[Tcarwyn]

I am writing an article about eggs. Obviously I am going to talk alot about pastured eggs and why they are by far the best choice. But beyond that, what are the next best choices? Not every one has access to pastured eggs and I want to give my readers an option beyond that.<br><br>
Free range? ( I know that is just a name, and the laying hens dont actually need access to the outside at all to be named free range)<br><br>
Omega 3? - Maybe healthier for us....?<br><br>
Organic?<br><br>
Fertilized?<br><br>
Can you mamas help me out?<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/loveeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Loveeyes">:<br><br>
Thanks<br><br>
Tanya

 

[tbone]

I get Certified Humane Free range eggs with the omega's.<br>
ETA:Most times organic, sometimes not.

 

[425lisamarie]

I buy pastured eggs from some local folks. I don't even think they know the difference between organic/non organic....I don't even think they have internet or a cell phone, but they raise some mighty fine chicken eggs <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">.<br><br>
I would buy pastured over certified organic.

 

[chloeM]

Yeah to the above.....local family farm fresh eggs is the way we go.

 

[Leilalu]

i plan to get local when the los altos farmers market starts up again. if anyone knows of another way, let me know some linkies!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Tcarwyn]

right...pastured is the best, I get that <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">...but for folks who cant get pastured...what would be the next best thing?<br><br>
And what does certified humane mena? I have seen that on bacon in the supermart and was wondering there too...<br><br>
Thanks again ladies!<br><br>
Tanya

 

[shantimama]

Free range, organic and omega 3's are great -but the fresher they are the better. Direct from a farmer or farmer's market is always better than store bought.

 

[425lisamarie]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Tcarwyn</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7977945"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">right...pastured is the best, I get that <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">...but for folks who cant get pastured...what would be the next best thing?<br><br>
And what does certified humane mena? I have seen that on bacon in the supermart and was wondering there too...<br><br>
Thanks again ladies!<br><br>
Tanya</div>
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</tr></table></div>
So what do you mean by if you can't get pastured? Like what's the best choice from the store? Fresh eggs keep for a long time in the fridge. If I had to I'd drive a couple hours away and buy a hundred at a time.<br><br>
If the only thing available were the dumpy looking things that have been at the store forever and came from antibiotic fed chickens I would eat any eggs. I would go without something and make up for it somewhere else before I ate deficient foods. Just MO<br><br>
ETA: I would at LEAST make sure they came from chickens who are not fed any antibiotics or growth hormone. That would be the absolute minimal criteria for me to even bake with them

 

[Tcarwyn]

I guess I was not very clear in my question...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I personally do not eat anthing but pastured eggs...and just like pp said... I too would drive hours to get them....<br><br>
But... I am writing an article for a broader audience then just seasoned TF-ers and while I will strongly emphisize the pastured egg thing and give lots of way to get them...there are going to be people who are going to want to know what is "next best". And since I am happy with my pastured eggs, I dont really know what is next best....<br><br>
Thanks guys!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Tanya

 

[Queen Gwen]

I think this is a great idea, since some people may need a week or two to come up with pastured eggs, and will want to know what to purchase from the grocery in the meantime.<br><br>
And, depending on your audience, there may be people who just plain can't get them (or feel they cannot) due to problems with transportation and cost -- we don't all have easy access to cars and fuel, let alone time to make the trip.<br><br>
Are you explaining what the different designations on the cartons mean? Like, what does "free range" really mean on an egg carton, what does "organic" mean, what's up with the "vegetarian feed" we see on cartons (that one always gets me, until I remember that we're talking about non-pastured chickens).

 

[Tcarwyn]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Queen Gwen</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7985890"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Are you explaining what the different designations on the cartons mean? Like, what does "free range" really mean on an egg carton, what does "organic" mean, what's up with the "vegetarian feed" we see on cartons (that one always gets me, until I remember that we're talking about non-pastured chickens).</div>
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Yes that is part of it... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Tanya

 

[lynchyk]

Tanya,<br><br>
I'm hoping you get some clearer answers soon because I was going to ask this on hear!! I know pasteured/local is best but I can't always get there. When I buy in the grocery store (and yes, I do, if I need eggs) there's regular store brand then there's a few types of Egglands Best. THere's the regular ones with the added omegas, one that says organic, fed a vegatarian diet, and another that is cage free fed veg. diet. None of these are from completely grass fed chickens so which would be the best option?<br><br>
Thanks,<br>
Kelly

 

[Tcarwyn]

I looked it up in real FOod by Nian Planck ( sould have done that to begin with, its on my bookshelf <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/duh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="duh"> )<br><br>
She says that after pastured eggs, the next best option is barn raised ( meaning free range I think) omega 3 eggs are best....I am assuming she means organic free range mega 3 eggs though she doesnt say that....<br><br>
Thanks for you guys' help though <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Tanya

 

[tbone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Tcarwyn</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7977945"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">right...pastured is the best, I get that <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">...but for folks who cant get pastured...what would be the next best thing?<br><br>
And what does certified humane mena? I have seen that on bacon in the supermart and was wondering there too...<br><br>
Thanks again ladies!<br><br>
Tanya</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
<br>
I agree that pastured eggs would be best and I'm in the process of joining a buying club so I can get them along with other TF goodies. But I am new to TF and in the mean time I get what I can.<br><br>
At Whole Foods I get the brand Giving Nature eggs. Under the label that says Certified Humane- Raised and Handled it states the following:<br>
"Meets the Humane Farm Animal Care Program standards, which include nutritious diet without antibiotics, or hormones, animals raised with shelter, resting areas, sufficient space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors."<br><br>
They have 75 mg of DHA and 225 mg of Omega 3. The box has a website listed -- <a href="http://www.givingnaturefoods.com" target="_blank">www.givingnaturefoods.com</a>. It seems like a good company to me. Hope this helps!