Every year as Yule time approaches we begin making egg nog more often. I use raw eggs in ours and it is so nutritious. I say, "more often", because I also make this in the middle of summer. 

At farmers' market many years ago an older Amish lady with broken English told us of her meal of choice for long, hot summer days. Lo and behold- eggnog! It is not surprising that this was her 'meal' of choice, because it is cool, full of protein, and also quite refreshing. 

However, we all very much associate eggnog with Christmas or Yule time...

In our home, the first night we have eggnog is the night we put up the Yule tree and bring out the boxes of decorations. I also bake at least two batches of cookies- typically Russian teacakes and macaroons. 

We also play our favorite classic 'Christmas' tunes such as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' performed by Frank Sinatra, and of course, 'Blue Christmas' by Elvis Presley, and so much more. 

The eggnog is a major component to the Westman's celebration of Yule. 

We have raised our own chickens for the use of eggs for many, many years. They eat only non-GMO feed, wild weeds and natural sources of proteins such as bugs. We also move them around the farm to various locations and fresh ground several times a year. needless to say, I felt that our eggs are supremely healthy and of very good quality- therefore I have not the worry of the risk of any sort of sickness or disease from eating the eggs raw. 

Our ancestors consumed raw eggs for millennia and it is only quite recently that it became 'taboo'. Of course the reason is no mystery- with industrialization of agriculture and food production came standards that were otherwise unnecessary and unknown to our folk. 

For instance, hens living on fresh feed and fresh air and pasture rarely, if ever. get diseases such as e.coli or salmonella- the major fear factors promoted in modern times for "store-bought' eggs.

In fact, fresh, wholesome eggs are known to 'keep' for months sitting on the kitchen counter, clean but unwashed, without any special care.  I typically do not refrigerate our fresh hen eggs unless they are for customer sales in which case I am obligated to comply with state egg board standards. For home use, our eggs sit on the counter and are used each day as I need them. Now, if they are very dirty then I wash them for home use as well. 

The raw eggs have a huge amount of nutrition, some of which can be lost in cooking. 

Our children love homemade raw eggnog and I can rest assured that it is a nice healthy treat for them, without the soy, or other flavors, sugars and additives that many store bought versions of eggnog contain. 

*** If you are immunocompromised and wary of eating raw eggs for some other reason, here is an alternative recipe from another website.