The Chicken or The Egg
I do not know about you but when I go down the aisle of any grocery store looking for eggs, I am bombarded by the multitude of choices. There are blue and white Styrofoam cartons, a cardboard look alike, plastic containers, 12, 18, 24, 36 count, brown, white, speckled, or a variety of colors. Not to mention all the advertising on each container. Prices can vary depending on each choice and the current market.
Buying from a farmers’ markets or direct from a farm is a very different experience. Eggs used to be sold by weight instead but now they are sold to consumers in a variety of different "pack sizes".
Eggs. They are one of the oldest foods known to man and we have been consuming all types of eggs for millions of years. Most of which belonged to birds or reptiles.
They also have a variety of uses:
Cooking
Baking
Preserved/pickeled
Dried
Fried
Boiled: Poached and hard-boiled
Scrambled
The media goes back and forth every few years on if eggs are what will save our lives or kill us. When we look at an egg as a whole, we usually see a shell, a white/opaque part, and a yellow glob. Each component of the egg has health benefits, even the shell!
Shells: Yes, we have heard to throw the shells into the garden as a fertilizer or into the compost. I have also seen eggshells fed to pigs at farms. But what if WE ate them? Turns out eggshells are mainly calcium carbonate with a little bit of protein and minerals. Calcium deficiency is prevalent in more than half of the world's population. This often will lead to bone and teeth health complications, pregnancy problems, cancers, cardiovascular disease, blood vessel contraction issues, hormonal problems, and poor muscle functions. The amount of calcium needed depends on widely on age and gender. Women produce more estrogen but see a dip during menopause, each period, and childbirth. Absorption also decreases with age. Calcium supplements (calcium carbonate and calcium citrate) can be taken but they are not always absorbed into the body (especially when not combined with vitamin D), contaminated with heavy metals, can have cross contamination from the plants they are produced at, or simply be placebo. Egg shells can be used as a more proficient way of consuming calcium when ground and boiled properly.
The white stuff: If it is not the part of the shell or yellow it is probably the membrane and albumen. Most of the protein and riboflavin is found here.
Big yellow: The yolk provides 75% of the calories, vitamins, phosphorus, iron, and folate, in the egg. It also provides the essential lutein, zeaxanthin, and carotenoids according to The Incredible Egg.
Egg benefits:
Prevents osteoporosis
Vitamins: A, D, E, and K
Eye health
Tissue strength and repair
Brain development and memory health in fetuses and newborns
High protein and amino acids
Easily digested
Omega-3s
Heart health
Immune strength
Energy
Skin
Bones
Eggs typically have less than 100 calories, about 5g of fat, and 6g of protein. This can vary depending on the hen, how she raised, how she is fed, and her health.
Different types of marketed chicken eggs:
Do brown or white eggs have a different nutritional value?
No, the difference is the earlobes in the hens. Apparently, the hens who produce brown eggs have red earlobes and are more expensive to feed so the price of the brown egg is more.
Different types of animal eggs:
Snakes: More popular in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Japan. They can be cooked the same way as chicken eggs with similar nutritional value.
Lizard: Also, more popular in Asian countries and often used for medicines, food dishes, and as an aphrodisiac. These eggs need to be cooked thoroughly as well.
Alligator: Delicacy around the world and used the same way as chicken eggs. A bit higher in protein and cholesterol.
Ostrich: Often used as a fertility treatment and painted but can also be consumed. Packed with 2,000 calories and nearly 20x larger than a chicken egg!
Emu: Half the size of an ostrich egg but still rich in nutrients.
Goose: Not produced in large numbers but still larger than chicken eggs. Contains almost 20 grams of protein per egg.
Turkey: Contain thicker yolks and whites, creating a creamier texture. Much more nutritious with higher calories and fat.
Duck: Longer shelf life with higher nutritional value than chicken eggs.
Quail: Tiny eggs loaded with lots of nutrients and protein!
Other egg facts:
Eggs can even be used for the face and for hair! There is a great face mask recipe with just a bit of lemon and honey! Here is a great recipe to improve hair strength and growth.
Some people choose to stay away from eggs for a variety of reasons. Instead, mashed bananas, applesauce, fruit purees, avocados, gelatin, xanthan gum, margarine, flaxseeds, chia seeds, chickpea flour, tofu, white beans, and egg replacements can be used for baking purposes. There are a variety of brands out there can be used including JUST Egg who uses a plant-based blend to mimic eggs.
Vaccines also contain eggs. Specifically, the yellow fever and flu vaccine contain egg proteins.
Ever been to another country and noticed they do NOT refrigerate their eggs? This was a shock when I first saw eggs in grocery store aisles and at markets. In the United States we wash our eggs to get rid of any contaminates but rubbing off the barrier, cuticle, causes the egg to become porous. The egg will then be more susceptible to bacteria entering the egg and reduces the shelf life. The USDA wants to be sure we are protected by salmonella, even if the risks are as low as 1 in 20,000, so we have to refrigerate our eggs.
Eggs have represented life since the beginning of lives. From the cosmic egg, to polarization, to Spring, and new beginning, eggs have a wonderful history of birth and fertility.
What is the impact of egg production on the environment:
-Cartons waste:
-Paper: Can be recycled and some are even compostable/biodegradable.
-Plastic: Can be recycled but still made of the same plastics as bottles and sticks around for a long time or breaks down into tiny particles that are harmful to humans and the environment. Still recyclable.
-Styrofoam: DOES NOT GO AWAY. If you have the options, choose another option.
-Chicken raising: Has dramatically increased in China and continues for US, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia
-Emissions: Release of ammonia.
Labor: Poor health for workers who are exposed to bacteria, pathogens, infections, ammonia, bacteria, and CAFO dust.
Water: Similar to the impact of industrial meat production, bird waste is concern too. The nitrogen and phosphorus often absorbs into ground water or contaminates surface water. A large amount of water is still needed in egg production.
Land: Soil contamination of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Mass production: We have seen the videos of the crammed spaces where the hens’ legs break. There are also sad side effects like cross breeding chickens who become weaker, destroying male chicks, trimming/removing beaks, forcing them to molt, poor feed, antibiotic use, and ammonia risks. Not to mention the risk for a bird flu.
Logistics: Eggs are produced mainly in Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, and the Midwest. Chances are, if eggs are purchased from the local grocery store, they have gone through many facilities and trucks to get there. Consider the impact of the trucks CO2 emissions, use of gas, and road use.
Regenerated farming is a great alternative for chickens and for the earth.
Thank you for reading!
"Destiny is Mine"
*Reminder* I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. Please refer to your medical practitioner for details pertaining to your specific health.