Make Your Own Homemade Bone Stock!

Why Bone Stock?

Good way to soak up the vital minerals we need and are most likely deficient in somewhat- in order to help keep a balanced gut! When the gut is balanced, so is our skin, our mood and ultimately, our life! I could write 40 pages here!!

Making Your Own Bone Stock:

This is not difficult. Simply boil left-over bones from chicken or turkey in a large pot with plenty of water. Alternatively you may use a crock pot. Just be sure to keep an eye on it so it does not boil over or run dry (may need to add water throughout the day). Hint: this is a good small project to work on when you have time, perhaps one Sunday per month when you plan to be home. Try to use organic poultry and if possible visit the farm yourself to be sure the birds are free roaming for realsies.

It takes some people days to make this (I limit it to one). Hint: Add 1 Tablespoon white vinegar to speed-up the time. Vinegar acts to help pull out minerals from the bones more quickly. If you want to continue cooking multiple days, have at it. I just do not choose to spend more time on it than one day per month. 

Ewe! What’s that Gel Stuff?

You will notice some gelatinous substance forming after some time, perhaps even before the stock cools off. This is great news! Keep it. Do NOT throw this gel substance out! Feel free to skim the chicken fat from the top (the light yellow hardened layer that crusts over the surface). Keep the gel-like stuff that looks sorta like the filling to pecan pie! This is great for building collagen in the body-Hello, wrinkle prevention!

Keeping & Storing Stock:
After making my stock, I like to preserve it for the month in order to have a bit of it each day. Some use collagen supplements for beauty and gut health; I use my own homemade version by making and drinking stock almost daily! Anyway, after skimming fat from stock, pour into ice cube trays and place in freezer until frozen solid. Then, get freezer bags ready and dump the stock cubes into the freezer bags. Hint: I like to use a good brand, Gallon size (I make a lot) and I double bag them to avoid freezer burn).

Do NOT Throw Out Left-over Stock!

I used to get so sad when I couldn’t eat enough of the stock and the gelatin in time and actually used to throw it out because otherwise it would go bad. Not anymore! I also used to throw out the gelatin part because I thought, “Ewe! Gross! Fatty!” I actually thought it would make me fat! ha-ha. Since I don’t have a time machine to go back to my twenties and most of my thirties and eat better, I choose to do the best I can now with my awareness. That’s really all any of us can expect from ourselves. Mindfulness, anyone? 

How to Use Stock Almost Daily:

So, how to eat, drink the stock each day or almost every day? Well, I like to sip about 1/2 Cup every other morning during the winter and sip it like tea in the morning-very nourishing-just like chicken soup mom used to make (or pretend it is if your mom didn’t actually make it)!

Add it to soups, stews, chili, stir-fry by adding in a few cubes with the other liquid.

Tip: For those patients of mine who will not be compliant to make this and need collagen for gut issues, there are collagen flakes supplements which can get spendy real quick. I used to use them and now opt for the stock since my preference is to get my stuff from the most natural food source possible (for the most part-I do live in the modern world, too). For those who won’t be compliant to make the stock and have joint pain issues, Glucosamine- Chondroitin is an effective supplement for most people with chronic joint pain, works quickly (3-6 weeks) and is fairly reasonable, price-wise. I like to use a liquid version from a high quality brand that also has MSM, a valuable supplement that was widely used in the 90’s and unfortunately is not oft spoken of anymore as most of us are on to the next best superfood that will save us from everything, i.e., acai berry, coconut oil, avocado, etc. These are all valuable, though there is a time and place-and limit and effectiveness for the use of each. If your body has experienced physical trauma, i.e., auto injury as mine has, you may be like me and opt to use both homemade stock and Glucosamine supplementation. Whatever works for you as an individual. Whatever you will be compliant with works. Go easy on yourself and do whatever your budget of time and wallet can handle right now. Life is a journey, remember?

Glucosamine for Dogs:Glucosamine Chondroitin is not just for humans! It can be invaluable to use for large breed dogs prone to arthritis or rescue dogs (like ours) that have been physically abused and shot (there will be arthritis eventually due to past joint damage). Hint: If your older (once energetic) dog seems “lazy” or selective about how often he/she will use stairs, it is very possible there is a lot of pain with movement. Usually dogs respond by jumping up again or moving more quickly within 3-6 weeks after taking a Glucosamine-Chondroitin supplement made for dogs. I give Bioflexa III made by a brand called Vetra to our dog. This is somewhat expensive, I’ll admit. A friend of mine swears by Glycoflex for her dog and this Glucosamine is less expensive. I also add the stock to the dog’s food about once per week. 

Hint: Check with your dog’s vet for a good doggy brand (don’t give you doggy supplements meant for humans). 

When Not to use Bone Stock?

Obviously any time your doctor advises against bone stock you should avoid it. One example of when to avoid is during a Histamine response in the body as the body is on hyper-vigilant alert and this could be seen at that time by your body as foe, not friend. It is always best in these situations to check with a specialist before adding stock or anything back into the diet.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for reading!

Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist.

She owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka, MN. She holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture. Aleesha was first turned on to acupuncture due to her chronic, debilitating migraine headaches following an auto accident with a semi-truck during high school.

Aleesha specializes in treating Pain, Headaches, Anxiety, Facial Rejuvenation, Low energy, Low mood, Digestion issues and Women’s health, including helping the body with balancing hormones during Menopause and Perimenopause to relieve hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and PMS. She successfully treats patients with all types of headaches, including Tension headaches.

Aleesha suffered many years herself with migraine headaches. She can truly empathize with her suffering patients and her passion is to help them feel better.

Feel better, Move forward

Call 763-762-7142 or Schedule online with Aleesha atAnokaAcupuncture.com

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in downtown Anoka at 207 E Main near Andover, MN.

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

Serving Anoka County, the north metro, Minneapolis, St Paul, and the Twin Cities area.