Chocolate Dipped Raspberry Coconut Macaroons
We’ve been living on the farm for just over 5 years now. For my husband Cory, who grew up engulfed in generations of farming, he was used to everything that went along with farm life but for me, the small city life to farm life was a learning curve and my eyes were opened. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard misinformation in regards to farming which is what drives me to educate people, consumers like me, on the facts and science behind the farmer.
A couple years ago I was invited to bust some of those farming myths, specifically egg myths, that I’ve heard so much about; I had An Inside Look at Burnbrae Farms Egg Farming and toured the Burnbrae Farms main egg facilities. Sometimes it’s hard to see the truth when there is so much information from various sources online, most not reputable. I know first hand how hard farmers work to bring quality food to Canadian families, from farm to table, just like they have for generations for their own families.
Farmers, like Burnbrae Farms, have listened to their consumers and are providing consumers options to make an informed choice of egg purchases.
Myth: The world would be better if everyone farmed like “Old MacDonald.”
Fact: Innovation and technology has been helpful to farming, just as it has impacted every other aspect of our lives. At Burnbrae, we take corporate responsibility seriously and believe in using innovation in a responsible way. We are committed to providing healthy products that promote healthy living, humane animal care, high quality and environmental sustainability. Today’s hens are producing more eggs and are less impacted by health issues due to advancements in hen health, nutrition and housing. That lowers the carbon footprint of egg production and conserves our natural resources.
In Canada, less than two percent of the population farms compared to our grandparents generation when one in three people farmed. Today, like Burnbrae, 98% of Canada’s farms are still family owned and operated. Here in Canada everyone enjoys fresh, wholesome and affordable food. By working to continually improve our farming methods and using innovations, Burnbrae and other Canadian farmers can continue to produce a safe, abundant food supply. The Hudson family is proud of the legacy of Burnbrae Farms. For four generations, we’ve been providing Canadians with high-quality, affordable eggs, and we understand our obligation to farm responsibly and provide food for consumers today and in the future.
Educate Yourself About the Food You Eat
When I talk about farming, I always tell people to do their research and educate themselves from reputable sources. Know the facts, and the laws, before jumping on the bandwagon of some outrageous social media meme going around. One of my not-so-favourite, but ever-popular, egg myths is…
Myth: Hens lay more eggs because they are fed hormones or steroids.
Fact: Egg farmers do not feed hormones or steroids to egg-laying hens. The use of steroids and hormones in egg-laying hens has been banned in Canada for over 50 years. Burnbrae has worked diligently to provide excellent hen care, which has improved egg production. Our farmers feed their hens a balanced diet and keep a close watch on them daily to ensure they are healthy. Learn more about hen care from Mike the Chicken Vet.
“When the Hudson family started providing eggs to Canadian families more than 70 years ago, we produced only one type of egg. Consumers today want more choices and we are committed to providing healthy, affordable, high-quality eggs, for all Canadians. That’s why we offer more choices than ever before.”
Egg Nutrition
Nutritionally, eggs are a super food; eggs could be considered natures multivitamin and for good reason. Eggs are packed full of nutrients, minerals and a complete source of protein that your body needs to function every day, all in one egg. The best part, if you are trying to watch your calorie intake, is that one egg is only 70 calories!
Myth: An egg a day, is that ok?
Fact: Eggs are recommended for healthy eating, according to the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued on January 7, 2106. The expert panel stated that cholesterol in diets is no longer a concern. (For many years, Health Canada has recognized the evidence that dietary cholesterol has little impact on blood cholesterol.) Instead the U.S. guidelines emphasize reducing saturated fats, and eggs contain cholesterol but not a large amount of saturated fat. The 2016 Guidelines recommend three healthy eating patterns, and eggs are included in all three.
Eating an egg a day will not increase the risk for heart disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Harvard agrees cholesterol found in food like eggs has very little impact on blood cholesterol.
Myth: You can tell the quality and freshness of an egg by the colour of the yolk
Fact: Yolk colour does not indicate egg quality or freshness. The colour of an egg yolk is influenced by what hens eat. A wheat-based diet will produce a pale yellow yolk, while a corn-based diet produces a darker yellow yolk. Adding ground marigold petals to the hens’ diet increases lutein levels and these yolks are more orange.
For more information on the health benefits of eggs and/or the myths surrounding them, follow Burnbrae Farms on Facebook: Burnbrae Farms, Twitter: @BurnbraeFarms, Instagram: @BurnbraeFarms, Pinterest: BurnbraeFarms and YouTube: BurnbraeFarms.
With a large family, we go through a lot of eggs in our house. I love that I can create an egg meal, breakfast, lunch or supper, for a crowd in little time and be assured that my family is receiving their nutritional needs. Beyond the healthy side of eggs, I love to bake. Burnbrae Farms has a lot of tasty recipes on their recipe nest, including one of my favourite desserts, Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons.
These are easy to make with Burnbrae’s Naturegg Simply Egg Whites™ but I decided I wanted to kick it up a notch with a raspberry Valentine version and I confess, I ate way too many.
If you like this recipe, let me know in the comments below, check out my other recipes and I’d love if you’d pin it for later on Pinterest or follow along for other great recipes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
TWITTER PARTY ALERT
Join us at the #EggMyths Twitter party where we will bust some of those myths, have fun and attendees will have a chance to earn prizes! Open to Canada, excluding Quebec. RSVP HERE.
- 2 - 250 g cartons Simply Egg Whites™ or 16 egg whites
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 lb sweetened shredded coconut
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup white chocolate melts
- 1 small container of raspberries 170g/6 oz
- Candy sprinkles
- Stir the egg whites, raspberries, sugar, coconut, flour and salt in a Dutch oven until combined. Set over medium heat; cook, stirring constantly, for about 7 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture is thickened and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Transfer to a large bowl; cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours. For cooking and chocolate instructions, go to the original recipe at: http://www.burnbraefarms.com/consumer/recipe_nest/recipe_display.asp?id=200
- Dip one side of each macaroon into the chocolate; transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment and sprinkle candy sprinkles onto the chocolate before it hardens. Chill until chocolate is set. For storage instructions, view the original recipe.
Disclosure: I am participating in the Burnbrae Farms campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
I don`t have a problem eating eggs. This is a great article and I learned a lot. Thank you.