Eggs
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 eggs is about $3.50 which means your unit price is less than $0.30 each. An egg is a perfect protein. A stand-alone “complete protein”, it provides all your essential and non-essential amino acids. It is popular breakfast food for all ages, and a carton of eggs provides breakfast for 2 people for a week.
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 foods that are complete proteins – meaning that the have all the essential amino acids.
Animal products are complete proteins, 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 eggs to be irresistible! The superior grain used to feed the cage free hens is rich in Omega 3 oils as well, which are excellent for your brain, and are anti-inflammatory.
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 just a few. So it stand to reason that limiting cholesterol will impact your entire body because it is regulated by hormones. I’m not saying to eat high cholesterol foods with abandon; I’m saying that the cholesterol in eggs is not harmful unless you are eating 6 at one time! Cholesterol is essential to our body’s normal daily function, and a little from an egg is just fine.
My 4 favorite ways to use eggs
Hard boil 6 at a time and store in the refrigerator. Eat with a dash of sea salt for a midday snack.
Add a hard boiled egg to any salad for a protein boost.
Egg Over-Medium on rye toast. Prepare with 1 tsp of butter in a stainless steel or iron skillet. (Teflon gives off toxic fumes when heated). Add sea salt and pepper. Eat your egg on toast with an orange.
Mix with rice and veggies: Combine these ingredient in a skillet:
1 c cooked rice
1 c mixed frozen veggies
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tsp dried basil
Dash of sea salt
1 egg
Until next time ~ BeKind to Yourself!
~ Rose