With the price of eggs these days, you may not even be thinking about buying some to dye for Easter. Well, we hope that isn’t the case because having a basket full of colorful Easter eggs is a fun arts and crafts activity for the whole family. Easter doesn’t have to be another holiday that promotes overindulgence! You can eliminate a good portion of sugary treats, food dyes, and artificial ingredients this year. 

Why Are Eggs Associated With Easter?

Quite frankly, you may be wondering what eggs have to do with Easter in the first place. No, bunnies do not lay eggs, nor do they deliver them to secret places in your house. Throughout history, people have given each other eggs at spring festivals to celebrate the start of the new season. An egg represents new life and rebirth, and the theory is that this ancient custom made its way into Easter celebrations.

During medieval times, for example, one could not eat eggs during Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. On Easter Sunday, indulging in an egg was a true treat! That was especially true for people who could not afford to buy meat. Historians note that eggs were given to the church on Good Friday as offerings. It was only in the late 1200s that eggs were decorated with colors and gold leaf and given to Edward I’s household. 

Are Naturally-Dyed Eggs Too Extreme?

Eggs, aside from the higher cost this Easter, are not the issue we are concerned with. We take issue with giving children an unlimited supply of plastic eggs filled with candy. Giving kids copious amounts of junk food at Easter and other holidays sets an unhealthy precedent. They do not need to associate holidays with unhealthy foods. There are better ways to develop healthier habits for life!

An occasional indulgence is perfectly fine, and you should not deprive yourself, or the little ones, of those treats. The point we are trying to make is that kids may receive these indulgences a little too often. From birthdays and Valentine’s Day to Easter, Halloween, and beyond, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to indulge in sweets. Celebration does not always have to equate to unhealthy, overly sweet treats. 

How To Dye Easter Eggs Without Synthetic Colors

The color tablets that people use to dye easter eggs contain harmful dyes, which may negatively affect certain children. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently banned certain red food dyes, but synthetic colors are still permitted in food. Nobody eats the colorful shells of Easter eggs, but egg shells are permeable. With food sensitivities on the rise, it’s worth considering natural dyes for coloring eggs. 

DIY Natural Egg Dye Tutorial

Equipment:

• Large pot (for boiling eggs)
• Small pot with lid (one for each color you use)
• Strainer
• Paper towels (or old rags)

Materials:

• 1 cup red onion skins
• 1 cup yellow onion skins
• 2 cups purple cabbage
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups blueberries
• 1/4 cup turmeric
• 2 cups beets, chopped
• 2 cups grape juice
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (per color used)
• White eggs

Instructions:

• For each color you decide to use, you will need one to two cups of plant material for every two cups of water. Use two cups for a deeper, more vibrant color. Because turmeric is dried, you will only need 1/4 cup of water to make the yellow turmeric dye. 
• Add one to two cups of one fruit or vegetable of choice, along with two cups of water, to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for 20-30 minutes.
• You can add the raw eggs and vinegar with simmering fruit/vegetable, but make sure that you reduce the simmer time to 15 minutes, or else you will overcook the eggs. 
• Let the liquid cool to room temperature before straining the fruit/vegetable. Make sure to compost the fruit or vegetable to reduce food waste, but squeeze as much liquid out of the plants as possible before doing so. 
• If you boil the eggs with the dye liquid, remove the eggs from the liquid once cooled. 
• Place un-dyed hard boiled eggs into the natural dye liquid and add two tablespoons of vinegar. Allow them to soak for several hours or overnight in the fridge. 
• Remove eggs from the dye liquid after soaking and pat dry. Rub the shell with a small amount of oil to make them shiny.

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Get those harsh chemicals out of your home with a natural alternative to a classic toilet bowl gel cleaner. This homemade scrub is nearly as effective as store bought cleaners and it doesn’t plague your home with harsh chemicals. Made with borax and baking soda, this scrub may help you remove stains from a dirty toilet bowl. 

Cleaning a toilet is not necessarily the first thing on everyone’s to-do list. In fact, nobody wants to do it, but nobody wants to look into a stained porcelain bowl either. You want to keep that porcelain looking polished and as good as new. Many chemical cleaning products promise that they can keep your bowl looking as sparkly as ever, but seldom do they do the trick. The difference between those products and the DIY toilet bowl cleaner in this article lies in the ingredients. 

Borax

Borax, not to be confused with boric acid, is composed of oxygen, sodium, and boron. It is commonly used as a cleaner, mildew remover, flame retardant, and handful of other things. Because borax has a 9.5 pH, it is alkaline and forms a basic solution when combined with water. A basic solution has an easier time breaking down acidic, fatty, and oily substances. For example, borax can loosen the accumulated grime in a toilet bowl, but just know that it does not disinfect. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a lot of uses, both in and out of the kitchen. Due to its mildly abrasive nature, baking soda has an innate ability to clean and remove stains. Baking soda reacts with the grease in stains to form glycerol, a common ingredient in soaps. When you mix baking soda with vinegar, it creates carbonic acid, which is a weak base that boosts vinegar’s corrosive nature. Additionally, baking soda is a weak alkali, meaning it can neutralize acids in odor molecules, which can help eliminate strong smells. 

Castile Soap

The genius of castile soap is the fact that it is equally gentle and powerful at the same time. Created from saponified oils with moisturizing properties, castile oil is commonly used as a gentle, natural soap for the skin. That said, it is capable of fighting tough stains. In fact, you can use castile soap to clean just about anything. Just do not mix castile soap with acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, or else it may leave behind a sticky film on the surface you’re cleaning. 

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water 
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 cup castile soap
• 25 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and still until the borax and baking soda are dissolved. 
• Pour the mixture into a squirt bottle and use when ready. 
• Make sure to shake well before each use. Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on the toilet bowl and use a scrub brush to clean. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing.

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No, this is not the comedian Carrot Top’s signature chimichurri recipe. Instead, this recipe is made with actual carrot tops! Carrots don’t typically come with tops, but they usually do if you buy an organic bunch from the store or farmer’s market. And now you have something to make with those lovely, vibrantly green tops.

Chimichurri, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this lovely condiment, is a flavorful herb sauce with roots in both Uruguay and Argentina. It is commonly made with flat-leaf parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, chili flakes, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. It is classically served with beef, but you can serve it with chicken, seafood, pork, beans, eggs, or vegetables. There are, of course, variations depending on the region, and then you have to factor in secret family recipes. You can make your own version with a plethora of greens, but the flavor may change slightly from the original recipe.

Carrot tops have a strong flavor that is somewhat bitter, so you need other ingredients to balance them. Just make sure to remove the delicate carrot leaves and stems from the thicker central ones. You can discard those thicker, central stems. We added cilantro to help balance the intense carrot greens, in addition to dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic, and a handful of other seasonings. One pro tip that we will give you is to let the minced garlic sit in the vinegar for a few minutes. That will mellow the intense garlicky flavor, and that is a culinary tip from us to you. Now go out there and make some chimichurri!

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Welcome back to our kitchen! Today, we’re making a refreshing raw vegan apple cider vinaigrette that’s not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Apple cider vinegar can aid digestion, support weight loss, and help regulate blood sugar levels.

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These zucchini noodles are great no matter what time of year it is. Enjoy them as a refreshing side while grilling in the summer or let them satiate you as a nutritious entree during the fall. The spiralized zucchini noodles are tossed with fresh herbs, garlic, seasonings, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, in which they marinated for a little while before serving. Marinating the zoodles helps to intensify the flavors and make the raw vegan entree that much more enjoyable.

In order to make this recipe, you need a spiralizer. You can use a handheld one, but the type with the hand crank is a little more durable and reliable. Once you have your zucchini noodles, place them in a bowl and toss with a couple pinches of sea salt. Allow them to sit like that for about 30 minutes, as this process helps to draw out the water. Naturally, while the zoodles are sitting in that bowl, you can prepare the marinade by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl. After those 30 minutes are up, drain the salty water and gently squeeze out the excess water from the zucchini noodles. Pat dry with paper towels.

Once your zucchini noodles are dry, you can transfer them to an airtight container with the marinade, mix well, and keep them in the refrigerator for an hour or so. You can also let them marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes and then enjoy. Although it may not seem like it, these noodles are actually quite delicious when served cold. You can even keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days!

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As a child, your parents tell you to clean your room or take care of other household chores. When you graduate to adulthood, the cleaning doesn’t stop. The only difference is that you don’t have someone bribing you with an allowance to clean your space. If you decide to have kids of your own, you will likely find out that they aren’t so neat. The moral of the story: the cleaning cycle never ends. 

We don’t mean to sound like defeatists, but cleaning is a part of life. If you are a maker of messes, you have to know how to clean up properly. If you clean up after your kids, you may want to consider using natural cleaning products, as the harmful chemicals in commercial products may be dangerous to young ones. You can also reduce your own risk of chemical exposure by switching to all-natural cleaning products that you make yourself. 

Why Make Your Own Natural Cleaner?

First of all, it can be very difficult to create or find an all-purpose and all-natural cleaning spray. Maybe you experiment with a concoction of your own, only to find that it really doesn’t do much. The cleaning power of the all-purpose cleaner in this recipe uses essential oils, borax, vinegar, and castile soap to help remove grime, soap scum, and everyday dirt. 

Making your own cleaner takes less than a minute, and you can save money in the process. It is eco-friendly and free of the toxins found in many conventional household cleaning sprays. Plus, you can customize the surface cleaner by adding different essential oils that work for you. 

Borax

You can incorporate borax into an all-purpose cleaning spray and use it on countertops, appliances, and windows. Some people find that it is highly effective at removing tough stains, dust, and food residue. You can often combine borax with water, shake it up, and pour in a spray bottle for use. In the case of this all-purpose cleaner, you combine it with other ingredients for safe and effective cleaning. If you are weary about using borax, you can always omit it from the recipe. 

Essential Oils

First of all, not all essential oils are created equal. There are many essential oils out there, but a lot of them are not pure essential oils. That means that other ingredients are added, so you won’t get the maximum benefits. When making a cleaning product, make sure to add your essential oils last to the spray bottle. Oils and water don’t mix well, so make sure to give your bottle a good shake prior to use. 

Washing Soda

Washing soda is different from baking soda. Baking soda is usually used alongside detergent to help get rid of stains or foul odors. It is usually gentler than washing soda, so it is not as efficacious. Washing soda is like a more amped-up version of baking soda that does a better job of removing stains and brightening colors when doing laundry. If used in excessive amounts and too frequently, though, it can be harsh on certain materials, specifically fabrics. 

Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon borax
• 1 teaspoon castile soap
• 1/2 teaspoon washing soda (not baking soda)
• 4 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops orange essential oil
• 2 cups distilled water

Instructions:

• Place the borax, castile soap, washing soda, and essential oils in an amber glass spray bottle.
• Pour in the distilled water until the glass is nearly full. Make sure to leave room for the sprayer to slide into the bottle. 
• Screw on the lid, shake well, and use as needed. It is great for bathrooms, kitchen, or even on toys.

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Say goodbye to leafy greens for a minute, but don’t forget about them completely. Leafy green are integral to a healthy diet, as they provide nutrients that encourage optimal overall health. Ever salad, however, does not require leafy greens, and this recipe is one of those salads. Corn is a classic summer produce item that is quite versatile. You can grill it, sauté it, steam it, or boil it and add it to salads, stir-fries, fried rice, and other dishes.

Although corn is the primary ingredient for this recipe, the dressing is the real star of the show. Vibrantly green and herbaceous, this dressing contains mint, cilantro, red wine vinegar, olive oil, sea salt and pepper, and a touch of agave nectar for sweetness. This kiss of sweetness from the agave helps to balance the intensity, acidity, and brightness of the other ingredients. The mint really shines through and complements the corn, sliced green onion, and vegan feta cheese.

Just as a quick note, this salad is not cleanse-approved. First of all, it contains corn and uses red wine vinegar. Some people may call those ingredients “acceptable cheats” while cleansing, but a definite “no” is the vegan feta. There are several varieties of vegan feta, but Follow Your Heart makes an excellent one that tastes like the real deal. Try it for yourself and let us know! This will be a hit at your next summer potluck!

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If you can make a homemade rendition of a store bought classic, then you should absolutely do that. By making the homemade version, especially a salad dressing, you save yourself from all of the sodium, added flavors, unhealthy fats, and added sugars in store bought dressings. The great thing about this homemade Italian dressing is that it uses olive oil, not hydrogenated vegetable oils that increase the risk of heart disease. Add in the vinegar, garlic, and other seasonings and you have yourself an award-worthy dressing!

Unlike some other dressings that we’ve posted previously, this recipe does not require a blender. Grab the ingredients, a jar, and your best shaking skills, and you have yourself a dressing that is ready to go in five to 10 minutes. If using raw garlic cloves, we encourage you to use a microplane or garlic press. That will prevent your dressing from having large garlic chunks if your knife skills are not incredible. If you do not want to use fresh parsley, you can opt for dried parsley, but reduce the amount from 1/4 cup fresh parsley to 1 tablespoon dried parsley.

Unlike store bought dressing, this homemade Italian dressing does not keep fresh in the fridge for months, even years. This dressing will keep fresh in the fridge in an airtight jar or container for two to three days. It may separate, so make sure to give it a good shake to combine the ingredients before dressing your salad. You may love this version so much that you abandon store bought versions for good!

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Clarifying is a process of deep cleaning the hair and scalp. It does not have to be difficult; rather, it is a simple process that calls for all natural ingredients. During this process, you use a clarifying shampoo or product to help remove dirt, product buildup, and other impurities on the hair and scalp. By breaking down all of this grime and buildup, you can assist the follicles with hair growth and encourage healthier hair. 

What Is Clarifying Shampoo?

This is a specially designed shampoo that aids the removal of dirt and product buildup on the hair and scalp. To be clear, clarifying shampoo is not a substitute for regular shampoo. That means that you should not use this daily, or even weekly. In fact, you should only use a clarifying shampoo once a month. In extreme cases, you can use it once a week. The clarifying shampoo in this article should be used when you have excess oils and residue on the scalp. 

It is very easy to develop product buildup on the hair and scalp, especially if you closely examine your hair care routine. Do you use moose, gel, hair spray, oils, masks, and more on your hair? What ingredients are in your hair care products? Over time, these things can build up on the scalp and negatively affect your hair. Chelating shampoos or hair clarifiers contain surfactants that remove impurities, cut grease, and residue left from hair products. Clarifying shampoos can also restore damaged hair from heat treatments, coloring, or perms. 

How Do You Make Clarifying Shampoo?

If you take a look in your pantry or cupboards, you probably have the few simple ingredients required to make a clarifying shampoo. One of the ingredients, which has many uses outside the kitchen, is baking soda. When you dissolve baking soda in water, you have the perfect clarifying shampoo. It can effectively remove oils, product buildup, and soaps, leaving your hair and scalp clean and healthy.

The second ingredient, which you undoubtedly have if you have used our cleanses, is apple cider vinegar. This powerful product is a common ingredient in hair rinses because it works to regulate pH levels. Some anecdotal reports suggest that apple cider vinegar may also reduce dandruff, remove product buildup, and reduce split ends. 

Homemade Clarifying Shampoo vs. Conventional Clarifying Shampoo

Essentially, a homemade clarifying shampoo and conventional clarifying shampoo serve the same purpose, which is to remove buildup from the hair and scalp. You can think of these shampoos as traditional shampoos on steroids. Homemade clarifying shampoo uses minimal ingredients and has the least amount of negative effects on the hair and scalp. Conventional clarifying shampoo can contain harsh, synthetic ingredients that dry out the hair and scalp of necessary oils, especially if you overuse it.

Homemade Clarifying Shampoo With Baking Soda

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (warm water helps baking soda dissolve more quickly)
• 3 drops essential oils of choice
• 2 tablespoons baking soda

Instructions:

• Pour the water into a small bowl and drop in the essential oils. Mix well. 
• Add the baking soda to the water and stir with a spoon until the baking soda is completely dissolved. 

How To Use:

• When your hair is wet, distribute the shampoo evenly across the hair and scalp. Allow it to sit for five to 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. 
• Follow up with a hair conditioner.

Homemade Clarifying Shampoo With Apple Cider Vinegar

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”)
• 1-2 cups warm water (use more for thicker and longer hair)

3 drops essential oils of choice

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle, secure the lid, and shake well to combine.

How To Use:

• While your hair is wet, generously spray the mixture all over your hair and scalp. Use your hands to massage it into the scalp and hair strands. 
• Allow it to sit for three to five minutes before rinsing with water. Follow up with a natural conditioner if you wish.

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When you have a lot of rosemary on hand, you cannot simply make roasted chicken and potatoes for every meal. You can add rosemary to stocks, soups, or infuse it into oil, but eventually, you will tire of the herb’s flavor. Too much of a good thing is real…or is it? When you no longer want to enjoy rosemary in culinary applications, use it to make nourishing products for your skin and hair. 

Why Should You Use A Facial Toner?

Facial toner works to remove traces of grime, dirt, and impurities that remain in your pores after you wash your face. Adding a toner to your daily skin care routine can have a positive impact on the overall appearance and tightness of your pores. Turning back the hands of time? Although it isn’t the anti-aging secret of the century, facial toner does help to restore the skin’s pH balance, creating a smoother appearance and tone. 

Everyone can benefit from using facial toner, but people with oily or acne-prone skin benefit a great deal. The reason for this is because toner goes the extra mile to clean the gunk out of those pores. If you have acne-prone skin, though, consider a toner that contains salicylic acid. People with oily skin may benefit from toners that help to balance oil production. Continue reading to learn more about the ingredients in this homemade toner and how they benefit your skin. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a common ingredient in many DIY face washes, acne spot cleansers, and toners. At this time, there isn’t sufficient research or scientific evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar for facial skin care. That said, there are many anecdotal reports that suggest it works wonders for the skin. Apple cider vinegar works to remove excess oil, dirt, and other debris from pores. When incorporated into a toner or cleanser, apple cider vinegar can aid your skin-cleansing efforts. Because it is an astringent, apple cider vinegar lends itself to toners, creating more even skin tone and tighter pores. 

Rosemary

Rosemary, specifically rosemary oil, acts as a refreshing astringent that helps to balance skin tone. Topical application of this oil can help decongest oily skin types and acne-prone skin, while simultaneously maintaining the skin’s balance. The antimicrobial properties of rosemary help to invigorate the skin and increase circulation to the skin’s surface, contributing to a more youthful glow. Rosemary works to hydrate the skin and control oil production, while also providing antibacterial properties that help to keep breakouts at bay. Additionally, the use of rosemary oil on the skin has been associated with less flaking and dryness. It is a common ingredient in skin care products because it encourages healthier skin tissues. 

Homemade Facial Toner With Rosemary

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

• Combine the water and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow it to simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. 
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the liquid to cool before straining it through a fine mesh strainer and into a glass jar. 
• Pour in the apple cider vinegar and mix well to combine. 
• When ready to use, shake well to combine, dip a cotton ball or pad in the mixture, and gently pat your face with it to apply. 
• Leave for a minute or so and then follow with your favorite moisturizer.

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