Tara Carpenter, NC.
Most people know that eating liver is good to do; that this animal organ has multiple benefits and hit many nails on the head in one go; especially for women.
I was raised in an oceanside fishing village south of Boston with no cows grazing in green pastures. We did keep chickens and my mother often fried liver ‘n bacon with onions and I remember liking that. When I was diagnosed with anemia after giving birth, I began to seek out ways to deeply nourish my body.
Future Generations
I raise my children on traditional foods to make this way of eating ‘normal’ in hopes one day they will introduce health-promoting foods to their own children: my grandchildren. My teenager has become more difficult to feed, yet open-minded compared to other kids his age and for that I am grateful. My youngest is wide open and eats liver, fish heads, heart stew, even fried tongue. He has eaten this way his whole life.
As a Holistic Nutritionist, I see first-hand how upcoming generations are less savvy and sometimes unwilling to eat liver. This is partly due to the fact that less of the younger generations are growing up on liver, so they aren’t exposed at an age to accept them as normal. Nor were many of their parents. I see this again and again and can see how it is up to us parents (+ grandparents) to keep liver, and other traditional foods alive if we want to pass these important foods down to future generations.
If you weren’t raised on liver, you may have a hard time getting accustomed to the taste. Not impossible though 🙂 If this is you, then you may be a perfect candidate for purchasing liver capsules and getting the benefits that way. If you’re reading this, while simultaneously slathering pate on crackers or spearing bacon wrapped livers, then skip this post …. you already have a dose of liver going in. If you’re on the fence and want to try an easier to take liver form, see how to make raw liver pills.
Benefits
- Balance hormones
- Boost energy + libido
- Excellent source of iron and protein
- Nature’s most concentrated sources of vitamin A
- Contains all the B vitamins your body needs; including folate
As a woman, I notice when I eat liver that my menstrual periods are smoother (come on without any big shift in body or mood). I have more color in my cheeks and my iron levels are normal, which has been a pleasant surprise as I tend to run on the side of anemic.
Here are more benefits you can get from eating liver on a regular basis.
Energize Naturally
Eating liver is definitely energizing. When I go into a slump during the day, and remember to take liver pills, I feel a change come on quick. This is likely due to the fact that liver plays a role in building the body’s stores of vitamin K, B12, vitamin A, copper, and folate; vitamins many of us tend to be deficient in.
How To Eat Liver
Liver pills (homemade/store-bought) go down easiest in my opinion with next to no after-taste. My teenager, who no longer eats straight-up liver, will pop liver pills, no problem. My youngest, who is still too young to swallow a pill, eats liver on a plate so I don’t worry about him.
Liver Pills
What I love about liver pills is they are 100% liver; no fillers added. They are flavorless and a simple way to get your daily dose of vitamins. Best of all, they are raw, which means they contain enzymes and nutrients in them, making them more easily absorbed and delivered in your body. The hardest part about making your own liver pills (if you decide to do this) is the amount of time it takes to prepare them. Have faith! They are worth the effort. I make a large batch at once so that I don’t have to make them so often. I put on a ‘Ted Talk’, sharpen my knife, and get down to business.
If you, or your child, is weary of eating liver, and you don’t want to make liver pills, then you can always buy liver capsules from Radiant Life or Vital Proteins. Ready-made capsules are certainly the expensive option but if this works best for you, go for it. You might also want to try blending pasture-raised liver with hamburger meat and minced celery, onion, and spices; shape that into burgers, sausages, even meatloaf. This is a lovely way to camouflage liver.
Choose Pasture-Raised
Source pasture-raised liver to avoid the risk of parasites and other pathogens. This is very important. Even better, raise the animal yourself or buy from a local farmer (that you know and trust) and ask them to freeze the liver immediately after slaughtering. DO NOT use conventional supermarket liver.
My Geek On
Liver contains more bio-available nutrients — that are easily absorbed and metabolized by the body — gram for gram than any other food. This is why liver is one of the top nutrient-dense foods you can eat. I like to call my liver capsules, tiny powerhouses!
Traditional Milk Kefir
Thumbs Up: Keeping Kids Cavity-Free
Salmon Head Stock for Strong Bones
Photo credit: Thank you Kimberly Mahurin! (owner of Method of Hope)
References
Empowered Sustenance (2013). The Easiest Way to Eat Liver. Retrieved at https://empoweredsustenance.com/the-easiest-way-to-eat-liver-no-taste-no-fuss/
Healthy Home Economist (2013). Exhausted? This Superfood Can Get You Off the Couch! Retrieved at https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/exhausted-this-superfood-can-get-you-off-the-couch/
Primally Inspired (2013). Frozen Raw Liver Pills. Retrieved at https://www.primallyinspired.com/friday-favorites-frozen-raw-liver-pills/ and Why I Take Liver Pills
Razaitis, L. (2005). Recipes & Lore About Our Most Important Sacred Food. Retrieved at https://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/liver-files
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May all bellies be happy!
