Coloring Easter eggs is a tradition in many households and a great family friendly activity. Instead of using store-bought kits and artificial dyes, try using household items like berries, vegetables and spices to create a natural dye for your eggs.
http://bit.ly/NatEggDye
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Water (use less when working with watery produce such as spinach)
2 Tbsp Distilled White Vinegar
Coloring Ingredient Yellow: Turmeric (2 Tbsp) or Cumin (2 Tbsp) Red: 2 Cups Beets (peeled, diced) or 1 lb. Cranberries (crushed) Pink: 1 lb. Raspberries (crushed) Blue: 1 lb. Blueberries (crushed) Green: 2 Cups Frozen Spinach Lavender: Purple Grape Juice or 1 lb. Blackberries (crushed) Orange: Chili Powder (2 Tbsp)
INSTRUCTIONS
Add coloring ingredients into a sauce pan with water and vinegar
Boil for 30 minutes, or until desired level of color is attained
Let cool to room temperature, and strain out berries, vegetables or spices
Add 2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar
Dip eggs into natural dye solution to color as desired
For deeper hues and richer colors, refrigerate eggs overnight in the color mixture
Other Notes & Recommendations:
Design your Easter eggs using stickers, masking tape or rubber bands before coloring
To add a shiny finish to your eggs, add a few drops of olive oil to the egg shell and polish with a soft cloth
Uneaten eggs and even the dye can be composted!