Spring - just kidding (easy soup)

Dallas is having two days of the cold spring that most of the US has been living through. Instead of chili (who doesn't love chili when it's cold outside), I made some easy beef soup.

This morning I threw a package of meaty stew bones from Slankers into the crock pot. Yes, I went straight from the freezer to the crock pot. If you aren't comfortable with that, then thaw in the refrigerator first. Also into the crock pot went an onion, garlic, and sea salt & white pepper. At lunch time I added enough filtered water to cover the bones.

After the gym, I cooked some turnips and carrots in butter over medium heat. I added Celtic sea salt, white pepper, chili powder Once slightly browned, I added the broth from the crock pot. I pulled the meat from the bones. and added that right as I served it.

Why did I use turnips and carrots? Yeah, that's all I had in the veggie drawer that I didn't need for a meal later this week. And, I am not going to lie, when I have the leftovers tomorrow, I am going to stir in a spoonful of sour cream.

After I pulled the meat off the bones, the bones went back in the crockpot. I added a beef knuckle, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and filtered water. I will let it cook about 36 hours.

Keep it simple, Mom

The Answer

What is the most important thing to eat everyday? Bone broth. Make your own. Use bones leftover from the meals you make. Buy bones and knuckles from animals that were pastured.

Making bone broth is easy. I put a pile of bones in the crock pot to that I add about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and water. For chicken bones, I let it go 12-18 hours. For beef, 24-48 hours. I freeze some of it so that I always have it on hand. If I have some garlic, I throw that in.

Bone broth can be heated in the morning and sipped. It's a great afternoon snack. It is awesome for after your post workout meal. If I am feeling tired and run down, I drink a cup. If my tummy is upset, I drink a cup. Are you following this? Bone broth is the answer for everything.

Drink up, Mom

Challenge Accepted

The Crossfit gym that tortures me where I am a member is doing a 30 day nutrition challenge. It is based on the Whole30 program by Whole9. Basically, it is about eating really clean and keeping insulin levels in an optimal range. So, pretty much eat meat, veggies, and good fats exclusively. I have done Whole30 before. It’s like a sugar detox. Even though I don’t eat any wheat/gluten, I still eat things I shouldn’t like corn tortillas. Corn adds nothing to my nutrition. But, you know what is awesome? Fresh corn tortillas.



So, for 30 days, everything that goes into my body will be strictly for nutrition. Now, I plan on still eating yummy things so, the planning has begun.


In my freezer, I have 3 whole chickens, a few packages of pork chops, steaks, and a bunch of hamburger. I also have stocked up on vital farms eggs. All meat will be from pastured animals. I also have 2 pounds of butter that by Sunday will become clarified butter. Yeah, no dairy on Whole30. So, my grass-fed butter will become grass-fed clarified butter which leaves the fat and takes out the milk solids. For produce, I will have whatever is in my produce share tomorrow. I will probably have to supplement with a few trips to buy some more organic veggies at the store.


For snacks, I will have hard boiled eggs, sliced Applegate turkey wrapped around some avocado, pate with cut up veggies, or bone broth. Bone broth will be my go to snack. Bone broth is so easy to make – I throw bones, a splash of apple cider vinegar, garlic and onion in a pot with water and cook for a long time. Strain and done. Oh, and I made the pate. Sautéed chicken livers and onion. Added bone broth, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and simmered until liquid was gone. Then I used the food processor to blend with clarified butter until heavenly smooth. (This is not my usual pate recipe but the one I use during Whole30 when I do not cook with wine).


So, I will be cooking a lot. But, I usually cook a lot. And, I will be planning a lot. I ordered some beef jerky from Primal Pacs because they make theirs without soy. And mine uses gluten free soy sauce.


I will keep everyone updated on what I am eating. How I keep it easy and yummy. And, how it is going.