Friday, September 07, 2007

... The Egg

An egg is an egg is an egg. Or is it?


Turns out, all eggs are not created equal. Something Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms already knew. He feeds his hens - well, all his animals for that fact - grass vs. grain. How much of a difference does that really make? Well Mother Earth News Magazine conducted some independent testing at a lab in Seattle and this is what they found.
  • Vitamin E ------ Polyface Eggs 7.37 mg ----- USDA Eggs .97 mg
  • Vitamin A ------ Polyface Eggs 763 IU ------- USDA Eggs 487 IU
  • Beta Carotene - Polyface Eggs 76.2 mcg ---- USDA Eggs 10 mcg
  • Foliate --------- Polyface Eggs 10,200 mcg -- USDA Eggs 47 mcg
  • Omega 3s ------ Polyface Eggs .71 g ---------- USDA Eggs .033 g
  • Cholesterol ---- Polyface Eggs 292 mg ------- USDA Eggs 423 mg
  • Saturated Fat - Polyface Eggs 2.31 g --------- USDA Eggs 3.1 g

Woah, quite a difference. The crazy thing is, Joel's Grass Fed Eggs are no more expensive than the USDA Eggs. That means they cost less than the cage-free or Omega 3 enhanced organic-type specialty eggs at the store. Whoo Hooo!

[Former roommates of mine can attest to the fact that my excitement is genuine - I am a girl who likes her eggs.]

13 comments:

The LeValley Family said...

It's true!!! She does like her eggs...just about EVERY morning. I think you passed it on to me too...I remember you every time I sit down to eat an egg with a wheat bagel. :)

Kate Van said...

after reading the book, 'The Makers Diet' i too have become a huge egg fan. infact i had an omlette for breakfast this morning- yummy!

Judy said...

I am an avid egg eater as well. I happened to eat two very yummy scrambled eggs this morning, topped with Frank's, of course. :) Thanks for the egg nutrition info. I'm guessing I can't get Polyface Eggs out here... Or can I?

Michelle said...

Haha Jessica, I'm glad you think of me at breakfast. Actually, I started eating cinnamon bread with the same butter you always used and I think of you when I butter my bread. hehe. Funny, huh?

Judy - sorry.... Polyface is the farm in VA that I buy my eggs and meats from. Joel only sells directly to local consumers and restaurants. No shipments. Sorry....

Jennifer said...

Are you trying to rub it in that you've got the best eggs... I wonder where we can find farms that do that... there's gotta be something with Lancaster an hour and a half away. Here's hoping. I always think of you and eggs as well. Was eating some today... and thinking, "hmm.. michelle."

Love,
JL

Michelle said...

Jennifer, you should check out the website for Polyface and see if there are any links to sustainable farms or grass farmers (literally grass, not marijuana grass... hehe). It's likely there is something. Polyface isn't the only farm of it's kind...

Ashleigh said...

I'm not a big egg eater, but I do use them in recipes. I always have the hardest time picking out eggs at the store, trying to figure out which ones are the best. I normally go for the brown ones. :-)

The LeValley Family said...

I also think of you any time I hear anything about Bangladesh (sp?)!!! :)

Charissa said...

LOL - I dated a guy from Bangladesh once and yet "Bangladesh" makes me think of the two of you, not him. Having not lived with you, Michelle, I didn't think of you every time I have eggs, but I probably will now! :P I miss you guys!

Bethany said...

I have so been into eggs lately...especially egg salad for lunch...I think I need the protein.

Bethany said...

Jenn here is a link to find one for your area
http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/pasture/

Sara said...

MICHELLE,

JUST SAW THE PICTURES OF THE ZOO. YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND VERY CUTE WITH JEFF.

LOVE,

SARA

Michelle said...

GREAT link Bethany! Everyone should read the little write up there. It explains quite concisely the animal, human, and environmental benefits of pasture based (grass fed) farming. Great find!

Sara - Thanks! :-)