Kim Dowds

Easter is upon us. For those celebrating this weekend (or Orthodox Easter next weekend) many of you will be about to face the “dying the eggs task”. With rubber gloves on you pray that the dye won’t end up on clothes, kids, carpet, walls, etc..

Some Easter’s I have sported some lovely colours on my arms and hands that made it look like I was celebrating Holi!

This year I am returning to a more natural way of dying easter eggs that involves less chemicals and is generally healthier and I think looks amazing.

You’ll find your dye ingredients in any local grocery store. Red onions skins give a sepia look to eggs. Red cabbage turns eggs blue. Beets turns eggs pink and turmeric makes beautiful yellow eggs.  If you pull out your colour wheel you can mix the ingredients to create purple (beets and cabbage), orange (beets and turmeric) and green  (cabbage and turmeric) eggs!!

There is no exact science to this process – we used to do this at the cottage when I was younger and the designs you can make are amazing. I will post pictures from this year’s batch when they are done.

The kids will enjoy making the eggs with you – give them some crayons and let them draw on the eggs prior to dying, the wax from the crayon will repell the dye.

Onion skin dyed eggs are fun to make – take raw eggs and wrap the onion skins around the eggs, use cheese cloth to hold the skins in place. I like to take thread and wrap it around the egg before wrapping with the onion skins for an artistic look. Place the onion skin wrapped eggs in boiling water (add a tablespoon or so of vinegar to the water) and let it boil for approx 20-25 minutes. Let them cool and then upwrap your masterpieces.
For cabbage and beets – you want to chop up vegetable and add equal parts water and vinegar to the vegetables (1-1-1). Bring to a boil for approx. 5 minutes and set aside. Place pre-boiled eggs in the mixture. The longer you let the egg sit in the water, the deeper the colour.

To create a different colour like purple – place the eggs in each bath (cabbage and beets) for approx 5 hours (or longer depending on how dark you want the colour to be).

For the yellow turmeric eggs you use the same process as for the cabbage and beets, however the ratio is 6 parts vinegar to 6 parts water to 8 parts turmeric.

* Use white eggs and regular vinegar! Do not use pickling vinegar – it is too strong and will weaken your egg shells!!

 

Spring is here and for many that means an opportunity for spring cleaning… It is a chance to clear out your closets, organize the garage and get rid of those unused items just taking up space in your storage area.

Before you place any of those items in a garbage bag please consider Freecycling them instead.

Donating an item to a local charity thrift store is always an option, but some items are no longer accepted by these stores. You can still Freecycle items that Thrift stores no longer take.

I often Freecycle items that I no longer have use for and I know that the new owner will appreciate the item as much as I used to.

Freecycling has been gaining popularity and there are a number of active email groups in Durham region where people post items to give away.

You’d be amazed at the items up for offer that are quickly requested by many members… Items that some might just toss in the garbage.

From furniture, tools, sports equipment… To kitchen utensils… The list is endless!

Here are a few examples of items that most Thrift stores no longer take but can be Freecycled:

Cleaning out your bathroom? Before tossing those half used bottles of potions and lotions in the trash post them on Freecycle. Someone in need would greatly appreciate these items.

Broken electronics and computer parts? There are handy freecyclers who can take your broken items and give them a new life!

Freezer burnt meat? Post it on Freecycle – some cooks will stew the meat, others will use it to feed their dogs.

Have coupons that you can’t use? Post them on Freecycle.

Clearing out the pantry? Post the items on Freecycle!

Broken furniture will be gratefully restored.

Left overs from a renovation project (half packages of insulation, part boxes of tiles, etc) can all be offered to Freecyclers. Check too with your local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store to see if they can use the item.

Freecycle isn’t just about giving but also an opportunity to receive. If you know a friend in need, a single parent trying to get by, a person with a disability on a limited income, tell them about Freecycle – they may be gifted an item they need.

For more information or to join a local group visit: a href=”http://www.freecycle.org” alt=”The Freecycle Network”The Freecycle Network/a