Our eggs were delivered on Thursday. We received 3 dozen precious eggs of varying sizes and colors in unmatching recycled cartons. Actually, our egg lady delivers to one of my company offices and colleagues on their way to my building for a meeting are kind enough to schlep them along. They put them in the fridge and someone always puts a sticky note on my light switch that says DON’T FORGET EGGS.
Did I mention that I work for a Fortune 1000 company? As I walk into our home eggs in tow, my teenager suddenly realizes that I may have been seen carrying them through the hallowed halls of my office. Seriously Mom? They bring your eggs to your office? And why not? Sure, it might look a little odd but the pleasure of farm fresh eggs outweighs any slight embarrassment. And it demonstrates to others that I am truly committed to fresh, local, organic food.
Did you ever read Tuesdays with Morrie? It’s a sad book full of life lessons from a man towards the end of his time on earth but what I remember best is how Professor Morrie used to go dancing. He loved to dance to rock and roll and did it with reckless abandon and a towel draped around his neck to mop up the perspiration. He danced alone and until the music stopped and he didn’t worry about being seen by students or other faculty. He had courage in the workplace.
I’m inclined to understand some of the angst of belonging from my fourteen year old but recently I was in a conversation with a talented up and comer who revealed to me that he was afraid to share his political persuasion in the workplace. I don’t need to know where anyone stands politically but I was disappointed that this person felt sharing might disable his career. After all, diversity is what we say we’re striving for. Aren’t we?
And doesn’t diversity mean more than skin color or religious affiliation? Can we create a place where diversity of thought is widely accepted and encouraged? I want all work environments to be places where vegetarian CSA participants proudly stroll the halls with their libertarian colleagues or Hindu supervisors. Okay, I’m probably scrambling my eggs at this point but I want to see that courage in the workplace right along side that acceptance.
Where can you step out on an issue to demonstrate that it’s okay to do so?
- olive oil
- 6 cloves of garlic
- oregano
- salt
- parsley
- 6 eggs
Preheat oven to 400. Cover bottom of muffin tins or small ramekins with olive oil. To each tin add 1 clove garlic, dash of Mexican oregano, salt and parsley. Place in oven. When the container is spitting oil, remove from oven and remove the garlic. Drop one egg into each container. Put back in oven and turn off the heat. I leave them for about 4 minutes or until the yolk is set. Cover with your favorite salsa and serve.
Agrigirl's Blog 
Lisa H
/ October 24, 2010Those eggs are amazingly beautiful! Keep walking the workplace halls with those eggs in tow. When others start asking why you’re carrying eggs in the office, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share your enthusiasm of eating local.
I also like how you tied the diversity of eggs into diversity at the workplace. Incredibly creative.
Keep of the great work.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010Thanks Lisa and yes, I’ll keep the eggs and the ideals in tow.
Jane
/ October 24, 2010Another thought provoking piece, Tammy. Thank you for the question at the end. I’m giving my own answer to it some serious thought right now.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010Thanks Jane. I think it’s not only important for us to “step out” on issues but also to support others with the courage to do so.
John
/ October 24, 2010Nice eggs
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010That was deep.
Nourishing Words
/ October 24, 2010Although I routinely play it safe at work on issues of politics and religion, I’ve taken to proudly slurping my thick green smoothie every morning, sometimes pausing to wipe a green moustache from my upper lip when someone appears at my office door. This, and other teachable food moments (like offering raw garlic for a sore throat) often lead to a conversation about why I do the “crazy” things I do.
Regarding underground food trafficking networks, I read a while back about a network in the Boston area that moved a weekly supply of raw milk by volunteer courier from an outlying farm to a secret front porch refrigerator where it would be picked up by grateful urban raw milk lovers. I love the image.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010I think the safe route is fine but I don’t buy the “don’t ask don’t tell” philosophy. If someone “tells”, then I want that to be accepted – easy to say when the viewpoints align with my own. I hadn’t ever thought about getting eggs as underground food trafficking and I also love the image. Renegade milk drinkers!
goatsandgreens
/ November 7, 2010Oh, I’ve brought in huge hard boiled turkey eggs to eat at lunch at work; they certainly don’t come from any supermarket!
(On the other paw, there are things I’ve disguised at work so as to avoid questions — pasture finished beef heart, for one. Chop it small, and have a gravy.)
I don’t have problems with discussing political views at work (well, except with the ranter, but I don’t have to see him much); however I don’t feel free to discuss religion there at this point. A shame, but only a few more years before I end up on my retirement farm. 🙂
This is a great blog, glad I stumbled over it!
nrhatch
/ October 24, 2010You go, girl!
The more we can be “who we are” no matter who we are with and no matter who’s watching . . . the greater integrity we feel.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010I think you’re exactly right Nancy and I think that greater integrity contributes to greater health.
Cindy
/ October 24, 2010A choc-o-block-full post of stuff to think about.
The recipe is a winner.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 24, 2010Thanks Cindy. I love those baked eggs.
Hannah
/ October 24, 2010I’d like to order your kind of scrambled eggs instead of the rotten fried prejudices many of our political leaders across the world are serving up! Oh, for true equality!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010Yes, it’s frightening to see the divisions – especially when we know what it can lead to.
isathreadsoflife
/ October 25, 2010Beautiful patchwork of huevos ! I bet they taste delicious. As for creating a place where diversity of thought is widely accepted and encouraged, I believe it should be done everywhere, as early as possible in our life. Wouldn´t our world be a safer and better place ? One for each of us to express one´s beliefs and ideas without fear of being rejected ?
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010I agree with the “as early as possible” statement. Children live what they learn.
Kath (Eating for Living)
/ October 25, 2010I belive both unity and diversity have positive and negative aspects.
The postitive aspect of unity is that people understand each other because they realize they are of the same kind, and have something in common. The negative apsect of unity is when all people have to be the same, according to certain standards.
The positive aspect of diversity is open-mindedness and flexibility when you realize and appreciate different styles of thinking, feeling, and living. The negative aspect of diversity is loneliness and isolation when you feel like nobody understands you, and you are all alone.
So I think it’s important to have the best of both – and realize you havea lot in common with others, but are diverse in your very own ways.
I’m not a great friend of mainstream. One of my favorite sayings is, “Only who swims against the current will reach the source.” I believe there is a legitimation for every style of living (that isn’t harmful), and there isn”t a single style of living (or eating) that applies to everybody. Tolerance s key, judgment is often overbearing.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010I believe is acceptance of diversity and unity in that acceptance – not a state where everyone is the same.
nancy at good food matters
/ October 25, 2010I have (almost) always worked for myself, and have promoted open expression. In a working kitchen, that actually happens more often than you might want!! But my partner works in an extremely conservative office. I think it’s his mission to jostle things up a bit–because he is very vocal with his opinions. This makes some people uncomfortable, like he should not speak out, but if he didn’t, who then? Critical thinking needs to be encouraged, thinking in general needs to be challenged.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010Yes, without the ability to think critically, we are destined to follow the masses. We need the lone voices and those people have to feel in a “threat-free” zone in order to voice them.
Kristen (swanky dietitian)
/ October 25, 2010I love eggs but am not always super creative with them. This recipe sounds delicious..and super simple!
I will have to keep this in mind next time I buy eggs. Thanks!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010Yes, very easy.
dianescholten
/ October 25, 2010Tammy – YAY YOU!!! I totally agree it’s important to be authentic – and thus to be a role model, as well. I worked directly for the CIO at Arthur Andersen in the mid 1990s (pre-Enron) – a fancy job. I was an out lesbian, but was closety about my long-time hobby of astrology for fear it would hurt my career. Sometimes I wonder now that I’m back in the corporate space (albeit as a lowly contractor) if my blog, which has plenty of leftist rants, comes up on their Google searches – if it will keep me from being employed in the future. I think it’s more important now than ever before to be true to ourselves and our convictions. And that includes your cool eggs! You make a difference – keep at it!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 25, 2010Thanks Diane. I appreciate your wisdom. Sent you a linkedin message today.
A S
/ October 25, 2010We had this discussion about diversity in my MBA course (in Prof Minu’s class, actually). In business school, we are taught to consciously encourage diversity at the work place – but they usually mean gender and ethnic diversity. We had a case study in which there is one manager who is very male and very white, and his attitude and approach at work is somewhat unconventional (but not necessarily wrong). The other managers and employees are not too comfortable with that. When my classmates expressed similar discomfort with that character, I tried to tell them that diversity of thought is more important than diversity of gender and ethnicity. Not sure how many of them got it.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Yes, it seems to be a hard concept for many. Of course, if the thoughts are not like our own, then they might be “wrong”.
Sophie
/ October 26, 2010You must have a cool egg delivery lady because those eggs are so different & they look just beautiful!!
Your egg recipe is an apart one. I must try this!
Thanks for sharing this lovely post with us, dear Tammy!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Thanks Sophie. Good to hear from you. I think you’ll like the eggs.
jessiecarty
/ October 26, 2010I’m hoping to stop by a newer Farmer’s Market in the area today and now I am really craving eggs 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Yum!
Lauren
/ October 26, 2010Love the egg story. One of my favorite features of our CSA eggs is the range of colors. We pick ours up directly from the farm, so there’s none of that embarrassing stuff of taking them through the office (actually, we have an organic garden at the school where I work, and all of our students participate in planting, maintaining, and harvesting. We’ve been talking about the possibility of getting some hens here…)
I have two dozen eggs in the fridge right now–enough for all of the Halloween treats I’ll be baking for the school bake sale.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010I agree that they’re beautiful. And how great about the garden at school! Maybe one day. Look forward to seeing what you bake.
Heather
/ October 26, 2010I couldn’t agree more with your comments on diversity! In my career experience diversity of thought is discouraged rather than encouraged. It takes courage to speak what you believe when others don’t want to hear you. Strong leaders should be looking for different voices when they don’t they often end up delivering inferior products and services and in worse case scenarios a failed business. I continue to be amazed that business people don’t see how much they will loose without diversity of all kinds.
No matter where you spend your time in life you will find that people do not embrace change whether that means different colored eggs or different voices.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Yeah Heather! Your passion comes through. I agree that change is hard – even when it is good change.
nursemyra
/ October 26, 2010recipe looks great and I love the different coloured eggs. What’s different about Mexican oregano?
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Hmmm, it’s a lighter color and a mustier taste and it grows here. Just use your variety of oregano – I’m sure it will work fine.
Kathleen
/ October 26, 2010I am very blessed to have a lot of hens who lay all colors of eggs. I have been able to sell eggs to quite a lot of folks this past year. Enjoyed reading your post. blessings,Kathleen
Tammy McLeod
/ October 26, 2010Yes, when I think of eggs, I think of you.
Judy Swartz
/ October 27, 2010One of the blessings of aging is the growing ability to say what what I think and be who I am without fear of what others will think. My challenge is how to instill that in my children much earlier than I experienced it.
Love reading your thoughts each week!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 27, 2010I agree that things become easier with age – such is the case of the 8th grade angst. Thanks for your kind words.
hungry dog
/ October 28, 2010I have always been lucky to–or chosen to, I guess–work in places where not only the organization itself but most of the employees shared the bulk of my opinions–at least generally speaking. When you work in the non-profit sector in San Francisco, you are not going to find yourself with a lot of conservatives. It’s usually a matter of Democrat or Green party. I probably wouldn’t be able to work somewhere if I felt I was surrounded by people whose opinions were vastly different than mine. It would be hard for me to respect them. That sounds bad, but it’s true.
Enjoy your eggs!
Tammy McLeod
/ October 28, 2010It sounds like you try to find a place to work where you have shared values. That’s important. Surrounded by people who were all vastly different would be one thing but surrounded by people – all of whom shared your values while having differing opinions is another.
sartenada
/ October 29, 2010So nice huevos.
When we buy eggs we always select those in which one can read “free hens’ eggs”. The fact is that if hens can be “free”, with which I mean that that they can walk freely around, those eggs are best.
Thank You for this post.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 29, 2010Yes. That’s the type of eggs that these are.
OysterCulture
/ October 30, 2010Love that you bring your eggs to work, and the great examples of the need to be and express yourself. I see so many examples of people afraid to speak their mind as it might impact their career or relationships. It is sad, especially when you think we place such importance on freedom of speech and now people are afraid to exercise their rights.
Tammy McLeod
/ October 30, 2010I completely agree Louann. We really have to make people know that they’ll be accepted for their views.
Paige
/ November 1, 2010You can’t go wrong with those ingredients!
Tammy McLeod
/ November 1, 2010Yep, they’re yummy.
Naomi
/ November 5, 2010Hear hear, Tammy! Love those eggs – and your comment about “scrambling” them 😀 Thanks for a great post!
Tammy McLeod
/ November 5, 2010You’re welcome.
Meanlittleboy
/ November 20, 2010WHAT causes different colored eggs?? This may sound dumb but I really don’t know..If someone has already addressed this please forgive me.. I should be an expert on eggs. God knows I have handled enough over the years,,,cheers Dennis aka MLB
I want to congratulate you on your blog…its very articulate and informing..cheers
Tammy McLeod
/ November 20, 2010Thank you Dennis. Here is the explanation from Wisegeek: Chicken eggs from various chicken breeds emerge in different shades because of pigments which are deposited as the eggs move through the hen’s oviduct. The pigment depositions are determined by the chicken’s genetics, with some breeds producing rich dark brown eggs, for example, while others lay snow white eggs. The eggs inside are essentially identical; there are no major flavor differences between chicken eggs from different birds, as the flavor is determined by the chicken’s diet.
There are three main colors for chicken eggs. Most eggs in the store come in white or shades of brown. It is also possible to find blue to green chicken eggs, which come from the Aracuana, a breed of chicken developed in Chile. Araucanas have also been crossed with other breeds to produce the Americauna, sometimes called the “Easter egg chicken” in a reference to its multicolored eggs.
girlinchucks
/ November 22, 2010I think you should stroll proudly down the hallway with your eggs. No shame in that.
You make me sad though. The other farm that my CSA does business with has no more eggs for the season because their hens have been underproducing. I really loved their eggs. They were fabulous! I miss them already. 😦
Tammy McLeod
/ November 22, 2010Sorry about your loss. Fresh eggs are among my favorite things as is evidenced by all the egg recipes.
Llanes
/ November 26, 2010America’s intolerance is on the rise, as so is Germany’s, France’s and everybody else’s, except perhaps the Singaporeans the original intolerants are reversing themselves. You can now chew gum and walk on their streets.
My blog on which you comment often has given me a glimpse at intolerance. A lot of academics I know subscribe to it but their comments come to me privately, not to the blog page and when I ask them to publish their comments, I often get refused. The reason, which your post made clear, is that the comments are most often political in nature and against the conventional thinking. Imagine, academics, holding their fire.
It’s just like the lovely recipe for Peña Blanca eggs. You tell your readers that when the garlic has finished perfuming the oil it should be removed. Why? Some sort of social contract I guess. Leave it in, take a risk that you will offend somebody and enjoy it.
Tammy McLeod
/ November 26, 2010Good Professor LLanes,
I see the intolerance at a higher level than I have ever known – especially here in Arizona. Your comment about the Singaporeans made me smile. When I was last there we referred to their ruling PAP party as the Pay and Pay party because of all the fines for things such as chewing gum while walking down the street or using a toilet incorrectly.
I’m saddened as I often think of academia as immune to comment withholding but alas, I’m not sure why it would be.
I will undoubtedly retain the garlic from here on out while renaming the recipe to Llanes Blanca.