Why Skip the Artificial Dyes?
Artificial coloring can be found in a number of foods and have been linked to certain health conditions. It is usually recommended for all children with ADHD to stay away from all food coloring and additives because it can aggravate the condition. Some food dyes have been linked to skin rashes, asthma, headaches and even cancer. Food dyes can be found in Easter egg dyes but also soda, canned food, candy, boxed macaroni and cheese, and many others. It is wise to stay away from all artificial colors as much as possible to avoid any unwanted health risks.
How to Use Food as Easter Egg Dye
The general process is to boil the food, herb, or spice in water and simmer for 15-30 minutes. Strain the liquid from the pot and add 1-2 tbsp of white vinegar to the dye. The colors come out darker the longer you leave the egg in the dye. We left our eggs in anywhere from 1-2 minutes to 30 minutes and got varying degrees of color
What Colors Work?
Orange / Peach
- Yellow Onion skins: remove out layer of 5-6 onions. Boil in 2 cups water for 30 minutes. Add 1 tbsp. white vinegar.
Yellow
- Turmeric – boil 4 tsp. turmeric in 2 cups water, simmer 15 minutes. Add 1 tbsp. white vinegar
Dark Purple
- Elderberries – boil ¼ cup elderberries in 2 cups water, simmer 15 minutes. Add 1 tbsp. white vinegar
Blue
- Blueberries – boil 1 cup frozen blueberries in 2 cups water, simmer 15 min. Add 1 tbsp. white vinegar
- Red Cabbage - boil 1 cup chopped cabbage in 2 cups water, simmer 15 min. Add 1 tbsp. white vinegar
Green
- Mix ¾ prepared yellow turmeric with ¼ prepared elderberry
Pink
- Beets - boil 1-2 chopped beets in water, simmer 15 minutes. Add 2 1 tbsp. white vinegar
What Did not Work...
- Raspberries with the same technique as the blueberries but the color did not stick to the eggs at all.
- Boiling alfalfa powder for green but it also did not stick!
