I always try to buy the "good" eggs. They have more of the fatty acids that are good for your heart. But, I heard that "cage free" can mean that the chickens are just allowed out of their cages for a short time every day. Does anyone know if that is true? This thread seems to indicate that they are out all the time...

Hmm..I buy Cage Free eggs and it never occurred to me that they might *still* be treated inhumanely. This is a great feature, Fit. Knowledge is power.

3Sweeties, Cage Free means that they are not kept in cages but in most cases they are NOT let outdoors and the indoor conditions can be hardly a walk in the park compared to the cage. (I have heard that if a hen is feared 'sick' the producers can use their own discretion and put it into a cage.) Some eggs are labeled as Humane or Against Animal Cruelty and I usually stick with those.

Wow. Thanks for the info, Fit. I will look out for them now.

That is lame (for the chickens, I mean). I was imagining the chickens running freely around a farm, all happy and plump. boo hoo.

Same here, 3Sweeties.

where can you find humane eggs? we live in between hicksville and podunk... I am trying to feed my family more organic things- and just make better choices, but it is hard becasue I don't have access to any markets like Wild Oats- like I used to when we lived in the city.

Organic food idea: when I lived in Canada I went to a farmer's market and approached a farmer. I asked him if he knew of other people who sold organic foods and free-range chickens. He did and I ended up in a situation where I gave them $30/month for a HUGE box of fresh eggs, veggies and fruit!! Sometimes you have to network to find the good stuff...but it's there!

Farmer's Markets are the best! Aren't they? Oh and FYI 3Sweeties, I have seen 'Humane' eggs at Safeway and Krogers, which are just regular run of the mill grocery stores but you have to look for it on the label as its not super easy to see.

I agree...there markets here in Paris (on weds and sun) are AMAZING!!! The quality of produce and meats is 100% better than the supermarché (grocery store).

I shop at the Amish markets a lot down here, we just eat whatever seasonal produce is around, and I use local honey to sweeten things instead of refined sugar whenever I can. I got a list of the most important things to buy organic and try to stick to that. It is expensive, but the more I read, the more I think "I can't feed my kids all that poison!"

We don't have Safeway or Kroger where we live. We live in Southern Maryland, and the best store is Giant (which is where I am a pharmacy tech btw). Giant is beginning to stock more organic things, which is nice.

I also have a garden in the summer for tomatoes (to make sauce- yum!) zucchini, herbs, peppers, etc. But I didn't tend it this year because I had a baby in late May and I was too busy! So this years garden was pathetic.

good grief- I just posted about my GARDEN and it got flagged. I know- gardening- how raunchy.

3Sweeties.....I was a pharmacy tech all through college and a year after I graduated. I liked it alot.

3sweeties, pure maple syrup (like from Canada or Vermont) is also a great way to sweeten things. I make a banana bread with pure maple syrup and it's fantastic and low on added sugars.

Also, my favourite cookies are made with pure 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbs pure vanilla extract and 2 cups rice flour (any flour will do, though). Bake for 10-15 mins at 190C (sorry, don't know the American temp system)That's it...they rock and are loaded with protein and are low in sugars and additives

LOL I don't understand the flagging system here!!

One thing I started doing is making my own jams with organic fruit and preserving them. That way I know what it is it when I eat it. I'm just so worried about over usage of pesticides, etc.

We have a cottage in the Loire valley and once a month I get to buy stuff made fresh from farmer's homes...it's wonderful! I keep telling them to have online stores cuz the natural-organic movement is growing but they laugh at me LOL!

fFr some reason I've never been in love with the flavor of maple. It is overpowering- but my kids would probably like those because they are freaks for peanut butter. My daughter eats a jar just off the spoon in about a week!

I realy want to start doing some preserving. It makes me a little nervous, because it is a lot of work, and if yuo mess it up, you could actually kill someone! But I want to try it.

did you know that the number one most contaminated food is strawberries (at least in the US) my daughter loves them, but I only buy them rarely, because the organic ones cost twice as much for half as many! But, they tast a lot better too.

Start with small batches...it's tricky and you're right, it's a lot of work, but when I do it, I choose a Sunday, with my hubby and we try to make it a "date"...sounds lame, I dunno...but I enjoy it!

If you use real peanut butter (the kind kids usually hate lol) the cookies will be super nutritious for them! Full of protein and a small amount of carbs for energy!!

Ugh that is disturbing, 3sweeties! I love strawberries

Peanut Butter is good in moderation. Yes, the protein is good, but it is also very fatty.

and loaded with sugar.

Are you serious??? I love strawberries!!!

Time for me to go...it's 9:20pm here!

Night everyone!!

á bientot!

That is what I read on the net. I think I googled "most contaminated foods" or something like that. And strawberries were number one. The reason is that they are like little sponges- they absorb the pesticides and you can't wash it off. I mean, think of what happens when you sprinkle sugar on them- they absorb it right up. Same thing with the pesticides.

au revior!

I buy our eggs from the lady down the road. She has chickens running around everywhere, and she always has eggs for sale. I get a dozen eggs for 25 cents from her.