Well the remnants of exploded stars, technically.

This is one of those fantastic truths that we may not think about much in our daily lives, but that, when fully considered, tends to make one stop for a moment and wonder at it all.

The short version of the story, which is accepted as basic fact by scientists and astronomers, goes that every element in the universe heavier than hydrogen and helium was forged in the nuclear furnaces that we call stars. By definition, then, all of the elements that make up our planet, from carbon to iron to uranium were created inside of stars and, since our bodies can only be made of things found on the planet we live on, we are all made of these same elements. We are, in fact, made of stardust!

Rather than try to explain it all myself, allow me to be lazy and let the bona fide geeks do it with video:

Is that not mind blowingly fascinating? C’mon people, are you with me on this? Me. You. Your mom. Your cat/dog/girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend/garden/car/computer/pizza/cell phone/shampoo/shoes/breath. All made from stars. All of it. Wow!