Jumping on the Bone Broth Bandwagon
This week, I've started a bone broth regimen. I've heard a lot about its benefits; and this weekend, two things happened that really got me into gear for jumping on the bone broth bandwagon!
I listened to an interview with a nutritionist who piqued my interest by emphasizing how amazing bone broth is for healing from the core (literally your gut) all the way throughout your body from your gut to your joints and skin; and emotionally and mentally. AND, for the first time in my life, I've been feeling tenderness in my knee joints. Ain't nobody got time for that!
The benefits of bone broth are that it's chock full of nutrients that heal your body improve digestion, increase the amount of collagen and amino acids that protect and enhance your bones, joints, and cartilage. And, Grandma wasn't just making chicken soup for the heck of it! There are studies showing both the physical AND emotional healing power of soups!
Let me preface this by saying, I am a meat eater; BUTI detest bones. That's been my biggest reason for not yet trying bone broth. Seriously, they gross me out! And, my husband what a doll) cuts out all bones from food before serving it so I don't gag at their sight. So, he's been the broth master.
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For our first broth batch, we started out very basic. Filling a crock pot with bone marrow bones, water, and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (it helps break down the bones so that the gelatin and collagen can be released). We simmered them for 14 hours for our first batch. He strained the broth (using a coffee filter) to remove the fat and any meat; and we got about a pint of broth.
He then put the bones back in the crockpot and repeated the process; so our second batch of bones simmered for about 24 hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful it is.
The nutritionist in the interview I mentioned, advocated for giving bone broth a try for a minimum of 4 weeks. So, that's what we're doing! It's a great way to start the day by having 8 oz of broth! I'll keep y'all posted!
Note that broths that are sold in the store like you buy in the carton to add flavor to your foods are primarily rushed through the boiling process; and have additional sodium and MSG. So, you aren't getting the same benefit if you're using the regular ol' store bought broths. They DO sell specific bone broth that's the nutrient dense kind that you would get if you made your own; but they're a little pricey. But, ready to go - just heat and serve!
Here are links to a couple of recipes, including a meat version; (by the way, I LOVE Nom Nom Paleo and use a lot of her recipes) and a vegan version for broth!
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