Whenever nasty bugs are going around, or someone in my family is sick, I turn to broths packed with immune-boosting ingredients for an added layer of protection. After I had my horrible fall and couldn’t eat solid foods for over a year this is what I turned to for protein and some kind of yummy satisfaction. I highly recommend any sort of high protein broth and always hit the farmers market for the incredible mushrooms and vegetables that are offered. In addition, being outside and supporting these small businesses is good for our community. This is a financially stressful and emotional time for all of us but if you need us at TSALT we will offer appointment shopping in our daily sanitized shop. Emailing us or texting to (703) 635-5355 is the best way to reach us.I just love this broth recipe from paleovalley: 

All photos from paleovalley

One of the greatest things about this broth is how easy it is to make. With minimal prep, you can have this soup ready, warm, and waiting in under an hour. Shiitake has been shown in studies to boost immunity and the health of immune cells, while grass fed bone broth contains compounds that help improve intestinal immunity. We topped it off with a dash of fresh cilantro, which can help your body detox, especially from heavy metals like mercury.   Detoxifying + Immune-Boosting Shiitake Bone BrothPrep time: 15 minutesTotal time: 40 minutesServes: 1-2Ingredients:

• 1 serving Paleovalley 100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein
• 2-3 cups water (depending on how “brothy” you want your soup)
• 4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
• 1 cup white or cremini mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup sweet onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro
• 1 cup kale, chopped
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add one scoop of bone broth protein to 2 - 3 cups of warm water. Stir well, then pour into your soup pot.
2. Chop all your veggies, including kale. Set aside.
3. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic to your sauté pan and sauté on medium until translucent.
4. Add cremini and shiitake mushrooms. Sauté until soft, or for about 5 minutes.
5. Turn the heat on your soup pot. Add all of the ingredients to the pot, stirring until well combined.
6. Bring to a light simmer and cover. Let cook for 25 - 30 minutes.
7. Pour in a bowl, sip, and feel the warmth spread.

  If you can get to the grocery store, Harris Teeter sells the bones and you can make your own (inexpensive) broth in just an hour or so in an insta pot. I’m also a huge fan of “Kettle and Fire” bone broth which is available online as is the paleovalley, but these are slightly more expensive.Be well my friends! 

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 Something else I wanted to mention are the free online classes now being offered by BalletNova Center for Dance. While we are all looking for different ways to learn and stay occupied during this time, I was very excited to learn about the online videos they are providing. Perhaps dance can bring a smile to your face during this time. At BalletNova Center for Dance (BNCD) our mission is to provide a center of dance excellence in Northern Virginia, nurturing and training dancers of all ages, and offering superb community performances. Our Artistic Director, Matthew Powell has decided  to offer free virtual classes in response to the current state of emergency. All you need is some space in your house, a Facebook account, and a wifi connection!  Click here to find our Facebook page. We recorded live classes for ages 5 - 99, in a variety of dance styles (Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Theatre Arts) as well as conditioning classes. We intend to leave these videos up on the Facebook page for the duration of the state of emergency. Additional content may be forthcoming; however, for the safety of our faculty we are listening to our local and State government guidance, and taking things day by day. We would welcome anyone to join us for classes in person again once this is behind us!