When it comes to skincare, we often focus on serums, creams, and treatments, but true skin health starts from within. While high-quality natural skincare products play a crucial role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin, nourishing your body from the inside out enhances their effectiveness. One of the most powerful elixirs for glowing skin and a healthy gut is bone broth, often referred to as "liquid gold." Packed with collagen, amino acids, and minerals, bone broth supports skin elasticity, gut health, and helps reduce inflammation, improving digestion and truly helps your skin transform. Let’s dive into how you can make this nourishing tonic using the bones of a roasted organic chicken.
Dual-Purpose Cooking: One Chicken, Two Nourishing Uses
Making bone broth is not only a fantastic way to support your skin and gut health, but it also maximizes the value of a single meal. I make a roasted chicken for my family once a week, providing us with a delicious and hearty meal. Then, instead of discarding the bones, I use them to create a nutrient-dense bone broth that lasts for weeks. This way, we not only enjoy a flavorful dinner but also have an endless supply of collagen-rich broth to sip on or use in various recipes.
The Perfect Roasted Chicken for the Best Bone Broth
To get the most nutrient-dense broth, start with a whole organic chicken and roast it to perfection. Here's how:
Ingredients:
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1 whole organic chicken
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2-3 carrots
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2-3 celery stalks
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1 onion, chopped into eighths
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5-6 garlic cloves, chopped intiso quarters
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1 lemon (half placed inside the cavity, half squeezed on the skin)
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 425°F.
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Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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Stuff the cavity with half a lemon and some of the chopped veggies.
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Arrange the remaining vegetables around the chicken in the roasting pan or iron skillet.
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Roast for 70-90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let it rest before carving, then enjoy your meal while saving the bones and leftover veggies for your broth.
Making the Ultimate Bone Broth
After enjoying your roasted chicken, use the bones and carcass to make a rich, collagen-boosting bone broth.
Ingredients:
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Chicken bones and carcass
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Leftover roasted veggies
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2-3 fresh carrots, chopped
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2-3 fresh celery stalks, chopped
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1 onion, quartered
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1 bay leaf
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5-6 garlic cloves
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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Filtered water
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Place the chicken bones, leftover roasted veggies, and fresh veggies in a slow cooker.
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Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to help extract the collagen and minerals from the bones.
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Fill the slow cooker with filtered water, covering the bones completely almost to the top.
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Add a bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
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Set the slow cooker to low and let it simmer for 12-24 hours.
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Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solid
Benefits of Bone Broth for Skin and Gut Health
1. Collagen for Youthful Skin:
Bone broth is rich in collagen, which supports skin elasticity and hydration. Drinking it regularly helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness, giving your skin a plumper, more youthful appearance.2. Gut Healing Properties:
Amino acids like glutamine in bone broth play a key role in healing the gut lining. They help reduce inflammation and improve digestion, making bone broth an excellent choice for those with gut issues such as leaky gut or IBS. A healthy gut is essential for clear, radiant skin because it supports optimal nutrient absorption and helps eliminate toxins that can cause breakouts.3. Boosts Hydration and Detoxification:
Bone broth is full of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which help hydrate the skin and support the body’s natural detoxification process. The hydration benefits are especially useful for maintaining skin moisture levels, preventing dryness and dullness.4. Promotes Joint Health and Mobility:
Rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, bone broth supports joint health and mobility. The nutrients in bone broth help reduce joint pain and stiffness, making it an excellent addition to your wellness routine if you experience inflammation or joint discomfort.5. Strengthens Hair and Nails:
The amino acids and minerals in bone broth also promote the health of your hair and nails. Collagen and keratin, which are both found in bone broth, support hair strength and growth while improving nail health by reducing brittleness.6. Immune System Support:
Bone broth is packed with amino acids like arginine, which can help improve immune function. It strengthens the body's defenses, especially during times of stress or illness, helping you stay healthy and resilient.
Why Homemade Bone Broth is Better than Store-Bought
While store-bought bone broth may be convenient, it often contains harmful additives and preservatives that can undermine the health benefits you're seeking. Here's why homemade is the better choice:
1. Additives and Preservatives:
Many commercial broths contain artificial flavor enhancers like MSG, preservatives such as sodium benzoate, and chemicals to extend shelf life, which can disrupt your body’s natural processes.2. High Sodium Levels:
Store-bought broths often have excessive amounts of salt, leading to high blood pressure and bloating. Homemade broth allows you to control the salt content for a healthier option.3. Lack of Collagen and Nutrients:
Commercial versions often lack the nutrients, collagen, and amino acids that slow-simmering homemade broth provides, leaving you with fewer health benefits for your skin and gut.4. Hidden Sugars and Unhealthy Fats:
Some pre-made broths contain added sugars or unhealthy fats to enhance flavor, which can derail your nutrition goals. Homemade bone broth is free of these unnecessary additives.Making your own bone broth ensures you get the highest-quality nutrients, free from chemicals and artificial ingredients, for glowing skin, a healthy gut, and overall well-being.
When and How to Drink Bone Broth
For best results, drink a warm cup of bone broth first thing in the morning. This helps kickstart digestion, nourish the gut, and hydrate the body after a night of fasting.
Storage Tips for Bone Broth
To make sure you always have broth on hand:
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Let the broth cool before storing.
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Pour it into 8-ounce glass mason jars and freeze.
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Take out a jar as needed and warm it up on the stove.
Creative Ways to Use Bone Broth
Bone broth isn’t just for sipping! Use it to:
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Replace water when cooking rice or pasta for added nutrients.
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Make homemade soups and stews.
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Blend into smoothies for an extra protein boost.
Glow from the Inside Out
Incorporating bone broth into your daily routine is a simple yet powerful way to support glowing skin and a thriving gut. By making it at home, you control the quality of ingredients, ensuring you get the best benefits. Combined with high-quality natural skincare products, bone broth enhances your natural glow, working from the inside out. Drink up and let your glow shine!
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