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If you really have a dieticienne, jigjag, other than your wife, sack her! There is no evidence whatsoever that eggs damage your health. I remember Michael Mosely once got someone to eat a large number a day for 2 weeks (sorry I've forgotten how many) and did lots of measurements afterwards, all normal.
I eat 2 eggs a day, almost every day, from properly looked-after birds. However, I wouldn't know what my cholesterol level is as I refuse to have it checked.
Did anyone do the Harper's puzzle? Xantippe must be an unusual crossword word.
I hope never to be an executix! Off with their heads (wink).

I'm on a hobby-horse, here, Rosalind - I abhor "cholesterol" (a vital ingredient of cell membranes, and a specific chemical compound) being used instead of "low density lipoprotein" (excess of which is, admittedly, not good for you).

While I'm on my hobby horse, ignore anything that refers to "omega 3". The correct expression is "omega-3", where the "-" is the minus sign.

Rosalind

How lovely to hear from you! I have not seen you post for some time, but I dont look at many threads. I went to a show in New Brighton last night (much changed from our youth). It was "7 Drunken Nights - the Story of the Dubliners" at the Floral Pavilion, a lovely theatre. Good show.

Will post soon re eggs.

Malone, Rosalind

It is very kind of you to advise me on my health. Mrs J orders 6 per week from the milkman, all for me, though she has one occasionally.

She does, literally, put them all in one basket, next to the microwave. Of course, now that I am eating out more, the backlog builds up and I have just counted 21 in the basket. Mrs J has marked them with the sell-by dates and I have just had 3 out-of-date ones, boiled, with 2 pieces of toast. leaving only 3 to be used by yesterday. I will have these tomorrow.

With the trips to the market cafe, I suppose I am eating about 10 eggs per week, which is close to Rosalind's recommendation. I dont know much about cholesterol, but the doctor put me on a mild dose of statins 5 years ago. It was reviewed a year later and I was told they were working so I was to carry on. No review since, so perhaps I should not be on them. The only downside is that I am not alllowed grapefruit juice, which is no hardship. I remember some talk of good and bad cholesterol, Which is what ChrisE means, I imagine.

Malone

Thanks, if it is not too tricky i will have a go at it. I have not looked at the clue yet. If it is about feminine endings, I will enjoy it. I have been: testatrix, actress, artiste and usherette, but never a -ienne, or euse. These seem natural, but I have been happy to have been a dancer and a cricketer.

Jigjag, thanks for the ... eggsplanation (sorry, I couldn't resist). I liked hearing about your system for coping with the backlog/egg mountain. Like Rosalind, I pay no attention to the health advice - it's seldom useful and it's often replaced with the exact opposite a year or two later. It's good that your statins appeared to be effective, but you/we/no-one really knows if you still need them now.

I feel a little sorry for ChrisE, with the technical/medical terminology being inexact. At the same time, I have no intention of asking any elderly relatives if they've been for their 'low density lipoprotein test'. That would have them baffled and for no real reason - 'cholesterol' remains fine for everyday, conversational usage.

Grunger, I think you will enjoy the clue. You listed some of your jobs, roles. It's not too late for you to become a religieuse or a chanteuse...

malone

Thanks for the career advice. My singing is not good enough to be labelled chanteuse. As for religieuse, I am fond of the chocolate cakes, but I suppose you think I should become a nun. I lead that sort of life, and Sister Bernadette Mary was my favourite teacher, so I must think seriously about it.

jigjag,

I think some sell-by dates are important and others are not. Wih eggs you can always do the float test.

Grunger, thanks. I quite liked the idea that you could opt to be a totally silent nun or someone who sang the night away - no difference!

PS What does a nun-like life entail? I don't think I fancy it much.

Malone

The only nuns I have known were teachers. I think a lot of praying and abstinence is required, so perhaps it does not suit me. This has reminded me of your great "birds of pray" joke from last year.

Nice to see Egg Spoon and Artisan in the Times yesterday, after recent discussions.

Grunger

My mother taught me to put vinegar in the pan when boiling eggs. I dont know why. She did not mention a float test though.