Egg Storage

 

How to Store SMC Certified Humane Brown Eggs

Take care of your farm fresh SMC eggs with these storage tips!

Always store your South Mountain Creamery eggs in a refrigerator. To maintain freshness and quality of your eggs, it is always best to store eggs on an inside shelf, rather than in the refrigerator door. Repeated opening and closing of the refrigerator door can cause temperature fluctuations. Slamming can even result in breakage.

The carton in which you purchase them helps keep the eggs from picking up odors and flavors from other foods while also helping to prevent moisture loss.

Storing Fresh, Uncooked Eggs

You can keep fresh, uncooked eggs in the shell refrigerated in their cartons for at least four to five weeks beyond the pack date. If eggs are properly handled and stored, they rarely spoil. Sometimes, eggs will dry up if you keep them long enough. Never leave eggs out. They will age more in one day at room temperature than they will in one week in the refrigerator!

Storing Hard Boiled Eggs

As soon as hard boiled eggs have cooled, refrigerate the eggs in their shells and use them within one week. When storing hard-boiled eggs, you may notice a gassy odor in your refrigerator. Often, the smell is more noticeable when you open the refrigerator infrequently. The odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide, which forms when the eggs are cooked. This odor is harmless and usually dissipates within a few hours.

Picnics and Outdoor Occasions

For outdoor eating occasions, you can keep eggs refrigerator-cold with ice or commercial coolant in an insulated bag or picnic cooler.

Leftover Whites and Yolks

Refrigerate and store leftover egg whites in a covered container for up to four days. Store leftover yolks in water in a covered container in the refrigerator and use them within one to two days.

SMC Supreme Eggs

South Mountain Creamery’s Certified Humane Eggs can’t be beat*! Our eggs meet the Humane Farm Animal Care program standards, which include a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, animals raised with shelter, resting areas, sufficient space, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors. Our laying hens are fed with food grown and harvest on the farm. See how SMC’s eggs compare to the leading brand: www.southmountaincreamery.com

*Disclaimer: SMC eggs CAN be beat! Try them scrambled or in a soufflé, quiche, crème brulee, and more! Visit our EGG-Citing Ideas Pinterest board for recipes, ideas, and more!

The Ultimate Guide to the 2015 Spring Festival

 SMC is excited to hold the 14th Annual Spring Festival!

Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3

Join us this weekend for food, ice cream, and fun for the whole family!

Charity Raffle

This spring, SMC has chosen our local 4-H Chapter as our charity of choice. As the nation’s largest positive youth development and youth mentoring organization, 4-H empowers six million young people in the U.S annually. On behalf of the Frederick County 4-H, South Mountain Creamery is asking you to donate to our charity raffle to grow more confident and capable young people. Youth who participate in 4-H learn life skills to help them become caring, competent and responsible individuals through club work, community service, and 4-H project curriculum.  Members of 4-H work with their club leaders to develop yearly educational plans and service projects, and attend field trips and learning activities. Stop by our Raffle Table this weekend to see how you can invest in the future of our young people through bidding on these exclusive items:

• Ocean City Beach Vacation (Two chances to win a 1 week stay)
• Two Admission Tickets to Medieval Times
• Two Cider Tastings at Distillery Lane Ciderworks
• Catoctin Popcorn Basket
• Falling Bark Farm Hickory Syrup Basket
• Firefly Farms Gift Certificate
• Hoffman’s Meats Gift Certificate
• Liberty View Creamery Goat Product Basket
• Lord Byron Honey Basket
• McCutcheon’s Gift Basket
• Michele’s Granola Sampler
• The Breadery Gourmet Bread Basket
• Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Gift Certificate
• Handmade Quilt by Margaret Minton
• Photo by Ralph Adkins
• Dominion Tea Gift Basket
• Adventure Park USA Gift Certificate
• Manoli Canoli Olive Oil & Kalamata Olives
• South Mountain Creamery Porch Box

For History Enthusiasts

Did you know South Mountain Creamery is located in the heart of Civil War territory? Our history buff visitors will have the opportunity to learn more with these great demonstrations:

• John Milleker Photography and Wet Plate Demonstrations
• Civil War Reenactors and Encampment
• Civil War Ambulance

Vendors

Visit with some of our awesome vendors to learn more about why we choose to offer their products! Free samples and giveaways will be offered:

• Animal Planet, APLive camera, demonstrations and giveaways
• WFRE, live remote and giveaways
• WLIF, live remote and giveaways
• Catoctin Popcorn, fresh kettle corn
• istillery Lane Ciderworks, hard cider tastings
• Dominion Tea, tea samples
• Falling Bark Farm, hickory syrup samples
• Gude Brothers Greenhouses, lettuce samples and greenhouse tours
• Civil War Photographer, civil war style photos
• Civil War Reenactors, encampment
• Liberty View Creamery, goats and samples
• Lord Byron Honey, bee demonstration and samples
• Manoli Canoli, olive oil samples
• Maryland Aerial Video, aerial videography demonstration
• Michele’s Granola, granola samples
• Rolling Thunder, motorcycle display
• Sanner Brothers Maple Products
• Sleepy Hollow Lights, recycled tin cans
• Sugar Loaf Alpacas, alpacas and yarn
• Sweet Farm Sauerkraut, sauerkraut samples
• The Wild Pea Hummous, hummous samples
• DC Dills, flavored pickle samples

Entertainment

After you’ve eaten too much ice cream, sit down in our shop and enjoy some great music:

• Ernie Bradley (bluegrass music) performing Saturday & Sunday
• Special appearance by SMC’s very own Randy Sowers

 Free Activities

You have to take advantage of our free activities over the weekend! Our festivals are the only chance you have to see our production facility!

• Animal Planet Photo Booth
• Watch the Cows being milked 1:30pm-5:00pm
• Bottle Feed the Calves, 4:00pm
• Playground and Rock Pile
• Hayrides
• Face Painting by local Girl Scout Troop
• Tours of production facility and milking parlor
• Antique Tractor Display
• Cow Milking Contests
• Make Your Own Butter

Karen's Kountry Store

Our farm store will be open 10:00am-6:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am-6:00pm on Sunday. Join us in the store for free samples and merchandise. Our 2015 Spring Festival Shirts will be on sale over the weekend.

Food

Our food tent, located in our pavilion, showcases some of SMC's meats and local products. Our rub and BBQ sauce are made locally. This year, greens and potatoes will come from Gude Brothers Greenhouses.

• Pit Beef and Pork BBQ Sandwiches
• Fresh Cut French Fries (Regular & Sweet Potato)
• Super Premium Ice Cream & Milkshakes
• Chicken Corn Soup and Chili
• Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Chicken Tenders and Hot Dogs

Parking

Both parking and admission at the festival are free. If you are in need of handicapped parking, please let one of our parking staff know!

For more information:

Visit www.southmountaincreamery.com

Like South Mountain Creamery on Facebook

Email us at events@smcdairy.com

Celebrating Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! 

Earth day is celebrated every year on April 22 to raise awareness about the environment and pollution. At SMC, we believe that every day should be Earth Day. Our farm’s commitment to agricultural sustainability has led us to establishing a goal of becoming a completely sustainable company.

The dairy industry, along with the USDA, is committed to advancing their eco-friendly sustainability practices. Over the next 10 years, they plan to reduce the output of greenhouse gasses by 25 percent. This has been made possible thanks to the USDA’s funding of approximately 25,000 environmental improvement projects through grants.

Since 1944, resources to produce a gallon of milk have decreased. This includes 90 percent less cropland, 65 percent less water, and 63 percent less carbon. In the United States, agriculture occupies 51 percent of land, uses 80 percent of our water and is responsible for 8 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions.

SMC’s Totally Green Practices

South Mountain Creamery is committed to agricultural sustainability. Our goal is to use our own resources to power the farm with a combination of bio-diesel, a methane digester, wind turbines, solar energy, and geothermal loops . In the past few years, SMC has completed a number of tasks, with the help of grants and the Maryland Energy Administration.

Soybean Press: In 2013, SMC completed their project of installing a fully-operational soybean press. A soybean press is a process of pressing soybeans to make our own soybean meal for animal feed.  The byproduct of the pressing process is soy oil which we can convert into bio-diesel.  The soybean oil is burned oil in our diesel trucks at about 5%-10%.

Lighting: In 2014, SMC replaced all of the company’s lighting with LED lights. LED lighting is energy efficient and consumes up to 90% less power than incandescent bulbs. Since LED lights use only a fraction of the energy of an incandescent light bulb and have a longer lifespan, there is a decreased amount of power usage, maintenance, and replacement costs.

Refrigeration Units: With the help of MEA and SEDESCO, SMC replaced all of our refrigeration units with energy efficient refrigeration units, which reduced our energy usage by 50%-90%! 

SMC is continuing to work on becoming a self-sustaining company with goals to install a Methane Digester, Wind Turbines, Solar Energy, and Geothermal Loops.

Other Eco-Friendly Practices:

Milking Parlor: South Mountain Creamery currently uses re washable cloths, instead of paper towels in our milking parlor. 

Glass Bottled Milk: Our milk bottles are glass so they can be washed, sanitized, and reused! 

Reusable Bags: The plastic bags used in our store and home delivery are biodegradable. Our friends at Gude Brothers also use eco-friendly bags for their produce bags, delivered to SMC daily.
Boonsboro Greenfest: Love sustainability? Join SMC at Boonsboro Greenfest on May 9 at Shafer Park in Boonsobor, MD! Visit their website fro more eco-friendly information.

http://dairygood.org/what-makes-a-farm-sustainable

http://dairygood.org/whats-the-carbon-footprint-of-a-gallon-of-milk

http://southmountaincreamery.com/pages.php?pageid=18

The Milk Wagon

One of South Mountain Creamery vintage delivery trucks.

Spot our delivery vehicles driving down the road, and you'll see cow spots, cartoon characters, and milk bottles from Middletown, MD, to Alexandria, VA, to Annapolis, MD, and more! A dairy delivery company isn’t complete without a fleet of delivery trucks. Today, South Mountain Creamery has over 20 delivery trucks to deliver to homes in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Fourteen years ago, on April 13, 2001, South Mountain Creamery began deliveries to 13 local customers in Karen’s purple Ford Explorer. With the start of dairy delivery, South Mountain Creamery became the first on-the-farm milk processing plant in the State of Maryland.  They processed and bottled the high quality milk from their dairy cows.  The decision was made to use reusable glass bottles for the milk and home deliver it to customers, just like other local dairy companies had done since the early 1900s in the Middletown Valley.

"Spot" SMC delivering to your neighborhood in our black, pink, and brown spotted delivery trucks.

As the company grew, the Sowers added more delivery trucks to their fleet. In the beginning, these trucks were all pre-owned by other delivery companies. During a visit from an agriculture statistician, the Sowers were informed that a milk truck was available for sale in Frederick. Karen and Randy visited the owners of the delivery truck, who ran a milk delivery business called "The Milk Wagon." The woman was selling the truck and all of its contents (tires, milk boxes, supplies, etc.) They purchased the truck and brought it and a pickup truck full of supplies back to the farm. The Milk Wagon soon became Truck 91, South Mountain Creamery’s newest addition to the delivery fleet.

Years later, the driver of The Milk Wagon became an SMC delivery driver and is still delivering today! Truck 91 doesn’t leave the farm, but is a reminder of SMC’s beginning and continued growth.

Early deliveries make for beautiful sunrises!

Our success over the past 14 years as South Mountain Creamery and the past 34 years as Sowers Dairy and we owe everything is owed completely to our customers!  Your families, friends, neighbors and co-workers that have shared their SMC experiences, recruited new customers and have come out to see what we do every day – make every moment worthwhile. From our South Mountain Creamery family to yours, would like to thank you for all for your continued support.  Thank you!

Have a Brighter Easter with SMC Eggs

Did you know you can dye brown eggs instead of white for a different range of colors? When brown eggs are immersed in dye, they take on darker, bolder colors.

The Dye

Mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 20 drops of food coloring (use more to intensify color) in 1 cup of hot water in a heatproof bowl, cup, or jar deep enough to let you submerge an egg completely. To create different tints, vary the dipping time. To make handling the eggs easier, use tongs or a whisk.

Dye your eggs naturally using everyday ingredients! For directions visit our blog post on All Natural Egg Dyes.

Egg Dyeing Tips

• Before you begin dyeing eggs, protect your work area with paper towels or newspaper.
• Save your eggs from year to year or turn them into ornaments to hang from branches! Instead of hard-boiling the eggs, blow out the yolks and egg whites before dyeing them. To empty a raw egg, begin by using the tip of a sharp utility knife to pierce both ends of the egg; turn the knife in one of the holes to widen it slightly. Then, poke a straightened paper clip through the larger hole to pierce and "stir" the yolk. Hold the egg over a bowl with the larger hole down, and blow the contents out with a rubber ear syringe.
• Broken shells? Don’t throw them away! Crunch the dyed shells into little pieces to make a beautiful mosaic.
• Most naturally-dyed eggs have a matte finish. For shinier eggs rub eggs with coconut or olive oil and polish with a paper towel.

Egg Patterns and Designs

Try these different techniques for creative designs and patterns on your Easter Eggs!

Two-tone: Dip top half of egg in 1 color and the bottom half in another.

Dots and Shapes: Before dyeing, place stickers on the eggs. Once dry, remove stickers. Try using shapes or animals for different designs!

Stripes: Place rubber bands on the eggs before dyeing to create the design of choice. Once dry, remove rubber bands.

Personalized: Draw zig zags or pictures on the egg with a white or light colored crayon before dyeing.

Glitter: Use Glitter Glue to add sparkling designs on eggs. Allow glue to dry on eggs before moving.

Marbled: Mix 1/4 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon oil and 4 to 8 drops food color in shallow bowl. Gently roll egg in mixture until desired shade. Transfer egg to second color mixture, and repeat the process. After egg dries, wipe away excess oil with paper towel.

Color Wash: Place several eggs in a colander in the kitchen sink. Splash eggs with vinegar. Drop desired food color onto eggs. Gently shake the colander for a few seconds to help the color spread. After 30 seconds, lightly rinse eggs with water. Drain completely. Allow eggs to dry.

Get Cultured with Greek Yogurt

Eight Benefits of Greek Yogurt (One for every flavor)

A bowl of Greek yogurt is fortified with essential nutrients—it can even help with weight loss. Greek yogurt is made by separating out the liquid whey, which results in a thicker texture with fewer carbohydrates and sugar, and more protein than regular yogurt.

1. Protein

Protein is essential for good health. It is vital to cell growth, building muscle, and repairing tissue. As you age, you need more protein to keep your skin healthy and to fight off illness. Greek yogurt is a great way to boost your protein levels while avoiding heavier foods.

2. Digestive Health

Healthy bacteria help to promote a healthy stomach. Greek yogurt is packed with probiotics, or microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast. These normally live in your intestines, and having good microorganisms in your intestines helps keep you healthy. Probiotics are great for the digestive system, and especially helpful to people who suffer from conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

3. Vitamins and Minerals

One serving is a significant source of potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, and vitamin B5. Greek yogurt also contains B12, a vitamin necessary for energy and healthy brain function. Many choose Greek yogurt as a natural alternative to Vitamin B12 supplements.

4. Prevent High Blood Pressure

Did you know 70 percent of us consume more than twice the recommended amount of salt? The potassium in yogurt may help flush some of the excess sodium out of your body. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adults who ate the most low-fat dairy (two or more servings per day) were 54 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the least.

5. Smile!

A yogurt a day can keep the doctor away. Despite its sugar content, Greek yogurt doesn't cause cavities. The lactic acid in yogurt gives your gums protection as well. People who eat at least two ounces a day have a 60 percent lower risk of acquiring severe periodontal disease than those who skip it.

6. Workout Recovery

Greek yogurt can be a healthy and satisfying treat after a tough workout. Not only will it tide you over until your next meal, but the protein in Greek yogurt can repair damage done by exercise.

Greek yogurt is rich in the amino acids which make up proteins, and proteins are the building blocks for regenerating muscle tissue and repairing fiber damage. Add a banana or fresh berries for a nutrition-packed post workout snack.

7. Build Strong Bones

Greek yogurt provides important nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and protein, which work together to promote strong, healthy bones.

8. Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a sensitivity to the milk sugar called lactose. The National Institutes of Health and National Medical Association suggest that people with lactose intolerance should, however, keep milk and dairy products in their diet. The lower amount of lactose found in Greek yogurt is due to the straining process, making this rich, creamy food a lactose-intolerant friendly one. As a bonus, the probiotics found in Greek yogurt also help breakdown the lactose sugar, making it easier to digest.

Don’t care for the texture of Greek yogurt? Try to incorporate yogurt into a smoothie drink. Alternately, you can use it as a topping on other foods. Use it as a substitute for sour cream on top of chili or baked potatoes. You could also make your own popsicles at home by freezing Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.

Try our new Greek yogurt from Green Mountain Creamery and get cultured! Our new Greek yogurt will come in 8 flavors: Black Cherry, Maple, Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach, Vanilla, Plain, and Raspberry. This deliciously simple, smooth and creamy all-natural treat boasts five live and active yogurt cultures, probiotics, and lots of protein and calcium. Fresh from Green Mountain Creamery in Vermont, it’s the next hit on your snack list.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/86488-benefits-greek-yogurt/

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/health-benefits-of-yogurt/

A Dozen Reasons to Eat More Eggs

A Dozen Reasons to Eat More Eggs

1. PROTEIN On average, eggs have 6 grams of high-quality protein! The protein found in eggs is one of the highest-quality proteins of any food. Not all of the protein is found in the egg white—some of it is in the yolk! A protein-packed breakfast helps sustain mental and physical energy throughout the day. 

2. GLUTEN-FREE Eggs are naturally gluten-free. Always have been, always will be. 

3. CHOLINE Eggs are rich in choline, which promotes normal cell activity, liver function and the transportation of nutrients throughout the body. Choline is also essential to healthy fetal development. Choline may be a key factor in the development of an infant’s memory functions. It has also been linked with increasing memory retention and recall as well as improving alertness.

4. AMINO ACIDS Eggs have all 9 essential amino acids. Our cells, muscles and tissue are partly made up of amino acids. They also play a key role in transporting and the storing nutrients. Amino acids are essential for healing wounds and repairing tissue, especially in the muscles, bones, skin and hair.

5. CERTIFIED HUMANE South Mountain Creamery meets The Humane Farm Animal Care program standards. These standards include a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones, animals raised with shelter, resting areas, sufficient space, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors!

6. PACKAGED AT SMC All of our eggs are laid and packaged on the farm. Watch a video on the egg packaging process here.

7. VITAMINS Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. A single large boiled egg contains:

• Vitamin A: 6% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
• Folate: 5% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
• Vitamin B5: 7% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
• Vitamin B12: 9% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
• Vitamin B2: 15% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
• Phosphorus: 9% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances. 
• Selenium: 22% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.

8. MINERALS Eggs are packed with phosphorus, iron and zinc, which are vital for your body. Iron helps to prevent you from feeling grumpy, tired and run down. Zinc keeps your immune system in top form and helps your body convert food into energy. Phosphorus is important for healthy teeth and bones. 

9. OMEGA-3S Our eggs are high in Omega-3s! Our hens are fed Omega-3 enriched feeds, made of grains and seeds that are grown and harvested at SMC!

10. HEALTHY EYES Two antioxidants, leutin and zeaxanthin, are present in eggs and have been linked to protecting eyes from damage related to UV exposure. They have also been associated with reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts in old age.

11. ZERO CARBS Eggs contain zero carbs and no sugar. 

12. FEEL FULL Eggs keep you feeling full much longer than cereal or toast. The protein and fat in eggs helps sustain your energy levels, keeping you satisfied for longer and reducing the need for a mid-morning snack.

Have South Mountain Creamery Certified Humane Eggs delivered straight to your door! www.southmountaincreamery.com