Buying a dozen eggs may seem like a good idea at the time, but that's one hell of a lot of cooked breakfasts to get through! If you've had enough of fry ups and egg-mayo sarnies, I have some eggcellent news for you.
The nourishing properties and unique texture of this versatile foodstuff make them a useful item both in and outside the kitchen. From cleaning products to your beauty routine, I'm going to show you how you can start using up your dozen so fast, you'll need to start buying two!
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1. Face mask
Most of the things that nourish our bodies can also be beneficial for our skin, and eggs are a perfect eggsample of that. The white, in particular, is great for tightening the skin, shrinking pores and reducing the excess grease that leads to oily skin.
But the benefits don't stop there: the egg white is packed with magnesium, potassium and protein, nutrients which aid repair, hydration and promote youthful, radiant skin.
So next time you're considering splurging on a new facial mask that claims to offer all of the above, raid your fridge first. Crunchy Betty has an egg white, honey and lemon number that will leave you looking polished and feeling refreshed.
2. Leather cleaner
When I said the uses of eggs were vast, I wasn't eggsaggerating! The egg white is just as good on your leather as it is your face, it seems.
Simply separate the white from the yolk, then rub over your leather using the soft side of a sponge. Use small, circular movements to obtain the best results. Your leather will come up so shiny, you'll never buy polish again!
Colleen's article will show you even more ways you can clean your home naturally.
3. Nail revitalizer
Say goodbye to false nails once and for all: get lovely, healthy-looking nails the natural way with a little bit of help from your eggy friends.
Eggs promote nail growth, help to smoothen cuticles and give strength to weak and damaged nails, preventing them from peeling and cracking.
Mix up 1/4th cup warm milk and 1 egg yolk, sit back and soak your nails in the solution for roughly 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water to reveal healthier looking, nourished nails.
4. Edible paint
Cookies are always a good idea, but crazy-coloured rainbow cookies? Best idea ever! Take your cookie-cooking to the next level and give them a burst of colour a cracking, eggy wash.
Combine an egg yolk with one teaspoon of water, add colouring and glaze over your uncooked cookies to create beautiful designs. Bake as normal, and they'll come out pretty as a picture.
5. Hair treatment
Dry, damaged, dull-looking hair? No need to dash to get lured in by the expensive products your hairdresser tries to land you with, crack open an egg instead.
Whisk up an egg yolk, add 3 tablespoons honey along with 3 tablespoons olive oil and an optional dollop of yoghurt and leave on your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing. The egg yolk holds a bountiful of beneficial vitamins from your hair, including vitamin A, B and D meaning you'll see a drop in dandruff, improved hair growth and added glossy luster - eggsactly what you've been after!
6. Jewellery oxidizer
Shining bright (like a diamond) isn't for everyone. Try something different with your jewellery and oxidize some of your pieces with - you guessed it - eggs.
Professional jewellery maker, Rena Klingenberg, has a wonderful, step-by-step video showing you how she turned a modern-looking silver chain into something that wouldn't look amiss in an antique store. Why not try it out yourself and get using your eggs in a way you never would have imagined?
7. Healing cuts
Plasters always seem to be one of those things that you have a bountiful supply of...until you actually need one, that is. Well, don't fret, as your eggs can substitute for those until you get the chance to stock up.
Hard to believe? Well, I'm not yolk-ing! A National Institute of Health study found that egg membrane might be an ideal covering for skin graft dressings, as it promotes healing, helps protect wounds and provides pain relief - no wonder those chicks stay so safe and cosy inside.
8. Glue
Egg in burgers, to stick pastry and bind fishcakes? It seems obvious, and I can't believe I didn't think of it before: egg whites make a truly eggcellent glue for all your art and craft needs.
So if you've got a carton full of eggs hiding in the fridge and your appetite is all egged out, this is the perfect excuse to get crafting. Why not get the kids involved, too? You'd never have imaged how exciting cracking an egg open could be!
9. Plant water
Whilst tap water for your plants is all very well and good, if you want super plants, you'll need to give them super water. Say no to expensive plant food and powders, and say yes to an eggs and soldiers supper.
But wait! Before you hastily pour that water down the drain, give your flowers an eggstravagent treat and nourish them with it. The calcium found in eggshells is highly utilisable by your garden for growth and will have it looking so dreamy that all the neighbours will want to know your secret!
10. Under eye mask
Whether young or old, under eyes seem to be a problem we all have. Due to lack of sleep, stress, eating certain foods - is there any escape? I'm happy to say that yes, there really is, and better still, you can find it in your fridge!
Split open an egg, separate the white, and apply a thin layer under your eye using a cotton bud. Wait a few moments until this is dry, then proceed to coat over another layer. Ta-da! Minimized puffiness, swelling, and an all-over, lighter and fresher look.
11. Magical eggs
Are your kids getting bored with peek-a-boo? Why not try something new, and raid the fridge for some eggstroidinarily easy magic trick material?
Copy some of the tricks in Buzzfeed's video to have the kids (and adults) amazed! From blowing an egg out of it's shell to the mystical, 'black egg', you'll delight everyone by turning this mundane and everyday food into a bag full of fun and games.
12. Slurp your protein
Smoothies can be all sweetness and no substance. Add a heavy dosing of nutrients and protein to your liquid lunch with the addition of eggs.
If you're looking for the perfect protein-packed (and delicious) smoothie, Wake The Wolves have a super creamy, nutrient dense blueberry shake that will keep you going all day long! A slightly healthier way to use up all those eggs than a fatty fry-up.
13. Blackhead removal strip
"Your skin gets so much clearer as you age," they told us - yeah, right!
Most of us have had blackheads for as long as we can remember. Whilst they may not be big enough for anyone else to see, they're definitely noticeable enough for our own scrutinizing eyes. Here's a quick trick to help clear things up a little:
Whisk together one teaspoon of lemon juice and two egg whites and apply to a clean face. Let dry and tighten on your skin for 15-20 minutes, then peel the mask off, and your blackheads along with it. Is this the cheapest facial ever? I think so!
14. Shaped eggs
Boiled eggs lost their appeal about a million years ago, and they're not most people's idea of exciting food. However, most people haven't come across shaped boiled eggs. Shaped boiled eggs you ask, is that some kind of yolk?
Well, no need to take my word for it, check out this whole entire article devoted to egg shaping by Just Bento. These cute little egg moulds are giving a whole new life to the boring 'boiled egg' - I think they might become my new favourite food.
15. Eggsperiment
Dippy eggs, eggs on toast, scotch eggs...been there done that! If you've exhausted all your eggy options, it's time to start eggsperimenting.
Livestrong's eggtastic article will get your imagination running wild by showing you just how many delicious things you can do with eggs. The addition of eggs adds a new slant to tried and tested meals, and you'll be stunned at the nutritious dinners you can make using this humble ingredient as a starting point.
After all these egg activities, you'll have lots of shells left lying around. Don't let them go to waste - read Colleens amazing ideas to find out just how many amazing things you can do with them.
Now you've read all these amazing ideas, I know how excited you'll be feeling to get stuck in. There's just one thing left to do: prepare to race for the last egg in the box - they're about to become the most desired item in the home!
...and now for the pickled eggs!
Who else to ask for ideas about uses for pickled eggs than the experts themselves? I'm happy to introduce Purely Pickled Eggs - a Gloucestershire-based small business who are passionate about all things pickled egg. They're a brand with a difference, specialising in some wacky flavours like chilli, spicy cider, and fruity balsamic to name a few and also offer 'Posh Bites' which are perfect for parties.
1. The Manchester Egg
Love pickled eggs? Love scotch eggs? Combine the two and what do you get? A ‘Manchester Egg’! The BBC’s Hairy Bikers recently came up with their own version of the Manchester Egg but you could add your own twist by using a flavoured pickled egg – a chilli one would really spice things up.
2. Tasty tapas
Everyone does mini toast tapas these days. Try something different with horseradish pickled eggs, smoked salmon and a sprig of dill - or how about balsamic pickled eggs with goats cheese and rocket? The best bit? Pickled eggs are classed ‘syn free’ by Slimming World, you can have as many as you like!
3. Cocktail hour
Get your bar snack and drink in one with this inventive cocktail - it's definitely a conversation starter!
- Vodka – 70ml
- Dry Vermouth – 1 tbsp
- Posh Bites pickled quail eggs brine – 1 tbsp
- One Posh Bites pickled quail egg
- Wedge of lemon
- Pour the vodka, vermouth and brine into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake vigorously.
- Rub the rim of a Martini glass with the lemon.
- Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass and add the pickled quail egg.
- Be blown away by this new alcoholic discovery!
Just like all the eggs featured in this article, Purely Pickled Eggs specialise in British free range eggs, as well as pure brewed vinegars and natural ingredients. Their range is available around the country in farm shops, food halls and bars and also available from their online shop. They also have a blog on their site - go check it out!
Are you feeling eggcellent after that eggciting read? Let me know how you use up your eggs in the comments below!
I didn't get the plant water bit - how am I suppose to make this super plant water please?
Hi Carol. It's easy: you simply use the water from your boiled eggs to water your plants!?
Egg white is great for nappy rash. Just separate the egg & put it on wait for it to dry before putting nappy back on. It provides a proctected cover & so heals in no time. My daughter suffered badly from nappy rash due to being allergic to some disposable nappy’s but this worked
Hi Karen. This is a very interesting tip and definitely a new one for us! We'll definitely be giving it a go. Thanks a lot for sharing :)