DIY: Ayurvedic Bone Broth
Bone broth is an excellent way to nourish the system on a deeper level. Many Ayurvedic formulations call for the use of animals tissues to strengthen, rejuvenate and replenish a depleted patient. Traditional foods all over the world use the parts of animals to nourish the body as well; extensive work has been done on the effects of traditional foods on DNA and on the effects of a mother's diet on her children's DNA. Dr. Westin Price's work on this particular topic is fascinating. You can find his work here.
Soups are highly recommended in Ayurveda for their warming, calming, nourishing and easily digestible qualities. Anything can be made into a soup although Ayurvedic soup recipes often call for goat meat and bones, since they are the most similar, nourishing and easiest on our own systems. The body assimilates most soups quickly, giving the digestive system a break and allowing the body a space to rest and heal. This is especially beneficial with a weakened or compromised immune system, which we tend to see more of in the fall and winter months of the year.
This simple recipe takes little effort yet goes a long way in strengthening your system.
To make Ayurvedic Bone Broth:
-Choose your favorite Organic meat [ goat is recommended]. Cut the bigger pieces of meat from the bone, leaving some attached to the bone to be included in the soup. Use the meat for another meal. *Please choose organic meats for the best quality.*
-Chop the bone into small pieces. We want to prefer smaller pieces over bigger or whole pieces in order to more properly extract the nutrients from inside of the bones.
-Toss in a pot and cover with water.
-Add the spices of: Turmeric, Ginger, Cumin, Black Pepper and Coriander Seed powder.
-Boil for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, depending on the softness of the bones. One hour is good for soft bones, but harder bones will require more time. Alternatively, you may use a Crock Pot cooker as well, setting the timer according to the instructions.
-Stop here if you are just making bone broth, or separate a portion of the stock if you have a big batch and are using it as a base for a soup. You may want to store the leftover for another batch of soup. A great way to store is in ice cube trays for smaller meals or in a mason jar. Freeze if storing longer than two days.
-To use the fresh bone broth as the main soup by adding any veggies / extra spices / ingredients to it directly and cook until the veggies have softened to your desired consistency.
-Serve and enjoy!