In honor of this year's #MostOffalWeekEver, I created this delicious beef & onion soup. I scoured the web for an AIP-friendly beef tongue recipe. At the time, I could only find one. So I took it upon myself to change that. It was a simple and basic and bland recipe, and I needed this one to have some oomph!
I'm proud of my #MostOffalWeekEver this year. I got a lot more daring than last. I did fall off the wayside a little bit towards the end. I've had way too much on my plate, as usual. I finally realized that it's so empowering to recognize that you can handle so much more than you ever used to before. But then it's so easy to pile everything on until you have become overwhelmed. So I took the last few weeks off and gave myself some breathing room. We had our huge grand opening at the new salon that I work at. I went out with some friends and enjoyed the holiday at the beach. And I've also been making some changes. Mostly mental ones, but I'm going to start incorporating them into reality as soon as I'm able.
I have two photography jobs that are either in the works or pending. As soon as I finish with them, I will be putting my photography on hold until further notice. I love being behind the camera, but I don't like being in front of the computer for hours on end, editing photos until my eyes cross. I don't have the patience for it anymore. I have so much more energy on my good days, and regardless of good day or bad, I'd rather be socializing or in the kitchen. I am officially over feeling guilty because I can't be in the kitchen enough because I'm too busy editing photos, and I'm officially over feeling guilty because I'm in the kitchen when I should be editing photos. I'm tired of playing tug of war. I do enjoy photography. But I enjoy cooking more. And it serves to improve my health. So win, win. Something has to take a back seat, and photography's going to have to be it.
I also have a part time cashier job that I've been working to finish paying off a scholarship. I've dropped down to one night a week; it was still too much, but not very negotiable. My boss picked up on some of my frustration, and she's offered a different position that will allow me more flexibility and will be less stress. It's only one night a week. I've said yes. And at the end of October, my commitment should be met with the company, and I'll officially be free to do strictly hair and blogging!
It's still a lot of works in progress. But mentally, I feel a little more relieved. I've also been seeing a holistic chiropractor. I've only had two visits, but I already am starting to feel some improvements. Mainly, the adjustments have helped with a lot of pain and tension issues. But it's also been very reassuring to find someone in person, in real life, in the flesh, who knows more about nutrition and healing than I do. AND who doesn't think I'm crazy for eating beef tongue and homemade bone broths to feel better.
Beef Tongue & Onion Soup
1-1¼ lb beef tongue
1 large carrot, cut into chunks
6-8 whole cloves
4 cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
Water
1-2 tbsp fat (coconut oil, beef tallow, etc)
4 large onions, sliced
4 cups beef broth
¼ cup red wine vinegar
⅛ cup sherry
¼ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1½ tbsp onion powder
1½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
Rinse the tongue well and place in the crockpot. Add carrots, cloves, garlic, bay leaf, and salt to the pot. Fill with water until tongue is just submerged. Cook on low for 8 hours. Allow to cool and peel the outer layer off the tongue. Slice thinly or into small bite-sized chunks. Set aside. In a dutch oven, melt cooking fat. Add onions and saute over medium heat until they start to turn translucent and reduce. Add 1-2 cups of the remaining strained liquid from cooking to the tongue and 2 cups of beef broth or use all 4 cups homemade beef broth. Add red wine vinegar, sherry, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and spices and herbs. Cook on medium high for 15-20 minutes or until soup reduces by at least a third to one half and thickens slightly.
