Bone Broth
Recipe

Ingredients:

• Bones from poultry, beef, lamb, fish or shellfish (pork isn’t recommended), any kind of bone may be used (marrow, knuckle, meaty etc)
• Cool filtered water, enough to cover the bones
• ½ cup raw apple cider vinegar
• Optional vegetables: celery, carrots, onions, garlic, parsley
• Himalayan or sea salt & pepper

Method:

• Optional: brown the bones in the oven on 180(degrees)C for approximately 10 minutes, this step will enrich the flavour of the broth but is not necessary.

• Place bones in a pot or slow cooker, add apple cider vinegar and cover with water. Leave to sit for 1 hour so the vinegar can leach the minerals out of the bones.

• After sitting for an hour, if using a pot bring to a boil and skim the scum from the top and discard. If using a slow cooker turn on low, skimming the scum from the top and discard.

• For a pot, reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 24-48 hours (if you're not comfortable leaving the pot to simmer overnight, turn off the heat and let it sit overnight, then turn it back on and let simmer all day the next day). For a slow cooker, leave on low for 24-48 hours.

• During the last few hours of cooking, add the vegetables and in the final 10 minutes of cooking, throw in a handful of fresh parsley for added flavor and minerals.

• Let the broth cool and strain it, making sure all marrow is knocked out of the marrowbones and into the broth. As the broth cools a layer of fat may occur on the top, you may scrap this off or leave.

• Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Note: cold broth with turn gelatinous if containing enough gelatin, it will liquefy again when warmed.

Reference
Siebecker, A 2005, ‘Traditional bone broth in modern health and disease’, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, vol. 259, p. 74-81.

Tags: recipe, broth

Dry Skin Brushing

The skin is the body’s largest organ and is responsible for approximately one third of the body’s detoxification each day, making it one of the most important elimination organs! Another elimination system is the lymphatic system, which connects all of your lymph nodes together to help your immune system and eliminate toxins. You have lymph nodes all over your body, along your neck, collar bone, arm pits, legs and more. If your lymphatic system becomes sluggish and congested, your process of elimination will slow also.
Dry skin brushing aids your lymphatic system to rid itself of toxins that collect in the lymph nodes. By gently brushing the skin, you stimulate the lymphatic system.

BENEFITS OF REGULAR DRY SKIN BRUSHING

• May aim in removing dead layers of skins, improving the health of skin
• May increase blood circulation to the skin and underlying organs & tissues
• May assist the skin in elimination processes
• May aid muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits
• May increase lymphatic circulation

TECHNIQUE

As the name implies, dry skin brushing should be done on dry skin before showering or bathing. All you need is a natural, soft bristled brush. The process should take you about 5 minutes and you’ll see the most benefits will regular practice over a few months.

Start at the soles of your feet, brush your skin in small, quick motions and with light pressure upwards towards your heart. ALWAYS towards your heart! Don’t brush up and down, only upwards. Avoid broken skin, sensitive areas or rashes.

Moving up from your feet, up the lower leg, knee, behind and over, up your thighs, inner and outer and your bottom. Then onto your abdomen via the inguinal area (groin), spend a little time there as there’s lots of lymph nodes in this area. Continue to brush up the side and front of your abdomen towards the chest, gently over the breast towards your heart. Repeat with the other leg.

Raise your arm, starting from the fingertips and brush down the arm towards the armpits in the direction of the heart. Spend some time in the armpits, as this area too has many lymph nodes, brushing in one direction repeatedly towards the heart. Gently brush down the neck, along the collar bone and across the chest to the heart. Repeat on the other arm.

Once finished brushing, shower or have a bath, add magnesium flakes for extra benefits! Make sure to also drink LOTS of water as the lymphatic system is predominantly made up of water.

Wash your brush every week with water and air dry, preferably in the sun.

Tags: skin, lymphatic, beauty