Even though our chickens lay eggs that are naturally green, brown and pink, it just wouldn't be Easter without the ritual of dying eggs!It is not much more difficult than using the chemical dyes available in grocery stores, and much more fun and educational for the kiddos... Not to mention a great step toward a healthier and more organic home.
The basics:
1. Prepare one pan of water for each color you want to make, and add 3 Tablespoons of white vinegar per quart. Place uncooked eggs into each pan (be sure they are totally submerged in the water - about 6 eggs each)
2.
Add the dye materials using the ideas below:have fun with the process! Mix and match materials to make your own colors, too!
For each quart of water add:
Blue: 1 cup shopped red cabbage
or 1/2 cup mashed frozen blueberries
Red: 1/2 cup fresh sredded beets
or three bags (tsps) hibiscus tea
Yellow: 3 Tablespoons tumeric
or skins of three large yellow onions
Burnt orange: 3 Tablespoons chili powder
Green: a mixture of yellow onion skins and blueberries was what Mother Earth News suggested, but mine turned out very muddy, so I tossed in spinach, too...much earthier:) Photo above was swiped from their site, actually...and I never could achieve their marbled look...
Brown: 1 cup strong coffee or 1/2 cup used grounds.
3. Bring eggs and dye materials to a boil. Let it all boil for three - five minutes, and then remove from heat. Let it all cool together for 20 more minutes and rinse. The eggs will take on natural patterns where beets or cabbage touch them....
Extras:I can't dye eggs without making designs with a white candle first; the wax resists the dye and leaves words, names, or pictures behind...
Try rubber bands around eggs (carefully!) for a stripy tye dye effect...
Save dye baths and double dip: either a whole egg - or suspend one half way down...
With so much concern over the effects of food dyes and food coloring on children's health and behavior, why not try this natural method with your family as a way to "spring into more organic living". The Easter Bunny will be so happy! LOVE:)
