Am I the only person who feels guilted into buying free range eggs, even though they cost double, in comparison to factory farmed eggs?
Last night, I popped out for some eggs because we’d run out, and I ended up paying £1.78 ($3.50) for half a dozen. That’s surely daylight robbery?
Nonny
March 7
12:39 pm
They’re more expensive, but I’ve personally found they last about twice as long as regular eggs. I’ve used them well past the date and they were perfectly fine. Considering I don’t actually use eggs all that often, it’s worth it to me to pay the extra price — otherwise next time I go to make something that requires eggs, I’m liable to find a smelly pile of mess because they’ve been let sit too long. 🙄
Heather
March 7
12:41 pm
We haven’t bought eggs for the last six months, at least. We have three hens that produce more than enough to do us. They are super easy to care for, feed is cheap, and the eggs are much better than the overpriced ones in the stores.
Eve Vaughn
March 7
1:03 pm
I’m moving toward buying more free range chicken and natural meats when I can. I can’t help but think the steroids and pesticides in and on our food is good for us. I also think it’s a contributing factor as to why little girls develope so fast these days and I believe it also affects behavior. It’s more expensive, but I think the health benefits outweigh the cost.
Shiloh Walker
March 7
1:20 pm
Snicker. I don’t eat eggs much. I’m good.
Kat
March 7
1:43 pm
I don’t check the price so I won’t feel ripped off. I have noticed that their shells seem more fragile. But I cannot, in good conscience, not buy free range anymore. At least, not while I can afford it.
Anna J. Evans
March 7
1:57 pm
I was guilted into buying the organic baby food for my kids, so you can bet I’m guilted into buying all the organic, free range, hormone free, blackety blackety whatever they come up with next stuff.
I’ve told them they are being fed healthy foods at the peril of their next beach vacation if gas prices keep rising!
Anna J. Evans
MB (Leah)
March 7
2:19 pm
I’ve been buying free-range eggs and chicken/turkey meat since it’s been available. I also only buy milk or cream without rBGH growth hormone in it and organic fruits and veggies if available.
Maybe it’s psychological, but I feel much better eating these foods and I’m willing to pay for it.
There was a recent story in the news about how they’ve been testing kids who don’t eat organic and have found all kinds of pesticides in their systems. But within days of eating only organic, they were free of them.
The study does state that while this is true, so far there is no indication that ingesting all these pesticides is harmful over the long run.
I believe they are, but then again, I’m gullible. 🙂
Pesticide in kids study:
study
MB (Leah)
March 7
2:22 pm
Sorry, trying to post the link. It didn’t work for me in previous post.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/349263_pesticide30.html
Rosemary Laurey
March 7
3:24 pm
Karen:
It’s not guilt, it’s acceptance of moral responsibility. A thousand years ago, when I was eight or nine, I remember being taken round a barn full of battery hens. The farmer was so proud of his ‘modern’ ‘progressive’ set up but young as I was then it turned my stomach. The birds didn’t have space to turn around, each in a miniscule wire pen and they were stacked in rows up to the roof (or so it seemed from my height) lights were kept on 23 hours a day (turned off one hour to fool the birds into thinking they’d had a night) so they’d lay more often. The only time the hens came out of those cages was when they died or stopped laying.
Used to be you had to traipse far and wide to find humanely produced eggs, now at least, they are easier to find.
Shelia
March 7
3:38 pm
I don’t eat that many eggs for it to make a difference. We still eat eggs off the farm & they are brown.
Casee
March 7
4:52 pm
You’re not alone. I’m a vegetarian, but I buy free range eggs and all organic dairy products. My kids call the eggs “happy eggs” since they come from happy chickens.
I do feel crazy for spending $5.99 on a gallon of milk. But hey–at least it’s from happy cows.
Amie Stuart
March 7
6:42 pm
I don’t feel guilted. I do it for my kids, along with Soy/Almond milk, organic meat etc. What I hate and what pisses me off is the fact it costs so damned much to eat healthy.
byrdloves2read
March 7
6:49 pm
I’m another one to only buy cage-free eggs. We don’t eat red meat or chicken but use soy substitutes and buy organic whenever possible. Yes it’s more expensive, but as Rosemary said, it’s a moral responsibility. *sigh* And we’re lucky to be able to afford it.
veinglory
March 8
1:00 am
I buy them too. Really, it isn’t that much on the grand scheme of things. Even when I was a broke-arse student I managed the ‘expensive’ eggs to go with my ramen noodles.
Gwen
March 8
6:32 am
Chickens are so easy to raise. And cheap. Literally costs just chicken feed (snort). Two or three chickens will lay enough eggs every day for your family and perhaps another.
My mom had one really good layer who gave us one egg every day like clockwork. The rest were not as dependable, but still, enough eggs all around to eat and give away.
MissC
March 8
9:59 pm
1.78? Do they overcharge us in London? I think half a dozen tend to go for over 2 quid at the major supermarkets if they’re free range etc.
*remembers feeling frustrated at the cost of eggs in general, but not being able to buy anything other than organic + free range anyway*
I think chickens are evil, but if I have a choice to be humane… might as well.