Thursday, April 14, 2011

Broken Bone Broth

Most of you know by now I have three boys. They all sleep in the same room. This means, of course, bunk beds. Things have been fine for over a year and when you look at the bunk beds and the guards that surround them, it would seem impossible anyone could fall out while sleeping. Guess again...

My four year old fell out in the middle of the night while sleeping. There is a little entrance over the ladder, about 15" wide and apparently he was able to move down to this opening and fall out in the middle of a sound sleep.What seems impossible actually is possible. I should know that by now.

For the next four days, he was tender with his arm, but could still use his hand. There was no swelling, no complaining and he was bumping it all over the place with no issue. It looked just like a bad sprain. Then comes Tuesday; he knocked it just right and fell apart crying. I called the doctor. Even the doctor, when examining him, didn't think there was a break, but sent him for an x-ray just to be safe. Imagine both of our reactions when we saw both bones in the arm were broken! So now, the four year old has a lime green cast and is more annoyed now than he was when he was walking around without one. This means no mud puddles, limited sand play and difficulty drawing tanks. All these things make life worth living to a four year old boy!

His annoyance has motivated me to assist the speed in the healing process. Prayer, Reiki and of course, nutrition. What food heals bones? Bone soup, of course!  Now, bone soup isn't just for broken bones. Everything about it is nourishing to the body and alkalizing to the blood. The ingredients are high in minerals which build bone and aid in digestion. It is extremely healing to the body in many ways - digestion, skin, illness, bones, colds - you name it.  Everyone can drink this broth and benefit.

This recipe is a compilation of  three recipes. Remember, my goal is to heal it as fast as possible.You can simplify and make just kombu, chicken, beef or fish broth on its own.  In this case, I'm making a power broth with both plant and animal sources of minerals. The concept of" like heals like" is being used through the use of the animal bone. One broken bone heals another. Nature is fascinating, isn't it?

Broken Bone Broth:
6 cups unfiltered water
Animal bones - a chicken carcass or beef bone (optional)
1 (4") square of Kombu seaweed
1 clove of garlic
1 tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 of an onion
3 chopped carrots
2 celery sticks

Directions:
Add all ingredients to water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 4 to 8 hours in crock pot or on the stove. Strain vegetables out to have a clear broth or eat as a soup. The kombu is tough to eat, so just put it aside to dry for use again later.