Homemade Broth: More Than Comfort Food

Jill — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:27:37 +0000

The benefits of serving homemade broth during times of illness are much more than an old wives tale. Studies indicate that concentrated broth, made from the bones of animals, is both a valuable food and a medicine.

Historically broth has served as a cross-cultural remedy for the sick and weak. In addition, it is also recognized as a classic folk treatment for colds and flu, and has been used for ailments that affect a variety of connective tissues including: the GI tract, joints, skin, lungs, muscles and blood.

Broth also continues to be a staple for professional and gourmet cuisine due to its incredible taste and body. The processed versions of broth found in the grocery store are, unfortunately, dilute and void of nutritional value.

Utilizing the standard of herbal formulation, homemade broth actually qualifies as a medicine. The process by which broth is prepared allows nutrients to be immediately available for the body to absorb. These nutrients are as varied as the tissues that broth is made from. Bone, marrow, cartilage, and collagen enrich the broth with nutrients such as: chondroitin sulfate, protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium to name a few.

Many of these may sound like familiar supplements that you find on the shelves of your local drug store. However, those bottles contain synthetic products that aren’t easily absorbed by the body, if absorbed at all. In comparison, broth is easily digested and the nutrients well utilized.

The elements found in finished broth are well known nutrients that are used to support bone health and healthy aging. They are also beneficial in the management of a variety of other conditions: arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, digestion problems, colic, leaky gut, malnutrition, muscle wasting, cancer, calcium deficiency, anemia, poor wound healing, injuries to soft tissues-cartilage-bone, memory loss, depression, joint lubrication, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, asthma, liver support, and the list goes on.

Take some time this week to enjoy another of nature’s most perfect foods! If you’d like a recipe for homemade broth preparation, check out my recipe section. You are also welcome to stop by the office or email me. I always recommend organic free-range chicken and organic grass-fed beef for maximum benefits. These can be found via organic farmers, online at US Wellness Meats or at Whole Foods stores.

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Are you ready to create optimum wellness and vibrant health?! Ready to feel strong and alive? Then it’s time to get in touch with Jill Redfern at Women’s Health Advantage to assist you in creating your best life ever! Jill can guide you in any dietary, digestion, and nutritional issues and help you get going with vibrant health TODAY! After all, if not now… when?

Jill Redfern is a registered nurse in the Valencia area with 30 years of experience in both traditional and alternative medicine and a pioneer in the field of women’s alternative health and enzyme therapy.

Got Coconut Water?

Jill — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:24:27 +0000

Ever heard of coconut water? If not, it’s about time you did. Known for the multitude of health benefits it provides – there’s nothing on the market quite like it. For years coconut water has been used to successfully combat dehydrating illnesses such as dysentery, influenza, salmonella, and E. coli. Coconut water provides essential fluids and nutrients to properly rehydrate the body and provides the tools it needs to heal successfully.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of coconut water is its chemical profile and mineral content. The primary minerals or electrolytes are essentially the same as those found in human blood. Studies have shown how coconut water can improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke; impressively, coconut water has FDA approval to carry the specific claim that it may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. But the benefits don’t stop here.

In addition, coconut water is known to be beneficial in many other areas of health. Specifically, it relieves fatigue, constipation and other digestive disturbances, kidney and bladder disorders, glaucoma, and cataracts. It’s also been shown to reverse or slow down the aging process – I’ll toast to that!

Because it’s an ideal drink after rigorous activity, professional and amateur athletes are turning to coconut water to quench their body’s deepest thirst. Many of the sports drinks on the market claim to rehydrate your body when in actuality they’re doing just the opposite. Loaded with high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, artificial colors and flavors, these drinks are actually toxic cocktails. There’s no nutritional value and they can initiate the storage of fat (none for me, thank you). Coconut water, on the other hand, is rich with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and provides a natural boost of energy. It enhances and maintains health and is more effective than commercial sports drinks in rehydrating the body.

You’ll find coconut water in health food stores in bottles, cans, or tetra paks. You can also drink it fresh from the coconut; just make sure to purchase young green coconuts, not the brown hairy ones normally seen in stores. Stock up today and let the healing begin!