Creative Ways to Use Eggshells in Recipes, Toothpaste & More

For those who’ve paid a bit of further for wholesome meals and even produced it your self, the worth of utilizing up each final bit. A lot of my recipes depend on eggs as a wholesome protein supply, however have you ever ever considered holding on to these eggshells?

And I’m not simply speaking about throwing them into the compost pile!

The Unbelievable, Edible… Eggshell Powder?

The egg is a reasonably unbelievable little bundle. Versatile, protein-packed, and stuffed with diet (particularly in the event that they’re free-range). Eggs are excessive in:

• Riboflavin
• Thiamin
• Phosphorus
• Folate
• Iron
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Nutritional vitamins A, D, E, B6, and B12

Eggs are additionally a whole protein as a result of they’ve all 9 important amino acids. Not like the amino acids present in nuts and beans, animal protein sources are higher absorbed by our our bodies.

Advantages of Eggshell

However what in regards to the shell? It’s about 90% calcium carbonate — the identical materials in our nails, enamel, and bones. We’d like calcium consumption for correct bone density, coronary heart well being, our nervous system, and different features.

As we age our physique wants further calcium to maintain up and a calcium deficiency can contribute to points like osteoporosis. For robust bones and general well being, it’s essential to steadiness our day by day calcium with magnesium, vitamin d3, and vitamin k2 consumption.

For those who’re making an attempt to get calcium with out dairy or take a calcium complement (which I don’t essentially advocate), “consuming” your eggshells could also be for you! A 2003 overview discovered that eggshells are absorbed simply as properly and even higher than common calcium dietary supplements.

How you can Make (Edible) Eggshell Calcium Powder

Right here’s rework your eggshells right into a high-quality, food-derived complement:

1. Save your hen eggshells (you are able to do this proper within the egg carton in the event you like). Surprisingly, they don’t scent. You possibly can go away the eggshell membrane within the shells however you should definitely rinse out any egg white.
2. After you have some eggshells, sterilize them for a couple of minutes in boiling water.
3. Pressure the shells and unfold them out on a baking sheet to dry in a single day.
4. Bake eggshells at a low temperature within the oven for about 10 minutes to dry them out. For effectivity’s sake, you may put them within the oven once you’re going to prepare dinner or bake anyway. I simply take them out earlier than the temperature will get too excessive.
5. Grind the eggshells to a really superb powder. A espresso grinder or spice grinder works finest. You can too use a mortar and pestle. In order for you bigger items for the backyard, then a meals processor works properly.
6. Retailer in an hermetic container (like a mason jar) in a cool, dry cabinet.

Utilizing Eggshell Powder in Meals

Add about ½ teaspoon eggshell powder per day to meals for 400-500 mg of bioavailable calcium. You could discover a barely gritty high quality when added to sure meals. I like utilizing the eggshell powder in smoothies or yogurt, and it’s undetectable in baked items and heavier meals. Chia Seed Power Bars or Breakfast Burgers work properly for this.

You can too put some crushed eggshells in with greens and bones whereas making bone broth. A small splash of vinegar helps break down the vitamins within the substances even higher.

Eggshells within the Backyard

Not up for consuming your eggshells? Calcium is equally essential for the backyard! Calcium-deficient soil causes sluggish development and ailments like blossom finish rot (when tomatoes, squash, or peppers flip black on one finish). Right here’s use floor eggshells within the backyard.

• Soil Modification – The important thing to utilizing eggshells within the backyard is to provide it time. Crops take calcium in by the roots. You’ll wish to work the eggshell powder deep into the soil within the fall or early spring to permit them to dissolve. Ensure the powder is finely floor (not in giant items) or it gained’t work.
• Pest Deterrent – Crush leftover eggshells into small shards and sprinkle them over backyard soil. Slugs and different backyard pests will discover the sharp shells inhospitable and search for greener pastures (hopefully!).

Seed Starters from Eggshells

Whereas peat pots and seed starter kits aren’t costly, there’s a good less complicated technique. Half of an eggshell makes the right renewable seed planter!

• Save the eggs that break kind of evenly, wash them out, and poke a small gap within the backside.
• Fill with seed beginning soil and plant your seeds as regular.
• Transfer the grown seedlings into the backyard proper within the shell!

Sidenote: My children love drawing faces on the eggshells so the seedlings appear to be “hair.” Thanks Pinterest!

This post has a useful chart to search for planting occasions to your zone. However on to a different nice use for eggshells…

The DIY Magnificence Booster

Of the numerous DIY makes use of for eggshell powder, listed below are some I’ve tried:

• Facial – Combine 2 tablespoons of finely powdered eggshell into an egg white. Gently apply the paste as a pure facial masks, letting it dry for 10-20 minutes. Wash off with heat water and a round movement to exfoliate. I actually discover firmer, smoother pores and skin after this remedy!
• Do-it-yourself Toothpaste – Use eggshell powder rather than the calcium powder in my DIY remineralizing toothpaste recipe. It should each whiten and remineralize. It additionally works as a calcium powder substitute in any of my selfmade toothpaste or tooth powder recipes.
• Physique Scrub – Add a number of tablespoons to a selfmade physique scrub recipe for a double-duty exfoliant that’s additionally the right prep for a summer season pedicure!
• First Help – Crimson, irritated pores and skin, or bug bites? Let crushed eggshells soften in a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. As soon as it liquifies, apply with a cotton ball for a soothing impact.

Can Canines Eat Eggshells?

Eggshells are calcium supply for our canine associates too. You possibly can sprinkle some finely floor eggshell powder over their pet food as a complement. Similar to us although canines want a steadiness of vitamins, so it’s finest to not overdo it. Some pet specialists advocate feeding canines boiled eggs which have been lower into items as a substitute.

Speak to your vet and see in the event that they advocate the additional calcium in your canine’s scenario.

What do you suppose? Would you ever eat your eggshells? Are there different methods you’ve discovered to make use of them?

Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Amino acids.
2. Enroth, C. (2018). Using eggshells in the garden and compost.
3. Pleasure, H. (2020). Can dogs eat eggs?
4. Rovenský, J., Stancíková, M., Masaryk, P., Svík, Ok., & Istok, R. (2003). Eggshell calcium within the prevention and remedy of osteoporosis. Worldwide journal of scientific pharmacology analysis, 23(2-3), 83–92.
5. Self Diet Information. (2018). Eggshell 1/2 tsp.
6. College of Wisconsin Dept of Drugs. (n.d.). Why is Calcium Important.