I am damn lucky to have a chicken raising neighbor and a bountiful farmers market nearby. These sources assure that my eggs are indeed good eggs. At the grocery co op, I’ll meander by the numerous cartons, each extolling the virtues of the chicken…some, I find,  are labeled “vegetarian” while some specify “vegetarian feed”. On farms or otherwise, I’m pretty sure that I’ve never met a truly vegetarian chicken..well, mostly because chickens are not vegetarians. Chickens eat insects, cows eat grass (not grain, not corn- grass) etc. etc. That is very much the natural order of things. Chickens are omnivores meaning they need the complete protein that worms, grubs etc. provide in addition to the grain they consume. On the positive side, when folks buy “vegetarian” eggs its a guarantee that those chickens are not fed ground- up bits of other animals which is lovely, perfect, as it should be. Unfortunately, if not specified, it could also mean that those birds have never seen the outdoors-if they had they would have feasted on insects. Obviously, a strict, controlled vegetarian diet is not natural, good or healthy when it comes to a chicken. Make sure to seek out eggs from birds that are fed vegetarian feed as well as pastured- this way their diet and environment both make the grade. These eggs are exceedingly delicious and a nutritional goldmine. Packed with beta- carotene, monounsaturated fat, folic acid, vitamin A & E, lutein and hugely richer in omega-3s than your factory variety (omega-3s prevent heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression) they are massively worth the effort of seeking out. The benefits don’t end there.. the taste of a pastured chickens egg seals the deal- the yolks glow a deep nectarine, the whites aren’t runny- they hold form..and the flavor? Smooth, creamy, lustrous- so buttery that actually applying butter to the pan you’re cooking them in seems superfluous (but do- good butter & good eggs compliment each other very, very nicely). The astonishing difference will be apparent the moment you crack the first shell and will continue to dazzle as you lift each luminous forkful to your mouth. Going back to sub par eggs again will be out of the question, the contrast so profound- like a tasteless frozen dinner vs. a mouthwatering home cooked meal.

For more reading along these lines, take a look at “Real Food” by Nina Planck. Its a brilliant book chock full of information folks need to know in regards to food.

**To our charming neighbors, Ken & Julie and their handsome photogenic chickens- thank you for sharing your eggs…we really, really appreciate it. We in fact measure all eggs by how they stack up to yours…hands down, you win- yours are the best we’ve tasted.