Posts tagged health coaching
2020 Mother's Day Gift Guide
unnamed.jpg

Mothers deserve to be celebrated everyday (and especially on Mother’s Day).

How about the gift(s) of…

1. artisanal California Extra Virgin Olive Oils from 125 year old orchards. Award winning NUVO Extra Virgin Olive Oils are delicious and filled with nutritional qualities. They offer beautiful Italian balsamic vinegars as well and ship anywhere in the US. Use code Fcook15 for a 15% discount!

2. sparkle. Celestially inspired jewelry Andrea Fohrman. I’ve known Andrea for over 20 years. Her work is happy and meaningful. This rainbow necklace or these earrings would put a smile on any mama’s face.

3. a reawakened and relevant career path. For dynamic, entrepreneurial moms, the COVID-induced business environment may be confusing and difficult to navigate. Adriana Parsons is a creative marketing coach and brand builder. She clarifies goals and defines a clear path to creating or growing a scalable, profitable business within this new landscape. She is offering the Deep Health Evolution community a 30-minute free consultation and a $50 discount if you sign up for her services. Mention Deep Health in your comments for the discount.

4. a hang-over free happy hour. Organic, biodynamic, low alcohol, low sugar and completely toxin free, Dry Farm Wines have been our wines of choice for years.

5. nourishment with a health, home cooked, creative meal. Private Virtual Cooking Class with me.

6. continued health and wellness with a Deep Health Evolution, Health Coaching Package.

7. reduced stress. Onda Wellness is most efficacious CBD we have found in the market to date. It is organic and biodynamic and grown in diversified ecosystems using hemp as a rotational crop alongside vegetables, herbs, flowers, and polycultures of livestock.

8. a different kind of mask. Every mom could use a little pampering right about now. May Lindstrom Problem Solver Mask draws our impurities, detoxes, smooths pores, brightens and nourishes the skin with a unique powder- to-mousse formula.

9. a lovely cookbook, Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone is one of my favorites. She has a unique was of combining unexpected flavors. Every recipe I’ve ever tried from the book is mouth watering - and the book itself is gorgeous.

10. smooth, silky skin. Inspired by the ancient Greeks, Ra Egyptian uses sustainably sourced ingredients such as desert date oil and moringa oil. I love the Desert Date Serum and the Moringa Cleansing Oil + BHA In addition the company supports African communities by planing a tree for every product sold. Read more about their initiatives here.

January Support
5745f7271200002e008947fb.jpg

Does it feel as if the beginning of every year mirrors the last? Goals are set with just the right amount of caution to make them feel achievable, but lofty enough to satisfy the desperate urge for change. Vision boards are created, lists made and often times, gym memberships purchased. The month of January is usually one of compliance. (I know this because my classes are overflowing with newcomers)! Then what? Schedules become full, distractions set in, and by about mid-February, we spiral into the habits of the year prior and throw those goals out the window.

Sound familiar?

The problem is not your chosen set of goals. It is not your laziness or your inability to move forward and make changes. Millions of people face the same scenario year after year. Why? Change is not easy. No matter how deep our desire and instinct towards evolution may be, letting go of what was once serving us - be it habits, relationships, work situations - is frightening, as what is on the other side of that, the unknown is uncertain. We hold on to the pain we are experiencing for fear that what lies in the unknown will be worse. It is in our DNA for survival reasons to protect ourselves and hold on to the well-known dark instead of embracing the light of possibility. So how do we take a leap of faith and rewire our habitual set point?

Fatima and I believe the answer lies in one of the foundational tenets of Deep Health Evolution. That is, community, a big part of that being accountability. We can’t do it on our own folks! We need solid accountability every day. There is a quote by Jim Rohn that says you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. It may just be worth your while to think about this. Who are the people you spend the most time with? Do they share your values and support your ambitions? The people we surround ourselves with have a huge impact on our thought patterns and behaviors, and these, in turn, set the course of our lives.

Build your crew. Think of friends, family and coworkers that move you forward, support you and who possess qualities you admire and aspire for yourself.

Coaches can also be instrumental for change. - coaches who can be fully present, help uncover unique strengths and wisdom, and help craft personalized solutions with judgement free support.

Need help finding a coach? Send us a note. Both Fatima and myself are trained and experienced coaches and work both in person in the NYC area as well as virtually.

On that note…want to hang with a small group of like minded individuals? As many of you already know, we are now hosting retreats and have a separate website dedicated to them. The next one is coming up in a couple of weeks. It is a restorative weekend retreat in the beautiful Catskills from January 11-13. We still have some room. Click HERE to sign up. Make unforgettable memories and friends and experience a taste of how we approach a Deep Health lifestyle!

Happy New Year! That this may be the best, brightest and soul-satisfying one yet, in the deepest health.

The Perfect Present

Welcome to the holiday season!  It’s the Cook family’s favorite time of year and while we don’t necessarily love the idea of the commercialism surrounding the holidays, we absolutely adore everything else about it – from the tree trimming and smell of pine that fills the air to the gathering of family and friends for shared meals.  Part of what makes the holiday so special is, ironically, the very thing that renders the season so commercial in the first place - the gift giving.  I personally don’t think it HAS to be commercial.  It can instead be a communication of heart felt love and appreciation.  With some thought, a gift filled with the heartful intention of health and longevity has the potential to change the course of someone’s life.  Forget the socks and ugly holiday sweaters (although, I love both).  I am delighted to offer you a look at 10 alternative perfect present ideas.  I  tried to include a variety of price ranges, so I hope you are able to check everyone off your list!

Nine River Road, Callicoon, NY

Nine River Road, Callicoon, NY

1.     For the ultimate gift of instant recovery from holiday madness, welcome in the new year and treat a loved one (and yourself) to a Deep Health Evolution weekend in the Catskills.  Once all the indulgence and frenetic energy usually surrounding the holiday season has passed, the time for renewal is in order.  This retreat is a commitment to making this the best year yet.  All joining will learn improved mobility and physical conditioning, mental stamina through breath work and indispensable morning practices, will experiment with hydrogen inhalation, eat nourishing and delicious foods, drink clean, low-sugar, keto-friendly wines.  And last but not least have the opportunity to sleep ensconced in the peace, quiet and natural beauty of the Catskills n the comfortable and cozy beds at Nine River Road in Calicoon, NY Here’s a thought.  Buy a beautiful luggage tag, and insert your retreat weekend gift message inside!

mountaintopview-540x280.jpg

2.    Help a loved one break habits no longer serving them, break through plateaus and design their own path to deeper health through our Health Coaching services or Complete Wellness Package.   We offer several packages from a la cart consultations and trainings to full six month packages customized towards your personal goals - improved body composition, better energy, diet help, sports specific training, overall wellness overhaul.  Scroll down to see all our offerings. Buyer beware, fat loss is a common result - you may find those brand new jeans falling right off you once you begin working with us!

This season we are excited to offer something very special. Would you like a personal chef to come into your home with all provisions in hand and cook you an absolutely creative, delicious, nutritious meal? For a limited time, Gregg and I are personally up for the challenge. We will personalize the meal to your tastes and dietary restrictions, provide low-sugar wines and take care of clean up as well! If you are interested in a “Deep Health Evolution” meal, please contact us for details.

Sleep Master Sleep Mask

Sleep Master Sleep Mask

3.    For those who have trouble with sleep and stress, how about putting together a Sleep Intervention Package.  For pitch black darkness, this eye mask will do the trick.  For white noise, this is our favorite little device.  We even travel with it!  For some help falling asleep, relax with some Sleep Remedy – a Navy Seal doctor concoction of Vitamin D, magnesium, L-tryptophan, phGABA, 5-HTP and the tiniest dose of Melatonin.  Take a serving 30 minutes before bedtime and slowly drift away into dreamland. (Use code Cookbooks for a 10% discount).

 For stress management, give the gift of neuro-balancing Hemp Oil.  Safe for children and pets alike, this is the most effective hemp oil in the market (as far as we’ve tested).  It is cleanly sourced and extremely bioavailable.   For more info on the numerous benefits see HERE.

4.    For those troubled by aging (aren’t we all to some degree), our nutritious aging weapon of choice is hydrogen inhalation therapy (or HIT).  This would knock the socks off - as well as a few wrinkles - off of any one using it. The Japanese have long known the benefits of this delicate yet powerful molecule.  With absolutely no negative side effects, the hydrogen molecule is a selective anti-oxidant that will address oxidative damage detrimental to health, while leaving behind those created by stressors that strengthen the body, such as those created during exercise.  HIT puts you on the fast track to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress - the root cause of all disease and aging concerns. Read more about it here. The most efficacious delivery method of hydrogen molecules is through inhalation. The HIT device is not easy on the wallet, but certainly worth it and for a limited time Health & Beauty Wellness, our source, is conducting case studies on the benefits of Hydrogen Inhalation Therapy. It is a 3 month study and upon completion you will receive $250 cash back for your participation. Financing is also possible. To purchase a system and to learn more here. And of course, contact us with any questions.

Want to spend a little less?  How about a clay mask and derma roller from Alitura? This mask is made from a long list of 100% natural, hard-to-find powerful ingredients such as grass-fed colostrum and Rhassoul Clay.  For a one-two punch and skin softer then a baby’s bottom, use it with the Alitura derma roller.  

Another favorite tool for those puffy-faced mornings (you all know what I am talking about) is a jade roller. Basically this tool combats inflammation and puffiness by helping to circulate the lymphatic system. It’s pretty as well!

Miyabi Birchwood Knife Block

Miyabi Birchwood Knife Block

5.     Know someone who loves to cook?  Enhance their pantry with the most delicious and nutrient dense food powders available in the market – and in fact, exclusively through this website.  These powders by Dr. Cowen’s Garden are made from organically and biodynamically grown rare vegetable varieties and gently dried and stored in Miron jars for maximum preservation of nutrients.  And they are delicious.  Our favorites are the Leek Salt, Kale Power and Savory Threefold Blend.  Use code DR.COWENSGARDEN for a 15% discount. How about a package of vegetable powers and a beautiful organic California olive oil?

Anyone who cooks knows the importance of having good knives.  We invested in these Japanese knives a few years ago, and have never looked back. They are indeed spendy, but not only do they elevate the cooking experience to new levels they are also beautiful to look at.  I also covet these handmade beauties.

This is my favorite cast iron dutch oven. It is perfect for large roasts, soups and even baking bread.

This Greek copper pepper mill is divine. I saw it first at a friend’s house in Portland and immediately looked or one for myself. It is would make an exquisite gift. Some other gadgets we find indispensable in the kitchen are the Vitamix Blender (which we’ve had for close to 20 years), Instant Pot, mini food processor, zester and this meat thermometer for perfectly cooked meat every time! (The zester and meat thermometer are perfect stocking stuffers). 

Fellow Stagg Electric Pour Over Kettle

Fellow Stagg Electric Pour Over Kettle

6.    And now for our vices.  Today we talk about our morning vice.  Coffee. We have written extensively about it in the past.  Delicious and full of healthful benefits, a toxin-free, mold-free, organic, high antioxidant very-exclusive coffee is a gift from the gods.  Purity coffee has been tested for molds and mycotoxins as well as for its antioxidant properties and checks off all the right marks.  The coffee beans alone would fit nicely in a stocking and a coffee subscription, a set of beautiful coffee cups, a gorgeous electric kettle or Japanese coffee dripper would make any coffee lover happy (and may even convert those who are not)!  Bonus:  Attach a handwritten note written on parchment with the benefits of coffee listed to your package.


7.    Vice number two. Wine.  We at Deep Health Evolution are all about living a balanced life. This includes enjoying a glass of wine or two a few times a week, especially with friends and family. Unfortunately, the way most wines are made – the way the grapes are grown and harvested and the non-desirable additives put into them, this practice can quickly get in the way of leading a healthy life.  For more information, see here. Fortunately, there are some good people out there making it easier for us to have the best of both worlds.  Dry Farm Wines curates natural, organic and biodynamically grown wines from small producers around the globe.  Every batch of wine is tested for its sugar and alcohol content, insuring that every single bottle is not only low in sugar and even keto-friendly, but also never surpassing an alcohol content of 12%.  This way, the detriments of drinking are minimized and hang-overs are completely avoided (assuming you’re imbibing within reason, of course). Their wines are little known and exclusive, which is a must in terms of gift giving, and best part of all is that they taste fantastic.  A Dry Farm Wine subscription is a great gift idea.  If you are wary of giving someone a subscription, gift yourself the subscription, and give away couple of bottles along with this gorgeous corkscrew and unique wine glasses

Bellicon Mini Trampoline

Bellicon Mini Trampoline

8.     If you have kids of your own or are close to kids in your life, you know that the holidays are really all about THEM.  It is a magical time of year and for kids this is true in magnitudes.  While I am sure toy catalogues have made their ways into your mailboxes already, how about instilling the gift of movement to a child – and the whole family really.  Bouncing is great for a host of reasons ranging from bone density, joint health, balance, cardiovascular conditioning, recovery and immune system strengthening and is loads of fun.  It was be an effective tool for improving fitness and performance as well as a toy!  This is the one we have.  You can customize the colors and tension on it and the legs fold up for easy storage.  For an additional cost you can opt for screw -on legs and other balancing accessories.  Amazon sells many less extravagant ones which are less expensive and also fine, although we can’t personally attest to that! 

9.    Want more than a weekend away and are willing to wait until June?  How about a fully immersive week in Deep Health practices in Mallorca.  With this, I guarantee a life-changing experience that will last forever.  Our first trip to Mallorca was so successful, we decided to repeat it – only this time we’ve learned from our experience and perfected it.  This is a true and deep dive into learning how to upgrade your life.  The retreat will happen while in the midst of the intoxicating natural beauty of Mallorca and pampered in the most luxurious accommodations imaginable - the beautiful bones of an ancient farmhouse meticulously maintained and modernized with all the comforts you could ask for, only a few minutes from the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.  You will experience movement as never before, breathwork that will transform the way you perform, eat, sleep, recover and even age.  You will eat nutritious and mouth-watering foods prepared by local chefs, visit local beaches, tour a biodynamic wine farm, cycle, hike, coaster and much more.  Every detail has been taken into account.  This is a family friendly event with a special itinerary for kids 8 and older, timed specifically around the summer school break.  This is THE gift for you and your family.   

smoresdreamstimexl417435401jpg20170813083405-1.jpg

10.  Finally, some home made beauties. In only a few minutes you could create some memorable homemade gifts that work as stocking stuffers or equally well as hostess gifts.  Here is my favorite:

Homemade Marshmallows & Grain-Free Graham Crackers S’mores Kit (adapted from The Real Food Dietitians)

For the crackers:

  • 1 1/4 cup finely-ground almond flour (I like the Honeyville brand)

  • 1/4 cup arrowroot starch

  • 3/4 tsp Vital Proteins Gelatin 

  • 1/4 tsp baking powder

  • 1/4 tsp baking soda

  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

  • 2 tsp organic whole milk (or nut milk of choice)

  • 10-12 marshmallows (home made recipe below)

  • 10-12 squares of chocolate, milk or dark

  1. Preheat oven to 300ºF.

  2. Place dry ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade and pulse to combine.

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey or maple syrup, vanilla and milk.

  4. Add to dry ingredients and process until the mixture forms a ball.

  5. Turn dough out onto a large sheet of parchment paper. It should fit on your baking sheet without overhang.

  6. Dust dough with arrowroot starch then begin to shape it into a log. Then with an additional dusting of arrowroot starch, roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick.

  7. Score dough into 2×2-inch squares using a knife or pizza cutter and poke holes in each cracker using a skewer or fork. (For a more rustic look, skip the scoring and break the cookies apart by hand once cooked and completely cooled).

  8. Transfer the parchment with dough to the baking sheet. With the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven, bake for 8-10 minutes. The dough will be slightly puffy with edges lightly brown.

  9. Turn off oven and let the crackers to cook in the oven for 20-30 minutes with the oven door slightly ajar. Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

  10. Break crackers along score lines when completely cooled. Store in a covered airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

  11. To package your s’mores gift, place chocolate bar, graham crackers and marshmallows in a wide mouth mason jar. Wrap a pretty holiday ribbon around the mouth of the jar with a handwritten ingredient and instruction label. Alternatively, you can place a few crackers, chocolate and marshmallows in a box with tissue paper.

For the marshmallows:

*You will need a candy thermometer for this recipe.

  • 2 cups water, divided

  • 5 Tbsp. Vital Proteins Gelatin 

  • 1 cup honey or real maple syrup

  • 1 tsp. vanilla

  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt

  •  Arrowroot starch for dusting (tapioca flour works as well)

  • Coconut oil for greasing pan

  • Parchment paper

  1. Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish with coconut oil then line with parchment lengthwise and grease the parchment. Line again with another piece of parchment in the opposite direction, and grease. Leave some overhang in both pieces of parchment to help turning the marshmallows out of the pan.

  2. Dust the pan lightly with arrowroot starch.

  3. Pour 1 cup of water into the bowl of a stand mixer with whip attachment (or in a bowl if you are using a hand mixer)

  4. Sprinkle gelatin over the water and allow it to “bloom” for 5-10 minutes.

  5. In the meanwhile, make the syrup. In a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat, whisk together the remaining 1 cup water, the honey or maple syrup. Set up your candy thermometer in the pan.

  6. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat slightly to prevent the mixture from boiling over.

  7. Allow the mixture to simmer rapidly until it reaches 240℉ on the candy thermometer (soft-ball stage).

  8. With the mixer on medium speed very slowly pour the hot syrup into the bowl over the gelatin. Be careful not to pour directly onto the beater or it will splatter.

  9. Once the syrup has been mixed in, add vanilla and sea salt and beat on high speed for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture is fluffy, white and almost tripled in volume.

  10. Pour the fluffy marshmallow cream into the prepared pan and with a rubber spatula gently smooth.

  11. Allow marshmallows to cool, uncovered for 6 hours or overnight. Transfer marshmallow to a cutting board dusted with starch. Peel away the parchment and dust with starch.

  12. Using a sharp knife, cut into 36 squares. Dust cut sides with additional starch to prevent them from sticking together.

  13. Store in a covered container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

And from the internet:

We will be sending you some other ideas in the next coming weeks as we find them ourselves. Happy gifting!

(This post contains lots of affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them).

Sneak Peek into the Week #2
 
books.png
 

Hello Evolutionaries!  We hope the weekend has been relaxing and fulfilling.  Here's what we're upto this week.

WHAT WE ARE READING:

  • Auggie and Me by R.J. Palacio.  We are fortunate enough to have a 9 year old daughter who reads like its going out of style.  This is her recommendation.  I haven't gotten to it yet, but if the first book, Wonder (now also a major motion picture), is any indication, it will be well worth the investment in time.  Heartfelt and well written book about empathy, kindness and being human.  
  • Farmocology: Total Health from the Ground Up by Daphne Miller (who wrote the book we were reading last week, Jungle Effect).  An interesting investigation into biodynamic farming and its relationship to health and medicine.  Definitely a fresh perspective.
  • Why We Sleep, Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
  • Did anyone read this article in the NY Times this week?  It's an interesting look into friendship and its relationship to health and also offers up some tips on how to nurture our connections.

MOVEMENTS OF THE WEEK:

  • Dead Hang.  Why?  Several reasons.  Spinal decompression, decreasing the risk for back injury, posture correction, grip, rotator cuff, shoulder, forearm and wrist strength, core stability.  You can do this from any overhanging bar.  We keep a pull up bar in our doorway and hang throughout the day.  Start with 30 seconds at a time and gradually work your way up to 90-120 seconds.   Before attempting this, make sure you've nailed your form.  Here is a good reference.  
  • Post Dinner Dance Party.  Research shows that easy movement immediately after a meal has been shown to help lower blood glucose levels.  This could be a 20 minute walk or for us, a family post-meal dance party.  

FOOD EXPLORATION:

  • Okinawan Cuisine:  Taking a page from The Jungle Effect, we decided to experiment with traditional Okinawan fare this month.  We are starting with Soba Noodle Soup with homemade fermented sprouted einkorn noodles...a mouthful both literally and figuratively, and adventurous undertaking indeed!  We will post the recipe and pictures soon.  Know any recipes we should try next?  PLEASE SHARE!

The first month of 2018 is just about over.  How are you doing with your resolutions?  If you've fallen off the bandwagon or find your enthusiasm quickly waning, you are not alone.  Apparently, 80% of resolutions fail by February.  Habits are extremely difficult to change and our resolutions are often too grand to allow for any changes in neurological wiring and therefore have little staying power.  So, how can we make change happen and stick?  Let's look at a few effective habit changing strategies.

1. Think small.  Small changes are surmountable and sustainable.  Small successes are gratifying and can cultivate the path to more change.

2. Set up goals.  For example, if you're looking to incorporate more exercise into your day, instead of resolving to visit the gym 5 days a week, resolve to being able to increase the number of push ups you are able to do per day from say, 20-100 in six months.

3. Establish some type of accountability.  Depending on your tendency and whether you respond to inner or outer accountability, you may need to get a friend, join a club or invest in a program to help stick to your goals.

4. Create a morning routine.  We've talked a bit about the importance of morning routines, and their role in getting things done.  Our will power is strongest in the earlier par to the day and decreases throughout the day.  By harnessing will power in the morning and setting the day up properly, we are more likely to follow through on our commitments.

5. Lastly, consider hiring a coach!

Enjoy the week friends!  Findings from the books we've been reading coming up next.  We'll also be posting some Superbowl pre-game strategies and recipes later this week.  Stay tuned.

Evolutionary Gift Guide

2017 is coming to a close and it’s a good time to take note of who we are and where we choose to direct our futures.  The political turmoil, natural disasters and other struggles we’ve experienced this year may not necessarily subside in 2018, but in unison, we grow stronger and more resilient.  How will you show gratitude to those you’ve leaned on in your life this holiday?  (By the way, did you know that the simple act of expressing gratitude is scientifically proven to improve physical and psychological health and sleep)? 

This is a busy time, so we'll keep it short and sweet, but wanted to leave you with a few (very) last minute transformative gift ideas that will redefine your own or your loved ones’ life experience. 

Have a wonderful holiday friends!

1. DEEP HEALTH EVOLUTION 6-MONTH COMPLETE PROGRAM
This is the ultimate evolutionary experience.  Over the next 6 months, this program will profoundly improve your health, physically transform, nourish yourself, sleep better, find a deeper sense of peace and contentment, calm the inner chatter in your mind, learn and implement new daily routines so you can be stronger and healthier. You will also experience much less stress and have powerful tools to deal with the stress when it does appear…and inevitably, it will.  For more information, send us an email, greggcook@deephealthevolution.com
 
2. DEEP HEALTH EVOLUTION 6-MONTH HEALTH COACH PROGRAM
Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution involving eating healthier, working out more or prioritizing sleep, only to fall back to your usual less than optimal habits a month later?  You are not the only one.  The reason is, changing deeply ingrained behaviors is really hard.  Here is where a well-trained health coach can help.  A health coach can help discover what personally motivates you and work with you to determine goals, develop strategies for change and provide accountability and support.  Help a loved one (or yourself) successfully stick to a health goal/resolution this year and gift them a Deep Health Evolution 6-month Health Coach program with Fatima.  For more details, send us an email, greggcook@deephealthevolution.com.
 
For wrappable gifts, here are some other ideas.

 
Molekule copy.jpg
 

We personally have a couple of these Molekule air purifiers in our home.  They are beautiful, and unlike HEPA filters, they not only trap dust, mold and other airborne nasties, but also destroy them.  Use our link for a $50 discount.


organifi.jpeg

Organifi Green Juice is the tastiest, most nutrient dense, carefully crafted and easy to use green juice we’ve ever had.  The ingredient list is entirely organic and includes wheatgrass, spiralina, ashwaganda, turmeric and moringa.  You get all of this goodness with no blending, no juicing and no mess, and it really is delicious.  Use code greggcook for 15% off.

Here is a pretty BPA free, glass shaker bottle to complete the package!


instantpot.jpg

The Instant Pot simplifies home cooked meals.  It is a work horse.  This model can perform 10 functions, from pressure cooking to slow cooking and even yogurt making.  Add an elegant, heartfelt touch and include the bone broth recipe below on a handwritten note card.


INSTANT POT (MOSTLY) BEEF BONE BROTH RECIPE

2 stalks celery roughly chopped
2 carrots roughly chopped
1 onion cut into large chunks
5 cloves garlic smashed
3.5-4 lbs grass-fed beef bones (preferably knuckle bones and joints)
1 pastured pig’s foot (optional, but is a great source of additional collagen)
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Kosher Salt
Filtered Water

Instructions:

Place all vegetables into the Instant Pot.  Add the bones and the foot, if using.
Drop in the bay leaves, add the vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
Cover the contents with water, but make sure the pot is not more then two-thirds full.
Cover and lock the lid and set to high pressure.
Set the timer for 2 hours and let the pressure release naturally.
Strain the liquid, discard the solids and place in the fridge overnight. This is simply to let the fat rise to the top and solidify. It makes it a lot easier to skim the fat off the top.
Drink the broth alone or add to recipes.

Our favorite way to enjoy bone broth is blended with a little grass-fed butter, turmeric, cumin, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.