Jane Casey's Kitchen

What is Ghee?

Ghee is essentially clarified butter, which means it is the “gold” of the butter that has had the milk solids removed (think casein).  It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to heal ailments from digestive complaints to memory loss.  If you don’t have an allergy to dairy, Ghee is the perfect compliment to healing your digestive tract which is an issue so common in kids with autism, ADD, ADHD and other sensory kids.  If your child is a limited eater (eats four or five things) and you don’t use much fat in your cooking this may be the new fat for you!

Vitamins

Ghee  contains vitamins A, D, E and K.  Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning the body needs fat in order to process it.  Vitamin A  is an essential vitamin for vision and cellular growth. Potassium,  also called vitamin K, is essential for cell function while vitamin E contributes to healthy skin, hair and nails.

It’s relatively easy to make ghee.  You simply heat the butter until the milk solids separate from the butterfat. When the milk solids rise, you skim or pour them off and put the butterfat or ghee into a jar to reserve for cooking.

• One pound unsalted butter ( organic, I used organic for this recipe but use grass-fed if possible.  Kerrygold isn’t local but it is grass-fed.  It is from Ireland)http://www.kerrygold.com/usa/product_butter.php
• Small saucepan
• Cheesecloth or thin clean dish towel
• Medium glass bowl (not plastic!)
• Glass jar with lid for storing like a Ball jar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Over low heat, melt one pound of butter in a small saucepan.
2. Continue to simmer butter until it begins to separate.
3. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes while the butter continues to separate.
4. Strain butter through cheesecloth and into a glass bowl, keeping the clear yellow liquid. What you have left is ghee, or clarified butter.

Here is some information on the health properties of Ghee.

http://www.amritaveda.com/learning/articles/ghee.asp

Cod liver oil is essential to a growing brain.  It plays a role in hormone production and is an excellent source of vitamin D, needed to build strong bones. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes good vision.  It also contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which are very important for the development of the brain and nervous system.  DHA in mother’s milk helps prevent learning disabilities.  In numerous studies, the elongated omega-3 fats found in cod liver oil have been shown to improve brain function, memory, stress response, immune response, allergies, asthma and learning and behavioral disorders.

       It’s no surprise that cod liver oil has proven to be a powerhouse in fighting disease.

BE AWARE:  Many brands of cod liver oil are processed to remove all the vitamins A and D and then have synthetic vitamins A and D added back in. These products should be completely avoided, as the synthetic versions of A and D are believed to be toxic. 

       The company Green Pastures makes a cod liver oil that is fermented. Fermented cod liver oil is far easier to digest than regular cod liver oil, absorption is increased and the nutrients are easier to assimilate.  I’ve seen so much improvement in my kids within a couple of months of taking this cod liver oil.

I can tell a difference in the way I feel when I don’t take this magical oil every day.  My skin is drier, I am not as focused, and the same goes for the rest of my family.

Happy New Year!