Delicious Waffles with Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs

May is National Egg Month so that gives me another reason to make breakfast.  Making breakfast on the weekends or even for dinner is a family favorite!  Sometimes I make casseroles the night before and stick them in the fridge, make a breakfast buffet, or just whip up some delicious waffles.  Waffles are perfect when they’re a little crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and when they’re made with Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs  they always turn out scrumptious.  Plus you get to top them with all of your favorite toppings!  Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs has been in business for generations, sourcing eggs from small family farms, and they became they country’s first Certified Humane Free Range egg producer.  All the eggs are produced without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, GMOs or animal byproducts. 

Look at the difference between the eggs:  on the left is a grade A large egg and on the right is a large Pete and Gerry’s Organic Egg.  Not only are they different in size, the color of the yolks are too.  These eggs are the best tasting and safest to eat.  I love that they come from farms, and not a factory!  The hens have a safe, comfortable place to live a happy, healthy life with access to grass, dirt, and the space for them to engage in natural behaviors. 

Here’s what you get when you crack into a free range, organic egg from Pete and Gerry’s:

• Plenty of “Good Fats.” Every large egg has a full 70 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that omega-3s may help protect against heart disease and strokes. Because they also fight inflammation, they may play a role in treating arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even some cancers. 
• “Gold standard” quality protein. Egg protein is the most complete, available protein known. In fact, it’s used as the gold standard by which all other food proteins are measured! It contains all the essential amino acids, in generous supply. Your body uses that protein to build and repair muscles, produce hormones, build new cells, strengthen hair and nails, and more. 
• Eye-friendly lutein and zeaxanthin. Egg yolks are a good source of these antioxidant compounds, from a family of nutrients known as carotenoids. Several studies suggest a lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich diet may lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.
  
• Plenty of choline. Organic eggs are rich in this key nutrient, which is vital for healthy cell membranes, nerve functions, and memory and brain development. Choline also helps break down homocysteine, a compound associated with higher heart disease risk. Pregnant women also need plenty of choline for their baby’s developing brain.
  
• More satisfaction with fewer calories. The high-quality protein and healthy fats in eggs tend to be digested slowly. That means you’ll feel more satisfied with a meal that includes an egg—and stay feeling fuller, longer! Some morning, why not try “going to work on an egg?” You just might find you’re not as hungry at lunchtime.
  
• Heart-smart fats. About two-thirds of the fats in organic eggs are the unsaturated types experts recommend keeping our hearts healthy. There is a small amount (1.5 grams) of saturated fat—the type that’s linked to higher blood cholesterol levels–but keep in mind that eggs also contain nutrients that may help lower heart disease risk, such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and folate.
  
  

Being that they are so healthy, Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs filed a petition with the FDA to update its definition of ‘healthy’ to include eggs.  The current definition includes foods such as low-fat toaster pastries and sugary cereal, but excludes the nutrient dense egg.  In a partnership with Registered Dietitian Keri Glassman, we hope to share the health benefits of eggs, and urge the FDA to become more aligned with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend consuming eggs in all three model diets.  You can learn more about the campaign at eggsarehealthy.com, and when you share it on social media, make sure you use the hashtag #EggsAreHealthy so we can spread the word.  Take a look at a scrumptious recipe featuring the eggs!

This post is brought to you by Flour Me With Love; sponsored by Pete and Gerry’s.