff that is in charge of making your skin taut and, well, awesome. Just delicious, homemade liquid greatness.
On the blogosphere you will see it as one of the predicted food trends of 2015. The nutritionist in me loves this because I want you to get your minerals and nutrients in a tasty, cost-effective way, so yay!
Now let’s get one thing straight, I ain’t talkin' about no store bought packaged artificial, MSG-and-sodium-filled travesty. I’m preaching good old-fashioned broth like our grandparents did it, the right way, the traditional way, the 24-hour simmering in the kitchen making the whole house smell awesome kind of way. Needless to say, making your own is always best. But when you don’t have the time, you can get locally-made bone broths from locally-sourced bones. My personal favorite is from Janice Doerksen (Nourished by Janice). Her broths are made from organic local ingredients and simmered with love, which obviously makes it taste better. It’s liquid gold!
Now here are just a few reasons why bone broth is your new god.
Good for your gut
Digestive issues got you down? Pour some broth down your gullet! Bone broth helps heal the lining of your gut and contains a lot of great nutrients and minerals that aid your body so it can work at its maximum capacity. Digestive and intestinal health is of great importance when it comes to the maintenance of your whole body, so improving your gut health should be put high on your priority list. Check yourself.
Boosts the immune system
Due to its high levels of nutrients and minerals, broth makes one of the best immune boosters. This is why soup tends to make you feel better when you are sick, and goes down easy, 'cause it’s liquid and delicious. Also it hydrates you, since mainly made of water.
Retain the youthful look
Save your cash on cheek fillers and invest in liquid gold! Broth is super rich in collagen, making it possible for you to drink your way to radiant skin. It will also benefit your hair and nails. Boom! One metaphorical stone, three metaphorical birds.
Super easy and cheap to make
You're already roasting a chicken, so why not take advantage of the whole carcass? All you need is a pot or slow cooker and time. Or you can buy a bag of bones (local, grass-fed, pasture-raised and all that good jazz) for super cheap from several local shops, including your local butcher! No it's not weird, it's hip.
Great for your joints, bones, ligaments
Not only does broth have anti-inflammatory properties, but glucosamine found in bone cartilage has been known to repair joint damage, reduce pain and stimulate grown the new collagen.
High in minerals
Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfate, and fluoride can all be found in abundance in bones. In order to draw out the minerals from the bones, however, add some apple cider vinegar to your water before cooking or when you roast your bones. Then sit back and smell the magic happen.
Bone broth
Ingredients
Bones or meat carcass
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
3-4 celery stalks
3 carrots
A few sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano
2 bay leaf
Apple cider vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt or Himalayan
1 tsp pepper
Water
Directions
1. Place bones in baking dish or roasting pan with chopped onions, garlic, celery and carrots.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and apple cider vinegar (about 1-2 tbsp of each).
3. Bake at 450F for 30 min, turn once.
4. Add roasted bones and veggies and pan drippings to slow cooker or cooking pot on stove, add the rest of the ingredients and fill slow cooker/pot with water so ingredients are submerged.
5. Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 12-24 hours. Stove top: Bring to a boil then bring down to simmer for 12-24 hours.
6. Strain liquid into heat proof jars (I use Mason jars) and let cool on the counter before applying lid and storing in your fridge or freezer for later use.
