There is so much taboo surrounding the consumption of egg yolks and your health. Eggs have a history of being shunned for fear of salmonella poisoning. Today, egg yolks are the poster child for cholesterol. 

With one egg yolk containing 448 milligrams of cholesterol (well above the average recommendation of 290 milligrams per day for women) it’s no wonder many are steering clear of eggs. But, before you cling to mainstream health claims about egg yolks and your health, or oversimplify scientific studies, look closer at the nuances of egg consumption and cholesterol and you’ll see that an egg a day could keep the doctor away.

Intuitively it makes sense: eating cholesterol found in eggs raises cholesterol levels in your bloodstream and hence lending to clogged arteries and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. However, studies are now showing that the amount of saturated fat in your diet, not cholesterol, has a greater impact on increasing your blood cholesterol levels. Take note: eggs are low in saturated fat.

A research study conducted at Yale University explored the impact of consuming whole eggs every day by women and men with coronary heart disease. After 12 weeks, those who ate two whole eggs or a half-cup of egg substitute did not have a negative impact on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body weight, or endothelial function. Their HDL cholesterol improved. Those eating three eggs daily also experienced an improvement in HDL levels.

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, subjects with high blood cholesterol levels were told to eat two eggs per day. Their blood cholesterol levels only minimally increased, but half of this increase was of the HDL (good) cholesterol, which is positive for cardiovascular health.

Another study showed that the consumption of 2-4 egg yolks per day for a 5-week duration benefited macular health in older adults with low macular pigment optical density, increasing their HDL cholesterol and without increasing their LDL (bad) cholesterol.

These studies are no ticket to go hog wild on a carton of eggs, they simply shed light on why eating eggs shouldn’t be something to regret or beat yourself up about. There are indeed benefits to doing so, especially if you lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

In light of new research findings, the American Heart Association now allows one egg per day. Harvard research reveals that one egg per day is unlikely to have a negative impact on healthy individuals and that tossing the yolk is simply a waste of nutrients.

And while heart failure is not associated with infrequent egg consumption, in the long run it may be beneficial to keep egg consumption moderate, mostly due to other problems that pop up with age. In lieu of other ailments, such as diabetes, egg consumption should be limited to no more than one per day.

Photo Credit:drubuntu

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It would more than over-easy to peg the egg as a breakfast fixture, but that’s not all it’s good for.

The egg is an extremely useful item outside of the kitchen, for both the household and your beauty care regimen. Whether you want to give yourself a protein facial or spruce up your coffee, consider these 20 unusual uses for eggs when you’re looking to keep homemade solutions quick, easy, and cheap.

1. Shampoo

Eggs are packed with protein and thus a welcome treatment for the hair. Whisk an egg and then run it through your hair with your fingers and massage it into your scalp. The egg yolk will treat distressed and damaged hair as well as moisturize it, while the egg white will clean the hair by sticking to dirt and pulling it away. Once fully applied to the hair, wash the egg out with lukewarm water.

2. Egg-White Facial 

Separate the egg white from the egg yolk. Whisk the egg white until frothy and using your hands, apply a layer to your face and neck. The egg white tightens your skin and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Let the mixture stay on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

3. Egg-Yolk Facial

Separate the egg white from the egg yolk. Whisk the egg yolk until it is no longer clumped together. Use your hands to apply an even layer to the face and neck. The fat in the egg yolk moisturizes dry skin. Wait 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

4. Compost

Eggshells are packed with calcium, which helps plants to grow. Crush eggshells and add them to your compost.

5. Arts and Crafts

Prick a hole with a pin in one end of the egg and let the egg white and yolk slowly drain out. You are essentially left with an empty egg. Decorate the eggshell to your liking and admire your creative ornament! This is also a creative arts and crafts experience for kids, as it is both challenging to keep the eggshell in one piece and fun to do.

6. Ice-Cube Solution

Throwing a party and run out of ice cube trays? Save yourself a trip to the store by using an egg carton instead. The size is similar and the result the same.

7. Edible Paint

Isolate the egg white from the egg and whisk it with 1 tablespoon of water and food coloring of choice. Paint pastries and cakes, or any appropriate food item, for a decorative, edible, and easy way to bring color to your creations.

8. Unclogged Sink

Leave crushed eggshells in the strainer of your sink and it will help to break up anything that passes through to prevent clogging.

9. Makeshift Band-Aid

Apply a thin layer of whisked egg whites to a minor cut. The egg whites will dry, creating a thin film that protects your cut as well as provides nutrients to the skin that will help it to heal easier, sans a scar.

10. Jewelry Enhancer

Eggs contain sulfur, which oxidizes commercially-sold jewelry with sterling .925 or lower, helping to enhance jewelry’s design. Hard boil 1-2 eggs, crumble the egg yolk, and place the the egg yolk at the bottom of a container. Top the crumbled egg yolk with 1-2 paper towels, and then place the jewelry atop the paper towels. Seal the container and let it sit at room temperature for a few days. Remove the jewelry, rinsing it enough with soap and water to get rid of the unpleasant smell.

11. Plant Fertilizer

The calcium in eggshells promotes plant growth. Crush eggshells and mix them into fertilizer.

12. Coffee Taste Enhancer

By adding crushed eggshells to ground coffee before brewing, you can bring the coffee’s taste to a newer, and better, level. The eggshells cut coffee’s bitter taste, providing you with a smoother morning joe.

13. Small Ornaments 

Place small Christmas ornaments in the holes of empty egg cartons to prevent them from breaking in storage.

14. Leather Cleaner

Whisk egg whites and apply a thin layer on the affected area of leather. Lightly scrub the egg white away. It will leave the leather both clean and shiny, as egg whites cling to residue and help to pull it away from leather.

15. Seed Pots

Planting seeds in a big garden could be a bit overwhelming for a new plant. This is where an empty egg carton comes in handy. Fill the carton holes with fertilizer and plant seedlings in each one. After the plants grow beyond the capacity of the carton, transfer them to a larger garden, where they are now prepared to flourish without being overpowered.

16. Pest Deterrent

Spread crushed eggshells around the edges of your garden and the jagged edges will ward off all incoming slugs, snails, and cutworms. Their soft bodies will be harmed by the eggshells, so the hungry pests will steer clear of your plants.

17. Cat Deterrent

Wherever you want to prevent your cat from going, spread crushed eggshells around that area. After a few tries, the cat will stay away from the area, as the shells will bother its feet.

18. Plant Water

Don’t get rid of the water you used to boil eggs. Instead, after it has cooled, water your plants with it, which is packed with nutrients.

19. Glue

Egg whites are a great substitute to glue. If you run out of regular glue, whisk egg whites and brush a thin layer between paper or light cardboard to help them adhere together.

20. Usual Preparation

And if you are hungry after all that, why not at least cook eggs in an unusual and unique way? Try these suggestions, which include coddling, grilling, and roasting. Bon Appetit!

Photo Credits: Telepathicparanoia, Justj0000lie, Ashley Mayes, Adie Reed, Paparutzi, Tomi Tapio

The post 20 Unusual Uses for Eggs, Egg Shells, and Egg Cartons appeared first on EcoSalon.