Ways to Go Green & Organic For Easter

Today my friends, it seems appropriate that we should discuss going organic, natural, eco-friendly and green for Easter since Easter is going to be here very soon.

The weather is getting warmer and its time for family to get together for Easter dinner and Easter egg hunts .  Easter is a time of rebirth for your faith whatever it might be. It a time of new beginnings and hope.

Easter is always a wonderful time of the year with daffodils, tulips, lilacs, and all the reblooming of Mother Earths beauty. Lets honor that by making sure we stay environmentally friendly and “Green!”

I am going to give you some ideas how you can accomplish that goal and keep your family on the right track to a green, environmentally friendly, and organic lifestyle.

Some important Steps to Take:

1. You definitely need to stay away from store-bought baskets that are petrochemical nightmares that contain dyed plastic baskets, dyed cellophane grass, dyed plastic eggs and candy that are filled with synthetic dyes, preservatives, dangerous food additives, pesticide filled chocolates, and hormone-laden dairy products that they typically contain.

It certainly isn’t healthy or environmentally friendly!

2. Don’t use conventional Easter egg dye!! According to a study performed by the FDA in the 1980’s many food colorings contain additives that are known carcinogens and cause tumors. Some dyes cause hives and rashes among other health problems. But not to worry — we have plenty of ways to help the Easter Bunny out and color those Easter eggs naturally. 

•  Use onions skins – just wrap the onions skins around an egg with pieces of an old sheet or cheesecloth and tie them at the top – then put them on the stove to hard boil as you would any egg. You can use red onions or regular brown onion skins. They look absolutely beautiful with many different tones and colors. As a child this was an old family tradition that we did every year.

•   Use fruits and vegetables for colors:  You can use fresh and frozen produce. Boiling the colors with vinegar will result in deeper colors. Some materials need to be boiled to impart their color and some of the fruits, vegetables, and spices can be used cold.     Start by–   Hard-boil a dozen eggs and allow them to cool completely.
•  Gather your dye ingredients. The exact ingredients vary based on the colors and color intensity you desire: Use at least 1 cup of liquid or leafy ingredients, or at least 1 tablespoon of spice ingredients
• Prepare each dye by placing 4 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and select dye ingredients into a saucepan, bringing the mixture to a boil and then simmering for 25 minutes.

• Steep the eggs in the dye until the desired color is achieved.

• Some color suggestions:

• • Green– Spinach
  • Blue— Blueberries or red cabbage
  • Pink—Beets, red grape juice, cranberry juice, frozen raspberries,
  • Yellow—Turmeric, orange peel, lemon peel, carrot tops, cumin

If your kids want to help you can make the dye before hand and let them design their own eggs. This can also be a fun time to spend with your kids and you can teach them alternative, green and natural ways while you explain to them why it is healthier for them and for the environment. Use only natural organic Easter egg dyes.

3. Recycle and use environmentally friendly Easter baskets:

• Use a handmade wooden basket and personalize with your child name–they can later use it and plant a miniature garden in–it can be their own personal project to take care of  and nurture
• Use grapevine baskets that are environmentally friendly
• Sew fabric baskets that can be used year after year
• Use reusable eco-friendly canvas totes
• Try a sand pail with BPA free plastic that they play with all through the summer
• Buy hand-made, fair trade certified baskets that you can find other uses for after Easter
• Use and old soda bottle or milk carton for complete directions go http://familycrafts.about.com/od/easterbaskets/a/bottlebasket.htm

4. Use Environmentally Friendly & Green with Easter grass:   Don’t use the plastic grass conventional plastic grass that is filled with chemicals and toxins — it certainly is not environmentally friendly!

•  Use shredded paper from old scraps of magazine and after Easter you can use the paper for you compose
•  Line the basket with organic cotton, hemp, or jute

5. Send a Note to the Easter Bunny that this year that your child is Going Organic, Green, and Healthy because we care, want to live a healthier lifestyle and love our planet!

• Purchase Organic Chocolate and candies at your your local health food store!
• Fill the basket with healthy snacks such as raisins, nuts, seeds and even fresh fruit.
• Give them some garden tools to keep care of their own personal garden.
• You don’t have to stick to candy or food – try giving your child a ticket for a movie that they want to see!
• Give some fun hair accessory–most little girls love those!
• Buy a new book that you know your child will love!
• Another great idea is give them a gift certificate for your local health food store where they can buy there own healthy favorite treats.

Easter is often thought of as primarily a Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection but the Easter basket, is a celebration of the rebirth of the planet each year!  So let’s celebration by honoring our planet, that is a God-given gift! Take the extra steps to ensure a safe and healthy future for your children and all future generations. I hope you have a wonderful, joyful Easter with your family and friends filled with love, laughter, and all  your dreams of a safe and healthy future come true!

Quote of the Day: Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals! ~ Charles M. Crowe

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About the author

Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!