As a vegetarian, eggs are actually a significant component of my protein intake. They are (were) cheap, they're extremely versatile, they can be fried, scrambled, poached, hard-boiled, made into egg salad, used in sauces, used in baked goods, their taste is neutral enough to combine with an endless variety of other flavors...

One thing I've noticed is that the price of the free-range pasture-fed eggs I've always purchased has only slightly increased, while the price of the factory-farmed eggs has skyrocketed. Hmm, it's almost like chickens have more resistance to communicable diseases like avian flu when we prioritize their health and don't pack them into an extremely cramped barn or cages...

Of course, I would sooner go without eggs altogether than buy the factory-farmed eggs. When the free-range eggs were sold out a few weeks ago I bought a plant-based egg scramble substitute. It wasn't very good, but it's always worth it to try something new.

I have a lot of respect for those who have the self-discipline to be vegan. I've tried to reduce my dairy and egg intake and it turned out to be a lot more difficult than quitting meat.