What food do you always keep on hand? Today, I’m sharing why I’m thankful for the humble egg.
What is your earliest food memory? Was it an actual food or an experience? Or was it both? Mine was both.
The incredible, edible egg.
In 1976, the American Egg Board’s marketing slogan was “The incredible, edible egg.” Did you know I STILL sing that slogan virtually every time I open a carton of eggs? And wait – there’s more! I also perform the “Lookit! An egg appears!” magic trick in the campaign. “Ta-da! The incredible, edible egg!”
Go on, watch the video to see what I’m talking about. You know you want to!
That ad campaign did a number on me. It stirred up a lifelong love affair with the beautifully designed, oh-so-tasty, and delightful coat-of-many-colors oval-shaped food source. Growing up, my family consumed a bucketload of eggs daily and often throughout the day – boiled, scrambled, poached, deviled, egg salad, omelet, and even scrambled on top of homemade whole-wheat pizza. With raisins.
Yes, raisins!
Around the same time, the American Egg Board sponsored an Incredible, Edible Egg poster campaign in our elementary school. What kid doesn’t want a chance to win a poster contest?! Sadly, I never won, even though I kept trying. (Maybe I thought I would win a lifetime supply of eggs?)
Then, one magical day, our school had a field trip to the egg processing plant! We gathered like little chicks to her momma hen to watch the workers hold eggs up to a light and explain how the egg grading system. I remember excitedly rushing home that day to tell my mom and dad about the incredible, edible egg experience! Oh the joy! What fun!
From then on, we shopped at that egg processing plant next to the Piggly Wiggly. I felt a personal connection, after all.
I am JUST NOW realizing that egg experience at an early age fed my insatiable urge to explore food sources, share what I’ve learned, and write about it! I am so thankful for elementary schools that take the time to stir up wonder and awe.
Eggs are awesome.
Eggs are a source of protein that you can do so much with! You can whip them into something savory or sweet! And they have a great shot of protein to boot!
I’m assuming many of you have chickens and raise your eggs. Even though 2020 was the cause of rising egg prices, they’re still a pretty cheap date. Do you raise your eggs? I bet you’re thankful whenever you reach into a nest (or random hideaway spot), pull out an egg, and wipe it clean.
Are you buying your eggs at the store? I bet you’re thankful whenever you open that fridge door and grab a few to make breakfast for those you love!
While I don’t have a brood of chickens laying eggs, I am thankful to have dear friends who occasionally gift us a dozen (I’m looking at you, George and Renee, Melinda and the boys, Brad and his beautiful momma, and sweet Norma and Carl). Oh, the color of those intensely yellow yolks!! So gorgeous!!
Sometimes, an entire dozen eggs will have double yolks!
I will set aside those to make a one-egg omelet and find a spot to savor every bite.
Your turn!
I wonder if I’m alone in my gratefulness to the humble egg. I am curious if one of your earliest food memories is egg-related.
If so, that would be most eggcellent! (groan)
Do you have an incredible, edible, and thankful egg experience? I’d love to hear about it!
Eat well, my friends.
Lyndi
