Homemade Bone Broth Benefits: Your Gut's Best Friend

Why is bone broth rising in popularity?

Homemade bone broth has been enjoyed as a natural, delicious remedy in homes for generations yet it's been in the spotlight over the past few years. Why? People are discovering it's health benefits, versatility, simplicity, and budget-friendly perks.

What are the health benefits of bone broth?

Bone broth is a simple combination of chicken bones, vegetables, herbs, and water. When all boiled together, it is a powerhouse of nutrients that support your joint health, immune system, and gut health. Don't forget the added bonus of glowing skin and stronger hair & nails. Homemade bone broth is free of additives and preservatives that may be found in store bought versions.

Here's the breakdown:

• Boiled Chicken Bones: contain collagen, gelatin, and amino acids.

  
  

  • COLLAGEN: supports joint health, improves skin elasticity & hydration, and enhances hair & nail strength.

  • GELATIN: supports healing of the gut lining and aids in digestion.

  • AMINO ACIDS: support the structure and health of your hair and nails.

    
    

• Garlic, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Herbs, Black Pepper: contain anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals to help strengthen your body's defenses and boosts the immune system.

  
  

• Water: aids in hydration, digestion, and all functions of your body.

When do I make bone broth and use it?

You know it's time when you open the freezer and see the saved chicken bones from your rotisserie chicken that you keep telling yourself you'll use one day. Or you open the vegetable drawer and see the leftover celery and carrots from your last batch of soup that you didn't use and don't want to go to waste.

Bone broth is so easy to make and versatile to use. Here are my favorite ways to use it:

• Use it as a base for soups, stews, sauces, rice, and risottos.

• Warm it up in a mug and drink it first thing in the morning before eating to absorb it's gut healing properties.

• Pour it over your dogs' dry food- they love the taste and reap the health benefits too!

• Freeze it into an ice cube tray to add into recipes as needed.

How do I make homemade bone broth?

The below recipe is originally created by Andrew Weil, MD from

"True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure"

with adjustments from my personal experience.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound of chicken bones (I use the bones from 2 chickens)

• 1 yellow onion, cut into quarters (I typically use 1/2-1 onion based on what I have)

• 2 carrots, cut into large pieces

• 2 celery stalks, cut into large pieces

• 2-3 garlic cloves, smashed

• 15 whole black peppercorns

• Optional add ins: 4-8 sprigs of combined thyme, rosemary, sage (I typically use just thyme)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the chicken bones into a large stock pot. Cover the bones with 4-5 quarts cold, filtered water.

2. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam that comes to the surface.

3. Add all other ingredients to the pot. Let the broth come back to a simmer. Turn burner to a low simmer for 2 hours, partially covered with a lid.

4. Remove chicken bones and vegetables from the pot, toss in your compost- save the carrots and feed to your pups once cooled:)

5. Slowly pour and strain the broth into another large pot or metal bowl using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a regular strainer. Do not put into a plastic strainer or bowl- the heat of the broth will cause toxins from the plastic to leech into the broth.

6. Let the broth cool to room temperature or put in the fridge to cool. Skim off the solidified fat.

7. Use a funnel to pour the broth into large mason jars to store in the fridge. Or use a ladle to put into ice cube trays.

Want help getting started with making bone broth or incorporating it into your routine?

Homemade bone broth benefits everyone, including you! Try making your own and set up a free consult with me to figure out how to make consuming it a lasting habit.

Let's Work Together

Drop a comment of your personal experience with bone broth!