Three things: Eggs

I am going to try doing some extra posts again, possibly for all of January. This week is about some concerns that may seem random.

Previously when people were complaining about the price of eggs, I had not really been finding it to be the case at Fred Meyer, where I do most of my shopping. Saturday those prices were high.

You may recall that part of the issue last time was price gouging, but this time bird flu is causing problems. I don't know how long that will last, but I also know that once prices go up --for any reason -- they often don't go all the way back down, record corporate profits, less competition than ever, and all of that.

It is possible that there was a surge in the Fred Meyer egg prices and I didn't notice because I don't buy eggs that often. There are some things that we use them for, so now I am thinking about that. 

For my household, my sisters do like the occasional scramble, but mainly eggs come up for breakfast at dinner and for baking.

If I am making waffles or pancakes from scratch, that requires eggs. If I use the Krusteaz mix, only waffles require eggs. (Bisquick requires eggs for both pancakes and waffles.)

Today I am making pancakes but with the Krusteaz mix. As is our custom I will fry an egg for each of us. 

That takes three of our six remaining eggs, but I am also going to make egg nog quick bread. That will take the other three.

No baking until I buy more, right? 

Well, have you ever seen that thing where you take a cake mix and instead of eggs, oil, and water you add a can of soda?

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/2-ingredient-soda-cake/ 

There are options. They tend to involve processed foods.

My biscuit recipe (which is from scratch) does not use eggs; a fair amount of bread type things can be made without eggs, but some can't.

Will my new pattern to be only buying eggs at Costco and then doing a lot of backing in a short period of time? Maybe. Based on our egg use we will not be the most affected, but it will affect other things.

The price of Krusteaz could go up. The price of egg substitutes could certainly go up. Frankly, I anticipate labor and supply chain issues in many areas. Food storage is great, but not everything is shelf stable.

Just take it one step at a time.

You might use eggs a lot, which makes it a different level of concern. It should still be possible to analyze your use and think about what can be adjusted.

For some people, it has already been getting chickens. If that's the path for you, great; just do your research first.

Chickens are living beings, so they will require food and shelter. There is a lot of variety. If you want eggs like the ones you get at the store, that affects what breed you get. I cared for a vacationing  neighbor's chickens once and was allowed to keep the eggs. They were really small; fine for scrambling, but not ideal for recipes where the amounts need to match up.

https://grow.ifa.coop/chickens/best-egg-laying-chickens 

(I hear good things about Australorps.)

Also, living beings poop. That will often get on the eggs. Beyond that, small children should not have unpasteurized eggs. Maybe just make that anyone who might not have a fully-functioning immune system (the same people who should not be eating cold cuts). 

Naturally, bringing birds near your home could bring bird flu near your home.

The good news with all of that is that a lot of people have home chickens. There is a lot of information available, maybe even from friends and family. 

(Some of them will have strong feelings about not pasteurizing the eggs. I would not trust them with health information.)