Terrifying and Ugly

[Hedgewitch]

Many years ago the wise woman or man who lived at the edge of town, the potion maker who lived in the hobble was thought of as a terrifying and ugly and with good reason.
Often the villagers who did not understand the gift they had for herbs, and wildlife labeled these wise women and men, as witches.

Living on the edge one foot in both worlds, teetering back and forth, many times crawling brier patches and bush brush and deep into the back wood looking for herbs. It is no wonder they looked dirty and haggard. They lived a hard life combing the mountains, hills and streams for the perfect herb and root growing at the perfect time to cook into their potions.

If you were to come upon such a person while they were out foraging they would looks scary indeed for they clothing would be torn from branches, bramble, and thorns, and dirty from mud and swamps. Surely, they would not be dressed in their best clothing while hunting for herbs.

Can you imagine what they carried the herbs they found in? Perhaps a large leather pouch, with bottles and corks, a belt with bones that have been gathered tied round their waist that rattled when they walk.

To come upon such a person one must have had to be very brave. To ask a favor of such a person long ago one must have been desperate and in great need as superstation ran high back then.

You are wondering why might bones be gathered and hang around the waist of such a person? Let me share a recipe with you, of what you can do with bones. Though in our time we will use bones, we do not gather in the forest but at our local farmers our super market.

"Bone Soup"

Although this is a Soup-
This was also considered a healing potion many years ago; today it is considered a healing meal by holistic medicine.

Here's what you need:

A pot full of any kind of bones will do (beef, chicken, pork) - A miscellaneous mix would be great.

Add your favorite vegetables and potatoes. - You know... just cook up your favorite pot of soup but make sure it's packed full of bones.

Add your favorite herbs and spices. ~this is where witches' and healers do their magic touch~

Most Important! The magical ingredient is VINEGAR! You must add some vinegar to the pot of soup in order to force the calcium in the bones to dissolve from the bones into the soup juice.

Just 1 pint of soup can give you as much as 1,000 milligrams of calcium.

Now let the bones stew for 4 hours or even longer. Make sure all the meat has either fell off the bones or just starting to fall off the bone before you serve. Bones add tons of flavors to all recipes!

As a practicing healer you can say add a spell with this potion; as well as, the types of herbs placed in this soup would all be a part of a healing potion. Herbs are an important both for taste and for their healing properties.

[Catt Brenton]

I have a couple of questions. How much vinegar? Can it be any kind of vinegar or should be the old fashion white? (My family loves basalmic vinegar.)

[Hedgewitch]

I make a large crock pot full and only add a tablespoon. So far I have only used white vinigar, but  you could try a smaller amount of bone soup and use basalmic vinegar and see how it tastes and let us all know.

[Catt Brenton]

Ok, I'll let you know how it comes out. TY

[Catt Brenton]

Basalmic vinegar works great! It gives the soup a wonderful sharp woodsy flavor. Thanks for the recipe. This is going to be a new family staple.

[Hedgewitch]

I am so happy it worked out.