The Best Deal in the Grocery Store

Hello my friend! 

Looking to save money and stay healthy?  This one item is very versatile because it can be cooked or boiled or fried.  It is a stand alone "complete protein" which means it provides all your essential and non-essential amino acids.  A popular breakfast food for all ages and one package provides breakfast for 2 people for a week. 


Eggs.
    Preferably Cage Free
                 Vegetarian Fed Hens.

I believe that this is HANDS DOWN the best deal in the grocery store.  You can hard boil them and add them to your lunch for a superior protein boost when you are at work.  One carton of 12 is about $3.50 which means your unit price is less than $0.30 each! 


An egg is a perfect protein.  Proteins are critical for building muscle and other tissues.  Athletes supplement their diet with protein powders because it assists the process of building muscle.  In the hospital when patients are recovering from surgery, protein supplements are strongly encouraged (especially if they have wounds).  The additional protein accelerates the body's ability to  rebuild and restore damaged tissue.
 

A word on Amino Acids:

Proteins are made up of amino acids, and our bodies can actually manufacture over half of them.  The remaining amino acids must come from our diet - we call these "essential amino acids".  These include: leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and histidine.  Of course it is not necessary to remember these names, but it is important to recognize food that are complete proteins - meaning they have all the essential amino acids.

Animal products have all essential amino acids, but most are expensive.  The EGG on the other hand is readily available and has a low cost per serving.  I consider a $3.50 carton of organic eggs to be irresistible.  The superior grain used to feed the hens is rich in omega 3 oils as well, which are excellent for your brain.  (I sense a future blog topic...) 

Cholesterol.  Yes, eggs have cholesterol.  Do you know that cholesterol is needed to manufacture hormones?  Hormones send signals all over your body for organ function, moods and growth to name a few.  So it stands to reason that limiting cholesterol will impact your entire body because it is regulated by hormones.  I'm not saying to eat fried foods with abandon, I'm saying that the cholesterol in eggs is not harmful unless you are eating 6 at a time.  Cholesterol is "essential" to our bodies as well, and a little from an egg is just fine.

My favorite ways to use eggs:

1) Hard boil 6 at a time and store them in the refrigerator.  Add to salads, or eat with a dash of sea salt for a midday snack

2) Add an egg to fried rice:
1 cup rice
1/2 cup frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, green beans, red pepper)
1 tsp olive oil + 1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 egg

3) 1 egg over-medium on rye toast
Prepare with 1 tsp butter in a stainless steel skillet (I am opposed to teflon)
Eat with 1 orange cut into 6 wedges

Throughout my recipe suggestions you will notice that I use butter occasionally.  I think it is far better to use a natural product than a hydrogenated substitute.  It is much easier to eat healthier when you are not fighting strict limitations.  Usually the substitute for the forbidden food is much worse for you anyway. (another blog topic!)

So enjoy your eggs!

Let me know how it goes!

~ Rose