Understanding the Egg

Getting ready to weather a long day? You want a healthy and nutritious breakfast that will sustain you until lunch. Before you start your day with a bowl of cereal, a bagel, or a slice of toast (you’ll just be hungry in an hour anyway), you should consider the humble egg. Local eggs are filling, delicious, and provide all-day energy.

While eggs were once unfairly maligned as a source of “bad” cholesterol, we know better now. We have come to understand that the majority of bad cholesterol is produced by our bodies. Its production is triggered by saturated fats, of which eggs have very little.

Weighing in at around 75 calories each, eggs are a terrific source of protein. A medium size egg contains 7 grams of clean, high-quality protein. Eggs are among the few foods that contain choline, a nutrient that is essential for liver function, normal brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, and cell activity. Eggs also contain 9 essential amino acids: Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Free range eggs are also a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower triglycerides in the blood. This is important because triglycerides are a known factor for heart disease.

 

Not Yolking Around

We know egg whites are a great source of protein. However, the yolk is the major source of vitamins and minerals in an egg. Each one contains 32% of our daily vitamin D value, and a whopping 56% of our daily B12. They also provide phospholipids, an important type of fat that affects cholesterol and inflammation levels in positive ways. Phospholipids play a role in helping to decrease blood pressure and improve vascular function, and may also help promote memory function and cognition. Egg yolks are also loaded with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, pigments that give the yolks their bright yellow color.

It’s amazing how much nutrition can fit into such a small package.

 

Lovely and Local Eggs

All of our eggs here at Martindale’s come from Pennsylvania. The hens are humanely raised either free-range or pastured. They graze on clean, open land and enjoy healthy lives. We are committed to sourcing only the freshest and most local products; our furthest egg provider is less than 100 miles from our door. Local eggs taste better, feel better, and help support an amazing network of Pennsylvania egg farmers.

Soy-Free Eggs

Our insistence on pastured or free-range eggs means no nasty additives, soy-based chicken feeds, or antibiotics. We offer certified organic and certified soy-free eggs.

 

Duck Eggs

Duck eggs are a popular alternative to chicken eggs. They have long been used in Asian cuisines, boasting a stronger taste and fluffier texture than chicken eggs. They are also larger and slightly more nutrient dense, with a higher concentration of E and B vitamins. Give them a try – they just might become your new favorite breakfast.