Basic Bone Broth & Top 5 Reasons to Drink it Every Day

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Bone broth changed my life. Three years ago I was struggling with chronic abdominal discomfort, leaky gut (meaning that I was having a really hard time digesting things properly and had a number of food sensitivities) and skin eruptions including eczema and acne. I was eating pretty clean – following a mostly grain-free diet, steering clear of gluten and avoiding processed foods. My stress levels were high – having recently moved to San Diego, started a new job, bought my first home and gone through a breakup. I was exhausted – emotionally and physically – and my body and brain needed some serious TLC.

I did some research about healing leaky gut and discovered Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride’s Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet. (You can read all about my journey with this elimination diet here). I had tried bone broth a number of years before, while visiting with a friend and ancestral health expert, but it wasn’t until my 6-week foray with GAPS that I made bone broth a staple in my daily routine.

By the end of 6 weeks drinking bone broth every day (among other dietary changes), my digestion had improved dramatically, my skin looked the most radiant it had been in over a decade, and my inflammatory markers had decreased dramatically. Even after I started incorporating a broader spectrum of foods back into my diet following GAPS, I kept to my routine of starting my days with bone broth.

Fast forward to today, and my digestive system is strong, my food sensitivities have improved (although I still steer clear of gluten and refined sugars), and my hair is shiny, my nails strong and my skin supple and smooth. Life with broth is good!

Want to know more about all the health benefits of bone broth? I have you covered…

Top 5 Reasons to Drink Bone Broth Every Day

  1. Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails: Beauty from the inside out? Yes please! Bone broth contains collagen, which supports hair, skin and nail health, and it provides the amino acids needed by your body for collagen production. Collagen keeps the skin smooth, firm and reduces wrinkles.
  2. Improved Digestion: Bone broth is a rich source of bio-available nutrients in an easy-to-digest form, and its amino acid structure and high gelatin content make it soothing and healing for the gut. Imagine that gelatin filling in any cracks in your gut lining and increasing elasticity, making your internal pipes smooth and strong.
  3. Strong Bones & Joints: Whether you are recovering from an injury or want to prevent osteoporosis later in life, bone broth is here to help! Rich in glucosamine, chondroitin sulphates and other compounds, bone broth lubricates achy joints and tissues and supports regeneration. When I injured my knee a year ago (dislocated my patella), bone broth was an essential ingredient in my rehab program.
  4. Sustained Energy: Bone broth is rich in nutrients. An 8 oz. mug in the morning will kick your day off right with easy-to-digest nourishment, stabilize blood sugar and give you a healthy energy boost (unlike caffeine or sugar) that will sustain you throughout the morning.
  5. Immunity Boost: Mom was on to something! Chicken soup (and other broth-based recipes) are timeless cold busters for good reason. We now know that a strong immune system begins in the gut. With its high gelatin/collagen content, bone broth supports gut health and is rich in amino acids that reduce disease-causing inflammation.

And as a bonus #6, Reduced Food Waste: When you make bone broth at home, you create an opportunity to use another part of the animal: the bones. Like so many native cultures knew, animal bones are rich in vitamins and minerals, so instead of throwing them away, re-purpose them into this healing elixir. And while you’re at it, I encourage to offer gratitude one more time to the animal who is providing you with this healing energy.

Speaking of animals, I recommend using 100% grass-fed beef, pastured pork or pastured, wild fish heads/bones or organic chicken bones/feet in your broth. Bones that come from healthy, happy animals have greater nutrient density and positive energy embedded in them that in turn impacts our cellular function in positive ways as well.

You can find bones at your local butcher shop or meat counter; just ask if you don't see them in the case. Chicken feet work great too.

Happy healing!

basic bone broth

  • YIELD: 1 gallon
  • PREP: 5 mins
  • COOK: 24 hrs 0 min
  • READY IN: 24 hrs 5 mins

Drink this healing elixir every morning for better digestion and other health benefits, or use it in your favorite soup and stew recipes.

ingredients

  • 1 lb bones or a whole chicken carcass
  • herbs and spices
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
  • 1 gallon filtered water

instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in crock pot or slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low for 12-24 hours.
  2. Remove large bones and pour through a strainer or cheese cloth into glass jars. Store covered in the fridge for up to two weeks.