Chicken Bone Broth

Bone broth is fantastic for your whole family. It is one of the most nourishing foods you can feed your kids and yourself!

All the nutrients leach from the bones, creating an incredibly nourishing and flavorful liquid. Bone broth is easy to digest, nutrient-dense, and a great source of minerals. In addition, bone broth is an excellent source of gelatin and collagen, which are essential in building and supporting connective tissue. Also, the collagen (especially rich when you add some chicken feed to the broth; the more broth gels when cooled, the more gelatin) helps to strengthen and seal the intestinal tract protective lining, which can help to reduce inflammation.

Baby can consume bone broth as early as 6 months. It should not replace breast milk / formula as a liquid but is an excellent addition. Breast milk and formula are pretty sweet, so this savory drink can help to set a great start to diversifying baby's palate.

Serve not more than 4 ounces per day until baby is one. Then, you can offer it as a drink (in their bottle, sippy cup, or on a spoon) or use the broth to cook, e.g., veggies, rice, quinoa. Also, adding it to any purees, soup, or sauces can make a simple meal nutrient-dense.

RECIPE

Age | 6+ months

Servings | about 70 oz

INGREDIENTS:

2 carrots roughly chopped

2 parsnips roughly chopped

1/2 celery root roughly chopped

1 onion roughly chopped

1.5 lb organic chicken feet

1 organic chicken

2 garlic cloves

Herbs (any herbs are great, I like to add parsley, oregano, and thyme)

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps draw minerals out of the bones)

PREPARATION:

1. Add all ingredients to a large pot or slow cooker on the stove.

2. Add filtered water to cover.

3. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer for 2 hours.

4. Then take the chicken out of the pot, and remove meat from chicken (make sure it is cooked through). The chicken meat can be used for other great meals.

5. Place the carcass of the chicken back into the pot or slow cooker.

6. Simmer for another 12-24 hours.

7. You will need to top up the water from time to time as it evaporates from the cooking.

8. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard solids and strain remainder in a bowl.

9. Cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container. The broth will last in the fridge for 3 days and in the freezer for 6 months. (for the little ones, it is great to freeze some broth in an ice cube tray for small portions)

Enjoy!

I recommend making your own bone broth for your little ones because most store-bought broths are high in salt.