Eggland's Blog

Who doesn't love an egg?

Guest Blogger — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:25:03 GMT

By: Amie Valpone, HHP, AADP Nutritionist and author of The Healthy Apple

Honestly, they are so incredibly versatile and I have such fond memories of eggs, and not just any eggs, Eggland's Best, of course.� It seems every time I crack open an EB egg, my mind takes me back to the days when I created recipes with my grandmother for a grand holiday feast, waking up to the smell of my mother cooking omelets when I was a young girl, snacking on hard-boiled eggs at my work desk when the 3 PM snack attack hits, and learning how to microwave eggs in my little college dorm room many, many years ago.
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Eggs are a staple in my diet, as well as many of my client's meal plans.� I recommend EB eggs to all of my clients because of their incredible nutritional value that makes them soar over competitor brands.� I am lactose and gluten-intolerant, therefore eggs are a 'wonder' food for me; they are an easy way to receive a healthy dose of protein and nutritional boost anytime of the day.� I purchase a dozen every week, hard boil half and save the other six for a frittata, gluten-free cookies, gluten-free French toast, or simply a poached egg atop spinach and vegetable salad.� Living a dairy and gluten-free lifestyle can be challenging, however, with a dozen EB eggs in my fridge at all times, I am prepared to whip up a tasty meal anytime of the day.� The options are endless with eggs, especially with the incredible taste of Eggland's Best; they're the only eggs I use in my kitchen.� Why? Simply take a gander at the carton the next time you're in the food store: Eggland's Best eggs are All-Natural from vegetarian fed hens and now even higher in Vitamins A, D, E, B2 and B12.� What's not to love? Get cracking and start making your own memories today, whether it be baking a cake with your kids, whisking up a Sunday morning brunch omelet or hard boiling yourself a few eggies to snack on when you are on-the-go.�
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There's something special about the EB's white, squeaky, styrofoam carton and the 12 cute white eggs with the red EB stamp on each one that makes me smile and keeps me crackin' them everyday!
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Do you have any memories using Eggland's Best eggs? If so, I would love to hear from you; feel free to share your stories.� Also, if you live a gluten-free lifestyle, I would enjoy hearing the ways in which you use Eggland's Best eggs in your meals.

Soave, Italy - It Makes You Smile!

Guest Blogger — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:06:34 GMT

By Guest Blogger, Barbara Seelig-Brown, Stress Free Cooking

I recently had the privilege of visiting Italy, my favorite place, next to my home.� I visited the town of Soave which is famous for its fresh, clean, crisp white wines.� Not only is the wine fabulous but the food, as all of Italy, is fresh and simple.� In fact, in all of Italy, the food is always fresh and simple. The ingredients are the feature of each dish.� Quality and freshness are of utmost importance.� When travelling I always visit the local markets to learn about the culture.� The food is always picture perfect. I look for quality wherever I shop.� In America, Eggland's Best eggs provide me the freshness, quality, and flavor I look for.

When I talk with my viewers, readers, and students, they tell me they how hectic their lives are and that they don't have much time for cooking anymore.� The need more of my Stress Free recipes.� To me, Stress Free translates to fresh, delicious and worth eating.� This is another reason why I love Eggland's Best eggs.� They are the most delicious, freshest, nutritious eggs I can buy.� They never disappoint.�

In Soave, I enjoyed this light and lovely first course, Asparagus Sformato, (Italian for flan) composed of eggs, cheese and Asparagus.� It was perfectly complimented by a Soave wine.� I would serve this dish as a first course or a light summer meal with a mixed green or fruit salad.� The consistency of EB's will guarantee you a beautiful Sformato every time.� When testing this recipe, I baked it in�souffl� dishes but you can also make it in�individual ceramic quiche dishes�- you can use whatever you have in the house.

Click here�for the Asparagus Sformato recipe.

All About Getting A Great Product and Supporting A Company That Cares About Me!

Guest Blogger — Wed, 12 May 2010 11:02:41 GMT

by Guest Blogger, Cara Lyons, from Cara's Cravings.

Being a food blogger for the past three years has brought many great things to my life. For one, it gives me reason to be creative: something I've always valued but may have lost if I hadn't found an outlet for it after starting my real-life job as an engineer. It's introduced a whole world of ideas to bring to my table that I would never find in cookbooks alone. Being a blogger has even been a way to make new friends, both virtual and in person. Lately, I've even got some great freebies. And one of the best things about being a food blogger is getting invited to events sponsored just for people like me, like this one sponsored by Eggland's Best and organized by the Kitchenbelle herself, Mary Kate.
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When I got Mary Kate's invite I didn't hesitate to accept, even though I typically loathe driving into Boston on a weeknight, especially when there's a game at Fenway! But this was a clear exception. Eggland's Best was going to be in town and I didn't want to waste an opportunity to find out what they're all about.
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If you've visited my blog at all lately you've probably noticed that I use a lot of eggs. I have even been buying Eggland's Best at least half the time, partially because I have one store nearby that always has a great deal on them, but also because I knew they are supposed to be superior. But why exactly? I wasn't totally sure. I've talked plenty about eggs with respect to what I already know about their nutritional value, so I'm now going to share with you all the new things I learned.
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An egg is an egg, right? Of course not! Did you know that Eggland's Best guarantees the freshest possible eggs in every market, with no more than 72 hours from hatching to packaging? Did you know that Eggland's Best food safety practices and quality control are among the highest in the industry? How about the fact that their eggs are fed a strictly vegetarian diet high in vitamins, rather than food scraps from other industry? All of these factors, as well as many more, combine to produce the highest quality, most nutrient-packed eggs you can buy in your grocery store. Personally, I feel really good knowing that I am getting a great product and supporting a company who cares about me!
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To read more from Cara, click here�to visit her blog.�

Eggs and Weight Loss

Lynn Cicero, M.S., R.D. — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:35:37 GMT

After baseball, dieting is probably the all time favorite American pastime. A glance at the Best Sellers List always includes at least one book promoting weight loss that is no less than miraculous. Now, there is actually bona fide research to support weight loss recommendations.� A recent study has demonstrated that eating eggs for breakfast reduces hunger and decreases calorie intake at lunch and throughout the day.� The study appeared in the February issue of Nutrition Research.� Twenty one men participated in the study.�� When eating a breakfast of eggs they ate 400 less calories over the course of a day. Another study showed dieters who ate eggs for breakfast lost�65% more weight with a breakfast of eggs. In addition to adding important nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin E, Omega- 3 as well as Lutein, Egglands Best Eggs will help you lose weight.

So, dieters, how do you like your eggs?

A Freckled Foodie's Love for EB Eggs

Guest Blogger — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:01:08 GMT

by Guest Blogger, Sami Cox, The Freckled Foodie

Being a food blogger opens up many windows of opportunity to be creative in the kitchen.� I've been the "Freckled Foodie" now for about seven months, and am known outside the blogosphere as Sami.� I discovered my passion for wholesome, REAL foods after being diagnosed with a thyroid condition that caused some huge changes for my body.� Ever since, I've been fervent about proper nourishment for optimal health.
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Eggland's Best eggs have been a classic meal in my family for years.� My two sisters and I always looked forward to our Mom's scrambled or "dippy" eggs on a snow day home from school or a Saturday morning when our schedules allowed.� It was a real treat when we would have "breakfast for dinner" in our household!� I never realized growing up how efficient eggs were in my daily diet, or how fantastic the nutritional value of eggs really was until I became so fascinated with nutrition and fitness.� All I knew is that they were such a tasty treat that I would never pass up!�
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We�have an Easter tradition in my family that everyone looks forward to every year which takes place around the breakfast table.� My Mom's amazing Wake-up Casserole is featured on our brunch menu and our Grandparents are invited over on Easter morning.�Here's the infamous recipe:
Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1-1/4 hours

Ingredients

8 frozen hash brown patties
2 cups (8 ounces) reduced fat cheddar cheese �
1 pound lean turkey bacon
7 Eggland's Best eggs
1 cup fat free milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Directions

Place hash brown patties in a single layer in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and crumbled turkey bacon. In a large bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt and mustard. Pour over turkey bacon.
Cover and bake at 350� for 1 hour. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until edges are golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.�Yield:�8 servings.

As I've matured and grown up, so have my taste buds.� My awareness of the foods I'm fueling my body with has grown immensely and I've realized the importance of utilizing whole foods.� An Eggland's Best egg is�truly an incredible food!� What other all-natural food do you know of that packs as much as 6g of protein in just 70 calories?� This is just the beginning!� Looking at the stats, you can see that one Eggland's Best egg supplies you with a ridiculous amount of Vitamins A, D, B12, and E.� Not to mention the 300mg of Omega-6s!� Being vegetarian friendly, Eggland's Best eggs make a perfect protein source for those who may be deficient in vitamins and minerals due to restrictive diets.��
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I like to incorporate Eggland's Best eggs into my diet whenever possible!� Whether it means snacking on one hardboiled after a workout, adding one to a stir fry for dinner, microwaving one for a quick and easy breakfast, or adding one to my oatmeal for a whole grain snack with extra protein power.� How can YOU incorporate this super food into YOUR daily diet?��

March is National Nutrition Month

Lynn Cicero, M.S., R.D. — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:30:11 GMT

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition information and education campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign, which takes place in March each year, is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.� This year's theme is "Nutrition From the Ground UP."� Consumers are encouraged to start with the basics.� A healthy eating plan should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and includes meat, fish, beans and nuts.� A healthy eating plan is also low in saturated fats and cholesterol.�
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Egglands Best eggs are part of this "go basic" message. They have 25% less saturated fat and 19% less cholesterol than regular eggs. Egglands Best Eggs deliver even higher levels of important nutrients such as Vitamins A, D and E.� A frittata made with generous portions of vegetables provides a low-fat, low cholesterol source of protein as well as a serving plant based foods.� Using eggs as a protein source is calorie smart too. Portion control is easy. The eggshell is Mother Nature's single-serve packaging.

We hope you plan to include Eggland's Best eggs into your healthy diet.� Let us know how you plan to honor National Nutrition Month.

How are Eggland's Best nutritional claims verified?

Bart Slaugh, Ph.D. — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:04:15 GMT

Eggland's Best has just introduced an egg with even more nutrition!� How can consumers be sure the eggs really do have the nutrition that it says on the carton?� It's simple.� Eggland's Best follows very strict guidelines. We have the most comprehensive and strict Quality Assurance program in the industry. Every aspect of the production and distribution of Eggland's Best eggs is constantly monitored and carefully managed. In fact, our state-of-the-art laboratory conducts more than 40,000 tests each year to ensure the superiority of our eggs. The result is that Eggland's Best eggs are the finest quality eggs available anywhere.
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Under USDA surveillance, Eggland's Best eggs are graded according to standards that far exceed their regular specifications.
Eggland's Best voluntarily has USDA review our cartons for compliance with the FDA Code of Federal regulations, which is part of the process for qualification to have the USDA grademark on our label. �As part of this voluntary review, we are asked to provide 3rd-party laboratory verification for all nutritional claims. �Eggland's Best eggs contain at least 20%�of the daily recommended intake of vitamins E, D, B12, iodine and selenium, which means our eggs qualify for "excellent source" of these nutrients. �Our eggs' content of vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), and folate meets or exceeds 10% of the recommended intake, which qualifies for a claim of "good source". �There is not an official FDA recommended daily intake for some nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and lutein, so we simply state the content of 115 mg of omega-3's and 200 micrograms of lutein.

Holiday Timesaver Workout

Guest Blogger — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:42:48 GMT

by Guest Blogger, Cathe Friedrich

Now that this year's holiday season is in full swing you're probably being reminded, more than ever, how difficult it is to stick to your exercise program.� In fact, the average person gains about 5 lbs during this time of year. Knowing this, you may be more tempted to stick with shorter and more time efficient workouts as opposed to longer fitness programs.� Doing so will not only keep you in shape during this festive time, but also keep you less stressed as you chip away at your "to do" list.� Try this quick 30 minute timesaver workout four days a week (allowing a day off in between each workout) and watch your energy go up, your weight come down, and your spirits remain jolly.

HOLIDAY TIMESAVER WORKOUT
Equipment needed: One set of 5 to 10 pound dumbbells (advanced exercisers use a set of 15 to 20 pound dumbbells) and an exercise mat.
Warm Up:� Grab you scarf, mittens, and your favorite running shoes and take in the holiday spirit around the neighborhood with a brisk 5 minute walk.� Once 5 minutes are over, start jogging for 30 seconds and walking for 30 seconds 10 times total (this equals 10 minutes). Note: Advanced exercisers, sprint instead of jog.
Now head back inside, take off your coat and immediately grab your weights.� Do the following exercises for two sets of twelve (resting 20 seconds between sets).� Advanced exercisers do 3 sets of 15 reps per set (with a 15 second rest between sets).�
Squats with overhead presses
Back lunges with bicep curls
Dips off the edge of a coffee table (use no dumbbells but go slow)
Deadlifts..go slow and feel the stretch
Full Sit Ups (light dumbbells are optional here).� Everyone does 2 sets of 25 reps.
Stretch out your hard working muscles and your done.�
Remember, something is always better than nothing when it comes to exercise. With shorter time efficient workouts, �you may not make huge progress towards reaching your greater fitness goals, but your body will maintain its ability to do so.� Plus the timing couldn't be more perfect as working out and losing weight remains at the top of nearly everyone's New Year's Resolution list.�

Before I send you on your merry way, I wanted to share with you a light, easy, and stress free recipe by one of my favorite chefs, �Barbara Seelig-Brown.� It's delicious, healthy, and will fuel your workouts as well as your holiday spirits.� Click here�to learn how to make an Easy Cheese Souffle.

Eggs for Dinner: A Family Tradition

Guest Blogger — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:54:20 GMT

by Guest Blogger, Mary Kate Paris http://www.kitchenbelle.com

Growing up, eggs were a staple in our household, but not in the typical sense.� When I think of most families who eat eggs I imagine sunny side up with an accompaniment of bacon or sausage links served for breakfast.� And while we did occasionally have a classic Sunday breakfast of eggs and French toast, we most often had eggs for dinner.
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You see, my mom is a self-taught (or should I say Italian mother and Italian grandmother taught) gourmet cook.� She prepared extravagant sit-down dinners for our family 5-6 nights per week.� Friday tended to be a wild card when it came to dinner--sometimes we would go out as a family and sometimes she would cook.� Saturday night was always "date night" for her and my father.� For Sunday dinner she always served a roast of some sort and/or macaroni.� Monday night she always served eggs.
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Again, however, the way my mother prepared eggs was not what I would consider typical.� In fact, I have never seen her "method" outside the realm of my extended family.� My mom used eggs as a vehicle for whatever she had in the house like extra zucchini or peppers from my grandfather's garden or potatoes, ground hamburger or sometimes even sliced hotdogs.� The best way I can describe the final product is that it is similar to a frittata; however, she always prepared the eggs in an electric frying pan, she never finished them in the oven and she never used cheese.� Her method is this:
-Heat olive oil in the fry pan.� (Never butter, margarine, or any other fat--always olive oil.)
-Slice zucchini (or other vegetable or meat) and season with salt and pepper.
-Add zucchini to frying pan and cook until just tender.
-Meanwhile, crack several eggs into a large bowl.� Do not scramble the eggs.� Simply use a fork to break some of the egg yolks, but not all of them.
-Pour eggs over vegetables in the frying pan and use a spatula to scrape the sides of the pan.� (Because the eggs are not scrambled, you will see streaks of both the white and the yolk.)
-Cook until set.
-Serve by cutting into wedges or simply scooping with a spatula.
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My mother always served this meal with a simple salad of fresh greens and chewy crusty multigrain bread.
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Looking back I realize that Monday night's dinner was a way to balance the indulgences of the weekend. The protein of the eggs kept us satiated while delivering vitamins and nutrients.� The eggs served as the perfect medium for fresh produce, so we received a double dose of nutrition.� Additionally, the ingredients were always on hand so there was no need to go to the grocery store.� Even more important, this is an easy meal to prepare, which gave my mom a night of respite from the kitchen after Sunday's often laborious dinner.
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When I asked my mom where she thought this type of meal originated she said something that completely made sense.� Growing up her Italian family did not eat meat on Fridays.� She has fond memories of eating potato and egg sandwiches wrapped in wax paper for lunch at school.� Fresh eggs never fail to deliver a delicious and satisfying meal.� Additionally, they are easy to prepare and can be combined with just about any other ingredient to round out a perfect and balanced meal.� I guess it makes sense that for generations eggs have been a go-to dinner in our family.� While my parents are now empty nesters, Monday night is still egg night in their house.� And I have happily carried on the tradition in mine.
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Do you have a family tradition with eggs?� Dinner, breakfast, a special holiday meal? We'd love to hear about it.

Want to Look Younger?

Lynn Cicero, M.S., R.D. — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:24:11 GMT

It is well known that omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in heart and liver health, combat depression and improve macular degeneration.� What researchers have recently discovered is that omega-3 fatty acids also have an important role in the health of skin cells. Who knew?! �Omega-3 are necessary for the construction of the skin cell membrane.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids because we must get them from our diet.� Recently, many products have appeared on supermarket shelves touting their omega-3 content. For several years now, Egglands Best eggs has been adding canola oil to our hen's feed.� This step adds omeg-3 to the eggs produced by the hen.� The American College of Cardiology is recommending 500mg daily of omega-3's.� An easy way to boost consumption of these vital fatty acids is to add Egglands Best to your diet. One of our eggs provides 20% of the daily recommended amount.
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�Egglands eggs have two types of omega-3's. In addition to the linolenic fatty acid that our body is unable to make on its own, our eggs contain DHA fatty acid which is an important nutrient for brain development.� Add a fatty fish three times a week to your diet and you are well on your way to a healthier heart as well as beautiful smooth looking skin.

Back to School

Barbara Seelig-Brown — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:49:40 GMT

Back to school means many things.� One thing that comes to mind is the family's morning rush.� Will the morning rush find many families skipping breakfast to save time?� I love a protein rich breakfast with eggs because it is quick and easy to prepare.� Studies have shown that children who eat�breakfast perform better in school and are at lower risk for obesity.� A high quality protein breakfast kick starts your energy level by increasing your metabolism and calorie burning rate.� Eggs, especially Eggland's Best, are one of the most convenient and best�sources of protein available.� Many of my friends, readers, and TV show viewers also tell me that they can't believe what a taste difference there is in an EB egg and that they won't go back to generic eggs for that reason alone, the nutritional benefits notwithstanding.� Breakfast need not be time consuming.� How about considering a whole grain waffle with your favorite style egg on top?� A wrap with your favorite style egg makes a good portable breakfast.� Use a non-stick pan and it takes only a minute or so to cook the egg. Clean up is a snap.� I recently developed this French Toast Cupcake for Eggland's Best so that our kids can have a fun, but healthy, quick breakfast.�

Chocolate Cake with Hidden Chickpeas

Janice Newell Bissex & Liz Weiss — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:50 GMT

By Guest Bloggers, Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss, also known as The Meal Makeover Moms.

When Jen M., a mom of two, asked us to try her flourless chocolate�cake made with garbanzo beans we just had to check it out.� We had never used beans in a cake before and were excited to give it a try.� According to Jen's blog post, she added the beans for extra nutrition . and she also�omitted the flour, thus creating a cake ideal for people on�gluten-free diets.
Before we tell you about the recipe, let's talk a little bit about celiac disease - a condition that afflicts almost 1 in 100 people.� The only treatment for celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue) is a gluten-free diet.� Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and individuals with celiac can't tolerate it. Though it's not an easy diet to follow, supermarkets are now brimming with gluten-free food products, and there are lots of helpful resources out there including cookbooks and websites.
Anyway, back to Jen's Flourless Chocolate Cake.� A few weeks back, Janice made it for a family cookout and topped it with fresh berries and whipped cream.� The cake/torte was a huge hit.�Nobody knew there was a vegetable in every decadent bite (yup, garbanzo beans are technically a vegetable) and she have no intention�of ever telling them! This delicious cake was easy to make, kid friendly, and nutritious thanks to the beans.��

Click here�for the recipe.

The egg can do things in the kitchen that no other food can do.

Guest Blogger Kerry Saretsky, French Revolution — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:12:56 GMT

My favorite room in my mother's house is my little marble bathroom, off my bedroom, tucked away and out of sight.� It is papered, humble baseboards to regal crown, in black and white rustic French toile. As I grew up, I would stare through the rising steam at the happy peasants that peopled my pretty walls.� I named them all, as they performed their pleasant peasant tasks.� Jean was lifting up the bucket from the well.� Jacques was herding the sheep.� And Marie-Louise was lifting her voluptuous skirts in one hand, balancing a basket of eggs on the other. With my magic carpet towel and my imagination, I would transport myself into the patch of toile chickens and ducks, hustling with Marie-Louise after happy hens, collecting the oblong pearls from nests about the farmhouse, and bustling near the pot-bellied stove that undoubtedly stood at the bottom end of the pipe-smoking chimney that coughed out of the cottage's thatched roof. What I appreciate about Eggland's Best is that I feel, when I cook with the free-range and organic eggs, as I often do, that these darlings may indeed have found their way into my fridge from Marie-Louise's straw basket.� The yolks are firm; the whites, gloopy-as they should be.��Eggs are a requisite in French cooking, but their versatility in that cuisine is exceptional.� My first recipe for Eggland's Best, Mini Crustless Quiches with Fines Herbes and Ch�vre, comes straight from Marie-Louise's pot-bellied stove: rustic, hearty, wholesome, like sunshine.� The second, Garden Strawberries with Champagne Sabayon, comes from the Manor House up the hill: refined, delicate, elegant, like moonlight.� Click here�for the recipe.� Eggs are both these things.� But above all, no matter how many hats we hang on Humpty Dumpty's head, these egg recipes are easy and classy.� The egg can do things in the kitchen that no other food can do.� It is peerless, and precious.

Eat Eggland's Best eggs before and after your next workout

Lainie Fiszer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:08:57 GMT

Summer is here and it's time to get in shape. With the right combination of nourishing foods and sensible exercise, you can reach your goals and enjoy a lifetime of good health. In order to have the energy for a good work out, you need to eat something that will sustain you and give the needed nutrients to "pack a punch". Eggland's Best eggs, a high quality all-natural protein, offer the body the most complete source of essential amino acids necessary for energy and muscle development while working out. Eggland's Best eggs, which are higher in Vitamin E, Omega 3s and lutein, play a part in reducing oxidative damage, caused by free-radical production in the body as a result of exercise. They offer a more potent alternative "kick" than many high energy bars and shakes, and without the sugar and other additives. If, while exercising, people fail to take-in enough calories from cholesterol and fat, the body will turn to muscle protein - muscle is 20% protein - for energy, thereby creating a "self-destructive" situation for the body. High-quality proteins offer the body the most complete source of these essential amino acids.

Next to mother's milk, eggs are the second-purest natural source of high-quality protein for muscle development and replenishment of amino acids in the body. Eggland's Best eggs are easy to prepare, delicious, portable and provide the energy you need for a good workout and good health.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Sarah McLanahan, Tales of Expansion, Guest Blogger — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:00:26 GMT

"Select an egg from the bowl on your table. Crack it onto your plate. OK, now reach in with your hands and pick up the yolk."

What have I gotten myself into???

That's the thought that was running through my mind when I recently found myself on the receiving end of those decidedly unappealing instructions.

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend an NYC event spotlighting Eggland's Best. When Charlie (I later found out he was the President and CEO of EB) requested volunteers, my hand was the first one to go up.

I was eager to volunteer for two reasons: (1) this was a food event and (2) I love food. I reasoned, rightfully so, that any volunteer activity at such an event would involve either eating or the procurement of items to eat later. (My own blog, as a matter of fact, chronicles how I attain these two desirable outcomes on a daily basis.)

Imagine my surprise when I was instead instructed to immerse my hands in a pile of raw egg!

Once the initial shock (due less to Charlie's instructions than to the failure of my instinct for predicting an exciting taste-related adventure) wore off, I enthusiastically plunged my hands into the slimy depth.

I had expected to splash around for several moments in my quest to extract the yolk, akin to the familiar frustration of trying to remove a little piece of eggshell from a cracked egg when it keeps slipping through my fingers. In fact, I was able to lift the yolk up out of the white on the first try!

I can confidently say that I have never before separated an egg as flawlessly as I did that night. In effect, Charlie proved his point that the healthy diet of Eggland's Best chickens leads to the production of strong and healthy eggs.

Egg health aside, I left the event one happy camper. I had two dozen fresh Eggland's best eggs tucked safely into my bag.

Stress Free Cooking & Eggland's Best Eggs

Guest Blogger Barbara Seelig-Brown — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:48:06 GMT

I am always asked "What is Stress Free Cooking?"� And then, the same person who asks this question immediately quips "Reservations."� Of course, that is not the answer I want to hear.� Stress Free Cooking is actually cooking quick, delicious, healthy meals using fresh, quality ingredients like fruits, veggies, grains, and good protein sources like eggs.� Keep your fridge stocked with the finest, like Eggland's Best Eggs, and you can cook a great meal in no time. EB's are lower in cholesterol and saturated fat than ordinary eggs, high in vitamin E, Lutein and Omegas so you can feel about serving them to your family.� Your cooking goes to a new level when you use great ingredients because you have to do less to the food to make it shine.� That is certainly Stress Free!
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Using ingredients that are versatile is also Stress Free.� I develop recipes for dishes that can be used again during the week in other dishes. A dozen eggs can become so many dishes.� For instance, hard cooked eggs become high quality breakfasts, sandwiches, deviled eggs, salad ingredients, a quick addition to a brown bag lunch or a quick snack. A high protein food curbs your appetite and gives your brain a jumpstart in the morning.� We all know that we should eat a good breakfast but the morning time crunch sometimes compromises our good judgment.�
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Make ahead dishes are also a good way to enhance your cooking.� My recipe for stuffed French toast works beautifully when assembled the day before cooking and serving.� The cheese souffl�s here are made in your blender or food processor and turn something that used to require many more steps into an instant success. �That's all for now, I am off to the grocery store.

Healthy Meal Makeovers for Busy Families

Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD & Liz Weiss, MS, RD — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:14:12 GMT

Guest post by:� Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD & Liz Weiss, MS, RD
Meal Makeover Moms' Kitchen (http://mealmakeovermoms.com/kitchen/)

As dietitians and moms, we understand how hard it can be to get nutritious and delicious meals on the table that everyone will happily eat. �We have four kids between us, and trust us, when mealtime rolls around they can be picky.� ��
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Over the years, we've created helpful mealtime tools for busy families including our cookbook, The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers, our weekly Cooking with the Moms radio podcast, and our blog.� The recipes we share are all family friendly and familiar -- spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, macaroni & cheese, quiche, mashed potatoes, and chocolate chip cookies - but they've all been "made over" to be a whole lot healthier.�
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Giving your family a healthy meal makeover doesn't mean your food will be bland or boring or that you have to give up your favorite foods (even chewy, gooey cookies are okay as long as you bake with some whole wheat flour, good-for-you oils such as canola, and heart-healthy EB eggs).� To give your recipes a makeover, try some of the following cooking strategies:
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�� Add vegetables such as shredded carrots or finely diced red bell pepper to main dishes to increase the amount of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (plant nutrients), and fiber.�
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�� Use ground flaxseed and whole grains -- whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats - in baked goods to increase the nutrients and fiber. �
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�� Cook with Eggland's Best eggs to lower the saturated fat, increase the vitamin E and omega-3 fats for heart health, and up the lutein for eye health.�
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�� Add chopped nuts to baked goods to increase the nutrients and good-for-you fats.�
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�� Switch to lowfat dairy and lean meats to lower the saturated fat and calories.
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�� Chose convenience foods wisely to provide desperately needed shortcuts in the kitchen without the addition of trans fats or too much sodium.
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�� Replace butter, margarine, and shortening with healthier oils such as canola oil and olive oil to reduce the saturated fat and trans fats.
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�� Kept a watchful eye on portion sizes to keep the calories in check.
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For our nutritious, kid-friendly quiche makeover, we use whole grain bread, Eggland's Best eggs, and frozen winter squash.� Check out the Cutie Quiche Cakes recipe by clicking here

Give Yourself A Gift for Valentine's Day

Manette Richardson — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:15:49 GMT

February is Heart Healthy month and a time to reflect on controlling your risk for heart disease. We have all heard the statistics - heart disease is America's number one killer. It is a disease that affects both men and women. About 25% of the nation's population has some form of heart disease, and accounts for 42% of deaths annually in the United States.

Following a heart-healthy diet does not have to be difficult. Choose a variety of foods that are low in fat and saturated fat and include plenty of vegetables, fruits and grains. Eggland's Best eggs can be part of a well-balanced, cholesterol-conscious diet when they are eaten in place of more fatty foods.� Eggland's Best are also the only eggs granted approval by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association to carry exchange list verification on the packaging.�� In addition, each Eggland's Best egg has over 10 times more Vitamin E, 3 times more Omega 3, 25% more lutein, and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. Also EB eggs contain 175mg cholesterol vs. 215mg in ordinary eggs.

Your Valentine's gift should be to take better care of your heart and live a healthier life.�� Reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke� by getting �a cholesterol screening, eating �foods low in saturated fat, maintaining a healthy weight and exercise regularly.

Chances are you will be more successful at following a cholesterol-conscious diet if you include a food you love - such as eggs. Eggland's Best eggs are known for their great taste and they can be part of a nutritious diet. They are versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of recipes that fit your lifestyle. Check out the great tasting egg recipes found on our website. Every day consumers tell us they love the taste of fresh Eggland's Best eggs.�
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The Snack Attacks

Rachel Verrill — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:00:14 GMT

"Can you buy some more potato chips, please Mom?"
"There are 2 more bags in the cupboard to the right of the fridge," I replied confidently.
The long silence that followed made me look up to see an expression that told me that there may have been so 2 days ago but...
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Now I could have done "the Mom thing" and nagged about healthy eating but instead I told them I would put some snacks out in a few minutes.� I wasn't planning on going to the store for a few days so I checked to see what I had on hand. I boiled up a few eggs (I always have plenty of Eggland's Best around, of course) chopped up an apple and a pear, washed some baby carrots, cubed some cheese and left it out on the counter.
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I expected some moans, but instead, the empty plate I found a little later was encouraging. I thought I would see how long I could get away with this and over the next few days I rediscovered my egg slicer and got a little more creative with ingredients and arrangements (sliced hard cooked eggs on crackers, raisins on cheese pieces, pineapple chunks and chocolate chips on top of banana slices and grape halves on small pieces of leftover turkey, to name just a few). If I made it quietly and put it out when hunger or boredom might make them wander into the kitchen, they never got as far as the cookies in the cupboard. �This meant that I didn't have to nag about healthy eating and I didn't have to go to the store.. until the weekend.when we ran out of eggs.

All Eggs Are Created Equal? NO!

Lainie Fiszer — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:59:00 GMT

It is true that regular hens lay eggs and Eggland's Best hens lay eggs.� It is true that regular eggs look nice and oval-shaped, some are white and some are brown, and Eggland's Best look the same on the outside.� That's where the similarities end.� Eggland's Best eggs are very different from ordinary eggs.� How is this possible?� It's because of the unique and very special hen feed given only to Eggland's Best hens.� Our hen feed is a patented all-natural, all-vegetarian feed that contains healthy grains, canola oil, and an all-natural supplement of rice bran, alfalfa, sea kelp and Vitamin E.� The hen feed contains no animal fat, no animal by-products, and no recycled or processed food.� Eggland's Best never uses hormones, steroids, or antibiotics of any kind.� I'm not sure what's in hen feed of hens that lay ordinary eggs.� Maybe you should check?� Choose the egg with the little "EB" stamp, because it's your assurance of better taste, better quality and better nutrition.