Jodiebees

Month: February 2019

Bone Broth Recipe

Bone Broth

Bone Broth, is a staple which I include daily in at least one of my family’s meals.

It is referred to by many, as liquid gold, see why, in my post here

As a result,  it is only fitting that I share how I make one of the best nutrient dense liquids you can consume:

INGREDIENTS

  • Purified water
  • Pastured /Organic Grass fed animal bones (ideally those with marrow in them) or wild caught fish bones
  • Fermented apple cider vinegar (1tsp- for every Litre of water, the brand I use is Braggs 😉
  • Good quality sea salt- ¼ tsp. for every litre of water
  • 1 large pot for the stove OR a slow cooker
  • Filtered water- enough to cover the bones

*Rule of thumb: lay the bones out as closely as possible filling any gaps (like a jigsaw puzzle)

Then cover the bones with water so that there is 2cm of water above the bones.

The amount of water will be determined by the size of your slow cooker/pot and the type of bones you are using at the time.

 

MY ROUGH WATER estimates:

4 litres for every 1kg of bones
3.5 litres per every 1.5kg of whole chicken
3 litres for every 500g of prawn shells, fish heads and tails

 

OPTIONAL: Adding in Organic Vegetables

*  Generally for every 1kg of bones add 100g each of chopped: carrots, onions, leeks, 1 celery stick and 1 bunch of parsley stalks

OR

If you are me…. Use whatever vegetables you have left in the fridge with a bunch of fresh herbs 🙂

 

METHOD

Add all ingredients into a large pot with a lid, slow cooker or pot on the stove on very low heat

Simmer for 6 hours to 10 hours (hard or large bones may simmer for up to 12-24hrs e.g., beef bones).

Any meat and cartilage will fall off bone so skim surface of scum every now and then if required.

When ready, allow to cool then place in an air tight container.

I place half in a glass jar the other half i divide into ice cube trays to easily pop into meals smoothies, to use as stock etc.

 

SOURCING PRE-made BONE BROTH

To ensure optimal nutrition, its best to check the labels for the ingredients list.

The powder or liquid is best sourced from pastured, healthy or organic grass fed bones from beef, pork, lamb or chicken carcasses or wild fish bones including heads.

Further still, it is best to have:

No additives such as MSG, sugar, vegetables oils, starches and modifiers.
No refined salt.

I whole heartily recommend, for those based in Sydney or Wollongong Star Anise broths.

I learnt how to make my broth from Soulla the founder – who not only does her due-diligence when sourcing she is very well read and has a wealth of knowledge- thank you Soulla. Say hello to her for me if you are ever in her broth bar in Bronte beach.

Enjoy nourishing yourself,

With love Jodie xx

The Bees Family Body Wash

At present I’m using Dr. Bronners Baby Mild Castile soap as our family’s body wash base.

Given I use it as the base for almost ALL my products, I buy it in bulk and therefore have it on hand I’ve ordered online in the cupboard.

What you may notice when switching from a chemical body wash to a non- toxic wash is generally, you won’t experience the lathering soapy feel- (as the chemicals make this happen normally).

Out of habit and seeking for that soapy feel, my husband tends to go through our body wash quickly due to its current consistency being more liquid.

Therefore, to make it last a little longer, I normally half the Litre bottle and create: The Bees Family Body Wash, using the recipe below.

 

INGREDIENTS

  • Dispenser bottle- ideally reusable one or recycled one 🙂
  • 1/2 bottle of Castile soap
  • 8 Table 🥄 vegetable glycerin
  • 6 Table 🥄 of fractionated coconut oil 
  • 15 drops of your favourite pure essential oil that is safe for topical use

METHOD

Once the Litre bottle has been halved into two, I then add the above ingredients to both bottles.

May you take time to cleanse your body with nourishing non toxic products that set you up for the amazing day your deserve,

With love, Jodie

Mum’s Homemade Chicken Soup

Chicken soup

There is a popular South American proverb which states:

 

“Good broth will resurrect the dead.”

 

 

Although this is an unrealistic claim, bone broth, in particular chicken, has been passed down by ancient folk medicine for its  ability to treat the common cold.

With the popularity of bone broth increasing, in year 2000, Scientists evaluated whether ‘chicken soup’ could inhibit neutrophil migration. 

In lay mans terms could it help treat upper respiratory infections. 

Rennard, et al 2000, found it was effective!

Therefore Grandma and Mum were right!

Chicken soup is one of the most nourishing meals you can consume, especially when you are under the weather.

This is why it is one of our family’s winter staples, consumed in prevention of the catching any nasty bugs too.

Learn reasons why bone broth is so incredibly nourishing here 

I wanted to share with you how I make my chicken soup- passed down through my family, and of course modified through the generations

 

INGREDIENTS

1 whole organic chicken

1 medium onion

4 large garlic cloves- bruised and diced

10 cloves

4 bay leaves

3 carrots

1/4 celery

1/4 cauliflower

1/4 broccoli

2 parsnips

1 turnip

1 fresh lemon

1 tsp of turmeric

Bunch of seasonal fresh green herbs

 

METHOD

Place the whole chicken into the slow cooker or large pot on the stove with the lemon, herbs and spices- not the fresh green herbs- add it fresh to serve and enjoy!

If in the slow cooker I place it on at night after dinner and leave it to cook overnight,

if in the day and cooking in a large pot, cook slowly on very low heat.

Tip *I normally put it on at breakfast time and, provided I’m staying in that morning, leave it to cook slowly until lunch time.

When chicken is tender and falling off the bone, take the chicken out and place all the vegetables in.

Once the vegetables are soft, I place all the chicken meat back in- bones removed and allow it to steep for no less than 30mins.

Dinner/Lunch is served!!

  • A note: for the super busy: I often place all the ingredients into the slow cooker if i’m out all day and then I take the bones out at the end before serving. Since having little people I tend not to do this as much as I do miss the occasional bone in among the vegetables but if you thorough and don’t mind a bone or two this way is quick.

Enjoy,

With love, Jodie xx

 

 

REFERENCES:

Rennard, Barbara O. et al. Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro,
CHEST , Volume 118 , Issue 4 , 1150 – 1157.

Healthy Gut Loving Hot Chocolate

I am a chocolate Lover!

Are you?

It is the middle of winter here in Europe and what is often our ‘go to’ comfort drink when it is super cold or even snowing outside is HOT CHOCOLATE!

Therefore, it was essential that I found a way to indulge my senses, please my family, but ensure we were having health supporting treats rather than junk.

Thereby let me share with you my:

 

Healthy Gut Loving Hot Chocolate

 Recipe: Makes 2 cups

 

Ingredients                

  • Almond mylk or your favourite nut mylk- I usually either make my own recipe here, or purchase an organic one

  • 2 x Separated organic egg yolks- I save the whites for later and add in an omelette mix, as they need to be cooked thoroughly. *Note: whites are toxic if uncooked.

  • 4 Tablespoons of organic cacao powder

  • 1 Tablespoon of grass fed collagen- learn why I use this here

  • 1 teaspoon of  natural sweetener eg: maple syrup, honey or 3 drops of stevia – (optional)

Healthy hot chocolate
Gut Loving Hot Chocolate

Method

  • Pour the mylk into a pot and start to warm on low heat

  • Add the egg yolks and begin to whisk in gently

  • Add the cacao powder and continue to whisk

  • While gently whisking, slowly pour in the collagen powder

  • Add natural sweetener eg. maple syrup, stevia, or honey

  • Stir all together and then pour into your favourite mug

Enjoy!

With love, Jodie xx

Pregnancy ‘bump oil’

Pregnancy bump oil

Many of you have asked me what I used during my pregnancies on my bump. I was fortunate to not have received any stretch marks and I believe it was due to a combination of nutrition, genetics and my bump oil 🙂

My ‘tummy’

Peppermint, fennel and ginger essential oils were some of my ‘go to’s’ (in conjunction with fresh peppermint and ginger) when it came to managing nausea during my first trimester and during travel. I also made the fresh herbs in tea to support and alleviate any bloating and indigestion from different food i was trying.

How I used the essential oil:

  • I created a 10ml roller bottle with some fractionated coconut oil and 10 drops of the oil of choice (I made three roll on’s but you could combine if you have tried each oil on its own without any issue) 
  • It was then easy to roll on my lower abdomen when needed. * Perfect size for travel too.

Bump Oil 

During my second pregnancy I started showing quite early and found the skin on my stomach to be quite dry and itchy, especially as the weather got colder and when I was growing.

Using an old recycled jar, I created an oil rub using three of natures safest, nourishing and calming oils.

Recipe:

Base: I filled my jar 3/4 full of my chosen ‘base oil’ . I created three small jars given the travel and liquid limits, alternating between my friend Samira’s gorgeous Argan Oil ,Organic rosehip oil and Organic Coconut oil

The I added:

  • 8 drops of Frankincense: to stimulate healthy blood flow and promotes skin-cell growth.
  • 8 drops of Lavender as it is healing, relaxing and calming for the skin and also my emotional body.
  • 8 drops of Roman Chamomile due to it being a carminative and supports regeneration of the skin

Safety: I only use doTERRA If you are using a 60ml jar this is approximately 2% dilution – which is very safe. These three oils I also happily use on both of my babies as newborns due to knowing how safe they are- ALWAYS diluted of course, with coconut oil.

Important note. This site pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health, wellness and related sub­jects. Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice. If you have an illness, disease, chronic health condition or any med­ical con­cern, please con­sult with your health care practitioner. The author disclaims any liability or responsibility for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly by use of or reliance on the information provided on this site.

MENU