Comparing conventional chickens versus free range versus organic chickens

When it comes to chickens and chicken liver, I’m often asked if “free range” is enough and whether it’s worth buying certified organic. My view is that when it comes to chickens and chicken liver, it is worth paying extra and buying organic for all of the reasons set out in the table below (which is a bit hard to read but is a really good summary).
 
The main reason is that conventional or free-range chickens will be fed conventional grains that most likely contain corn and soy, which are genetically modified. There are other reasons set out in the table too. 
 
I personally (and at Broth Bar & Larder) exclusively purchase from Inglewood. If you can’t buy certified organic from Inglewood or other suppliers (eg Enviroganic) then you will need to make your own due diligence enquiries as to what the chickens are fed, antibiotic use, whether they are truly pastured, stocking density etc.

When it comes to eggs, you certainly can’t go wrong with certified organic unless you want to do your own due diligence enquires as we did at Broth Bar & Larder where we stock 2 brands of eggs (Mussett Holdings and Mountain Pride) neither of which are certified organic but we have made enquiries of the owners as to the feed (non fed GMO grains), how they are housed (free to roam all day on pasture) and their antibiotic and vaccine policy. I have also personally visited Musset Holdings farms (see my IG highlight reel for the footage of my visit) and we had The Egg Lady (Simone) who delivers Mountain Pride eggs come and talk to our customers at Broth Bar & Larder a little while ago. Forging strong relationships with your suppliers of food and knowing where your food comes from is paramount.

The 3 most important considerations that affect the nutritional profile of food are (a) its source, (b) its processing and (c) the consumer’s proper preparation of the food in their kitchen. It is heartening to see more and more people concerned with all 3 aspects especially provenance (source).
 
Please don’t hesitate to email me at info@staraniseorganic.com if you have any questions.
 
Love Soulla xx

Star Anise Organic Wholefoods turns 13!

I have another teenager!!! But this one is not so exasperating!

On the 13th birthday of Star Anise Organic Wholefoods I have been reflecting on the journey that started in the kitchen of my home as a mama wanting to heal myself and my vegan baby who ended up in hospital. This desire for health and healing has evolved into a business that now employs 24 staff with its own retail space in Bronte - Broth Bar & Larder - plus an online store with additional services of health coaching and online courses.

Broth Bar & Larder (the flagship home of Star Anise Organic) is now 7 years old and is a nourishing oasis and a breath of fresh air in the modern world of fast food. My intention is for people to come to eat real, honest, simple, wholesome food that nourishes, satisfies, delights and turns on our ancient DNA. It’s the food your great-grandmother would have made. No fancy foams or fuss. Just hearty real food that’s unprocessed, ethically sourced, properly prepared and nutrient dense.

I’m so proud of what my team of lightworkers, my suppliers, my gorgeous and loyal customers and I have co-created. The past 13 years have been a wild and extraordinary journey of returning back to wholeness and believing in the power of food as medicine, the gifts of Mama Nature and the innate wisdom and intelligence of our wise biology. It is my mission to bring nutrient-dense traditional wholefoods that have served mankind for Millenia back to the modern table for vibrant health and longevity and to invite people to reclaim their health and power.

I have felt like giving up and quitting a billion times as I have had every single obstacle put in my way, but my advice to my fellow sistas starting their business or passion project is to never give up on your dreams, be consistent and know that while there WILL be obstacles, it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Our power as women is to come together to support, nurture, knowledge transfer and care for each other. There is so much wisdom, medicine, magic, power and strength in sisterhood and in sharing our gifts and our knowledge. This is where our power lies and this is where we can create powerful ripple effects that can change the world, one mouthful at a time, one purchase at a time, one conversation at a time.

Thank you for your support and for being on this journey with me.

Love Soulla xx

Do you find it difficult to open our bone broth jars? Here’s a hack!

Dear bone broth lovers

If you are finding it difficult to open our bone broth jars (they are suction sealed to keep them 12 months fridge stable!),watch this 1 minute video to learn of my hack! It was a game-changer!

You can purchase our bone broth from our online store or from our stockists. 

We deliver cold and frozen goods to this area only.

You can learn to make your own in my Food as Medicine Digital package.

This is why bone broth is essential to consume (especially over the winter months):

The market is now flooded with bone broth. Not all broths are created equal! This is what sets our bone broth apart from the others on the market:

In health, Soulla