Only two people ate it, but that's enough for me to cross it off my list and probably not make it again. I used lamb's liver because I read it's easier to disguise the taste. Here's the recipe I used:
- Soak liver in lemon juice and yogurt overnight (I did this for only 4 hours).
- Slice one large onion and crush 2 cloves garlic.
- Stir-fry in oil or butter (I used palm oil).
- Add liver and season with turmeric, curry (I didn't have any), salt, and black pepper.
My husband and daughter loved it. I tolerated it. Others didn't try it. I didn't push them since I was having a hard time with it myself.
I'm not going to press the issue because liver is a regular part of our diet. I make capsules using desiccated liver for my kids, and I eat raw liver daily. I also incorporate liver into meatballs, sausage, and meatloaf.
My family would agree that my energy levels have improved remarkably in the last three years. I have no doubt that the liver has been a major factor.
A study conducted in 1951 found a strong connection between liver and fatigue. This article describes the findings.
But doesn't the liver store toxins? This is the number one concern people have about eating liver. Actually, while the liver is the center for the neutralization of toxins, it doesn't store them. Drugs, pesticides, and other toxins that are not eliminated are stored in the fatty tissues and nervous system. Instead, the liver stores critical nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, and folic acid.
So how do I eat raw liver?
- Buy liver from a trusted source, making sure it has no added hormones, is free from drugs, and is truly grass-fed. A source I trust is North Star Bison. I buy it frozen for $6.95 per pound.
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
- Process in food processor.
- Pour into ice cube tray and refreeze.
- Cut into "pills" and enjoy!
8 comments:
Wow, Andrea - very interesting!
I would like to do this too.
Andrea,
LOVED this post. Liver is one of my favorites - (Cooked, that is!)
I have a question in regard to selecting raw liver. I get whole chickens (with the livers) from a local farmer who raises them organic and grass-fed. Would these be good for using as raw "ice liver pills?" About how large of a "pill" do you recommend taking each day?
Also, thanks for the article you linked on the anti-fatigue nature of liver.
- ma
Beef liver is higher in Vit A than chicken liver but chicken liver has more iron! Here is a good chart that compares chicken, beef, and other livers:
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/livernutrients.php
Organ meat in general is great...and it sounds like your chicken has been pasteured without hormones/drugs.
Okay, after watching your video I have several comments/questions:
1. Where did you get that ice cube tray? That makes the process so easy! I can't imagine trying to pour liver into a normal ice cube tray.
2. How did you prepare the organ meat for your kids?
3. I'm still having trouble imagining how you eat one of your liver pills. As it thaws do you just break off small pieces and swallow them? Or do you chew them?
4. Just an FYI: You said to buy grass fed beef, but our meat guy says to look for grass finished beef since grass fed beef can be fed corn at the end of its life to fatten it up before slaughter.
I got the ice cube tray from Radiant Life:
http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/category/s?keyword=ice+cube+tray
I take the cubes of liver and thaw them and mix them in with ground beef. I also use the dessicated liver from Radiant Life and put into capsules for my kids.
At first I cut off the "chips" and swallowed them...sooo easy. Now I let it thaw more and take a big spoonful but don't chew...also simple...but much faster. Good reminder on the grass finished..thanks...
These are great questions..let me know if you have any more.
We've been buying organic liver the past few days and the kids LOVE it (they are little too) We aren't eating it raw yet but hope to soon! Thanks so much for all the info you're sharing!
What is the nutritional difference in raw and cooked? Are the nutrients changes or depleted when cooked?
Thanks so much. The videos are very helpful.
As I understand the nutrients change when cooked. The raw ensures the full dose of B6, B12,enzymes, etc. (although some research shows that cooking can enhance some of the nutrients. Either way is a good step.
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