Coloring Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes

  

Here's a natural, healthy way to dye Easter eggs plus a few photos from our Easter egg decorating party and hunt with friends in the garden...

Skip the packaged dyes for ones you can make yourself. The prep for this egg-dying extravaganza takes a little bit longer than plopping artificial dye into hot water, but the results are just as lovely and a lot more natural (not to mention safer to eat!). Make the dye ahead of time, or have your kids decorate their hard-boiled eggs with crayons while you cook up the colors on the stove. Once the dye has set on the eggs (it’ll take 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how deep you want your colors).

PINK-

15 ounces of beets

1 cup of water

1 teaspoon of vinegar

Bring beets and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a bowl to retain the liquid. Cool, then stir in vinegar.

YELLOW-

1 tablespoon turmeric or curry powder

2 cups water

Bring spice and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cool.

GREEN-

1 cup water

3 chlorophyll capsules (available at health food stores)

Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Open up the capsules and stir into water. Cool.

BLUE-

2 cups blueberries

2 cups water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring blueberries and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a bowl to retain liquid. Cool, then stir in the vinegar.




You can also experiment with produce in your kitchen. I have used the water from cooking spinach and cabbage, then add vinegar to the liquid.