The Incredible Edible Egg - Jul. 2, 2009
Posted in Managing My Home
Have you seen those cage-free eggs that are popping up in grocery stores these days? You know the ones that used to be reserved for heath food nuts and animal activists. Are you wondering who would pay $4.00 for a dozen eggs when the good old factory-farm eggs are only $1.00 a dozen? Well, to tell you truth, you should.
Before you start telling about how tight your budget is, and how awful the economy is, you need to know that I don’t make this recommendation lightly. I know exactly how tight things are. I’ve been providing food, clothing, education, and entertainment for a family of four on about $50-$100 a week for some time now. So, I know about tight budgets. I also know that you will do your family a lot more good if you shop according to nutrition instead of just according to price.
Why should you buy eggs from cage-free or pastured chickens? Nutrition! Compared to the official USDA data for factory-farm eggs, eggs from pastured hens contain:
§ 1/3 less cholesterol
§ ¼ less saturated fat
§ 2/3 more vitamin A
§ Two times more omega-3 fatty acids
§ Three time more vitamin E
§ Seven times more beta carotene
§ Three to six times more vitamin D
In a single serving, you get so much more of the good and so much less of the bad!
Although this great nutritional information justifies the hefty price tag of a dozen cage-free eggs, it still might not help you fit them into your own budget. However, you do have other options besides the grocery stores. Check out your local farmer’s markets and food co-ops, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Some vendors might not have what you want, but they know who does. And don’t be afraid to ask your friends! You might be surprised at who has a small flock in their backyard…even in the city. When we first got our chickens, I was surprised at how many of my friends had grown up with chickens in their backyards. Which, by the way, is another option for fresh, cage-free eggs: raise a small flock of chickens yourself.
Raising chickens in your backyard is much easier than you think. We’ve had our girls for a little over a year now, and I love them! They’re inexpensive and simple to raise; plus, we enjoy about two dozen eggs a week from our four hens which is plenty even for this hungry household.
If you have any questions about raising chickens in the city, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to post more information next week. In the meantime, enjoy the Backyard Chickens website where you’ll find a lot of great information about raising chickens in your backyard.
Thanks for stopping by! For some reason, I’m hungry for an omelet. Wait, better yet, an egg scrambled with some green peppers, topped with a little cheese, a thin slice of ham, and all rolled up in a tortilla. Want one?
Betty
Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1Peter1:2b
Comments
Jul. 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
Thanks for stopping by. I have not updated in a while as we are busy with a wedding at the end of this week. hard to believe it is finally here and my 22 yo is moving out.
I sure would love to raise chickens! I know they taste better but did not know about the nutrition difference. We are not allowed to raise them here in our city. Even as a 4H leader I was told no. Maybe someday!
