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Robert Ancill, CEO of Food Retail Consultancy, The Next Idea reports: If you have purchased a dozen eggs lately, you might have been a bit flummoxed when trying to decide whether to put out more of your hard-earned cash for the free-range variety. How do you know if paying the extra price for this “boutique” variety of eggs is worth it? First, you have to understand just what the term free-range means, and that its definition can be a matter of perspective. Warning: It’s not all that simple. According to Mother Earth News, true free-range chickens eat a natural chicken’s diet that includes “all kinds of seeds, green plants, insects and worms, usually along with grain or laying mash.” True free-range chickens also spend time out of doors walking around and foraging–something factory farm birds can’t do. In addition, factory farm birds are usually fed cheap mixtures of corn, soy, and cottonseed meals with additives. Here’s the confusing part: The USDA defines free range as birds merely having access to the outdoors. Some manufacturers are taking advantage of this definition by leaving tiny doors open on huge sheds, which in turn leaves the door open for the manufacturers to label their eggs as “free range.” So what’s a consumer to do?

Ancill says, “Know what you’re getting for your money”. According to Mother Earth News-sponsored tests, free-range chickens produce eggs of superior nutritional value as compared to eggs from factory hens. In addition, when compared to the official USDA nutrient data for commercial eggs, the eggs from free-range chickens contained up to:

* Two-thirds more vitamin A * Double the omega-3 fatty acids * Triple the vitamin E * Seven times more beta-carotene * One-third less cholesterol * One-quarter less saturated fat

To find out the names of reliable sellers of eggs from pasture-raised hens in your area, check out www.eatwild.com or www.localharvest.org.

The Next Idea (www.thenextidea.net) is a Retail Food and Restaurant Consultancy committed to improving the quality and Healthfulness of the products available to the US Consumer.

Are you considering buying a new barbeque? If it’s been a while since you’ve last looked to purchase a BBQ then you may be surprised by the range of products that are now available on the market. Gone are the days when making use of a barbeque simply meant getting some matches, firelighters and charcoal. These days, there is quite a range of options even in terms of the fuel that you can use.

Let’s start with the most simple pieces of kit. These tend to be those that you heat using charcoal. They tend to be cheapest, mainly because they have the least mechanical parts.

The advantage of such options is that you’ll probably already have a good idea how to use them. It’s often possible to purchase small, portable charcoal grills. These are ideal for picnics and camping trips.

The low prices are another key advantage. What about the disadvantages? Keeping a regular heat while cooking can be a real problem, meaning that you won’t necessarily get the highest quality food in terms of taste.

There is an art to using these barbeques - if you practice, then there’s no reason why you can’t master it.

If you are looking to use the equipment for camping trips, then electric barbeques are another alternative. These tend to be relatively light and can be fairly inexpensive.

Some enthusiasts would point out that electricity is unable to really give the authentic BBQ taste and experience.

Your third option is to look at gas barbeques. These have been increasing in popularity and are often being seen in large commercial premises, such as pubs and restaurants.

The big advantage with gas is that it allows you to control the heat a lot more easily than is the case with charcoal.

Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price tags, which tend to be considerably higher.

Before purchasing your next barbeque think about how often you are planning to use it and whether it’s mobility is important to you.

Also consider how much cooking you are likely to do each time you use it, as the size of cooking surfaces can vary considerably.

We all need to eat, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re looking for ways to feed your family without breaking the bank, keep reading for 7 great tips to save money on your groceries. 1. Clipping coupons is still cool.

You can still save big by clipping coupons, whether out of your local flyers or manufacturer’s advertisements in magazines or local newspapers. Clip merely four 50-cent coupons a week and you’ve just saved over a hundred dollars this year.

2. Stock up on pantry items.

If a brand or product you love is on sale and isn’t perishable, stock up now. Just remember that you already have 10 cans of your favorite pasta sauce before you buy more the next time you go out grocery shopping.

3. Take stock before you shop.

Like the last tip suggests, it’s important to know what you already have before you head to the grocery store. You’ll avoid doubling up on items and you’ll also get an idea of what your family is and isn’t eating. For example, stop buying asparagus if you’ve failed to eat it for the last three months.

4. Go with a plan.

One of the best ways to save money at the grocery store is to go with a concrete plan of what you need. It takes a lot of work, but planning out your menu for the week means you’ll go shopping like a chef, with a clear idea of what you need and exactly how much you’ll spend.

Once you have your menu, post it on a cupboard door to remind you each night.

5. Buy a whole chicken.

A whole chicken can often be had for as little as $5.00. This one chicken, once roasted, can mean chicken breasts for dinner, chicken sandwiches for lunch, chicken soup for the next night’s dinner and chicken salad a few days later. You’ll be amazed by how far you can stretch a chicken dollar.

6. Make your own.

Almost always it’s cheaper to buy your own basic ingredients than any pre-made item. For example, making your own pie crust would cost you pennies in flour and butter, while a pre-made pie crust can run as high as $4.

7. Buy in bulk.

Age-old advice, but buying in bulk works. You pay less because you’re paying for less packaging, shipping and handling costs. If you know your family loves salsa, then you may as well pay $5.00 for a gallon than $4.00 for a pint.