High Maintenance Mom

I found several web sites that explain how to color Easter eggs naturally and although it is a bit time consuming, it is the best way to do it without all of the artificial dyes. Here is a list of the colors and how to obtain them and some instructions....

Green: Boiled spinach leaves

Blue: Frozen or canned blueberries and red cabbage leaves, both boiled

Purple: Hibiscus tea, grape juice (organic), and skins from boiled red onions

Red: Fresh beets boiled, red wine, raspberries, strawberries, or cranberries boiled, cranberry juice, boiled red onion skins, wine

Yellow: Boiled lemon peels, ground cumin or turmeric boiled, boiled carrots, boiled orange, or lemon peels

Orange: Orange juice, paprika, or boiled yellow onion skins

Brown: Strong coffee, any black tea

Steps to dye your Easter eggs:

For ingredients that need boiling:

1. Place your eggs in a pot of water, and bring to a boil. Turn heat off and cover for 15 minutes.

2. Place eggs in cold water to cool.

3. Place whatever ingredient you are choosing to work with (about two cups) in the saucepan and cover with water by one inch, and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and let simmer until the desired color is reached.

5. Strain the concoction so that you catch the colored water in a bowl, and add three teaspoons of vinegar for each cup of liquid.

6. Dye your eggs just as you would with conventional dyes