Eggcellent Eggs

Contributed by Mandy Kalin, Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator 

If you’ve ever eaten a farm fresh egg, you’ve experienced the superbness of an age-old, simple culinary pleasure. Eggs are a food that can deliciously stand alone. Cooked in a bit of oil, with salt and pepper, they’ve been feeding people since time immemorial. Unless you are vegan, or have an allergy, you’ve probably eaten hundreds of eggs in your lifetime, if not more.

Not only are eggs delicious, they hold a very important place in human culture. At the end of March, the Christian Easter celebrations take place, where the egg is very much center stage. In Ancient Egypt, eggs were sometimes buried with people to nourish them in their long journey to the afterlife. The egg cleanse, also known as limpia or egg reading, is a traditional spiritual practice in some Hispanic cultures that involves using a raw egg to remove negative energy or spiritual blockages from a person’s body.

Simply put, eggs are everywhere and have been for ages.

So, here are some facts about the mighty egg:

Eggs are a source of vitamins A, D and B and a source for complex vitamins and phosphorous. One large hardboiled egg has approximately 70 calories. It is a good source of protein and helps fuel you as part of a healthy breakfast. Eggs, when eaten once a day or less, are okay in terms of cholesterol – 300 milligrams a day or less is recommended.

Below is a cool infographic of the breakdown of what this little nutritional powerhouse holds.

 I would be remiss if I didn’t add a couple of my favourite recipes – hopefully, you can try them and learn some new ways to prepare the ever-scrumptious EGG!

SHAKSHUKA – SO, SO DELICIOUS – watch this short video! (Our son made this for us out of the blue one day and we were fighting over who got the last egg!) https://youtu.be/618QsMaVXp8?feature=shared

SOFT BOILED EGGS – I grew up eating these and I feel like they deserve a comeback. With salt and pepper, and of course some buttery toast, voila! A perfect little meal (plus, children LOVE eating these out of little egg-cups – so fun 😊) https://youtu.be/uD9Iy_pXJdM?feature=shared  

Last but not least, the ever-wonderful FRENCH TOAST - the video below shows a very “by the seat of your pants” version, using whole grain bread. An easy way to sneak those grains in there – enjoy!

https://youtu.be/XQO0whNL89g?feature=shared 

 Healthy Acadia’s Maine SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators offer year-round cooking and nutrition classes in partnership with schools and organizations throughout Hancock and Washington counties. To learn more or schedule a class, contact Mandy (mandy.kalin@healthyacadia.org) or Shannon (shannon.cherry@healthyacadia.org) in Washington County, or Isi (isi.munoz@healthyacadia.org) or Abby (abby.miller@healthyacadia.org) in Hancock County.