Collagen is a protein in our bodies that is super important to help us maintain healthy joints, strong bones and elasticity in our skin. It’s also believed to help with nail strength and hair growth. As we age, our collagen decreases.

Bone broth is an excellent way to supplement your collagen and it’s really easy to make. You can drink it as a hot beverage on its own, add it to soups, stews or rice to enhance their flavor, or make a good old fashioned chicken soup with it.

Ingredients:
1 chicken carcass**
1 large sweet onion, quartered with skin left on
1 bulb of garlic, halved with skin left on
3 medium carrots, cut into large pieces
3 stalks of celery with greens left on
2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar (will help to break down your bones)
fresh or dried herbs as desired - we often include some basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary & bay leave
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a large stock pot.

2. Fill the pot with water.

3. Bring to a boil then lower heat to a medium low boil and keep pot covered.

4. Let boil on medium low for approximately 8 hours to get the most flavor from your soup. Stir occasionally and add additional water as needed. Water level should never be allowed to go below the halfway mark in your pot.***

5. Drain the stock into a second pot and allow it to cool before transferring into storage containers. One pot of stock makes approximately 16 cups.

6. The stock can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for several months and used later.

   *These ingredients are a guide. The amazing thing about making a bone brother is that there really is no wrong way to do it. You can put in whatever vegetables you want and have a soup that is slightly different each time or make it consistent to know exactly what you’re getting. We often add any frozen vegetable scraps to our chicken stock for more flavor.

   **A chicken carcass with meat removed is one of the easiest ways to start a soup especially if you have a rotisserie chicken for a meal and throw all of the bones right into the soup pot once you’re done. You can also use any type of bones that you have If you’re not eating a whole chicken (e.g. leg, breast, etc).

   ***We recomend that you boil for the stock for approximately 8 hours. You can cook it longer but you will end up with a lighter stock if you cook for less time.