It's cold out there!
January is a tough month. The first couple of weeks may be bubbling with enthusiasm due to New Year's Resolution Frenzy! Then the blues may kick in. Detoxing from all of the sugar, and alcohol, and festivities of the holidays may leave you in a funk. It doesn't help that the days are short, the nights are long...before you know it all you want to do is to stay in bed.
While I'm a big fan of New Year's Resolutions, I've always thought it would be better to have Spring time resolutions, when the seasonal energy is right. That's when the sprouts are ready to come bursting through the earth and into the sunlight! Now is the time to germinate and to get cozy. Nourish yourself, plan for the rest of the year. If you spend the time you need to plan ahead, doing the work won't feel as hard...
One of the most common resolutions is to eat healthier. Most people think of fruits and vegetables and start going crazy with the salads. Fresh raw greens are wonderful, but this is the time of year for warming soups and stews..
I've gotten into a routine over the years of cooking a whole roasted chicken every couple of weeks. Then I use the bones to make a chicken stock which I turn into soup with whatever seasonal veggies I pick up at the Farmer's Market. Here is my favorite broth recipe. It tastes way better than store bought broth and is packed with the nutrients to build strong bones, enhance digestion, and just make you feel good all around!

Ingredients:
Chicken carcass and bones
4 quarts cold filtered water
2 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 celery sticks, coarsely chopped
1 bunch parsley
1 strip Kombu seaweed (for extra minerals!)

Instructions:
Place chicken pieces in a large stainless steel pot with water, Kombu, and all veggies except parsley. Add vinegar and let everything stand for about 30 minutes. The vinegar will help to draw more mineral out of the bones. Bring to a boil and skim any scum that rises to the top. Reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 24 hours. The longer the better!
About 10 minutes before you finish the simmer, add the parsley for an extra mineral boost. Remove chicken bones with a slotted spoon. (You can grind these into a paste and feed to your dog!) Strain into large bowls and reserve in your fridge until the fat rises to the top and congeals. Skim off the fat and reserve stock in covered containers in your fridge or freezer.

Benefits of Chicken Broth:

When you make chicken broth this way, you'll find it's full of gelatin. Gelatin contains amino acids such as glycine and proline which soothe the entire digestive system. If you suffer from GERG, colitis, or IBS, or just have general digestive difficulties, you'll really enjoy the benefits of this gelatinous broth. Gelatin is also great for joint health because it contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGS). You will find all of these elements in some of the pricier joint heatlh supplements at the health food stores. All of the amino acids along with the easily digested minerals in the broth help to rebuild bone matrix as well. On top of all of that, this simple broth will enhance wound healing, build the blood, soothe the nervous system, and even enhance your immune system. For more information on the benefits of bone broth, click here.