Honeychick Homestead

Homestead, Health, and Happiness

Chicken Broth from Scratch – Picture Tutorial

by 7 Comments

Chicken bone broth is one of my FAVORITE things to make! It’s very easy, and so, so, so good. It is a true healing food!

The bones provide your body with much needed minerals, amino acids, and gelatin. Gelatin is full of collagen, and can help reduce joint pain, heal digestive issues, and cavities.

Bone broth is definitely a superfood, that most of us rarely consume. Store bought stock cannot compare in taste or nutritional value to the homemade bone broth. I use bone broth instead of water when I cook legumes, or rice, then the minerals are absorbed into them, and it gives them great flavor.

Every time I make a whole chicken, I keep the carcass in the freezer, and when I collect a couple, I’ll make bone broth. I always have a stash in my freezer 🙂

In addition to the carcass, I use the neck, giblets, feet, and head of the chicken. Those parts are the most nutritious, and are sure to infuse the stock with lots of gelatin. I purchase those parts from local farmers, that pasture raise their animals.

It’s not necessary to include those parts, however, your stock may not have much gelatin. Even without the gelatin, your homemade bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse. I’ve included ingredients and instructions for chicken bone broth. Also, if you continue you scroll down there is a step by step picture “tutorial.” My first time making bone broth, I would have greatly appreciated some pictures of the process, I hope you find them helpful! View the pictures →

This gallery contains 10 photos


by 1 Comment

The “Fun” of Traveling While Treating Lyme

 

IMG_3855

This picture is everything “Lyme related” I needed to pack for our trip. I felt compelled to share this, not because I’m complaining butI hope it will encourage EVERYONE to be vigilant about protecting yourself from ticks.

I don’t want anyone to ever have to deal with any of this! Believe me, you don’t want to experience this mess. Tick population is expected to increase as global warming intensifies, more ticks = more Lyme Disease. If you do get bit, see a Lyme Literate doctor immediately. They will treat you correctly and minimize the chance of developing last stage Lyme Disease.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Busy Bees!

We are leaving for two weeks and I’ve been debating if I should add another hive box to Verbena. I asked the guild members, and most recommended checking the box. If it was 60-70% full several members recommended adding a box.

I decided it would be a good idea to check on them. The last thing I want is a swarm while I’m gone!  Yesterday was my first time I working with them alone. I took several deep breaths before approaching the hive, envisioned things going smoothly, and said a quick prayer of protection for me and the bees. Thankfully, everything went smooth, and I didn’t get stung! The most difficult part was removing the top feeder, that thing is HEAVY!

I’m trying to use very little smoke when working with them because they can become desensitized and its becomes less effective. I always have it ready to go, just in case. I have a soft bristle brush that I use to gently move them.

After I removed the top, feeder, and inner cover I was able to peek at the frames. They were at least 70% full, those bees have been busy! It’s amazing in three weeks, how much comb they’ve built. I didn’t remove any frames, or look for the queen because I didn’t want to disturb them more than necessary.

I added a new eight frames deep box to the top of the first one, and then replaced the parts I had removed.. Overall, I accomplished my goal, however, I did kill a few bees 😦 The top feeder was so heavy that I wasn’t able  to move as slow as I wanted before I had to set it down, and few bees were underneath. Once that feeder is empty, I’m going to use a different one that’s easier for me to handle.

I’m excited to check them out when I return. I’ll have more time, and my “assistant/photographer” will be able to help me look for Lorde. We’ll hopefully be able to see how many eggs she’s laid. There may even be new baby bees being born!