Why I Started Drinking Bone Broth (& How To Make Your Own!)

Yes, everything I cook looks this pretty. #noitdoesn'tYesterday, I explained why I don't take naps.

However, I do think that almost everyone needs more sleep.

Though I am getting way more sleep than I was a few years ago (thanks to marrying a guy who hits the sack at 9 pm. It's completely rubbed off on me!), I still lay in bed almost every night for at least an hour. Waiting.... waiting... waiting... to fall asleep.Even when I'm tired, I lay awake forever.I mentioned this to my acupuncturist. She said she wasn't surprised and that based on my weak pulse, she thought I might be anemic. Might sound like witchdoctor mumbo-jumbo to you, but she then asked if I'm constantly cold and get light headed easily.

Check and check.

She said these symptoms are all related and asked me to try three things:

• Eat two ounces of red meat a day
• Eat a daily serving of strawberries or raspberries
• Drink a cup of homemade bone broth two or three times a day

This is the same lady who fixed my plantar fasciitis in one treatment and made my headaches go away. I don't know how this acupuncture stuff works, I just know it does. I'd rather treat ailments with food than with drugs, so I followed her prescription.The red meat and berry thing seems pretty straightforward.

But the bone broth... wtf is that?

To be quite honest, just the sound of it revolts me. I know it's just homemade stock, which I've made dozens of times, but we have to call it bone broth now?! Gross.(PS store-bought stock does not have the same health benefits... you can read about that here.)Despite my ill feelings toward the stuff, I did a modified version of Whole 9's recipe.

Here's the basics:

• 1 gallon water
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 large onions, unpeeled and quartered (I used an onion and remnants from some leeks/scallions... bone broth is flexible like that)
• 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
• 3 celery stalks (tops included!), chopped
• 1 bunch fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary and oregano will all work here)
• 2-3 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
• 2-4 lbs. meat or poultry bones
• Kosher salt to taste (start out with a teaspoon)

Bring all this stuff to a boil in a stockpot, then simmer on low for 12-14 hours (more time = more flavor). Yes, that likely means you might be leaving something on your stovetop overnight. EEEK! I've done it three times and lived to tell the tale. Honestly, it's no sketchier than putting something in a crockpot and leaving your house for the day.

Kinda.

Yep, this looks ugly now. Not all food on the Internet is gorgeous... deal with it!Once your broth is done, it's time to strain. You'll need a mesh strainer and some sort of container (I used a Pyrex bowl).A mesh strainer is the quickest method, but does leave some solids in your broth. If you're cool with that, good for you. If not, your can filter the broth again with cheesecloth (or a coffee filter if you have all day). So not Pinterest-worthy.Because I already have a mental hurdle between me and drinking bone broth, I'm storing the contents in an easily pourable pitcher. This way I have no excuse to not do it.On day one, I took some broth directly from the stockpot. I sipped on a mug (#277). It was delicious. Bone broth, stored in a convenient pitcher.Two weeks in and I'm happy to report I'm falling asleep notably faster. Like within 10 minutes of laying down. I'm also sleeping through the night. This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as bone broth's purported health benefits go. It's anti-inflammatory, helps repair muscles, mends a leaky gut and makes your hair and nails absolutely fabulous.If you're having sleep issues, I say give this a shot.

Cheaper than sleeping pills, with less weird side effects.

And if you're a vegetarian, I guess you're stuck with Sleepytime Tea (which is also delicious).

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Are you a bone broth devotee? Why? And PS this isn't the first time I tried alternative healthcare methods: I once got needled in the face, signed up for a energy healing session from this dude and that one time I tried colon hydrotherapy.