drink water Archives | Heavenly Homemakers

Today let’s talk about using Chicken or Beef Broth instead of water when cooking!

Around these parts, I am a little bit famous for making all the people drink water.

Not feeling well? Go drink water.
Feeling run down? Go drink water.
Cramping up? Go drink water.
Can’t lose weight? Go drink water.
Don’t feel like doing an Algebra lesson? Go drink water. (And then go do your Algebra.)
Feeling bored or unmotivated? Go drink water.
Haven’t had any water yet today? For the love, go drink water.

Little sips, here and there, all day long. Go drink the water.

I preach this to my family, to all the college students in and out of my house, to all the dear ones I’m reaching out to in our community, to everyone who has a complaint. It’s a simple start to anything that needs fixing.

I say it so often that people tease me about it when something happens – like when my shoe comes untied at a soccer game. “Well, Laura. It looks like you need to drink some water.” Touche.

Drinking water is necessary and vital and crucial (my thesaurus and I could go on and on). Our health depends on it.

But do you know what is even better than water? Bone Broth. Indeed.

Bone broth is made with water, but also with vegetables and sea salt. Vitamins and minerals AND water? Yes. And also gelatin from the bones, which is awesome for our skin, teeth, bones, digestive system, and more.

Use Broth Instead of Water

I say all of this to encourage us – if possible – to use broth instead of water while we are cooking meals for our families.

Cook rice in broth instead of water.
Cook pasta in broth instead of water.
Cook potatoes in broth instead of water.
Steam vegetables in broth instead of water.
Drink broth instead of water. (And then go do your Algebra.)

Not only will we enjoy many more nutrients when using broth instead of water, but we will also be enjoying an incredible boost in flavor. Rice cooked in broth is incredible! Veggies steamed in broth are many notches above.

Make the broth. Or buy the broth. (I do both. I buy broth to have on hand in a pinch so I can use it often. I make broth as much as possible so I can be ensured of maximum nutrition and flavor!)

How to Make Super Nutritious Bone Broth

How I make Chicken Broth
How I make Beef Broth
Where to buy a case of broth to have on hand. (Truly, there is nothing better than homemade broth. But I do order these cases from Amazon. I also like to pick some up when I have a chance to shop at Aldi.)

Confession: Lately I’ve been making pot after pot of Beef Broth instead of Chicken Broth. Why? Because it’s much faster BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CHICKENS TO BONE!!! Taking meat off chickens is not my favorite job. You already know this about me. So instead, I almost always make broth with Beef Soup Bones. Then the meat falls off the bones and my job is done. Amen, hallelujah.

My latest broth-making-thrill is that I’ve started making it in my Instant Pot. Boy does that save time! How to Make Broth in the Instant Pot…post coming next!

Some of these links are my affiliate links.

It’s beginning to be a joke around our house. It seems that this is my answer for everything.

Go Drink Some Water

When the kids say, “My stomach hurts.” I tell them to go drink some water.

When they say, “My head hurts.” I tell them to go drink some water.

When they tell me, “I’m tired.” I tell them to go drink some water.

When they begin to get grumpy with each other – I tell everyone to take a break from what they are doing and go drink some water.

When they have been running around after church and their faces are red – I tell them to go drink some water.

When they come tell me that they are bored and can’t figure out what to do – I tell them to go drink some water.

When they tell me that they are out of clean socks, can’t find their math book, or don’t like what I am fixing for dinner – I tell them to go drink some water. Actually, I tell them to go start a load of laundry, look under the couch, and eat it anyway (socks/math/dinner). If only drinking water really did solve all of life’s problems. :)

Why is “Go drink some water!” the first thing I always tell my kids when they have a complaint? Because typically, it really does help! When we aren’t quite feeling right, need a “pick me up”, feel sluggish, or start getting edgy – a refreshing drink of water often gives us just what we need. If it doesn’t, then I know to move on to the next idea. But I have been amazed at how well this little trick works. And at the very least, I know that a drink of water certainly won’t hurt us and that often it is a great distraction from whatever it is we’re are frustrated about.

I have personally learned that if I’m not hydrated well I get head-achy, grumpy, tired, sluggish, and in general – I just don’t feel right. Getting a drink of water is an easy first thing to try, and almost always, I find that a nice drink of water is just what I’ve been needing.

I figure if I need it, and it works for me, then “Go drink some water” is the first thing that should come out of my mouth when it seems that my kids need a little something. They tell me what’s going on, and I say, “Go drink some water.” Then they say, “I knew you were going to say that.” And I just grin, wondering when they will learn to just automatically go to the water instead of complaining to Mom first.

That’s okay though. My day may not be complete without hearing 43 complaints. At least “Go drink some water” is a no-brainer answer, right? Hmm, maybe I should shock them sometime when they complain and tell them to “Go lay down and take a nap.” I bet they’d come back with, “Nah. Shouldn’t I just go drink some water?” Yes, good idea.

Just you wait. I may get into such a habit of answering questions with “Go drink some water” that the next time you email me asking, “I can’t find your recipe for Mac and Cheese!” – I’ll reply with “Go drink some water….”

Use Chicken or Beef Broth Instead of Water

Use Broth Instead of Water

How to Make Super Nutritious Bone Broth

Go Drink Some Water!