Homemade Bone Broth for Health Benefits

Making bone broth has been done for many years, it is a way to make the most of leftover bones from cooking and more importantly it is an easy, inexpensive and accessible source of vital nutrients. Bone broth is great for skin, hair, nails and joints, it provides several essential amino acids to the body, it is a remedy for illness and boosting the immune system, as well as improving allergy symptoms, and it is very supportive for digestion and gut health. 

Bone broth can be used as a base for soups and stews or gravy and sauces, it can be added to cook veggies for extra nutrients or warmed in a mug to drink on a cold day.

Bone broth is very easy to make and will be better than store bought alternatives because you control exactly what goes into it! Follow the directions below to create your own nutritious bone broth!

Ingredients

• Poultry or beef bones from leftovers or raw bones from a butcher - try to make sure the bones come from healthy sources that are either grass fed or organic
• Enough water to cover your bones
• 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• 1 onion
• 2-3 carrots
• 2-3 stalks celery
• Spices and herbs- parsley, salt, peppercorns, garlic, any other of your favourite spices
• Slow cooker

Instructions

• Gather the bones
• If the bones are raw, roast them for 30-45 mins at 350 degrees
• Place the bones in a slow cooker and cover with cool water then add the apple cider vinegar, allow to sit for 20-30 minutes to help the nutrients in the bones to become more available

• Chop the vegetables and add them plus salt, pepper and spices or herbs to the slow cooker

• Turn the slow cooker to low and let sit for 14 hours
• Once time is up, CAREFULLY pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl to remove any little bits of meat, bone, vegetables, or spices

• You can use some immediately to make a delicious soup by adding shredded chicken, sliced carrots, celery, onion and kale
• Freeze the remainder in mason jars to use later as the weather starts to cool and the flu comes your way

As the weather gets colder outside this is a great way to warm up with a cup of broth or to make variety of different soups that are good for the body and soul!