If you haven’t been hearing about the health benefits of bone broth where have you been?!
So what’s the big deal about bone broth, anyway?
If you’re not a real food enthusiast or you’re new to the “whole foods” movement, you might not understand the fuss about bone broth. Bone broth has become so popular, renowned chef, Marco Canora, has opened a take-out window in New York called Brodo.
In case yo
u’re wondering, brodo is Italian for broth.
This is so cool! Think about it – at Brodo, you can actually get healthy, fast food!
Think the bone broth frenzy is just a craze, like other diet fads that come and go?
Given the horrible digestive health of so many Americans, and the genuine benefits of bone broth, I’m hoping this craze stays forever.
As a Weston A Price Foundation member and fan of Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride, I’m fairly well schooled in the health benefits of bone broth. But shouldn’t everyone know how great it is and why they need it?
There’s a plethora websites and how-to’s on bone broth on the web. You’ll find some in the sources below.  I’m only giving you the Cliff’s notes version here.
If you really want to learn all about bone broth – get the “bible” of traditional foods, Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions.
Why Bone Broth is Good For You                                                
Seriously, you need bone broth in your diet!
Courtesy of Dr. Joseph Mercola and Dr. Kaayla Daniel, the Naughty Nutritionist, here’s why:
1) It’s great for your hair and nails.
When I was young, the way to get your nails to grow and keep them strong was to take Knox® gelatin.
Bone broth is full of gelatin. The more gelatin in your broth, the more nourishing it is.
Gelatin is cooked collagen and in the article above, the doctors say it’s “good for achy joints, has anti-aging properties and provides amino acids that are missing from many of our diets.”
2) Bone broth is good for bone development thanks to its high levels of collagen.
According to Dr. Kaayla, “Collagen fibrils provide the latticework for mineral deposition and are the keys to the building of strong and flexible bones.” Did you know upwards of 35% of the protein in your body is collagen?
Dr. Kaayla explains more on collagen in this article from The Healthy Home Economist.
3) It supports the reduction of joint pain and inflammation.
If you have issues with sore joints and experience an inflammatory response after exercisint, there are things you may consider that don’t have the side-effects of NSAIDs. For example, our customers love proteolytic enzymes like Wobenzym N. after a good workout.
Read more on proteolytic enzymes from our founder and certified nutritionist, Theresa Groskopp: Discover Proteolytic Enzymes for Systemic Healing and Benefits.
You could also drink bone broth!
Bone broth contains condroitin sulphates, glucosamine and amino acids like glycine, arginine and proline – all of which are available in a supplement form. According to Dr. Mercola (and many others) these amino acids have anti-inflammatory effects.
For young and old alike – bone broth is a great addition to the diet. Even basketball star Kobe Bryant “swears that bone broth ‘contributes’ to his NBA sustainability.”
4) Bone broths helps repair your gut and supports healthy digestion.
Bone broth is rich in gelatin and as mentioned above, gelatin has many health benefits. But don’t take my word for it, here’s more from The Healthy Home Economist herself, Sarah Pope: The Crucial Reason You Need More Gelatin In Your Diet.
My issue with making bone broth is finding the time to do it. It can be very labor intensive. If you feel the same way, check out the easy option – Bone Broth Protein from Ancient Nutrition!
 Now you can make bone broth in your crock pot or a pressure cooker in much less time!
So you see how it’s done, this first recipe is for a slow-cooker.
Slow Cooker Beef Bone Broth
This recipe is from Michelle Tam of nom nom paleo.
It’s an easy step-by-step, flavorful, slow-cooker recipe.
Remember the key to a good gelatinous broth, (that’s Julia Child-speak for “it firms up and jiggles like Jell-O®”) is to use the right bones.
You want a good combination of  beef marrow and knuckle bones. Want to be a traditional foodie? Add a calves foot!
Michelle’s pictures will show you how the broth should look when it gels. I use chicken feet in my chicken broth, but I confess, I haven’t graduated to calves feet yet! You’ll find Michelle’s full recipe here.
Brodo (Beef Broth with Tortellini and Parmesan)
With the addition of cheese-filled tortellini pasta, this recipe from Saveur Magazine has comfort food written all over it!
Following this recipe is easy. Serve this soup with a crusty dinner roll and you’re all set for a hearty dinner on a cold winter’s night.
By the way, if you’re not able to make your own broth – you can buy it online.
I found The Brothery, which was founded by The Flavor Chef, Lance Roll, C.E.C. They use “locally-grown, organic produce and free-range, humanely-raised meats and poultry.”
Packaged soup makes it easy to have broth on-hand wherever you go. You might even send it to a sick college student!
It’s like a little mom TLC in a box!
I keep small jars of bone broth in my freezer for detoxing, or to use in gravies and sauces.
It’s not just for soup!
Homemade Organic French Onion Soup
Kelly the Kitchen Kop hails
 from next door in Michigan.
Her Organic French Onion soup uses a mix of chicken and beef broth.
Kelly states that while the recipe isn’t fast, it’s simple.
With my busy life, I need simple.
Top this soup off with a blend of cheeses and bon-appetite!
You’ll find the recipe and learn more about the “Kitchen Kop” here.
Tomato Broccoli Soup
For you veggie lovers,
this Tomato Broccoli Soup from Angela of Do It Yourself Health is a great option.
Do you struggle with digestive issues?
Read her story of overcoming IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). She’s a digestive health coach and works with people with IBS. I love success stories like this.
You really can get better – naturally!
The best thing about this recipe is it’s just tossed together using the bone broth as a base. Toss in some tomato past, kale, broccoli, grated carrots, Napa Cabbage, scallions and tomatoes with some spices.
In her words, it was “insanely good.” I would add, insanely healthy, too! Get the recipe (and more!) from Do It Yourself Health here.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Like a little Mexican on the family menu?
This chicken Tortilla Soup from Kim Knoch of The Nourishing Cook is perfect. She’s made all 773 recipes from Sally Fallon’s cookbook! Wow!
This recipe received the 4-forks rating (the best) from her family. I think most families would love it! 
Get the Chicken Tortilla Soup here.
And finally, how about a little Jewish Penicillin?
It’s not just good Jewish mothers who know the health benefits of chicken soup. See this article from ABC News: Chicken Soup Really is Good for a Cold
Homemade Chicken Soup with Bone Broth
Food really can be medicin
e.
This recipe from Alison of Mama’s Weeds, gives you the low-down on making a simple chicken soup with store-bought organic chicken.
I like shortcuts and let’s face it, we don’t all have access to home-grown, free-range chickens.
Follow the step-by-step instructions here.
Even though bone broth might take a little time, it’s worth every minute in the returns on your health.
It really is the ultimate fast food!
If you have bone broth recipes you’d like to share, please put them in the comments section below.
And don’t miss the great resources below.
Note: The information in this post is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It should not be construed to diagnose, treat, or cure any health condition or disease.Â
Resources
10 Health Benefits of Gelatin, plus 80 Ways to Eat More of It
Gelatin, stress, longevity 10 Benefits of Bone Broth + Gut-Healing Recipe
Bone Broth Benefits for Digestion, Arthritis and Cellulite
