The Frugal Kitchen: Eggs

Home Lifestyle Groceries and Food Meats and Poultry The Frugal Kitchen: Eggs

Ten-Second Summary

Eggs are a great protein source and in that regard they are very cheap compared to other options. The use of eggs is almost endless! Not only is it an important ingredient in recipes, but as the "main dish," it makes a very frugal meal! A great way to beef up your emergency food supply is to invest in some powdered egg. Fresh eggs are a great incentive to look into venturing into small livestock. Chickens are a great place to start if you don't have much experience with "farm animals."

I think that many of you moms out there have the same goals that I do when feeding my family. I do my best to cook from scratch, to provide well-balanced meals and snacks and to do so on a budget, always looking for new recipes, tricks and tips to save in this area (one of the few areas I feel like I can control!). One of the ways I'm trying to accomplish these goals is by really thinking about nutritional items that are inexpensive and diverse in the kitchen. This post I'll talk about my favorite: Eggs!

Eggs are a great protein source and in that regard they are very cheap compared to other options. Having an egg as the main breakfast ingredient is a great way to start your day and will help you to stay full longer (as will any protein item versus carbs). Eggs are inexpensive and can be stored in the fridge for several weeks, eliminating the need to "re-stock" all the time. Store-bought eggs usually have a "sell by" or "use by" date stamped on the carton. Most agree that eggs, as long as kept refrigerated, can be used well after that date (the standard is 4-5 weeks after the julian/packaged date). Fresh eggs (meaning from a chicken in your yard) will last much longer than store-bought. For information on how to tell if an egg is good or "bad," check out the post here at one of my favorite blogs.

The use of eggs in the kitchen is almost endless! Not only is it usually an important ingredient in recipes, but as the "main dish," it makes a very frugal meal! For breakfast, you can do plain old fried eggs but you can also do things like scrambled eggs or omelets that will allow you to experiment. This experimentation not only helps you to jazz the "dish" up a bit, but it also provides an opportunity to add veggies both for nutritional reasons and also as a way to use up any small portion of leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Also, one of my favorite frugal and quick dinners is "breakfast." I'll make eggs, toast, and either bacon or breakfast sausage for dinner and it's always a hit. Eggs can be used in sides such as "deviled eggs" or as the main ingredient in an "egg salad" mixture for sandwiches. Boiled eggs with a little salt and pepper make for a great snack on the go.

A great way to beef up your emergency food supply is to invest in some powdered egg. This can be substituted for fresh eggs just as you would use powdered milk instead of fresh. Not only would it be essential in an emergency situation (short term or long), but also I like the idea of having them on hand to avoid having to run to the store just for replenishing my egg stock (which would potentially mean other random purchases). I got my whole egg powder 10-pound can at BePrepared.com. It may not be as cheap as fresh eggs, but it's a very handy item to have around the house and definitely a wise food storage investment. For more information about conversion, uses, etc., visit Everyday Food Storage's page.

Fresh eggs also are a great incentive to look into venturing into small livestock. Chickens are a great place to start if you don't have much experience with "farm animals." They take up little space and can be fed cheaply with the help of free range (i.e. they eat stuff they find around the yard and do a great job of balancing their own diet). And the best part is that, if you choose the right laying breed and depending on the weather conditions in your area, you can have fresh eggs year around with only a couple of hens! Raising your own chickens, for eggs, meat or both, is a great way to become more self-sufficient. Check out BackYardChickens.com for some great information on how to get started with chickens.

Ok, I'll be honest here. I'm sure that this post hasn't provided any information that most of you don't already know, but my point isn't so much to bring you an "expert" post on this subject. Instead, I want to make you stop and remember that providing healthy options in your kitchen doesn't always have to be expensive or time consuming. There are "ingredients" that we can keep in our kitchen and focus on when cooking that will allow us to save money but still provide a well-balanced daily menu for our family. So, take up the challenge. Try searching in your cookbooks, finding recipes online and/or experimenting with eggs a little more. Your pocket book will thank you!

Juju Mommy blogs at The Dollar Stretcher as Stretching Dollars Mommy Style. The blog is devoted to being a frugal manager of my home. She shares tips with you for cool coupons and how to use them, freebies and how to get them, plus other ways to save around the home.

Take the Next Step:

• For more on the nutritional value of eggs and a quick and easy quiche recipe, please click here.
• For more frugal living articles, please click here to visit the TDS Frugal Living section.
• Subscribe to our new weekly Surviving Tough Times newsletter. This free html newsletter will provide ways to survive in this challenging economy. Each issue features nine articles to help you stretch your dollar!

Discuss "How Do You Find Local Eggs for Sale?" in The Dollar Stretcher Community

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

Stay Connected with TDS

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

Join over 250,000 other subscribers!

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

Surviving Tough Times Dollar Stretcher Parents Dollar Stretcher Tips The Dollar Stretcher (text-based)

Financial Independence TDS Special Offers The Computer Lady Computer Lady Lessons Healthy Foods

View the TDS privacy policy.

Money problems? The Dollar Stretcher can help: Afraid to lose your job? Struggling with credit card debt? Help for your mortgage? Can't pay your debts? Need some extra income? Fighting bad credit? What you need to know about bankruptcy? Become money smart? Trouble repaying student loans?

Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• How should you compare insurance companies?
• Wedding insurance: Help for bridal 'fails'
• Why are home prices back on the rise?
• Does home insurance cover leaky old plumbing?
• Why you want to avoid a long-term car loan
• Know if you should refinance your mortgage
• Creating a trust that evolves with changing needs
• Top 10 DIY mistakes by home 'handymen'
• 7 reasons to keep savings, checking accounts at 1 bank
• 5 ways to beat the payroll tax increase
• How to obliterate your student loan debt
• How a college degree helps you financially

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• How can you check if your identity has been stolen?
• Fair wages: Do you get paid enough?

Reader Favorites

• Should you 'take over payments'?
• Selling a prom dress
• DIY backyard play structures
• Organizing kids' rooms
• The cost of commuting