Eggs became a topic of hotter discussion than a Denny's sunny side up this year, as their prices in supermarkets soared.
But, do we know why they soared?
Here's the thing- it wasn't because we started treating chickens like the queens they are- it's because of a contagious disease called AI (Avian Influenza), which seriously disrupted egg supply.
The horrible part about this is- it disrupted egg supply because of mass culling (or, killing, if we don't sugar coat it.)
If any of the disease were found in a hatchery, that would result in the mass destruction of chickens or birds in that facility. Unethical methods were used, including suffocation from foam or extreme heat used to make the smell of ammonia so unbearable that the birds would perish.
Battery cage hens live a life in a small cage where they are unable to stretch, or even turn around properly. But is cage free any better? Read on.
At the end of the day, eggs are treated like anything else we take from animals against their will- we do anything in our power to obtain them, with little to no regard for the intrinsic rights of those creating them.
But we get it- how are you supposed to whip up an easy meal sans eggs? We know you aren't someone out to bother birds- but society has evolved to make it oh so convenient to rely on their outputs.
That convenience comes at a cost, even if we don't see it.
So here are some great, quick swaps for eggs- a list of our favourite egg dishes and baking, zero eggs necessary. And, some links as to why backyard hens are not quite as innocent of a 'homesteading' project as it is made out to be.
Eggs- hold the eggs.
Grab your Vitamix (or just a whisk and bowl for some) and get crackin' with these recipes.
Egg Free Fried Eggs - with a runny yolk
Scramble
Baking without Birds We are so proud of our baked goods at Zimt! We have an all star set of cookies and brownies- and maybe more on the horizon. 😉 Here is some inspiration for you, should you want egg free baked goods, too, and can't quite make it to our shop.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies - these seem most like the ones we bake at Zimt, though I prefer our ingredients!
Carrot Cake Muffins - containing carrots, so you know they are vegan ;)
Backyard Hens This was an interesting one to me- I hadn't learned about cracking eggs for hens before reading Emily's article. It would be helpful if there were a large scale study conducted for this one consideration, though she makes many other solid points.
Go watch the video- it may be a bit more palatable, as she suggests! And here is another option for delivery- even more digestible.
Free Range Hens Well, anything to make a buck, right? I hate to say it, but please heed exemplary caution whenever you can as a consumer. Not easy, but we aim to help!
Cage Free Eggs does not mean hens have access to the outdoors
Cage Free Eggs + Cannibalism We often think of cage free as better- and it can be, in a way. But, the birds are still extremely stressed, and are kept in poor conditions. Read on to find out what happens.
Welcome to a whole new culinary world! And hey, if you get a chance- go cuddle a chicken. It's a rough world out there for them and they'd appreciate the love.
- Emma of Zimt