Celebrate World Egg Day by Eating Good and Doing Good

PARK RIDGE, Ill., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- World Egg Day is Friday, October 14, and this year there is plenty to celebrate about eggs. New USDA data shows that one Large egg is now 14 percent lower in cholesterol (down from 215 mg to 185 mg) and 64 percent higher in vitamin D than previously recorded(1). In addition, starting the day with a high-quality protein breakfast, like eggs, helps provide sustained mental and physical energy to help kids and parents stay focused throughout the day.  

"I am always looking for new ways to jazz up breakfast for my kids, and I often turn to my own spice rack, pantry and refrigerator for some global inspiration," said Chef Jeffrey Saad, Cooking Channel host and father of two. "Eggs are my go-to food for breakfast because they pair with almost any flavor. It's easy to make them into a meal everyone will love, and I know my kids are getting a nutritious and tasty start to the day."

Saad relies on a fast kitchen tool which nearly everyone has – the microwave. While many don't think of the microwave as a way to cook up a nutritious and delicious breakfast, it's a true time saver, especially on busy mornings when kids need to get out the door in a hurry. Saad recommends these globally-inspired recipes that can be prepped in the microwave in a matter of minutes:

• Microwave Mexican Omelet and Microwave Mexican Coffee Cup Scramble are two easy ways to get that south-of-the-border zest with five ingredients or less.
• Microwave Denver Scramble Slider is a down-home American classic on a bun that's perfect to take on-the-go.
• Microwave Egg & Veggie Breakfast Bowl turns Mediterranean with just a few sliced olives and crumbled feta.
• Microwave French Omelet – Five minutes and a few ingredients is all that's needed for a little joie de vivre.

Egg Farmers Celebrate World Egg Day

Egg Farmers around the world are joining together and increasing their commitment to provide a high-quality food product to help feed the world's hungry. During the past year, egg producers who are members of the International Egg Commission (IEC) have donated the equivalent of more than $7 million, and more than 22 million eggs to help people throughout the world. World Egg Day is a perfect time to help fight hunger around the world, joining egg farmers across the globe who continue to show their commitment to feeding the world's growing population.

Here at home, America's egg farmers have donated more than 28 million eggs to the hungry and served up free egg breakfasts to those in need as part of the Good Egg Project, which was started in 2009 to help educate people about where eggs come from and encourage Americans to take up the fight against hunger.  

Help egg farmers in their commitment by simply taking the Good Egg Project pledge to "Eat good. Do good every day." on www.GoodEggProject.org. For every pledge made, America's egg farmers will donate another egg to Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization.

For more information on the Good Egg Project, visit www.GoodEggProject.org. Don't forget to "Like" the Incredible Edible Egg on Facebook for special World Egg Day recipes, tips and tricks to make weekday breakfasts easy. For even more recipe ideas, visit www.IncredibleEgg.org or @IncredibleEggs on Twitter.

About the American Egg Board (AEB)

AEB is the U.S. egg producer's link to the consumer in communicating the value of The incredible edible egg™ and is funded from a national legislative checkoff on all egg production from companies with greater than 75,000 layers, in the continental United States. The board consists of 18 members and 18 alternates from all regions of the country who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The AEB staff carries out the programs under the board direction. AEB is located in Park Ridge, Ill. Visit www.IncredibleEgg.org for more information.

About the Good Egg Project

America's egg farmers launched the Good Egg Project to educate Americans about where eggs come from and encourage people to eat good, and do good every day. America's egg farmers are committed to doing what's right for their hens, the environment and their communities. They are proud to provide Americans with safe, affordable and nutritious food. For more information visit www.GoodEggProject.org. In addition to the more than 12 million eggs America's Egg Farmers donate to the hungry annually, for every pledge, America's egg farmers will also donate an additional egg to Feeding America, up to 1 million eggs.    

(1) US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23. Online. Available at: Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=12-35-45-00. Accessed March 14, 2011.

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SOURCE American Egg Board