Quick Answers
Sardine bones may seem useless, but they actually have a number of surprising uses! Here are some quick answers to what you can do with sardine bones:
– Make stock or broth by simmering the bones in water with vegetables. This extracts nutrients like calcium and can be used for cooking.
– Use as fertilizer in the garden. The bones provide calcium and other minerals that are beneficial for plants.
– Crush into a powder and use as a calcium supplement for pets or even people. Sardine bones are a good source of calcium.
– Compost them. The bones will break down over time and provide nutrients to the compost.
– Grind and use in homemade toothpaste. The calcium in the bones helps strengthen tooth enamel.
– Clean the bones and use them in arts and crafts projects like mobiles or wind chimes. The bones can make interesting decorative elements.
Making Stock or Broth
One of the most useful things you can do with sardine bones is make stock or broth. This extracts nutrients from the bones that can be used to enhance the flavor and nutrition of soups, stews, risotto, and more.
To make sardine bone broth:
– Rinse the bones under cold water to clean off any remaining flesh or blood.
– Place the bones in a pot and cover with cold water by 2-3 inches. You can use about 1 pound of bones to 4 quarts of water.
– Add aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. You can also add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to help extract minerals from the bones.
– Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered for at least 2 hours but up to 24 hours to extract more nutrients.
– Strain the broth through a mesh sieve. Discard the bones and vegetables.
– Use the broth immediately or let cool completely before refrigerating for up to 5 days or freezing for up to 6 months.
The resulting broth will have a rich, savory flavor thanks to the sardine bones. Use it as a base for fish stews, risottos, and sauces. The broth is also nutritious, providing calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other beneficial minerals from the bones. Drink it on its own as a hot, nourishing beverage.
Nutrition Benefits of Sardine Bone Broth
– Calcium – Sardine bones are an excellent source of highly absorbable calcium. Just one 6 oz can of sardines contains over 300 mg of calcium, and making bone broth extracts even more of this mineral.
– Phosphorus – Works with calcium to support bone health. Broth made with sardine bones provides phosphorus in a ratio that enhances calcium absorption.
– Magnesium – This mineral is important for heart health, nerve function, and metabolism. The magnesium in sardine bone broth can help reduce stress and promote restful sleep.
– Potassium – Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle function. The potassium in the broth helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
– Omega-3 fatty acids – Sardines are one of the best sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Small amounts of these healthy fats get extracted into the broth.
– Vitamin D – Critical for immune health and facilitating calcium absorption. The bones provide vitamin D, especially important during the winter when sunshine is limited.
– Chondroitin and glucosamine – These compounds found in bones and cartilage support joint health and may reduce arthritis pain. Sardine bone broth provides chondroitin and glucosamine.
So sardine bone broth made by simmering bones for hours makes all these nutrients more bioavailable to enjoy the full benefits. It’s economical, sustainable and nutritional – get the most out of sardines by using the bones!
Fertilizer for the Garden
Instead of throwing sardine bones in the trash, you can use them as an excellent fertilizer for plants in your garden. Here’s why sardine bones make a great addition to garden soil:
– Provide calcium – Plants need calcium for cell wall structure and strength. Calcium promotes sturdy cell walls and helps plants resist disease and environmental stress.
– Add phosphorus – Works synergistically with calcium to maximize root, flower, fruit, and seed production. The bones provide calcium and phosphorus in the ideal ratio.
– Contain micronutrients – Sardine bones contain trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc that are essential for plant growth and development.
– Release nutrients slowly – Unlike chemical fertilizers that rapidly leach from the soil, the bones break down slowly over time, releasing a steady supply of nutrients.
– Improve soil structure – The organic matter in the bones helps improve soil texture, creating a better environment for roots and soil microbes.
– Increase moisture retention – As the bone meal breaks down, it increases the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water and nutrients.
– Attract earthworms – Earthworms are drawn to the calcium and organic matter in bone meal, which aerates and enriches the soil as they move through it.
Here are some tips for using sardine bones as fertilizer:
– Dry and crush the bones into a coarse meal with a mortar and pestle or rolling pin.
– Mix a few tablespoons of bone meal per square foot of garden space into the top 2-4″ of soil before planting.
– For established plants, lightly work the meal into the soil around the root zone.
– Reapply the bone meal fertilizer every 2-4 months through the growing season.
Give your garden a nutritional boost with sustainable sardine bone fertilizer! Plants thrive when you provide calcium, phosphorus, and organic matter in the form of crushed sardine bones.
Calcium Supplement for Pets
Pets like dogs, cats, and birds require calcium for healthy bones and bodily functions. Sardine bones can provide them with a bioavailable, natural source of calcium. Here are some of the benefits of using cleaned, crushed sardine bones as a calcium supplement for pets:
– Excellent source of calcium – Sardines have soft, edible bones that are filled with highly absorbable calcium. This calcium is essential for skeletal development in young animals and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
– Additional nutrients – Sardine bone powder provides other beneficial nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D which work synergistically with calcium for optimal health.
– Prevents deficiencies – Many pets eating only commercial foods don’t get enough calcium. Sardine bone supplements can prevent deficiencies leading to fractures, deformities, and other problems.
– Provides variety – Bone powder can be sprinkled on food to provide some variety to your pet’s diet and entice picky eaters. The flavor most pets love enhances palatability.
– Cost effective – Sardine bones are very economical compared to other calcium supplements like eggshells, oyster shell powder or bone meal. No need to pay high prices for exotic bone powders.
– Convenient – Bone powder stores easily and has a long shelf life. It’s a convenient way to quickly get some extra calcium into your pet’s regular meals.
The key is cleaning and drying the sardine bones fully, then crushing them into a fine powder before use. Start with small amounts like 1/4 tsp per 20 lbs of body weight twice a week. Monitor your pet to ensure proper calcium supplementation.
Calcium-Rich Toothpaste
The calcium in sardine bones can be utilized to make nourishing, non-fluoride homemade toothpaste. Here’s how to turn sardine bones into an effective toothpaste:
Supplies Needed:
– 1 cup sardine bones, cooked
– 1/4 cup coconut oil
– 3-4 tsp baking soda
– 10-15 drops essential oil (peppermint, cinnamon, etc)
Instructions:
1. Simmer sardine bones in water for 10 minutes until softened. Drain and allow to cool.
2. Place cooled sardine bones in a blender or food processor. Blend into a fine powder.
3. Add coconut oil, baking soda and essential oil to blender. Blend until a smooth paste forms, scraping down sides as needed.
4. Transfer toothpaste to a small jar with a lid. Store at room temperature up to 3 weeks.
Tips for Use:
– Apply a pea-sized amount to a soft bristle toothbrush and brush teeth for 2 minutes.
– Rinse mouth thoroughly after brushing.
– For kids, use a rice-sized amount and supervise brushing.
Benefits:
– Calcium strengthens tooth enamel and fights cavities
– Coconut oil pulls bacteria from the mouth
– Baking soda gently whitens and alkalizes
– Essential oils fight bacteria and freshen breath
This easy DIY toothpaste combines the nutritional benefits of sardine bones with other natural ingredients that clean, polish and protect teeth. The calcium-rich formula helps strengthen enamel without fluoride.
Arts and Crafts
The uses for sardine bones aren’t limited to just food and fertilizer – they can also make for crafty upcycling projects! Here are some arts and crafts ideas to try with cleaned sardine bones:
– Wind chimes – Interweave bones of various sizes with beads, seashells, and driftwood. Hang outside for ocean-themed music.
– Mobiles – Suspend sardine bones from fishing line or jewelry wire. Add feathers or paper cut into fish shapes. Hang by a window for natural decor.
– Jewelry – Make necklaces or bracelets featuring sardine vertebrae. Link them together or intersperse with beads.
– Frames – Glue bones into geometric patterns on wooden frames. Paint and add a photo or art print for a beachy accent wall piece.
– Garlands and wreaths – String bones together with natural twine or wire. Wrap around driftwood or wire rings as garlands and wreaths.
– Ornaments – Make round ornaments by gluing bones into circular shapes. Add glitter and ribbon for holiday tree decor.
– Magnets – Glue embellished bones onto magnetic strips. Use as unique refrigerator or magnetic board magnets.
– Pencil holders – Decorate glasses or cans with bones and beads. Fill with pens, pencils or brushes for quirky storage.
Let the bones dry fully after cleaning to avoid any odor. Simple glues or wires allow you to transform unassuming bones into beautiful nautical, beach-inspired crafts and jewelry to wear or display around your home.
Conclusion
Sardine bones are often discarded but they still have value. Instead of throwing them out, use them to make nourishing bone broth, fertilize garden plants, feed pets a source of bioavailable calcium, and make your own mineral-rich toothpaste. Those are some of the most practical ways to utilize sardine bones to their fullest. Get creative and turn them into wind chimes, jewelry, decor, and other crafty projects. With so many possibilities, don’t let sardine bones go to waste – transform them into something useful or beautiful!
