Liver and other offal

It’s December 11th!

Can you believe it?

Only 2 weeks until Christmas and 3 until New Year’s. Do you have a New Year’s Resolution?
 

I can’t say I have a specific resolution. I do enjoy taking a look back at what we’ve accomplished and look forward to our goals for the next year. 
 

I do, like so many others use the turn of the year to work on refocusing nutrition, especially in areas I may have started to slip. I know this time of year more sugar starts to creep in and high-nutrient foods find their way to the bottom of the menu. 
 

Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to share some tips we have developed over the years to keep the most beneficial foods regularly on our menu regularly even when the less beneficial foods are also finding their way in. 

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about perpetual bone broth. If you missed it check out the blog post here.

We have also always put a focus on being sure we are getting organ meats in our diet regularly, especially liver. Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available, offering a wide range of health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits of eating liver:

1. Rich in Vitamins

• Vitamin A: Liver is a powerhouse of vitamin A, which supports vision, skin health, and immune function.

• B Vitamins: It’s packed with B vitamins, including B12, riboflavin (B2), and folate, which are essential for energy production, red blood cell formation, and nervous system health.

2. High in Minerals

• Iron: Liver contains heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. This can help prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia.

• Copper: Essential for iron metabolism, brain health, and energy production.

• Zinc and Selenium: Support immune function and act as antioxidants.

3. Supports Energy Levels

The combination of B vitamins and iron in liver helps combat fatigue and boost overall energy levels. This may be my favorite reason to add liver during these short days of winter with the heavy schedule or the holidays.

4. Rich in Protein

Liver is an excellent source of high-quality protein, providing the building blocks for muscle repair, immune function, and enzyme production.

5. Supports Brain Health

• Vitamin B12 and Choline: These nutrients are crucial for brain development, memory, and cognitive function.

6. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Selenium and vitamin A in liver help reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress.

7. Boosts Immune System

The high concentration of vitamin A and zinc in liver strengthens the immune system, helping the body fight off infections.  So important this time of year, especially when we may be having more sugar which depletes our immune system.

Tips for Consuming Liver:

Our favorite way to incorporate liver and other organ meats into our meals is by adding them to our ground meats. At a ratio of 10-20% organ to muscle meat. We use ground meats 2-3 meals a week, so the whole family is getting a dose of organs on the regular. We have done this for years for our family but have had limited ability to offer it to you. 

That’s all about to change. 

This week I took pigs and beef for processing and now our processor can make a ‘primal’ blend for us. We’ll have it stocked just in time to add to your New Year's Resolution. I won’t have it listed on the website until we have it in stock but reply to this email or click here Let me know when Primal Blends are available

If you are not interested in the idea of eating liver, you can take liver cut into small pieces and freeze on a sheet to make liver ‘tablets’ which you can swallow like a pill getting all the nutrients without having to eat it. 

Lastly, if you are feeling adventurous about trying some amazing ways to eat orgAns I recommend checking out my friend Janine and her website Offally Good Cooking. She has so many amazing recipes and ideas for truly eating nose-to-tail. 

Tell me about your resolutions,

Aila