A Cheap, Nutritious Staple Food

As the weather gets colder, soups make the perfect dinner. Chicken noodle soup is known to help when you're feeling down or have a bad cold or feel a flu coming on. Did you know that homemade chicken broth is not only just warm and comforting, but actually has healing properties? The inner lining in our intestinal system is part of our nervous system. When it is damaged or pulled away- from a weakened immune system or too much bad food, we feel sick. Homemade chicken broth is the most natural way to heal, nourish, and repair your body.

Homemade broth from beef bones is extremely nutritious as well. It contains minerals from the bone, marrow and cartilage. Chicken broth and beef broth (again, I'm talking about homemade, not the cubes or cans you buy in the store) also contain gelatin. First, and most important, this aids in your digestive system. It also is a protein...not a complete protein, but it does contain amino acids that help your body digest and absorb other proteins better.

You can make broth from pork bones, turkey and even though I've never tried it, fish bones. And it's so simple to make!

Place the bones in a large pot and completely cover them in cold water. Add a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (best option) or distilled white vinegar and let it sit for about an hour. This will help draw out minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Bring to a boil. You can scrap off the bubbly stuff that rises to the top. Turn down to a simmer and cover. If you want more flavor to your chicken broth, you can also add some carrots, celery and onion here. Let everything simmer for a minimum of 6 hours. I normally let mine simmer at least 12 hours.

Pour everything through a strainer. And now you have your broth! I usually leave some in the fridge and freeze the rest in 2 cup baggies.